Most kit failures in the field are small and fixable — a torn tarp, a split pack strap, a loose load — if you're carrying the right bits. A proper repair kit weighs almost nothing and has bailed out more trips than any single piece of 'proper' gear.
We've picked heavy-duty tape that sticks in the wet, cable ties for quick lashing and repairs, bungee cords for securing loads, and a compact sewing kit for torn fabric and lost buttons — enough to fix most things until you're home.
Heavy-duty duct tape is the ultimate field repair solution — capable of patching tents, waterproofs, shelters, and gear in seconds. A survival kit staple that weighs almost nothing when wrapped around a pencil or card.
Choose a tape with a strong rubber-based adhesive that bonds well to fabric, plastic, metal, and wood — even in cold and damp conditions. Cheap tapes lose adhesion rapidly when wet or cold, which is precisely when you need them most in UK conditions.
The cloth mesh within duct tape determines its tear resistance and conformability. Higher mesh counts provide better strength while still allowing you to tear the tape by hand. Avoid cheap thin tapes that stretch and deform under tension.
Not all duct tapes are genuinely waterproof. For survival use, choose a tape specifically rated as waterproof or designed for outdoor/marine use. These maintain adhesion and integrity even when submerged or exposed to prolonged rainfall.
A full roll of duct tape is heavy and wastes pack space. Instead, wrap 3-5 metres around a pencil, old bank card, or your water bottle. This gives you enough for multiple repairs while weighing almost nothing and fitting anywhere in your kit.
Duct tape adheres poorly to wet, muddy, or oily surfaces. Whenever possible, dry and clean the repair area before applying tape. In an emergency, even wiping with a sleeve or blowing the surface dry improves adhesion dramatically.
A heavy-duty cloth tape that sticks hard to rough, uneven and damp surfaces. The go-to for fast, strong field repairs when something absolutely has to hold.
Strong, weather-resistant cable ties for securing, bundling and repairing almost anything — a featherweight, do-everything fastener for kits, cars and toolboxes.
Assorted-length elasticated bungee cords with strong carabiner hooks for securing loads, rigging shelters and strapping down gear quickly and reusably.
A compact sewing and repair kit with assorted needles, strong thread and spares, letting you mend torn clothing, packs and gear wherever failure strikes.
A short, grab-and-go roll of Gorilla's heavy-duty cloth tape for the field repairs duct tape is famous for — patching a torn tarp, splinting a broken pole, or sealing a leak until you can fix it properly. The thicker adhesive grips rougher and damper surfaces than standard duct tape. The handy roll slips into a grab bag or glovebox without the bulk of a full reel.
A thick, aggressive cloth tape that grips rough and uneven surfaces where cheaper duct tape peels away. It is the one to reach for on field repairs: patching a tarp, splinting a broken pole, sealing a leaking container or reinforcing kit that has started to fail. Wrap a length around a water bottle or torch so you always have some to hand.
Gorilla's toughest cloth tape — heavier and more weather-resistant than standard duct tape, for field repairs that actually need to hold. The sort of thing to wrap around a water bottle or trekking pole so it's there when a strap, tarp or boot fails. The strong adhesive can leave residue, so treat it as a repair tape rather than a tidy household one.
A 50-metre roll of 3M's general-purpose cloth duct tape for the repairs and improvised fixes that come up in any emergency. It tears by hand and sticks to most surfaces, so it earns its place taping tarps, sealing gaps or patching kit in the field. A trusted-brand roll is worth keeping in the grab bag and the car.
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