Updated March 8, 2021

What’s the deal with duct tape? Why is it on so many travellers’ packing lists? When I finally packed a small quantity, the reasons became clear. The dangling straps on my bags were driving me crazy so I reached for the duct tape. A tear on another traveller’s bag was magically mended with the stuff. A loose hotel air vent cover rattled until it was suitably constrained. On a cycling trip, a bandage covering a nasty scrape was reinforced with duct tape. I grew to learn about the benefits of travelling with duct tape. Now, this versatile companion is a permanent fixture on my packing list.

Uses of duct tape

For travellers, the uses of duct tape seem to be limitless. This post describes 30 practical ways to use duct tape when travelling.

1. Repair clothing

A tear in outerwear or rain gear can quickly reduce its functionality. Place a strip of tape inside the item with the adhesive side facing out. Carefully press both sides of the tear together. Then, press firmly on the tape so the original damage is hardly detectable. Check the strength of the repair. If reinforcement is needed, apply another piece of tape on the outside. When possible, replace the tape with a professional patch. Dropped hems can also be taped from the inside (and with any luck should survive a few washes). Because it’s waterproof, duct tape is perfect for repairing ski gloves. Transparent duct tape isn’t as evident as coloured tape.

2. Fashion a plug

Seal a drain without a sink stopper to do laundry. For best results, dry the area before applying the tape.

duct-tape-plug

3. Create a headlamp

Create a hands-free solution by taping a flashlight to a hat or helmet.

4. Repair luggage

Reinforce luggage in worn areas, fix a broken hinge, cover a tear, stabilize a damaged wheel, or secure a luggage tag. To deter tampering, wrap tape around checked baggage. Position the zipper pulls under the tape. Or, wrap distinctive tape around a bag’s handle. Colourful tape will make it easier to distinguish the bag from others on the luggage carousel or in the overhead locker. There’s a wide selection of colours and designs on the market.

duct-tape-selection

5. Use as a packing aid

Tape unreliable tops of bottled liquids to prevent spills. Prevent leakage by taping a crack on a bottle of sunblock or shampoo. Use tape and bubble wrap to protect breakables.

6. Make a sling

Fold a length of tape down the centre so it is half the original width and no longer exposing the adhesive side. Tape a little padding to the sling for a more comfortable fit at key pressure points. 

7. Eliminate chafing

If a backpack or child carrier begins chafing at the hip belt or shoulder straps, tape a piece of soft fabric to protect the susceptible areas.

8. Repair broken electronics

Apply strips of duct tape to a cracked or shattered body or screen of a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or camera. 

duct-tape-repair-broken-phone

9. Stabilize a sprain or broken bone

Immobilize a broken limb by taping it to a stick, tent pole, or other body part. Use padding. Don’t place duct tape on bare skin. Pad the junction of a forked branch with some cloth and duct tape to make a crutch.

10. *Create makeshift plasters

Craft a waterproof plaster to cover a blister or cut when it’s important to keep it protected from the elements. Create butterfly strips by cutting two small pieces of tape, and adding a smaller strip across their centres. Always place a sterile dressing over a wound before applying tape. If in a pinch, use a piece of clean absorbent clothing to protect the open wound.

11. *Prevent blisters

If prone to blisters, or when the symptoms of a developing blister first appear, cover the susceptible areas with duct tape. Clean the area, and dry it thoroughly to give the adhesive the best chance to stick. Apply the tape as smoothly as possible. Finish by rolling on socks to avoid moving the tape out of place.

*Placing duct tape on bare skin can cut off oxygen to the skin’s pores. It also prevents sweat from being able to leave the body. This can result in the build up of toxins. The glue on duct tape can irritate the skin. Therefore, try to avoid applying duct tape directly on bare skin. Do so only if the consequences of not doing so could be more harmful. Carry plasters, a small roll of surgical tape and blister prevention tape in a small first-aid kit. It’s a healthier alternative.

12. Tame dangling straps

Roll up excess webbing dangling from a backpack and secure the roll with duct tape. When you’re in a position to craft a better solution, pick up the web dominator, an amazing plastic clip that secures webbing with an elastic cord.  

web-dominator-for-backpack-straps

13. Repair a cracked water bottle

A leaking water bottle can be bad news when remaining hydrated is critical. A discarded water bottle is tough on the environment. Duct tape can prolong its life. The tape usually doesn’t adhere to wet surfaces, so empty the container and thoroughly dry the surface before attaching a patch. For extra reinforcement, completely wrap the water bottle in tape around the area of the leak.

14. Construct cordage

Attach an end of one of several lengths of tape to a fixed object. Twist to create a sturdy duct-tape rope.

15. Make glasses serviceable

A broken pair of glasses can be taped until a proper repair is possible. For active adventures requiring a retainer strap, make one with duct-tape cordage.

