Questions tagged [gear-care]
The gear-care tag has no usage guidance.
74 questions
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How can I fix an airbed valve that pops open?
I have an old six-reed inflatable camping mattress -- one of the ones with six long parallel chambers that you inflate with lung power. It looks similar to this one.
The chambers are sealed with the ...
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8
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2
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What type of oil to use for axe heads
I bought a forest axe and its manufacturer says to oil the axe head before storing to prevent rusting.
What type of oil should I use?
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5
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1
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Store skins on skis between tour?
Usually, before going on a ski touring expedition, I prepare all the material beforehand to spare as much time as possible outside. This includes installing the skins on the skis while being warm ...
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2
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How to clean and refurbish a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife?
I have an old Swiss Army Knife on which I can only open one blade; the rest are locked in place. How should I clean this, and is there anything else I should do to refurbish it, like oiling, after I ...
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1
answer
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Spray-on waterproofing for non-DWR fabrics?
I have a pair of knickers (ie, 3/4 length trousers) I use for bike commuting year round. Since it's the start of the rainy season on the east coast, I was wondering if a spray-on waterproofing product ...
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0
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Is it OK to use wash-in DWR on synthetic fill insulated clothing made with PrimaLoft? [duplicate]
I have heard mixed opinions on using wash-in DWR (i.e. Nikwax TX.Direct wash in or Gear Aid Wash In Water Repellent or Grangers Wash + Repel) for shells and other garments (some people say that it ...
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4
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1
answer
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Using Gri Gri 2's Carabiner with Another Belay Device?
I've been using an AustriAlpin autolock carabiner with my Gri Gri 2 for around 9 months, a few times a week (1 to 3 times). It's a very solid, robust and big carabiner, which means that's not too ...
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1
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I wonder what happened to this backpack
This backpack was purchased in 2015 and has been stored in a closet for the past few years.
I've noticed that the rubber layer on some zippers has turned yellow and is peeling, and there is also some ...
- 4,740
5
votes
1
answer
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What pre/post season maintenance is recommended for a 2 cycle outboard motor?
I just acquired a used Yamaha 50TLR.
I'd like to know what kind of routine maintenance I should preform to keep it in good working order.
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6
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How to prevent strap slippage through buckle?
A strap running through a buckle is typically easy to loosen and tighten as desired. Usually, it stays in place. Sometimes, however, it slowly (or quickly) works its way loose, as though the thickness ...
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2
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Is my camping stove leaking? How can I check?
I have a Campingaz Camping 206 S camping stove, like the following picture, though I'm hoping any advice I get here will apply equally well to any kind of small gas camping stove.
It's been a pretty ...
- 1,536
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6
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When should I use spray-on versus wash-in waterproofer for treating DWR garments?
There are both spray-on and wash-in products available for treating my DWR (Durable Water Repellent), gore-tex, eVent and other garments using products such as nikwax wash-in or nikwax tx-direct. ...
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17
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4
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How do I tell if this single climbing rope is still safe for use?
I've lent my friend a five year old single climbing rope for a garden project. It was in meticulous condition until then.
Instead of a weekend it took him more like six weeks to complete his project ...
- 4,073
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1
answer
2k
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Is is okay for a SUP-pump to get wet?
[Moved here from the sports exchange]
I have a Stand-Up-Paddle-Board, and I like to do some tours. I would need to take the pump with me. It's a typical pump for a SUP (double-action-pump with a ...
- 4,073
2
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2
answers
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How can I increase friction in a zip?
We had a question recently about decreasing friction in a zip, but this is the opposite case: I have a couple of zips that slide down by themselves. Is there anything I can apply to add a bit of ...
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1
answer
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Reproofing porous areas of a breathable drysuit - can it be done at home?
My kayaking drysuit has become porous in a couple of places, mainly around the knees. I'd like to prolong its life at least for the rest of this paddling season.
After paddling the other day I found ...
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3
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How to store a knife
Actually I've placed my knife besides my quiver. It's in a leather scabbard and a dry room at common room temperature (17°C - 23°C).
