If you know the feeling, you fear it. You’re wearing an expensive jacket and you hear the sharp rasp of fabric being abruptly torn apart, likely because it caught on something sharp. It’s a borderline traumatic experience. However, Arc’teryx might’ve found a way to make it a reason for celebration.

The Canadian outdoors company has upgraded its repair service through a new creation called the "SV-Insert Patch." Designed to mend rips in technical outdoor gear, Arc'teryx's clever new patches use heat-activated technology to seamlessly bandage wounded material in under 60 seconds.

It’s also fully waterproof, though the technical specs of Arc'teryx's patches aren’t what makes them so good — these types of waterproof repair technologies have existed for some time — it’s how they look.

Available in different colors and sizes, each patch gives your item a custom look. Arc’teryx has shared imagery what a repaired jacket with contrast-colored patches looks like and you can't deny that it’s a lot more interesting than a standard shell jacket. 

Something we've similarly learned from its BEAMS collaborations is that patchworked Arc'teryx jackets are a thing of beauty.

As with all clothes that have been lived in, Arc'teryx's patches give its classic layering pieces needed personality. Plus, they extend the life of your waterproof gear almost exponentially. Oh yeah, and they’re free: Arc’teryx won’t charge you for the repair service at any of its ReBIRD Service Centers.

Basically, the more wear and tear you get in your Arc’teryx jacket, the better it’ll look.