In outdoor activities, 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 being able to repair 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 the original materials and construction.
2. AYAQ repair workshop in France
For Europe, AYAQ works with a partner workshop in France capable of servicing the entire range:
- 52,000 Schmerber hardshells (SKORA (men / women), LONAK (men / women), LONAK-XT (men / women)),
- insulated jackets (ULTAR (men / women), BALTORO (men / women), FORNO (men / women)),
- hybrid softshells (RIMO (men / women), RAVEN (men / women)),
- technical pants (CLIFTON, NUNATAK (men / women)),
- active or fleece jackets (KOKANEE (men / women), AROLLA (men / women)),
- 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 re-inject loft into insulated jackets. The goal is to restore functional performance, not just appearance.
3. Local expertise in Japan
For Japan, AYAQ relies on a local technical expert able to repair pieces to the same standards as in Europe. This avoids shipping delays, reduces logistical impact, and guarantees identical repair quality to European service.
The philosophy remains the same: technical intervention, not makeshift fixes.
4. Repairing a hardshell: a demanding but mastered process
AYAQ hardshells use a non-microporous membrane tested up to 52,000 Schmerber. Unlike microporous membranes, it doesn’t clog and is suitable for 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 an insulated jacket: restoring loft
ULTRA insulated jackets, BALTORO (men / women) and FORNO (men / women) use insulation sensitive to prolonged compression or moisture. Repairs can:
- replace damaged panels,
- restore volume in compressed areas,
- repair torn pockets,
- seal tears to prevent insulation loss.
A repaired insulated jacket maintains thermal function if the filling distribution is preserved.
6. Repairing technical pants: abrasion and mobility challenges
For pieces like RIMO (men / women), CLIFTON, or NUNATAK (men / women), repairs aim to balance mechanical resistance, mobility, and windproofing. The most stressed areas are:
- inner legs,
- seat,
- knees.
Proper reinforcement significantly extends the pants’ lifespan.
7. Repair over replace: a structural choice
Repairing technical garments is not just an environmental statement but a sustainable performance strategy:
- premium recycled materials deserve a long lifecycle,
- the 52,000 Schmerber membrane retains performance after repair,
- RWS merino remains structurally valuable as long as fibers are intact,
- repair’s carbon footprint is minimal compared to replacement.
Repairing also preserves a garment already “broken in” to the athlete’s morphology—a comfort hard to find in 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 true expertise to restore the performance of its pieces—hardshells, insulated jackets, fleeces, softshells, technical pants—ensuring a long, coherent, and responsible lifecycle. A repaired piece is often a better piece, carrying the memory of the terrain.
