Trail repairs come in two flavors: woven fabric (packs, jackets, tents, stuff sacks) and TPU film (sleeping pads, water bladders, dry bag liners). The substrates behave differently, so the patches do too. The Threadlock Patch handles fabric. The Airlock Patch handles TPU. Using the wrong one is the single biggest reason field patches peel.
This post covers the why and the how of the patches themselves. If you’re still deciding what to carry, start with our repair kit guide and 60-second quiz.
Which patch for what
Surface prep: this is what actually decides if it holds
Adhesion failure is almost always contamination, not the adhesive. If you can still smell sunscreen on the fabric, the patch will fail. Clean first.
DEET
Body oils and sweat salts
Chlorine residue
Fresh DWR or silicone overspray
Application
Usable immediately
Full strength. Keep dry.
If you cut a patch smaller for a tiny puncture, round the corners. Sharp corners are where peels start.
Bigger or trickier damage
- Long tears: multiple patches with ~5 mm overlap, shingled so any water runs over the seam, not into it.
- Jagged tears in fabric: stitch first to take the load, then cover stitches with Threadlock.
- High-shear spots (corners, seams, strap mounts): oversize the patch and burnish hard. On packs, patch both sides of the fabric.
Step-by-step field technique for tears, seams, poles, and pads lives in Fixing Gear on the Fly.
When patches won't work
FAQ
Is Airlock really clear? Yes. On translucent pads and bladders it nearly disappears.
Do I need heat or a lighter? No. These are pressure-sensitive: pressure and time activate them.
How long do unused patches last in storage? Years, if kept sealed at room temperature and out of direct sun. Don't leave them in a hot car all summer.
Can I patch a wet pad in the field? Dry the spot first: bandana, body heat, a few minutes under a tarp. A patch applied to wet TPU will not hold. Not sure where the leak even is? See how to find a leak in a sleeping pad.
Will these hold on a pad I'll sleep on tonight? Yes. Most of the bond strength is there as soon as you finish burnishing. Full cure happens overnight.
Threadlock for fabric. Airlock for TPU.
Clean the surface, peel-place-roll, burnish for 20 seconds, done.
