Reviews > Do It Yourself > Repair Kits > K Tape Repair Tape > Owner Review by Andrew Mytys

Kenyon K+Tape Repair Tape

Owner Review

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Kenyon Consumer Products (http://www.kenyonconsumer.com) Item: Kenyon K+Tape Repair Tape Size: 3 x 18 inch (75 x 450 mm) roll There is also a 24-roll pack of assorted colors that's available (price, unknown) MSRP: $3.00 Year of manufacture: 2003 (ripstop sample) 2004 (taffeta sample)

Kenyon K+Tape is simply a roll of adhesive backed nylon that's designed to be used in repairing rips and small holes in parkas, rainwear, duffels, totes, sleeping bags, tents, and other items made of nylon fabric.

K+Tape comes in an assortment of colors commonly found on nylon that's sold in today's market, so there is a good chance of getting a perfect or near-perfect color match for use in repairs. Available colors include Black, Navy Blue, Royal Blue, Forest Green, Red, White, Yellow, Brown, and Gold. If none of these colors are suitable, rolls of K+Tape are also available in a clear textured nylon, similar in translucence to a clear Band-Aid. Each of the colors sold is available in either a taffeta or ripstop based roll of tape.

Using K+Tape for repairs couldn't be easier. First clean and dry the area to be fixed (items should be cleaned per manufacturer instructions). Cut a section(s) of tape large enough to cover the damaged area, making sure to round the edges of the K+Tape patch if possible. Bring the torn edges of the material together, then remove the paper backing from the K+Tape and apply it using hand pressure. The perimeter of the patch should be rubbed down to form a strong bond between the K+Tape and the fabric.

K+Tape is washable, though I have avoided washing it in hot water due to personal reservations - I am afraid that extreme heat might weaken the tape's adhesive bond. Fortunately, all of my nylon products have care directions that call for washing in cold water with mild detergents, so I'm in line with manufacturer instuctions.

My first experience with K+Tape was a little over a year ago. I went on a winter hiking trip to Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area near Ludington, Michigan. The snow covered sand dunes made for great sledding hills. In my case, the "sled" would be the rear end of my nylon pants. Eventually, my pants grazed a small branch piercing through the snow, resulting in a rip. Fortunately, the ripstop material my pants are made from kept the damage to a minimum. Still, the ability of my shell to keep rain and snow at bay had been compromised. My first thought was to relegate my pants to the status of emergency raingear stored at the bottom of my pack. A few weeks later, I was in my local REI and stumbled upon the K+Tape. At $3 per roll, I really had nothing to lose. I applied a section of K+Tape to the inside and outside of my pants, using a patch that was 3 x 1 inches (75 x 25 mm) on the inside and a larger, 3 x 1 3/4 inch (75 x 45 mm) patch on the outside of the pants. The K+Tape I used was navy blue ripstop, and perfectly matched the color of my pants. Fifteen months have now passed since that repair, and I continue to frequently use the patched pants in the field, both as raingear and as a wind-blocking shell during winter months. They also get washed on a regular basis. I have seen no signs of fraying or any other types of damage or wear to the patched area. In fact, the patch looks as good as it did when I first applied it.

My second experience with K+Tape occurred during this past winter. I was wearing my newly acquired GoLite Coal jacket on a dog-sledding trip. The dogs were very excited to hit the trail and, as I was dropping huskies from their crates, one of the dog's paws pushed off of my jacket, ripping a gash and a smaller hole into the sleeve of my jacket. My jaw dropped in shock, and my emotion quickly turned to disappointment as I realized I could have avoided the incident altogether by just taking a minute to put on my Gore-Tex shell. I quickly flipped my mood to a more positive direction as I realized I had a good way of fixing my jacket - the K+Tape patch would simply become a "battle scar" from the trail, proclaiming my status as a veteran Hiking Viking to those around me. When I got home, I cleaned and dried the area surrounding the rip. I removed my jacket's hood and went to REI in search of a color match - the navy ripstop material used in the previous year was too dark. What I needed this time was royal blue. I found that the taffeta K+Tape blended better with my jacket than the ripstop option, as the texture of the ripstop tape was much different from that of my jacket's shell - the Coal's shell, while made of a 30x40 denier ripstop, has a very fine and subdued pattern to it. Because I didn't have full access to the underside of the tear, this second repair would have to be limited to the outside of my sleeve's material. I cut the two patches I needed, sizing for about a half-inch (12 mm) of overlap to either side of the tear, and applied the K+Tape as directed. After all my effort in finding a patch that best matched the Coal's color, the final analysis shows that I simply came close. In truth, a navy ripstop patch would have made for a nice contrast to the Coal's color and, in the end, may have looked better than my royal blue patch. In fact, I could have even gone outside of the blue family and bought some red or yellow K+Tape, perhaps cutting a whimsical pattern in the patch and making some bold statement. After I was done applying the K+Tape, I washed the entire jacket. My second patch, while not having been put through anywhere near the amount of stress that my first patch has, is doing well.

Based on my experience, I can state that K+Tape provides an excellent solution to patching rips and small holes in nylon fabrics. Patches hold up admirably over time, even after many washings. In short, K+Tape works!

Personal Biographical Information:

Reviewer: Andrew Mytys Email: amytys (at) backpacker (dot) com Homepage: Andy's Lightweight Backpacking Site Location: Michigan Age: 33

     Backpacking Background:

I live in Michigan and have been hiking seriously for 15 years, although I've camped since I was 6 years old. I consider myself a lightweight hiker. I carry the lightest gear I can get my hands on which will provide a comfortable wilderness experience and adequately support the goals of my trip. Unless my goals are time/distance oriented, my pace is always slow. I rarely exceed 1.5 miles (2.4 km)/hour. I rest frequently, hike long days, and enjoy whatever nature throws my way.

Reviews > Do It Yourself > Repair Kits > K Tape Repair Tape > Owner Review by Andrew Mytys