16. Make a dry bag

Before I discovered the usefulness and sustainability of dry bags and reusable silicone bags, I made a swimsuit bag by reinforcing a zip-top bag with duct tape. It did the trick. After a morning swim in Singapore, I arrived home in Canada 18 hours later with my swimsuit, still damp, safely stowed in its DIY dry bag.

duct-tape-reinforced-zip-lock-bag

17. Make a shelter

A few garbage bags take up very little space. The large orange ones used for collecting yard waste are durable and offer enhanced coverage and visibility. Make a poncho, ground sheet, tube tent, sleeping bag cover, survival shelter roof, or windbreak… with the help of some duct tape.

18. Execute repairs to a vehicle

Tape a rattling cupboard door when the latch or hinge fails in a camper van. Mend a broken awning. Stabilize a broken side mirror, bumper, or splash guard. Tape plastic to cover a broken window on a vehicle rental. Tape the trunk/boot closed after being rear-ended.

duct-tape-repair-to-rear-of-vehicle

19. Eliminate intrusive noise, light, and other irritants

Tape the gap between curtains to shut out those patches of light that interfere with sleep. Place a piece of tape over light-emitting sources. Tape the cover of an air conditioning unit that rattles during the night. Cover an air vent that’s letting in obtrusive smells or noise. Tape a tray table to the back of the seat in front of you when faced with a broken hinge. Seal a tear in mosquito netting or a screen door to lessen the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases. Ride out the rough weather on a cruise by stifling the opening and closing of closet doors and dresser drawers. Apply pieces of duct tape to the offending pieces of furniture.

20. Create ankle straps

Tighten pant legs at the ankles to keep footwear clean and dry inside. Prevent bugs or leeches from climbing up inside. Keep loose pants from interfering with a bicycle chain. Duct tape will do the trick but a better solution is to carry a couple of elasticized straps with velcro at each end. See Cruise dollar store aisles for travel products for a description.

21. Create labels

Some packing cubes all look the same. One solution to knowing what’s inside is to create labels using pieces of masking tape.

22. Repair a book

Reinforce the spine or dog-eared covers of a travel guide or journal.

23. Create a RFID wallet

Feeling creative? Fashion a wallet from duct tape using these step-by-step instructions.

duct-tape-wallet

24. Reseal food containers

Seal a bag with duct tape to maintain freshness, or to keep things leakproof. Create a makeshift lid for an opened can by placing pieces of tape across the opening.

Are you carrying expensive gear in a camera or electronics bag with a logo or branding? A piece of duct tape over the label might help deter theft. Some travellers cover expensive equipment with duct tape to make it as unattractive as possible to thieves.

26. Announce your presence

Blaze a trail or make a distress signal using brightly coloured or reflective duct tape. Travelling in the dark? Add a piece of reflective tape to your bag, bicycle, or clothing.

27. Repair camping gear

Apply tape over a ripped screen or broken zipper to keep bugs out. Repair a tear in a tent to keep it waterproof. Patch a torn sleeping bag to keep the insulation where it belongs. Use it to keep the ends of rope from fraying, or as a temporary fix of a leaking air mattress.

28. Tape footwear

Shoes stay dry longer when covered with strips of duct tape. Wrap duct tape around shoes when the glue attaching the sole gives out, or a sandal strap breaks. My friend Lynn Chen blogs at A heart in sharing travel tales. Duct tape enabled Lynn’s hiking boots to finish a trek in Patagonia.

hiking-boots-duct-tape-repair

29. Remove lint

With the adhesive side facing outwards, form a loop over your hand. Presto: lint brush. Tap lightly and the offending particles should stick to the tape.

30. Hide valuables

Tape valuables such as a passport, cash, and financial cards to the inside of clothing. Place them in a zip-top bag to keep them dry, and protected from damage from the tape. Make a pocket on the inside cover of a book for part of your emergency cash stash. Tape another part of your emergency cash stash to the inside of your bag using duct tape the same colour as the bag’s interior. Tape items under furniture, or in other hiding places.

Travelling with duct tape

How do you pack duct tape? For a long time, I resisted packing duct tape because I visualized the weight and space demands of a full roll of tape. Here are three approaches to packing a small amount of duct tape.

1. Make a key fob or flat pack

Here are the directions for making a cylindrical key fob of duct tape.

To make a flat pack, use a sturdy core such as a hotel key card, depleted gift card, or expired loyalty card. Make a hole in the card and attach a carabiner or lightweight cable.

travelling-with-duct-tape-supplies

2. Buy travel-sized duct tape

Or, purchase a travel-ready roll or pocket-sized flat pack.

3. Use something in your bag

Another approach is to use something in your luggage as a wrapping core. Tent poles? Hiking poles? First-aid kit? Flashlight? Water bottle?

travelling-duct-tape-water-bottle

Given its ability to be used as a restraint, adhesive tape is a restricted item on some airlines. Carrying a small amount in these forms might pass the scrutiny of screening agents. It’s worked for me at screening checkpoints around the globe.

How have you used duct tape on your travels?

 

If you found this post useful, you might be interested in these related posts:

 

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30-uses-duct-tape-travel

Photo credits from Flickr, Wikimedia Commons: phone (James Lee), car (Nicolas Nova), wallet (Quinn Norton)

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