FAQ

TURNAROUND TIME: Winter is the busy season. Expect a minimum of 3 weeks, if not longer, not counting shipping, to get through the system.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: WE NO LONGER DO MAIL ORDER. Effective 1/15/20

More information here: Mail Order Repairs and Alterations

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions.


Where are you located, and how do I get my gear to you? I am in Spokane, WA. Please check the Contact page for more information on shipping to me. Locals, go here.

What kind of clothing do you repair, alter, and modify? I can repair or modify almost any kind of outdoor clothing, including hardshell, softshell, fleece, Lycra fabric, and more. I alter sleeve and leg length, but I do not resize garments.

What do you not do? I am a modification and repair specialist and do not do the following:

  • Production, product development, sample making, manufacturing, or prototyping
  • Resizing/reshaping of too large/small/baggy/tight garments
  • Custom clothing or other custom items
  • Duplication of clothing, tents, packs
  • Replacement tent flies (contact the manufacturer)
  • Tent poles (contact TentPole Technologies)
  • Large tents (over 4-man backpack)
  • Large backpacks, internal or external frame
  • Daypacks, rucksacks
  • Luggage, golf and other bags, laptop and other cases, or shoe repair (contact shoe repair shops for these)

What kind of tents do you repair? I repair backpacking and small tents only. I do not have the facilities to handle anything larger than a four-man dome. Please contact a tarp shop for larger tents, including canvas and multi-room tents.

What kind of packs do you repair? We no longer work on any packs or bags. Please contact Mountain Soles in Portland, OR for backpack repairs, or check with your favorite shoe repair.

I want something modified; what do you need to know? When you request a modification, any information you can give me about your current setup and what does or does not work is a great place to start. I can work off of simple illustrations and sketches; I will  most likely ask you for dimensions and about your end use.

Do I need to clean my gear and clothing before sending it to you? Yes! Clothing must be freshly laundered; I will not work on unwashed clothes! For information on how to clean your clothing, read the tag or contact the manufacturer. This is for shell wear and all garments, no exceptions. You can wash technical clothing with any number of products made specifically for technical clothing by Granger’s or Nikwax. I apologize for sounding so cranky, but I have been sent clothing with dried mud, snot, food, fish guts, pet hair, and all sorts of other substances and odors on it. Equipment must be clean as in clean and shaken out, and free of dirt, grit, and trash. You can use a brush to remove grit and dirt. You will be assessed a service charge if your gear pours grit into the sewing equipment, or if I have to clean out granola bar wrappers, crumbs, pine needles, dog hair, dirty socks, or other trash. If your gear is crusty with salt, please hose it off. Note: do not use detergents, coarse brushes, or washing machines on coated items; doing so will remove the coating.

Are you certified by Gore? I am equipped for heat sealing on Gore-Tex and related fabrics; however, I am not certified for repair by Gore. According to Brian Murphy of Gore Product Support, Gore no longer certifies any repair shops, although they used to. My business was started after the certification program was discontinued. This of course in no way affects the quality of the work I do.

Do you repair The North Face items? I am factory authorized for non-warranty repair and aftermarket modifications and alterations only. If your item is a warranty repair item, contact The North Face warranty department directly at 800-447-2333. If it is any other type of repair such as tears or other damage, an equipment modification, or a clothing alteration, then contact me directly.

How do I measure my pants for shortening? Use your standard inseam measurement as a guide, but double-check it. Put on your pants and the boots you will be wearing with them. Now, act like you are doing your activity: knee bends, big steps, tele jumps, sitting on a chairlift, and so on. To make sure that the length is correct, “fold” out the excess until you have a good length, and make a note of the number. You can also roll the legs up. You don’t want the pants to be so short that they pull off of the tops of your boots when you bend your knees or sit down. Measure the new inseam length and note that number. Another thing to note is whether any articulated knee structure is correctly placed once the length has been adjusted; you may want to consider having the pants shortened above the knee if it is way off. If you have any questions about getting this right, please call me, because a correct alteration will depend on your measurement.

How do I measure my sleeves for shortening? Similar to pants, this must be accurate for your sport. Fold the cuff back to where you think it should be and then perform some typical actions (reaching up and forward, for example) to see if the length is correct. You do not want your sleeves so short that they expose your wrist or the top of your gloves when you reach for a pole plant, place some protection, or make any other move. Adjust the fold if needed, and take note of the final number to give me. If you have any questions about getting this right, please call me, because a correct alteration will depend on your measurement.

Do you work on down items? I can do some repairs and some zipper replacements.

The seams on my item are welded, not sewn; can you work on it anyway? I can repair and alter many items with welded seams. These repairs may cost more than a sewn item due to the technology involved. I may not be able to replicate the original factory finish here in the shop.

Is my gear worth repairing? Almost anything is worth fixing unless the fabric is old and degraded with general wear or UV damage. If the fabric is not shredded, pulled out, or worn thin, or if the coating is not coming off, it is probably worth repairing. Gear can be rehabilitated with new zippers, buckles, elastic, and patching. Note: lower-quality packs and tents are not worth repairing; do yourself a favor and invest in quality gear to begin with.

What is the turnaround time? Turnaround ultimately depends on my work backload. Repairs generally take 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the season, but could take longer if I am busy. Large projects can take 6 to 8 weeks or even more after the deposit is received. If you need your equipment back in time for a trip, please let me know and I will do my best to work with you. The best strategy is to plan ahead: check your ski wear at the end of the season, not a week before your ski trip! If a deposit is requested, please send it promptly.

What about a quote? Please check the Pricing  page for general prices. If you don’t see your requested modification on the list, just email me. Quotes are good for 30 days and are for labor only; materials are separate.

Do you do rush work? No. I do not believe in charging more for rush work. I work on a first-in, first-out basis. If I can fit you in I surely will, but not at the sacrifice of those ahead of you.