Repairing Dyneema Composite Fabric | DCF | Cuben Fiber | Ultralight Backpacking Gear

In this video, I repair 2 different pieces of ultralight backpacking gear made from DCF or Cuben Fiber. DCF is a very expensive fabric but has become very popular in the ultralight backpacking world. So, I used some DCF patches/tape I had to repair an old backpack and new tarp.
These patches can be purchased from nearly all cottage backpacking gear manufacturers that also see Dyneema backpacking gear. The patches or tape give you a much better repair than just slapping an old piece of duct tape on your gear.

[@pmacc2311]

Thanks a million!! Loved that angle grinder!!

[@CameronHall88]

Thanks for watching!

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

That grinder scared the crap out of me! Hahaha good one Cameron. Nice tutorial. Have a great time at GUMO.

[@CameronHall88]

It's going to be cold! I know that much. Thanks for watching, Tony.

[@danamkaplan]

I think it is best practices to cut/round the corners of the patch before applying. This helps prevent the corners from peeling up over time. I have used a lot of tenacious tape on gear and always try to make circles first.

[@CameronHall88]

It definitely wouldn't hurt. I guess I'll see how it goes. Thanks for the tip!

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

You post some really cool and informative videos. Thank you

[@CameronHall88]

Thanks man. I appreciate it.

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

@@CameronHall88 you're welcome

[@attackofthelumbie9029]

I feel like an idiot after that angle grinder joke 🤣 thanks for information! I had a few pinholes in my pack leading up to my PCT thru hike. Hopefully the repair holds up!

[@CameronHall88]

I hope so. Good luck on your hike!

[@erickillg811]

Thanks for making this video. I was just laying down in my Hammock yesterday and I noticed a small hole in my tarp. I have an HG camouflage Cuban fiber tarp. It came with a patch kit thankfully so I will be doing this this evening. Question I have for you is do you think it’s better to make the corners round on the patch or keep them square.Or does it matter

[@CameronHall88]

Cutting the corners couldn't hurt. But the patches from the factory in my Zpacks backpack are square. So I dont know how big of a deal it is either.

[@tangenttrails]

Great video, Cameron! I purchased a new Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L backpack two weeks ago for winter and rainy season trips. It’s made with the Ultra 200 fabric. I’m new to this fabric but the pack is equal in weight as had it been made with DCF and what I’ve read in backpacking forums it is as water resistant and abrasion resistant if not more abrasion resistant than DCF, but I believe the jury is still out on the more abrasion resistant. It’s also said that it can be repaired using DCF patches. No angle grinder needed.😄 Any thoughts on this material?

[@CameronHall88]

I honestly don't know a lot about it. I've never had first hand experience with it. I'm pretty happy with most of the gear I have (not to mention it has all gotten insanely expensive) so I don't research what's new like I used to. I did end up with a new quilt after last winter but I've never gotten to use it. And with the heat the way it has been, probably going to be a bit before I get the chance.

[@tangenttrails]

@@CameronHall88 Heck yeah it’s gotten expensive. I should be set for quite awhile on my big three. At least I hope so.

[@Soho-Fart]

how has the tape been doing since you posted this video, has it started to peel?

[@CameronHall88]

No it hasn't. To be fair, I'm not thru hiking with this pack. I only use it for day hikes and 1 - 2 night trips. I'm sure over a long period of time they may start to separate. But this pack is so old that by the time I expect that to happen, the rest of the cuben fiber will be worn completely out.

[@ChucoHiker]

Man that tape really makes repairs easy! Do you like that tarp?

[@CameronHall88]

I don't know yet. I haven't really used it. I like how light it is and that it's 12'. My next backpacking trip after this weekend I'll be hammock camping and I'll get to try it out.

[@ChucoHiker]

@@CameronHall88 Nice! I’ll probably get a DCF flat tarp at some point, I do enjoy tarp camping.

[@scoobysid04]

And links to where you purchased the DCF patches?

[@CameronHall88]

I think you can find patches or rolls of tape from most gear companies who sell dcf gear. I probably got these particular patches from zpacks years ago. Here is the link to their various types of DCF repair items: zpacks.com/collections/repair-tape-patches

[@scoobysid04]

@@CameronHall88 yea I have Zpack products currently and they no longer sell DCF repair kits, only tape. However I did find a few websites that carry it. Ripstop, hammock gear, and hyperlite mountain gear👍