Putting Patches on Packs

[Drapac]

Not the "Cover a tear kind", more of the bumper sticker for your pack kind of patch.

Would stitching/sewing on or using some kind of adhesive, be better for affixing a patch to a pack? Especially if you are going to have a multitude of patches on the pack.

My first thought was stitching/sewing would be better, but I wondered how that would effect the water resistance of the pack as well as its overall structural integrity when a whole bunch of patches are put on.

Does anyone here have patches on their pack and have a preferred method?

Thanks!

[MuddyWaters]

Why would you think a pack is water resistant?

If you never ever want to be able to sell it, do whatever you like to it.

[nsherry61]

Sewing patches on your pack won't alter the durability of your pack. Heck, the whole pack is held together with stitches to begin with. If you are worried about the needle holes decreasing the water resistance of your pack, put a little seam sealer over them on the inside after you are done sewing on the patches.

Patches do add weight though.

[CalebJ]

Why would you think a pack is water resistant?

If you never ever want to be able to sell it, do whatever you like to it.

Most packs are. What are you getting at?

[nsherry61]

Most packs are water resistant, NOT water proof. Most packs have all kinds of needle holes in them already from the manufacturing. A few needle holes wouldn't significantly alter the water resistance of a pack. If it were a water proof pack however, needle holes would be a small problem and gluing the patch would probably be the better choice.

[gravityman]

My problem is getting the patch to stay on my pack that has a stretchy pocket that I sew it to. Every few years it comes off.

[Dogwood]

Take your fabric patch smearing a thin layer of McNett's Seam Grip on it. Carefully cleanly attach to pack in an area of the main body nylon, Dyneema, canvas, etc. Takes several hrs to cure so placing some temporary tape over the patch helps keep the patch's edges down as it gels. Don't get wet Seam Grip on stuff you don't want marred. I wouldn't try this over mesh or stretchy side or front shovel pockets. I don't know about Sean Grip sticking to hybrid CF. Seam Grip hardens to a clear flexible seal. Seam Grip is WP. It's somewhat similar to Shoe Goo but perhaps softer and more flexible once hardened. https://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/seam-grip#10510 If you just want to add some flash in your backpacking dash McNett's Gear Gear Aid also has shaped, reflective, etc Tenacious Tape patches. They hold exceptionally well. https://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/gear-patches#10819

[Drapac]

Awesome, thanks for the replies guys.

And thanks for the detail dogwood, I'll check that out.

[Maui Rhino]

I sewed a 4"x4" Velcro loop patch on my pack. Then I stitch Velcro hook onto my favorite patches. Makes it easy to swap patches out to my heart's content.

[peakbagger]

One thing to consider is a pack is usually very abrasion resistant material, patches are not. If you use the pack a lot, the patches do tend to get quite shredded.

[Traveler]

FWIW, you may want to consider a patch sash. Sew the patches onto a sash or fabric panel that can be connected to the pack and you can use it on any number of packs over a number of years. It can be removed when you want to protect them a bit as well.

[Deacon]

I sewed a 4"x4" Velcro loop patch on my pack. Then I stitch Velcro hook onto my favorite patches. Makes it easy to swap patches out to my heart's content.

What an excellent idea!

[tour-kid]

**waits patiently for Girl Scout cookie joke**

[tour-kid]

Just kidding that's a great idea

[Traveler]

**waits patiently for Girl Scout cookie joke**

HA! I thought about that too... I've seen sashes used, but they are usually made of a large square of material with ties or connection points for pack use. Though I suppose with those you can have mud flaps with the ever popular "back off" Yosemite Sam on them.

[Dogwood]

**waits patiently for Girl Scout cookie joke**

Umm, Girl Scout Cookie strain?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Go for it!

Spring Trip Download 1 2011-12-31 103.JPG

[TNhiker]

Umm, Girl Scout Cookie strain?

I could could be the only one getting this reference....

heard good old things about it, but haven't yet tried it.....

[tour-kid]

I got the reference. I'm loving dog walker these days.

Energy to move, enough space to drift off in thought.
A good dead show in the earbuds and I'm a happy camper

[-Rush-]

Sewing onto packs sucks for several reasons. I prefer one of these approaches..

A piece of canvas or other material that you attach to your pack.
dsc02798.jpg

A velcro pad attached to the pack.

Tactical-Patches-Military-PVC-Badge-Chinese-Character-Velcro-DIY-Rubber-Velcro-Patches-for-Cloth.jpg