How to fix hook and loop (Velcro) on ski gloves

What is hook and loop material (Velcro)?

The hook is the hard (rough) side, which has many plastic "hooks". The loop is the soft side, which has many soft fabric "loops". When they are pressed together, the hooks grab the loops.

 

It is a magical invention - but not a perfect one. 

When the hook grabs the loop particularly well, it requires more force to pull the two sides apart. And that can be a real pain, depending on the size of the hook and loop patches. The better the hook and loop grips itself, the more likely it is to eventually wear out and not grip well. Small patches of hook and loop will eventually wear out because there are less loop fibers.

Every time you pull hook and loop apart you degrade the loop a little.

Using hook and loop material on short cuff ski gloves is a more functional alternative to knit wrists because it allows you to regulate the tightness of the cuff on your wrists but it has less long-term durability. It's a compromise between performance and durability.

What should I do if my Velcro is worn out and doesn't stick together anymore?

One of the good things about hook and loop technology is that maintenance and a few little tricks will significantly extend its' usable life.

To fix:

1) Find a file cleaner, metal wire or paperclip and get all the cloth material out of the grip of the hook material.

 

2) Use a scissors and trim some of the loop material that is clearly worn (pulled apart).

3) The single most immediate and effective fix of the loop material is using a lighter. Lightly singe (burn with flame) some of the loop ends that are worn out. If the loop won't grip, then you have nothing to lose in trying this fix. It works every time for me.

There you have it! Velcro is awesome, even if it's designed to wear out and annoy us. There is no one on Earth that loves AND hates hook and loop material more than your humble ski glove company owner.