Cavemenders
Caving gear repairs by a caver, for cavers
I'm Polly Plowman. I repair caving suits and undersuits. I sew, I patch, I occasionally glue things back together. Your kit gets a second life, and you don't have to buy new.
About Polly
I started caving in my sixties. Got a hip replacement. Kept caving. I made my own oversuit and undersuit, so I know how these things go together and how they fall apart.
I live in Manningtree, Essex, which is about as far from any caving area as you can get in England. But the post works fine, and I'd rather fix your suit than see it binned.
I'm not a professional tailor. I'm retired, still caving, and I enjoy making things. I made my own oversuit and undersuit. I charge for materials and a bit for my time, nothing more.
Weekend Secretary, The Caving Crew (BCA affiliated)
What I can do
Patch torn suits
New knees, seat patches, worn elbows. Send photos first and we'll work out what's needed.
Fix undersuits
Furry undersuits that don't quite fit? Seams coming apart? I can sort that.
Add pockets
Want an extra pocket where you actually need one? Tell me where and I'll put it there.
Alterations
Take in, let out, shorten, lengthen. Make your kit actually fit you.
Bought a new oversuit that doesn't quite fit? Check Starless River's fitting guide to see how it should fit, then get in touch. I can alter new suits to fit you properly.
How it works
1
Send me photos
WhatsApp or Messenger. Show me the damage or what you want done. I'll tell you if I can help and roughly what it'll cost.
2
Post your kit to me
I'm in Essex, so unless we're at the same caving weekend, you'll need to post it. I'll let you know once it arrives.
3
I fix it and send it back
Usually a week or two. You pay for materials and postage, plus a bit for my time. Nothing fancy.
What it costs
£15 minimum
The minimum charge is £15, and that includes the repair and return postage. You just pay to post it to me.
A small patch or a quick fix falls into this bracket. If the job takes longer or needs more material, it'll cost more. If I need to buy a zip or some special fabric, that gets added on.
Send me photos and I'll give you a proper quote before you post anything.
Other repair services
Want to compare prices or need something I can't do? These are all good places to try. I'd recommend any of them.
What people say
"Polly is both a caver and the admin's aunt, and so is a verified non-scammer (unless you play cards with her at cheat)."
Tim Dobson
Admin, Caving Gear Exchange UK"Fantastic idea! I always have at least one oversuit ripped to pieces."
Claire Vivian
Caver
Get in touch
Send me photos of your kit on WhatsApp or Messenger. I'll take a look and let you know what seems doable.
I'm sometimes slow to reply if I'm on a caving weekend, but I will get back to you.
Manningtree, Essex
Before you get in touch
- Take clear photos of the damage or area you want altered
- Include photos of the whole garment if possible
- Tell me what you'd like done
- Let me know if there's anything unusual about the material
The more I can see upfront, the better I can tell you whether it's worth doing and roughly what it'll cost.
Questions
What courier do you use?
I usually use Royal Mail for sending repaired items back. For posting to me, use whatever's convenient for you. If your suit is heavy or bulky, Evri or a similar courier often works out cheaper than Royal Mail.
How long does a repair take?
Usually a week or two once I receive your kit. If I'm away caving or there's a queue, I'll let you know. I won't start work until we've agreed what needs doing.
How much does it cost?
The minimum is £15, which covers a small repair and return postage. You just pay to send it to me. Bigger jobs cost more, and if I need to buy materials like a zip or special fabric, that gets added on. Send me photos and I'll give you a proper quote before you post anything.
Can you repair any brand of suit?
I can work on most oversuits and undersuits. Send me photos and I'll tell you if it's something I can help with. Some materials are trickier than others, but I'll be honest about what's feasible.
Do you repair PVC oversuits?
Possibly. PVC can be a bit different to work with, but get in touch with photos and I'll let you know if it's something I can help with.
Do you repair neoprene or wetsuits?
No, sorry. Neoprene needs different techniques and glues that I don't have set up for. Try one of the outdoor gear repair specialists for that.
Do you use caver-post?
No, just regular post. I'm not in contact with caver-post often enough to make it reliable. Royal Mail or a courier works fine.
Why are you doing this?
Repairing and reusing is the most eco-friendly way to kit ourselves out. Making new gear takes resources and energy, and throwing away fixable kit is just wasteful. I like supporting the caving community, and I'd rather see kit repaired than binned. Plus, I enjoy making things. If I can earn enough to buy myself a wetsuit along the way, that's a bonus.
Will my repair look brand new?
No. It's mended caving gear. The point is to keep it working a bit longer, not to make it look like it just came out of the shop. I'll make it as neat as I can, but you'll know it's been repaired. If colour-matching matters to you, let me know when you get in touch, but be aware it's often difficult or impossible to get an exact match.
How do I pay?
Bank transfer. I'll send you my details once the repair is done, and I'll post it back once the payment comes through.
Do I get a guarantee?
You're taking it underground, so I can't really guarantee how long it'll last. What I can say is that I'll do the job properly, and if something goes wrong with the repair itself before you've even used it, get in touch.
I'm not happy with my repair. What now?
Let me know as soon as you can after receiving it. If there's a problem with my work, I'll try to sort it out. You'd need to post it back to me at your cost, and I'd look at what can be done. I can't refund postage, but I'm not in the business of sending out shoddy work.