How To Fix A Backpack Strap?

how to repair a loose webbing strap in a backpack

• your backpack strap is one of the most important parts of your bag, so it's important to take care of it!
• after many journeys and adventures, your strap can start to weather down.
• don't worry, we've got you covered with these simple steps to ensure your backpack is as sturdy and like new again!

turn it inside out

1. turn it inside out, the seam at the top where the strap handle and shoulder straps come through looks like it is still sewn.
2. if you can pick that seam open with scissors, do that.
3. pull the straps through like they were before, you are going to be sewing through 3 layers, but inside out.
4. use superglue on the frayed edges of both shoulder straps to stop it from fraying further, just a little to stiffen the fabric.
5. use a needle and thread to stitch it back together while going farther to the side to make sure you keep the seam continuity across the top.
6. take your time, you’ve got this.

mark the positions of the straps

• try to mark the positions of the straps on the inside before you start, use a pencil or put a dot with a marker, that’s important to make sure everything stays where it should when you take it apart.
• it may be worth buying an inexpensive seam ripper (it might even come in a cheap sewing kit) just to avoid doing more damage with scissors.

hand stitch and sewing machine

• you definitely can hand stitch it but do more stitches than you think you need for extra strength.
• if you know anyone with a sewing machine that would be more secure, but hand stitching should be ok if you have to.
• hand sewing won't be strong enough. find a friend with a sewing machine.
• you will need to un pick the seam that the handles have frayed out of so that you can insert them a bit deeper and then go over the seam back and forth lots of times.
• (working from the inside)
• if you can't find anyone with a sewing machine try asking a shoe repair shop, a lot of them have someone who can sew repairs.

sewing awl

• what you need is a sewing awl.
• its used to hand stitch leather.
• i've modified and fixed tons of things including several backpacks.
• they are pretty cheap too.
• guaranteed it will hold

thick thread and dental floss

• op just needs to buy a sewing kit for like $5-10 and some thick thread.
• i’ve used dental floss to sew stress points in the fabric back together. you can’t rip it
• use polyester dental floss.
• it is amazingly strong and can be used just like thread.
• avoid floss made out of weaker materials like silk or teflon.

sewing basics and embroidery thread

• super glue is always an option, but i'd recommend looking up some sewing basics on yt and trying that.
• i've only started sewing and mending recently (the visible mending subreddit is amazing!) and to be honest my strategy for this would be "ugly but not going anywhere"
• i would start a bit back from the frayed ends on both sides...and then just go crazy back and forth connecting it.
• i like embroidery thread because it's thick (6 strands of smaller thread twined together) and i can always separate it into a smaller thread by seperating the strands.
• if you try once and it doesn't look good or work, don't give up!
• take it out and try again.
• you can use a cheap sewing kit but remember that it's cheap so don't get discouraged if it's finicky.

no sew fix

• super strong baby pins inserted from the inside, and through the bottom of the outside so they don’t show.
• boom. no sew fix.
• add some backing/reinforcing material inside and use a rivet kit.
• done in a few minutes, no sewing.

warranty and repair shop

• depends on the brand.
• if it is jansport or northface they both have a limited lifetime warranty, unsure of other brands.
• so check the manufacturers website.
• if no warranty find a local shop that sews canvas and see if they will repair it.