BootsnAll Travel Community

So, maybe this is too nick picky a question, but we just spent about $200 each on these real neat North Face packs for our trip (on sale from almost $300, I still feel like we got ripped).

These packs have the north face logo embroidered (?) on them in 2 places. We're not ones to advertise and almost exclusively wear logo-free clothing, so my husband had the idea to put non-chalant patches of sorts (like a celtic symbol, etc) over the sewn-on logos.

So, here's the question after the long story: will sewing on a patch degrade the waterproof-ness or water-resistency to a point that we need be concerned? Will it degrade the pack in any other way that we need to consider.

I don't want to punch holes in a pack that I just spent a small fortune for. Any feedback on this?

Thanks

Anything you sew on your bag will punch a whole bunch of little holes in it. You could try some form of adhesive, but even adhesives will degrade nylon over time. If you want your pack to stay virgin, I wouldn't do anything to it, bar putting scotch guard on it to help keep dirt and liquids from getting into the fibres.

thanks, I guess I just needed confirmation of my suspicions

Well, packs are not all that waterproof to start with anyway.

Though the Cordura or packcloth nylon fabric has a waterproof polyurethane coating on the underside, packs are not sold as (or intended to be) waterproof. Zippers, seams and embroidered logos simply produce plenty of tiny holes for water to enter.

I have geeky flag patches all over my pack and it really isn't a problem, other than it makes me look like a dork even more than usual.

If you wanted to, you could seal underneath the needle holes with a product such as the excellent Seam Grip.

Generally, packs don't spend that much time out in the rain anyway. Those folks that enjoy backpacking in the rain (such as those wacky Brits) put waterproof pack covers on their packs. I own one of those but I always leave it behind.

By the way, the Cordura nylon already comes with a DWR (Scotchguard) finish. If you are unsure, dump a cup of water over it. If it beads up and rolls off, it is there. If the water "blots" into the fabric, then it ain't.

DWR can be reapplied but it is rarely necessary.

I recommend Revivex or Tectron over Scotchguard, as you get more bang for your buck. Durable Water Repellancy Finishes (DWR) work best when heat is applied to them after the application, so read the instructions (nobody ever believes me about the heat, even though I once spent a few days at Goretex school learning all about it).

Hope this helps.

Joe,

Thanks for the info! I may put some wacky stickers on my pack now. "Save the Ales" or some such.

I like your coffee test - if it beads up and rolls off, great, if NOT, then you won't be worried about the first stain/tear etc since it will already be stained. Excellent pre-emptive strategy ;-)