How To Take Care Of Your Kit

Boot maintenance and weapon maintenance are taught in the basic, but what about your nylon kit?

Taking care of your nylon kit (load carriage equipment: plate carriers, belts, chest rigs, PALS pouches) is traditionally rarely needed unless it tears. With modern equipment that utilizes laser cut laminated fabrics, composites and magnetic closures, you want to do a quick run every now and then:

1. Burn fraying edges and loose threads

Unbound Cordura nylon and Hypalon edges start to "grow hair" over the years. As the edges of laser cut components are melted together in manufacturing process, eventually wear cuts through the melted portion and fibers start to come out. You should burn such edges gently with a lighter to renew the bond. 

2. Storing composites

Composites used in structural cummerbunds, plate carrier harnesses and structural belts need to be stored differently than standard fabric items. Hard folding composite items results in fibers weakening their load transfer capabilities. When packing your kit to load out bag, try to keep composite components as straight as possible so that composites don't aren't twisted 180 degrees on a single point. 

3. Cleaning magnetic attachments

Magnetic attachmends such as Fidlock buckles work well but if they are filled with mud and dirt, operating might not be as smooth as with a new component. Check the inner surfaces and gently remove excess dirt on trash. 

4. Cleaning mud and blood

Pressure washer works well in cleaning mud and blood from nylon kit. Don't wash them in a washing machine and if you do, don't use detergents with brighterners to keep the near infrared protection the items have.

5. Tears and broken components

When plastic components like buckles break, they can be replaced with click-in buckles or split-bar buckles. Remove the old component by cutting and add new one. Check cross brand compatibility, quality plastic components have a manufacturer logo or text on them.
When fabric tears, contact the manufacturer or visit a shoemaker to fix it. Quick field fix is to burn torn edges or to superglue them.