Fixing my leaking water filter sparked a talk on trail repairs vs. new gear

On a long hike, my water filter began to drip where the parts connect. I got worried since safe drinking water is so important. Luckily, I had a roll of strong tape with me, so I sealed it up good. That patch job got me through the trip without issue. When I shared this story, my camping buddies split into two camps. One group insists on making do with what you have to avoid trash and save cash. The other side feels that faulty equipment is too dangerous and needs a straight swap. My experience shows a temporary solution can work, but I wonder about the right call. How do you handle gear that breaks when you're out in the woods?

3 comments

3 Comments

quinncoleman1d ago

Last year, my water bladder sprung a leak halfway through a multi-day hike. I used duct tape from my kit to seal it up, and it held for the rest of the trip. Carrying a few repair items has gotten me out of tight spots more times than I can count. I understand the worry about faulty gear, but learning to fix things builds confidence and saves resources. For me, the choice depends on the item and how far from help I am.

violagarcia22h ago

Duct tape adhesive breaks down with moisture, just fyi.

jackson.mark10h ago

Tell that to my soggy boot patch job last spring.