 I have just managed to put 2 holes (5mm diameter) in my lovely down bag (Marmot Helium - Pertex EQ). How can I fix it? Any help galdly recieved.
Thanks in advance
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 Have you tried contacting marmot? They might be able to do a repair for you.
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 Sticky backed ripstop nylon (available in sheets from outdoor shops) works. I've repaired a number of holes in down bags and jackets over the years. Cut a circle of nylon so there are no corners to lift and press it firmly onto the bag. I allow about an inch of material round the edge of the hole. I'd do this even if you're sending the bag back to Marmot for repair as it will stop down loss. I've found such repairs last well though and have never bothered sending anything back for repair.
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 In the short term, gaffer tape is quite effective at fixing most things. If away from civilisation out at the time I'd be tempted to use a thermarest repair kit if I had it with me, if you don't care too much about looks then the priority is pretty much to cover the hole before too much precious down escapes.
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Gaffer tape can be effective but ripstop nylon is better. Gaffer tape leaves a sticky residue that is very hard to remove. Repairers hate it. The nylon in a Therm-A-Rest repair kit is thicker and stiffer than ripstop nylon, which is more like the shell of a sleeping bag. I carry a few sheets of ripstop nylon, which only weighs a few grams.
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Good points Chris, I suppose I'm approaching it as someone who's down bag was a bargain 80 quid 7 years ago and thus no longer my pride and joy.
My logic was that if you've only got two small holes then a couple of small extra thick patches wouldn't make a significant difference to the overall performance of the bag.
Thinking about it the repair kit for my tent contains some fetchingly yellow ripstop so maybe that would be a better option if it ever comes to it.
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John, gaffer tape certainly works. I've used it on various items including sleeping bags (and waterproofs, synthetic filled jackets, pack fabric, pack frames, water bags, tripod and more - it's great stuff). However the stiffness compared with most sleeping bag shell fabric means it's more likely to start to peel off at the edges. Self-adhesive ripstop nylon stays in place better so down is less likely to escape.
Seven years isn't old for a down bag!
The ripstop in the repair kit for your tent probably isn't self-adhesive.
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Chris, I see your point about peeling and hadn't really considered that.
You're right that 7 years isn't that old, it's just had it's first proper clean and proofing session but it's in no way shiny new kit. It's an ME Classic 500m and a quick googleing suggests it may have risen in value over that time as the price for new ones seems to be around £120 now.
Indeed the ripstop isn't self adhesive.
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 Bob, you could try a product called Mcnett tenacious tape. This is a high grip tape that leaves no residue when removed. It's transparent, so not all that noticeable.
Try Needlesports. Tried to put a link in but it sends the page very wide.
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Hi Bob, no offence to the guy's with their tape & glue, but bags are held together by stitching.
'Get yourself a needle & thread'
If the resulting pleated effect doesn't grab you, or the holes are too big, sew on a patch of suitably tasteful down-proof material,pertex or whatever.
Manufacturers labels can often be moved and used to hide what lies beneath, & advertising is 'cool'.
If you really want to turn the girls heads on the campsite, Armani is the one to go for !
Also - better for dry cleaning
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