Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Need Info on Backpack Alterations

Just a longshot, but I just returned from a saddlery thinking they could take the skimpy shoulder straps from my Golite pack and sew on some sturdier ones from another backpack.

The old guy said that the pack would have to be broken down completely and it would cost as much as the pack (?) Since I think the old guy was suffering from "Monday-itis" and didn't want to think too much he didn't know where I could take it. Would anyone know who does this kind of work? You would need a heavy duty sewing machine. Would it be an upholsterer?
Thank you.

Sherry:

I don’t know if you have access to the L.A. area, but if you do…. I have used Wilderness Workshop in Highland Park. I have used them several times and they have always done good work for me, repairs on both gore-tex and packs. I don’t know if I can give out the phone number on the board. If you need to email me to get it, you can.

tt_broderick@yahoo.com

I have no affiliation with the aboved named company, blah, blah, blah.

T-Bone

I've had three things done by Wilderness Workshop. A daisy chain added to the to lid of my pack and GTX pants altered in length. Both of these jobs were first class. Through REI I had a zipper slide replaced on a tent. The replacement hardware gave out the the 2nd time I had the tent out, btw REI then replaced the tent.

One thing I can tell do not count on your work being down on time. I was promised a couple of weeks; it took six.

Bill

Thanks guys, I will definitely look into that company. I had a bad feeling it couldn't be done in time for my next hike, so I'll improvise something in the meantime and mainline the Advil.

Sherry,
It is a long shot depending on where you live but I had some backpacking equipment repaired and modified by a custom wetsuit shop in Long Beach that had done some wetsuit modifications for me a number of years ago. The work I had done wasn't beautiful but it sure was sturdy and the sewing machines at the shop could stitch thread through 1/2 inch of wetsuit material. Sport Chalet in Huntington Beach also used to have a lead on a guy who did repairs and modifications to backpacks, gear bags, and the like.

Thanks Scott, that's another avenue to take. I live near Reno, but have relatives in So. Cal. so I could visit these businesses. Maybe I'll ask REI or Garts Sports up here. Didn't think of that. Thanks.