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Your backpack is your best friend when trekking or hiking. It carries your belongings, acts as a tray table during breaks, patiently withstands pathways close to rocky walls. In short, it’s indispensable and when you find the right backpack, there’s only one thing you want to do: keep it for as long as possible. So how do you properly care for your backpack?
READ MOREYou've dragged your backpack along on trails, in the mud, in the dust, on the grass, in the luggage store of a bus and it's lost its sparkle. Then it’s high time to clean it!
Not a good idea: Above all, never ever put your trekking backpack in the washing machine. Firstly, you need to fit it in there, and it's the best way to damage your bag’s coating or foam.
- Completely empty the bag
- Remove the foam and frame if your bag allows and if you are certain you can put them back
- Vacuum all over to get rid of the dust on the bag and zips
- Put the bag in a bath, shower or bowl
- Get hold of a stiff brush
- Wash the bag in soapy water (Marseille soap or shower gel) and rub the stains with the brush
- If the carry foams are still on the bag, rinse them well and squeeze out the water
- Then wipe the foams and the rest of the bag using a microfibre cloth
All you need to do now is leave your bag to dry in the fresh air in a dry place, ideally away from sunlight as UV rays age the fabric.
If you ever need to revitalise the water-repellent properties of your bag, you can use a reactivating spray once the bag is thoroughly dry.
What to do with your bag when you get home? Trekking season is over and you're packing your equipment away until spring.
Firstly, make sure your bag is completely clean by following the instructions above.
Then clip all the backpack’s straps so nothing is dragging, it would be a shame if they got dusty on the way from the cupboard!
To store it, choose a dry, shady space so the sun's rays don't speed up your bag's ageing.
If you only have space in the cellar and it’s damp, don't put your bags near the walls and be sure to put it on a shelf. Then it will be protected from the damp until the fine days return!
You're getting ready to head back on the trails but...your bag has a broken clip or zip or even a hole! Don't worry, we explain it all below.
And if your bag can't be repaired, don't forget all our backpacks are guaranteed for 10 years!
Backpack fabrics are usually reinforced, especially on the base which is more exposed to friction. Nevertheless, wear and tear or a sharp object can cause holes.
- A small hole in the front of the bag: if you want a quick fix that doesn’t require any particular skill, go for a repair adhesive: cut two rectangles with rounded edges measuring one or two centimetres more than the size of the tear. then glue one from inside the bag and the other on the exterior while keeping the fabric flat.
You can also go for a more personalised sewn patch as a memory of your adventures.
- A hole in the base of the bag: if the hole isn't too big then you can also apply a repair adhesive. Otherwise we suggest you entrust it to the expert hands of a cobbler who will provide the necessary care to make your backpack last longer.
Is your zip broken? We do everything possible to give you quality zips but sometimes it's not enough...
Go to your in store workshop or a professional tailor. Changing a zip without any sewing skills is a bit tricky. But it means you will be able to enjoy your bag for many years so it's worth it!
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