Is there anything else to consider?
My intention aren't any ...
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2
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0
answers
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Double stitched leather shoe care
I am hiking in Meindl's double stitched, Nubuk leather hiking shoes, called Badile (https://meindl.de/product/badile-en/?lang=en) I have them for quite some years now and was very happy with them all ...
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3
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2k
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Will using kick-wax on my alpine touring skis ruin the bases?
My favourite backcountry ski area has a really long approach along a groomed trail. I started putting a bit of kick wax on the base of my skis so I could make better time on the flat instead of ...
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1
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5k
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How to repair gore-tex boots split?
Last year I got myself a first pair of gore-tex B0 boots. Before I used only leather. I took care of those as good as I could. Keeping clean and using special sprays.
However now one boot developed 1....
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2
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5k
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Can or should you season titanium cookware?
I have a set of titanium cookware that I use for backpacking. It's a small set for one to two people and consists of two little pots and one cover/frying pan. Mostly, this set gets used for boiling ...
- 1,152
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1
answer
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Removing pickle smell from a tent
While camping a little while back, my GF dropped an open jar of pickles inside the tent. Brine was all over the tent's floor, and after we cleaned what we can and it completely dried out, some odor ...
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How do I extend the life of waterproof leather boots?
I've got some leather boots that are showing some wear and tear. More importantly, the seam between the sole and boot is starting to crack and allow some water in. Do products like ShoeGoo or FreeSole ...
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1
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3k
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Should wax for G-1000 be continuously applied?
I got a Fjällräven Barents Trousers for Christmas! Hell yeah! It's made of the "G-1000" material.
65% polyester, 35% cotton. G-1000 Original is the original fabric in
Fjällräven’s comfortable ...
- 13.4k
6
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5
answers
366
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How to clean trail running shoes?
I've asked all of my trail running friends and the general consensus is to simply hose them off in the sink (some even just wear them in the shower...). I'm concerned that leaving soaking wet shoes ...
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2
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Where can I get little durable cases you can hang on your climbing harness?
On longer climbing sessions I like to keep my cell phone close by, but most of the time I have no backpack with me. So I would like to pack the cell phone in a little case that I can put on my ...
- 12.1k
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2
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What type of glue is best to repair/resole cross country ski boots with plastic soles?
Does anybody know a good type of suitable glue to repair a delaminated sole on (modern) cross country ski boots with plastic soles (Rottefella NNN in particular). The delaminated part is in the front ...
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1
answer
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How to replace an unknown propane lantern globe? [closed]
I have a propane lantern that the glass measures 3.25 X 3.25 and on the glass it has borosil with an r in a circle beside it, but no numbers so that we can get a new globe because it has broken. ...
- 69.4k
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How to touch up scratches on a black anodized aluminum flashlight?
One of my flashlights that has a black anodized aluminum housing has a couple of scratches on it, all of the way through the anodized coating.
How can I cover up the scratches so that its completely ...
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3
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Is it ok for my climbing shoes/chalk bag to get wet?
I recently picked up bouldering and bought my first pair of shoes as well as chalk and a bag.
I've only been climbing in the gym for now and handled the equipment like any other gym-sports-equipment: ...
- 69.4k
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What sort of glue (if any) to use to fix replacement tips onto carbon fibre trekking poles?
I have a pair of quite old Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Flicklock trekking poles. After much use and abuse the tip on one of them has finally gotten bashed in (the carbide tip has either broken ...
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1
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How to get rid the mold smell in old canvas tent?
Bought a 30 year old classic Coleman's canvas ten cheap (it's Canadian cousin actually). It is in great working condition, water proofing and zippers etc. and I thought convert it to a hot tent.
But, ...
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1
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How can I repair a mapcase (reattach Velcro)?
I have a mapcase made of clear plastic (PVC I think). It has a roll top held shut with velcro. Both sides of the velcro were attached by some sort of welding process but one of them has completely ...
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Cleaning the plastic residue of the inside of my old backpack
I have a very old backpack (10-15 years old) that is perfect for one day or weekend hikes. The problem is that the inside material has started to peel off and it leaves small bits of yellowish plastic ...
