One of the seams on my Camp Trails Outfitter portage pack is separating. I'd like to have it resewn and maybe have the other main seams reinforced. Can anyone recommend a shop for this kind of repair - preferably in the north metro area (MN)?

Thrifty outfitters in Minneapolis does excellent repair work. Upstairs at Midwest Mountaineering.

http://www.thriftyoutfitters.com/

DITTO Thrifty Outfitters at Midwest.

cedarboy

Snakecharmer... If you have it repaired there let me know how they turn out. I have three Camp Trails packs and they are all coming apart at the lower straps.

I've taken college book bags to the local shoe repair for resewing and it only cost me about $5. If it just needs sewing, wouldn't that work?

You can do it yourself rather easily. I've done several that have separated at the seams and even a few straps. I use a needle with a large eye and use either a very heavy thread or mono fishing line. You can also use a square of heavy material as a backing if the pack material doesn't appear strong enough. ( although I like the idea of taking it to the local shoe repair shop ).

I always carry that large eye needle in case a strap breaks while on the trail. If need be I'll cut a few feet of mono off my reel - it's not as easy to use as thread but if you finish where you started you can knot it off and it should hold better than the origional job.

I ended up taking my pack to Canvas Craft in Ramsey, MN. It was very convenient for me - they are located within 7 miles of my house. For $20 they fixed the separated seam and reinforced all the other seams using some heavy duty thread. They also double stitched all the stress points. I should be able to get another 10 or 12 years out of it now. It's like a brand new pack.

I think it is an easy enough job that anyone could do it. Look for people who do custom boat tarps or other canvas work online. I had one repaired by a lady in Bloomington - if I could remember he name, I'd post it. It cost me $10 and the repair was remarkably well done. But since it is an easy job, I wouldn't worry too much about who does it. Its good that you are thinking ahead to get it done though.