In outdoor gear, a garment is more than just a consumable item. It accompanies outings, journeys, and sometimes defining experiences. At AYAQ, durability goes beyond choosing recycled materials or RWS merino wool: it means genuinely repairing technical pieces, even the most complex ones. This approach is functional: extending use, preserving performance, and reducing environmental impact without compromising reliability.
1. Why repair? A primarily technical rationale
Technical garments mainly wear out in three areas:
- abrasion zones (shoulders under the pack, hips, knees),
- closures and zippers, subjected to repeated stress,
- seams, weakened by movement, wind, or mechanical tension.
A well-executed repair is not a stopgap: it restores the garment’s technical function while respecting original materials and construction.
2. AYAQ repair workshop in France
For Europe, AYAQ relies on a partner workshop in France capable of servicing the entire range:
- 52,000 Schmerber hardshells (SKORA, LONAK, SKORA-XT),
- down jackets (ULTAR, BALTORO, FORNO),
- hybrid softshells (RIMO, RAVEN),
- technical pants (CLIFTON, NUNATAK),
- active or fleece jackets (KOKANEE, AROLLA),
- RWS merino t-shirts and base layers.
The workshop can work on non-microporous hydrophilic membranes, repair seams, replace technical zippers, restore abrasion zones, or reinject loft in down jackets. The goal: restore functional performance, not just appearance.
3. Local expertise in Japan
For Japan, AYAQ partners with a local technical expert able to repair pieces consistent with European standards. This avoids shipping delays, reduces logistical footprint, and guarantees repair quality identical to that in Europe.
The philosophy remains the same: technical intervention, not makeshift fixes.
4. Repairing a hardshell: a demanding but controlled process
AYAQ hardshells use a non-microporous membrane tested up to 52,000 Schmerbers. Unlike microporous membranes, it does not clog and is well suited to local repairs if done with:
- a compatible reinforcement,
- a controlled waterproof seam,
- taping adapted to the hydrophilic structure.
A properly repaired hardshell retains its waterproof and windproof performance.
5. Repairing a down jacket: restoring loft
ULTRA down jackets, BALTORO and FORNO, use insulation sensitive to prolonged compression or moisture. Repairs can:
- replace damaged panels,
- restore volume in compressed areas,
- repair torn pockets,
- seal rips to prevent insulation loss.
A repaired down jacket maintains its thermal function if the fill distribution is preserved.
6. Repairing technical pants: abrasion and mobility challenges
For pieces like RIMO, CLIFTON, or NUNATAK, repairs aim to balance mechanical resistance, mobility, and windproofing. The most stressed areas are:
- inner legs,
- seat,
- knees.
A well-applied reinforcement significantly extends the pants’ lifespan.
7. Repair over replacement: a structural choice
Repairing technical garments is not just an environmental stance but a sustainable performance logic:
- premium recycled materials deserve a long lifecycle,
- the 52,000 Schmerber membrane retains performance after repair,
- RWS merino remains structurally valuable as long as the fiber is intact,
- the carbon footprint of repair is minimal compared to replacement.
Repair also preserves a garment already “broken in” to the athlete’s morphology — a comfort hard to replicate with new gear.
8. 100% European manufacturing: a coherent approach
The repair workshop complements 100% European production: fabrics from France, Italy, Germany; assembly in Portugal; internal quality control. This ensures repairs are made with precise knowledge of the garment’s construction.
Conclusion
Repairing rather than replacing is not an added feature: it’s an extension of design. In Europe and Japan, AYAQ offers genuine expertise to restore performance across hardshells, down jackets, fleeces, softshells, and technical pants — delivering a long, coherent, and responsible lifecycle. A repaired piece is often a better one, carrying the memory of the terrain.