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1
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How to properly wash a snowboard/ski tech jacket?
I have a 10k mm waterproof jacket from Quiksilver and I was wondering if there is any supposed way I should wash it properly.
I know about Nikwax tech wash and have a bottle of it, but how much ...
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4
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Taking care of hiking backpack
I've had a 60 L backpack for almost seven years now. Nothing on it is broken and it fits my needs, so right now I don't have any thoughts about replacing it (Getting a light pack might be the only ...
- 69.4k
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2
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Impregnation and waxing full leather shoes
I will go to a wet territory (Jotunheimen) next week and would like to prepare my full leather shoes for that. I have read a lot of articles about shoe care and they are either about impregnation (...
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3
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Is a tarp necessary if you have a tent with a rainfly and a footprint?
My tent has a rainfly, but I'm wondering if I need to carry a tarp for the extra rain protection. I don't want to pack a wet tent because that would damage the fabric, but I don't know if that is ...
- 69.4k
7
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1
answer
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Should I grind the edge or the backbevel first when sharpening my knife?
I'm using a Spyderco Tri-angle sharpmaker to sharpen both a drop-point fixed blade and a folding tanto blade. It has 2 settings:
2 20 degree sides for a 40 degree working edge
2 15 degree sides for ...
- 69.4k
7
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1
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Ice axe and crampon post winter cleaning/preparation [duplicate]
So winter is well and truly over in Wales. Pretty much all the snow has melted and the weather is improving. So it's time to retire my winter gear until next winter.
What should I do with my Ice Axe ...
- 69.4k
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Carrying crampons safely when not using them
How should one carry crampons when not actually using it, but knowing that they are going to be needed in the further stage of the expedition.
Further clarification: Suppose I am gonna need to have ...
- 69.4k
8
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2
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2k
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How to fix a leak in Hydration pack?
Its somewhat wrong to say a leak, I should rather say a small hole. But how would you go about sealing/fixing it?
I know many of us would say, "Why so much trouble? trash it, and get a new one", but ...
- 69.4k
9
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1
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10k
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Rain soaked leather jacket- how to repair?
I have a genuine full grain 1.3 mm cow hide motorcycle jacket that was caught in rain. It wasn't a downpour but I was in the rain long enough for the jacket to be pretty wet, not just the surface. I ...
- 69.4k
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2
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What is the difference between a sac liner and a dry bag?
I know dry bags come in different sizes and materials, some being soft and some being rigid and tough. However I've noticed there are items in the market that are exactly the same as a soft dry bag ...
- 25.1k
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1
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How to care for a smelly (as in wet dog smell) down sleeping bag?
My down sleeping bag smelled like a wet dog after a damp night out.
By reading this forum thread.
I realized that it probably didn't dry enough after the trip.
So I let it out at the air, and the ...
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6
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1
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Which oil to "burn" (with a hot air gun) a rattan recurve
I've a rattan recurve bow here which needs to be tuned. However, I'm not sure which oil to use.
Which oil should I use to "burn" (with a hot air gun) a rattan recurve?
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3
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Should one store a tent loose for prolonged periods between uses to maximize its lifetime?
Explanation of why my question is not a duplicate of What is the best way to store my tent?.
I am specifically asking about an aspect not addressed in the earlier question or any of its answers: ...
9
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1
answer
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Relation of ski edge sharpening to skiing ability and snow conditions
What is the effect of sharpening ski edges at different angles (85-90) and with different grit diamond stones (150-1200+) or regular files?
How does this relate to the level of the skier and the type ...
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1
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Via ferrata equipment maintenance
How would you store via ferrata equipment between season? Temperature, humidity? Is there any additional maintenance required?
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Does skiing over things like sticks, leaves, roots and tree needles damage the skis?
Obviously cross/back-country skis can be damaged by skiing over things like rocks, stones, gravel and asphalt. What about other, softer objects exposed when the snow starts to melt, like sticks, roots,...
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