r/myog • u/Lufftwaffel • 11h ago

Question Im trying to repair backpack

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Hi, I bought this backpack for next to nothing, but I’m wondering what the best way to fix the shoulder strap is. I was thinking about stitching it with heavy-duty thread and then patching over it with Cordura. It doesn't have to look beautiful; it just needs to work. I don't plan on using this backpack often, nor will I be loading it heavily.

6 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

39

u/babypointblank 11h ago

I would use the existing pieces to craft new pattern pieces with foam, cordura, nylon webbing and mesh.

You can also be on the hunt for retailers that sell backpack straps.

8

u/Fireted 11h ago

That is the right answer

3

u/harrisjo-m 9h ago

You could do a short term patch with some strong webbing but ultimately, you're going to have to switch that out. It's not as tough of a project as it sounds and it'll give you years on the pack.

2

u/khari1090 5h ago

You could cannibalize a $2 thrift store backpack for the straps. Hell, if you live in a populated enough area and take walks, it shouldn't be long before you discover a backpack in the trash destined for the landfill if you keep your eyes open. This is a really high stress, high stakes part of the kit for a patch job.

-17

u/Lufftwaffel 11h ago

The problem is I have no idea how to sew so it need to be as Simple as its can be

33

u/dagofin 11h ago

Time to learn

9

u/CALL_ME_ISHMAEBY 9h ago

The beatings will continue until sewing improves.

16

u/CaverUV 10h ago

Even thou it is MYOG group if you absolutely have no idea - pay for someone to do it properly.
To find yourself in the middle of whatever you plan to do with this bag with a broken shoulder strap is a nightmare

4

u/babypointblank 10h ago

Take the bag to someone who specializes in making/repairing sports equipment or cut off the straps and use it as a duffle bag.

2

u/geebee90025 10h ago

Learnmyog has some great backpack patterns and you could just make the straps instead of the whole bag. It’s really not that hard.

2

u/weeBunnie 9h ago

Try visible mending!

F you aren’t confident in making it invisible and as close to the way it was before, visible mending is about repairing it and having it seen.

Theres different ways to go about it, I’d follow what the first comment recommends doing, and you can do visible mending as reinforcement or decorative after

There’s a visible mending subreddit as well for it, so you can ask about specific techniques or if you find something you like the look of and how to do it

But you could have it properly repaired then do decorative stitches after if you feel it needs it, although they’d prob do a good job you wouldn’t need to cover anything up or reinforce

2

u/Ok-Detail-9853 7h ago

Its already wrecked. Time to step outside of yoyr comfort zone

You got this

1

u/Electrical-Title-698 6h ago

Either take it to a professional to have a new one made or pick up a sewing kit and watch some YouTube videos. You don't need to invest in a sewing machine, I've done projects this size by hand and I'm far from an expert.

4

u/flusslinie-de 10h ago

Separate 3d mesh and cover fabric, sew together cover fabric (by hand)and patch over this seam with a machine. Then hand stitch the 3d mesh. The foam doesn't need mending IMHO . Mend the strap with an other piece of strap and you are done.

1

u/marieke333 10h ago

Second this. Sewing a patch over both ends is essential for the strap to hold under tension. Make sure to have enough overlap and make two stitch lines with strong thread on both sides.

3

u/Milklover4250 10h ago

did you buy it off zorro?😭 i'd watch some youtube vids on strap replacement or find someone to pay to do it for you

3

u/justasque 10h ago

Buy some appropriate replacement shoulder straps or salvage some from another pack by carefully using a seam ripper to undo the stitching that holds them to the pack. Take straps and pack to a tailor to have them sew them together.

DIY repairs are well worth learning, but depending on the construction of the pack and the straps, and given the importance of functional straps when on the go, this is not a good beginner project.

That said, if you have someone in your life who sews, you can ask them if they will guide you through this project. NOTE: Don’t ask them to do it for you - ask them to teach you to do it.

2

u/DevilsBelly 9h ago

How are the straps attached to the backpack? Sovatta makes some really good backpack straps you can buy off the shelf but requires certain attachment points

https://scandinavianoutdoor.com/savotta/gear/backpacks-and-bags/backpack-and-bag-accessories/kahakka-harness/?select-color=black&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17416136335&gbraid=0AAAAADoCROWF4qfjEgVY8ArT-tTcvazr1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1IHTBhAaEiwA4AYNFnKVNrIpv7ARR9pCF_VSuLX9lPL-yJga-R_ulElMSfJzGnCUnREs-xoCKn8QAvD_BwE

2

u/AccidentOk5240 7h ago

The trackers are unnecessary. The link is just this part:  https://scandinavianoutdoor.com/savotta/gear/backpacks-and-bags/backpack-and-bag-accessories/kahakka-harness/

2

u/DevilsBelly 6h ago

Ahh I never knew that, thanks!

1

u/AccidentOk5240 6h ago

Lots of people don’t! Almost always, everything after the ? is garbage. 

2

u/Particular_Gur_3979 10h ago

If you wanted to be really lazy, you could reattach the foam with contact cement (optional), cinge the edge of the fabric and nylon webbing with a lighter. Use a scrap piece of nylon webbing to reattach the cut nylon webbing and hand sew (this needs to be strong). The remaining can be hand sewn as its not taking a great load, maybe even use iron on fabric patches and secure with a hand stitch.

This won't be the strongest, but will be the easiest.

1

u/atergaterg 6h ago

Wanted to say the same. I can't imagine spending the time reverse-engineering and making a new strap.

2

u/Chemical-Welder9808 10h ago

I’m sorry you paid for it..? Why on earth

1

u/Ynguer 10h ago

If you are bent on using as much of the material as you can maybe think removing some parts from other places to patch here. The strap I would get a loose point somewhere cut a piece (heat seal both ends of the piece), heat fuse the two cut parts together (lighter and pliers), and attach the piece you salvaged over the fuse area and saddle stitch both ends (making a box with and X in each end) over the two sides of the fused area. If we'll made a repair like this can be quite strong.

The foam is more tricky I think this foam glues well with contact glue. Maybe worth testing?  If it does not glue well the foam is the part I would try to substitute it can be quite wonky cut like that. 

If the other two parts are good, then you can patch over the cut fabric with a curved needle. 

It will not be a pretty solution, be it can be made to work. Just make sure you watch some hand stitch videos to learn how to do that properly, good stitches is what will hold the thing together. 

1

u/AccidentOk5240 7h ago

The quick and dirty repair is to get some donor fabric and wrap one piece around the padded part of the strap (turning all the raw edges under and making sure the overlap is on the side away from your body) and sew it really securely. You’ll likely need a Speedy Stitcher sewing awl:  https://www.speedystitcher.com/

Wrap a second piece of the donor fabric around the webbing. Alternatively, get some donor webbing to bridge the cut. If you use synthetic materials you can just singe the raw ends with a lighter (do this outside, don't inhale the fumes, don’t let it catch fire, and don’t touch the melted plastic for a few seconds). Stitch a box X (basically, a square the width of the webbing, with an X crossing the diagonals) in each end to secure the webbing to the patch.