Suppose you are on a hiking trip across a beautiful landscape with your family or friends. You are enjoying your journey. However, you have to carry a backpack with all your belongings. The load might be tiresome, but all the essentials, like tents, clothes, food, water, and camping equipment, are in it. These things are crucial for the hike. Check our Hiking Backpack With Water Bottle Holder to get the best backpack for your journey.
While moving forward, you suddenly feel the load getting lighter. You may think someone has taken some of the weight off your shoulders. But no, that’s not the case. Your backpack strap has snapped, and now half the backpack’s contents are lying on the ground!
It is a very common problem that many hikers and travel enthusiast face. A broken backpack strap can ruin your whole trip. You can’t just throw away your bag and all your belongings and go back home. So, you need to fix it. But how?
Knowing how to fix a backpack strap is essential to continue your journey without any hassle. This article will show you how to fix a backpack strap in a few simple steps. So, read it till the end.
How to Fix Backpack Straps by Sewing?
While in the wilds, you can’t predict your fate. So, it is always better to know some essential survival skills like sewing. Keeps an emergency kit with you when you go. If your backpack strap breaks, you can use this emergency kit to fix it.
Must-Have Tools in Your Sewing Kit
- Needles
- Scissor
- Sturdy thread of the same color as your backpack
- Piece of cloth of nylon or some other sturdy fabric
Steps To Sew Your Backpack Strap
Step # 01
Firstly, empty your backpack and take out all the things from it. Put all the stuff on one side and your backpack on the other. Then, find the place where your backpack strap has torn off. Hold the strap in your hand and cut off the frayed edges with a scissor. Orient the bag so that the part where the strap has torn off is facing you.
Step # 02
Take your sewing kit and find a needle and thread of the same color and material as your backpack. Pass the thread through the needle and make a knot at one end. It will ensure that the thread doesn’t come out of the needle while you are sewing.
Step # 03
Take the piece of cloth. Fold it and cut it into a strip. Make sure that the edges of the strip are level with the strap. This strip will act as a reinforcement for your backpack strap. Cover the strap with the folded strip and pin it in place.
Step # 04
Begin to sew the strap and cloth strip by passing the needle through the strap and the strip. Make sure that you are sewing in a straight line. Sew slowly and carefully so that your stitches are even. Don’t sew close to the edges, as it might tear the fabric.
Step # 05
After sewing the strap, secure the stitches appropriately. There are several ways to secure the stitching. The most used method is to push the needle through the fabric and make a loop. Repeat the loop formation twice or thrice and then pass the needle through the loop. Pull the thread tight, and you will see a small knot on the fabric. The knot will prevent the stitches from coming out.
Step # 06
After you have sewed the strap with the cloth strip, it’s time to stitch the strap with the backpack. Replace the thread with a longer one so you can easily sew the strap with the bag. Don’t take a too long thread, as it will become difficult to handle. Longer threads easily tangle and don’t allow you to make proper stitches.
Step # 07
After replacing the thread in the needle, align the backpack strap with the place from where it has torn off. If the shoulder side has torn off, align it with the shoulder side. If the other side has torn off, then align it with that side.
Step # 08
After aligning the strap, press the edges of the strap with your fingers. It will make it easier for you to sew the strap with the backpack. Start sewing the strap with the backpack by making small and close stitches. You can use backstitching to make the stitches stronger.
Step # 09
When you are done with the stitching, make a knot at the end, so the thread doesn’t come out. Use the same method as used in step 5 to make a knot. After making the knot, cut the extra thread with a scissor. Properly securing the stitches prevent your bag from further tearing.
Now that you know how to fix a backpack strap, you can easily repair it if it breaks while you are on a hike or a trip. Always keep a sewing kit with you so you can fix any minor issues with your backpack. A little bit of precaution can save you from a lot of inconveniences.
How to Fix a Backpack Strap without Sewing?
Sewing a backpack strap is not the only way to fix it. If you don’t know how to sew or if you don’t have a sewing kit with you, then some other methods can help you escape the misery. Let’s learn about them.
Fixing it with Duct Tape
Duct tape is one of the most versatile tools to help you fix different things. It is sturdy, adhesive, and easy to use. Here are the steps involved in fixing a backpack strap with duct tape.
Step # 01
Take out all your stuff from the backpack so that you have easy access to the straps. It will also prevent your stuff from getting damaged while working on the backpack.
Step # 02
Once you have emptied the backpack, wash the strap to clean it. You can also rinse it with a wet cloth if it is not too dirty. After cleaning or rinsing the strap, let it dry completely. Also, remove any creases. As accessing iron is not easy while you are on a trip, you can use a steel bar for this purpose.
Warm the steel or iron bar and then use it to press the creases like an iron. While heating the bar, ensure not to overheat it as it can damage the fabric. To prevent burns on your strap, wrap the strap with a piece of protecting cloth.
