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Sugru Review – What sorcery is this?

By Dave Roberts   

on March 26, 2013    No ratings yet.

Posted in Other Suff, Outdoor Gear Reviewsshiny shiny

Sugru Review – What sorcery is this?

sugru_02_960
Sugru is a malleable material, similar to plasticine that cures into hard rubber overnight. It’s exceptionally easy to work with and sticks to almost anything it seems. You might be a little underwhelmed at first, but once you realise the potential for this stuff, it’ll be as much an essential as duct tape. Mould it to the form you desire and allow it to cure overnight or 24 hours according to the pack – we found overnight at room temperature to be fine.

You might be a little underwhelmed at first, but once you realise the potential for this stuff, it’ll be as much an essential as duct tape.

sugru_09_960If you’ve got something that’s not comfortable to hold, such as a handle on a titanium pot, then you can use this to make an insulating handle. Pegs can be given rubber grips to make them easier to pull out of the ground. Put a blob on your tent zip to make it easier to open with gloves – or whatever else you can come up with. Our first use was to prop up a cycle computer sensor, as well as a magnet, in order to move them closer together. It was very easy to get it to the shape we wanted, but had to hold the sensor back with tape while it cured to prevent it from flattening the Sugru. The following day it was solid, and shows no sign of shifting!

You can also use it for repair work, which it probably the most likely reason you’ll buy it in the first place. My Meindl Burmas are starting to look worn, but this tidied up the rubber rand that had gaps in places. I decided that I could do with the rand being a bit higher on the toe, no problem. It involved a bit of fiddly work, and it wasn’t as tidy a job as I expected, but I have minimal talents in that area and most people could modify their kit with a bit more style than I. The images make the kludge look a lot more obvious than it really is, and isn’t that noticeable, especially once you get some mud on it!

Before - there's just a smear of Sugru on these that was leftover from another job.
Before – there’s just a smear of Sugru on these that was leftover from another job.
Now with a proper rand to prepare the toes! Feels tough enough, and has tidied up the loose bits of rand that had starting leaking water.
Now with a proper rand to prepare the toes! Feels tough enough, and has tidied up the loose bits of rand that had starting leaking water.

The only downsides are the short shelf life and price, so be careful of buying this online (especially if heavily discounted) as it only lasts about six months. If you keep it in the fridge then it lasts a further 8 months, so among the chillies and garlic in the door compartment it is. It’s also rather expensive to mess about with, but if you’re repairing something expensive such as walking boots then it works out quite economical. You can save money by buying the larger packs, but the short shelf life again factors against this.

It’s rather messy in use, which is part of the fun of this sort of thing. If you need to protect your nails, or have sensitive skin, you will need to wear thin gloves. Though if you’re going to be worried about your nails, then you’re probably not going to be kludging for all you’re worth with plasticine for adults. However I found a good scrub got rid of the worst of it.

It’s available in a range of colours, with white, black and a multi-colour packs of 3 or 8 – the only thing it doesn’t come with is your imagination. However, the sugru.com site, with user ideas will certainly inspire you. I’m still trying to think of what else I can repair and modify with this stuff!

Now with a proper rand to prepare the toes! Feels tough enough, and has tidied up the loose bits of rand that had starting leaking water.
Before – there’s just a smear of Sugru on these that was leftover from another job.
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Dave Roberts

siDave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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2 thoughts on “Sugru Review – What sorcery is this?”

    1. Dave Roberts

      It sticks really well to the boots. On the down side, it isn’t very durable when you put crampons on! Ideal for small repairs, and bodging, but not as hard wearing as Shoe Goo.

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