Originally Posted: February 2022
Updated: December 2023
Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing are equipment-critical activities. An equipment failure during a long tour could mean the difference between a fun outing and a frustrating ordeal, or perhaps even the difference between getting home on time and spending a cold night outside. For these reasons, a good repair kit is important to keep things in working order. However, there is no universally suitable repair kit; instead, the contents should meet the particular needs of the user, the activity, and the trip. Because I am a skier and a snowshoer, my personal repair kit contains items that cover both activities and, in a few instances, that are specific to my brands of gear. Below is an annotated list of my repair kit contents.
I should point out an important difference between my repair kit described here and my ski accessory kit described on a separate page. My repair kit is used only when things go wrong; as such, it gets pulled out very infrequently. In contrast, my ski accessory kit is used when things are generally going right, which means that it gets pulled out on almost every tour.
Affiliate Disclosure: The following descriptions may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something I’ve linked to, I might get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Be assured, though, that I mention only items that I currently use or would recommend to a friend.
<<< ————– >>>
Repair Kit Contents
Multi-Tool with pliers, a saw blade, a knife blade, a metal file, scissors, and several types of screwdrivers. This do-it-all implement is invaluable for working on ski or snowshoe bindings, the repair of which often requires cutting, screwing, bending, and/or filing. My current multi-tool is the Leatherman Blast, and although this model is no longer produced, Leatherman makes many other excellent alternatives.
Ratcheting Screwdriver with several different types of fittings. If I need to do a lot of unscrewing or screwing on a binding, the ratcheting feature is a real benefit. I have a Black Diamond Binding Buddy, which includes five different tips that store neatly within the ratchet handle. The #3 Posidrive tip gets the majority of use because it fits most of my ski binding screws.
Assorted Screws to handle a variety of fastening functions. I try to include several replacements for my specific binding types.
Epoxy Glue for re-setting ski binding screws or for joining two components. This is most useful on multi-day tours, when there is an opportunity for the glue to cure overnight. As such, I don’t generally carry it on one-day tours.
Duct Tape for innumerable repair situations. One time, I had an NNN-BC binding pull out of my ski, and another time I had a duck-bill boot sole delaminate from the upper. Both times, I was able to get back to the car several miles away by simply taping my boot and binding onto my ski (see photos below). Gorilla Tape and T-Rex Tape are two brands of high-strength, high-stick duct tape. Rather than carry an entire roll, simply wrap a few yards of tape around a dowel rod or old credit card.
Bailing Wire for connecting broken binding components, ski buckles, skin tips, and other uses. I once had to wire a broken bail onto a G3 Targa binding, and more recently I had to wire together a broken spring cartridge on a Voile Switchback binding (see photos below). Over time, I’ve found that 18-gauge galvanized or stainless steel wire provides a good balance between durability and workability. A 16-gauge wire is more durable but is harder to bend, whereas a 20-gauge wire is easier to bend but not as durable.
Extra Ski Baskets. I carry one for each of my different brands of ski/snowshoe poles (Black Diamond and Life-Link), plus one or two more to accommodate the possible needs of my partners. Incidentally, I don’t buy replacement baskets; instead, I just make a summertime hike up through my local ski area and pick up all the orphaned baskets.
Extra Snowshoe Binding Strap. I carry one replacement strap for my MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes. The flexible plastic straps used on many snowshoes not only wear out and tear from use but also dry out and crack just from age, and I’ve found that a typical lifespan is about 10 years.
Extra Skin Tail Strap & Clip. I carry one or two replacement tail straps and clips for my Black Diamond Ascension skins. The flexible plastic tail straps used on most skins not only wear out and tear from use but also dry out and crack just from age, and I’ve found that a typical lifespan is about 10 years.
Adjustable Straps for bundling things together or for attaching things to a backpack. I use two nylon straps with quick-release buckles, but Voile Aluminum Buckle Straps are also very handy for this purpose.
Velcro Strap for bundling things together. This 2-inch-wide, heavy-duty strap provides a no-slip connection, whereas plastic buckles can loosen slightly during use.
Nylon Cord for replacing broken boot laces or for lashing things together. Common 3-mm “parachute cord” is ideal for this purpose.
Storage Pouch for holding all repair items. I use a zippered nylon pouch (similar to this and this) that fits nicely into the blade hollow of my avalanche shovel within my backpack. Shop around to find one with the right size and shape for your particular needs.
…
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
…
<<< ————– >>>
Return to Trailcat Tips homepage
Return to Gear Reviews, Packing Lists & Trailcat Tips homepage