Step # 03
Now that the strap is ready, take a double-sided duct tape and cut a strip. A single-sided duct tape can also work, but it is not as effective as double-sided tape. The strip size should be enough to cover the torn part of the strap. Attach the tape to the part of the bag where the strap has torn off. Cover all the gaps where the strap snapped off.
Step # 04
After attaching the strip of duct tape to the backpack, attach the strap to it. Make sure to attach the strap in the right position. Inaccurate positioning of the strap can cause inconvenience. Once you have positioned the strap correctly, press it for some time to make it stick to the tape.
Step # 05
Now take another strip of duct tape and attach it over the strap. It will further secure the strap and prevent it from tearing off again. While pasting tape over the strap, make sure not to use too much tape as it can make the strap uncomfortable to wear. After pasting the second strip of duct tape, press it again for some time to make it stick completely.
Step # 06
Once you are done with all the steps, you need to stape the end of the duct tape so that it doesn’t come out. Staple the upper part of the strap and backpack to ensure that the strap is securely attached to the backpack. Stapling can improve the strength of the repair. Moreover, it prevents the duct tape from peeling off.
That’s it! Now your backpack is ready to use. Keep your belongings in it and hit the road.
Things You Should Carry on Your Journey To Repair Your Backpack in Case of Incident
Here are the things you should keep with you to repair your backpack in case of an accident.
Sewing kit
Duct tape and stapling can help you get out of a difficult situation, but if you want a permanent solution, you should carry a sewing kit with you. You can keep needles, thread, buttons, and other things in your sewing kit. In addition, buckles and pins are also useful as they can be used to fix several things.
A sewing kit might sound like an obscure solution, but it can be a lifesaver in many situations. Not just for repairing backpacks, but you can also use it to fix clothes, shoes, and other things. So, keeping a sewing kit with you while traveling is always a good idea. Moreover, it doesn’t take up much space in your backpack, so there is no harm in carrying it. Read our Best Backpacks with Lots of Pockets if you are searching for a bag to accommodate a sewing kit and other accessories conveniently.
Scissors
A pair of sharp scissors is also a must-have item in your repair kit. You will need it to cut the duct tape and fabric. Keep a sharp and lightweight pair of scissors with you.
Duct Tape
Duct tapes are usually made of cloth or polyethylene. They are very strong and can be used to fix many items. You can use duct tape to fix your backpack, clothes, shoes, and even your tent. So, make sure to keep a roll of duct tape with you while traveling.
Additional Buckles
If your backpack has a lot of straps, then it is a good idea to carry some additional buckles with you. Plastic buckles often break quite easily while carrying loads. A broken buckle can render your backpack useless. So, carrying some extra buckles is better than being sorry later.
Cutters
Another thing you should not take for granted is a cutter. You will need it to cut the cords, straps, and other things. A cutter is also very useful for opening sealed packs of food. So, it is an essential item for your repair kit. You can also keep a knife with you. Multi-tools, like bottle openers, clippers, screwdrivers, wire strippers, and wrenches, are also useful.
Flashlight
A flashlight is a must-have item for your journey, especially if you are going to be traveling in remote areas. A flashlight helps you if you need to repair your backpack in the dark. A battery-operated torch, a solar-powered flashlight, or a hand-crank flashlight are great options. Solar-powered flashlights are the best as they can be charged during the day and used at night. In case you have a battery-operated flashlight, make sure to keep extra batteries with you.
Conclusion
If you are going on a long journey, carrying a repair kit with you is always a good idea. You never know when you might need needles and thread to fix something. A repair kit can help you fix a number of things, including your backpack. So, make sure to keep the essential items with you while traveling. Be safe, and have a great journey.
FAQs
How do you fix a broken backpack strap adjuster?
If your backpack strap adjuster is broken, you will need to replace it. Here are the steps you need to follow to fix a backpack strap:
- Remove the old broken adjuster by seam ripper
- Take the new adjuster and thread it through the straps.
- Secure the new adjuster in place by stitching it or using duct tape.
- Cut off any excess strap material.
- Test the new adjuster to make sure it is secure and working properly.
Can you sew new backpack straps?
Yes, you can sew new backpack straps. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Firstly, remove the old straps by cutting them off with scissors or a knife.
- Secondly, align the new straps in the same position as the old ones and mark where you need to sew them.
- Next, take the new straps and thread them through the loops on the backpack.
- Finally, sew the new straps in place. You can use a sewing machine or do it by hand.
What thread do you use to sew a backpack?
The thread you use to sew a backpack will depend on the fabric of the backpack. To permanently fix the backpack, you will need to use a strong thread. nylon or polyester thread is a good option. You can also use other heavy-duty threads if you want.
