DIY-repairs

No matter how well you care for it, products will wear over time. You can be unlucky and damage it. In a time where we throw away too much, we want to encourage long-term use. We know that a high quality tent is an investment, and in regards to both the environment and your wallet, we want you to know that we’re here to help if and when you need it. Our service departments have employees with more than 30 years of experience in producing and repairing Helsport products. We handle a lot of repairs every day, and we are glad to help you with your product. But, if you want to train your own repair-skills we´ve added some DIY-videos. These are easy repairs that you can fix both at home and out in the ourdoors.

Replace your sleeping bag zipper slider

When people return sleeping bags or down jackets with "broken" zippers, in 99% of the cases it’s just the slider that is worn. If you replace it, it’s as good as new. We can of course do this for you, but you can easily do it yourself at home as shown in this video – and we’ll send you a new slider for free by post. 

Here’s how you do it:

When people return sleeping bags or down jackets with "broken" zippers, in 99% of the cases it’s just the slider that is worn. If you replace it, it’s as good as new. We can of course do this for you, but you can easily do it yourself at home as shown in this video – and we’ll send you a new slider for free by post. 

Here’s how you do it:

Field fix your tent pole

Clean the break with a knife or a hacksaw. Pull a pole sleeve over the break, and attach the ferrule with electrical tape. Make sure the tape can withstand freezing temperatures if you’re on a winter trip. This is how you do a simple repair of your tent pole when you´re in the outdoors.

If you’re unlucky and don’t have a pole sleeve, you can splint the pole with a thin, stiff stick that you tape over the break. Do note that the pole + stick combined can’t be so thick that they don’t fit in the channel! It’s also important to carve the ends smooth and to tape very tightly so there are no edges that can get caught or tear the channels. 

Although it is possible to make such repairs, it’s not recommended, and you make it much easier for yourself if you make it a rule to always bring both a loose sheath and an extra pole section. Extra pole sections and sheaths are included with all of our tents.

Remember: Pitch the tent up at home, and check that all parts are in good condition. Our service department is always there for you, regardless of what has happened and how old your tent is. Contact us if you need help.

Remember to practice pitching the tent before going off on a trip, take care and be patient when pitching the tent. Then you will enjoy it for many years to come.

Clean the break with a knife or a hacksaw. Pull a pole sleeve over the break, and attach the ferrule with electrical tape. Make sure the tape can withstand freezing temperatures if you’re on a winter trip. This is how you do a simple repair of your tent pole when you´re in the outdoors.

If you’re unlucky and don’t have a pole sleeve, you can splint the pole with a thin, stiff stick that you tape over the break. Do note that the pole + stick combined can’t be so thick that they don’t fit in the channel! It’s also important to carve the ends smooth and to tape very tightly so there are no edges that can get caught or tear the channels. 

Although it is possible to make such repairs, it’s not recommended, and you make it much easier for yourself if you make it a rule to always bring both a loose sheath and an extra pole section. Extra pole sections and sheaths are included with all of our tents.

Remember: Pitch the tent up at home, and check that all parts are in good condition. Our service department is always there for you, regardless of what has happened and how old your tent is. Contact us if you need help.

Remember to practice pitching the tent before going off on a trip, take care and be patient when pitching the tent. Then you will enjoy it for many years to come.

Torn flysheet

Tears in the outer flysheet are a well-known problem that can occur if you’re unlucky with sharp objects around the flysheet. This is one of the commonest repairs our service department performs. However, this is easy enough to do yourself if you have access to a sewing machine. In the movie you can see the steps to do this easily and effectively. This is what you need: Sewing machine, thread and two pieces of material that are larger than the tear.

Step 1:

You must use the spool of thread you were sent. Spool across some of the thread to your own shuttle thread spool. The rest is used as the upper thread.

Step 2:

Fold the edge of the tear, place the piece of material over the tear and then sew the fold the whole way.

Step 3:

Then turn the flysheet the outer side up. The second piece of material should be sewn so that it covers the first seam from step 2.  Then sew all the way around.

Best of luck!

Tears in the outer flysheet are a well-known problem that can occur if you’re unlucky with sharp objects around the flysheet. This is one of the commonest repairs our service department performs. However, this is easy enough to do yourself if you have access to a sewing machine. In the movie you can see the steps to do this easily and effectively. This is what you need: Sewing machine, thread and two pieces of material that are larger than the tear.

Step 1:

You must use the spool of thread you were sent. Spool across some of the thread to your own shuttle thread spool. The rest is used as the upper thread.

Step 2:

Fold the edge of the tear, place the piece of material over the tear and then sew the fold the whole way.

Step 3:

Then turn the flysheet the outer side up. The second piece of material should be sewn so that it covers the first seam from step 2.  Then sew all the way around.

Best of luck!