{02.26.14} Profiles & Features
Fix It
We've always advocated the motto of "buying less, but buying better." When you shell out for quality items, they not only look and feel better, but they last a whole lot longer. Of course, even with things made with integrity, sometimes you're going to need to have something fixed—a seam repaired, a strap restitched or a shoe resoled. Thankfully, when you buy from upstanding companies that stand behind their products, they're usually more than prepared to handle the refurbishment for you. Herewith, a dozen menswear brands that offer in-house repairs.
Red Wing's Minnesota repair workshop.
Tucked into the back of Barbour's South Shields, England factory is the company's repair shop stacked with well-worn jackets ready to be serviced. They fix rips and holes, replace worn-out collars, reproof the exterior and will even tailor the jacket for a better fit—you name it, they can do it for a reasonable price.
The Minnesota bag maker offers a lifetime warranty covering all craftsmanship and hardware used in the construction of their products. If you ever experience problems during the life of your Duluth Pack, simply return it to the company and it will be repaired free of charge.
With a century-old guarantee, Filson is committed to correcting any problem you might have with their products. They simply ask you to clean the item of any debris (and "all loose bird feathers and blood") before sending it back to their Seattle factory. They also offer shoe and boot resoling along with garment waxing.
Something of a Kickstarter phenomenon, the company's popular 10-Year Hoodie is made from an 18 oz. cotton with bells and whistles like a three-piece hood, webbing to reinforce it and most importantly, a decade-long guarantee. If it needs to be mended at any time, the company will repair any rips or tears that the garment sustains.
Known for their badass tough-as-nails bags, the company will happily fix, free of charge, standard wear and tear. But they can also tackle more serious scars—gear that's been burned, shot, slashed or sawed—for a reasonable repair charge. And members of the Armed Forces are always comped.
The company is on a mission to help customers "reduce, reuse and resole." For a reasonable fee, L.L. Bean's skilled craftsmen will repair and revitalize your beloved duck boots along with nearly anything else they sell—from jackets and backpacks to tents and sleeping bags.
This Swedish label stands by their product's longevity. But when you suffer a crotch blowout or ripped knee, just drop your pair off at a Nudie Jeans store to have them repaired for free. Don't live near a shop? They'll send you a repair kit (complete with specialty cotton thread and patches) free of charge.
"If one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction, you may return it to us for repair, replacement or refund," states Patagonia's famous ironclad guarantee. "Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge." They also resole most of their footwear through a partnership with Mountain Soles.
The Maine-based cobblers promise free repairs on any pair that needs fixing due to "quality concerns." More standard repairs, due to wear and longevity, will be given a price estimate once you send them back. According to the brand, new soles, fresh handsewn wraps and new laces are common repair issues.
It takes a while to break in a sturdy pair of Red Wing boots. Which is why you definitely want to repair them when you've finally worn them down past their prime. For $95 (which includes shipping), you can send back the Goodyear-welted footwear to be repaired and resoled. They even condition the leather.
There are a handful of places to get your denim repaired. But Self Edge offers a full-service tailoring and darning service that will seamlessly reweave the holes in your jeans. And if you bought them at Self Edge, it's half off. Plus, their Union Special sewing machines will hem your denim with a classic chain stitch.
In addition to a full menu of affordable in-store alterations on the suits, shirts and jackets you buy from Suitsupply, their skilled house tailors will also tackle most repairs that you'd need handled—from simple tears and small holes to split seams or ripped linings—priced on a case-by-case basis.
- Rehab Your Shoes: Red Wing and Quoddy aren't the only shoe companies that offer repairs.
A handful of venerable shoe brands can rebuild your shoes, literally from the ground up.
Here are four of the best and what to expect.
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