diff --git a/data/json/items/tool_armor.json b/data/json/items/tool_armor.json
index 91f065b64932f..9ce6c85aa6be5 100644
--- a/data/json/items/tool_armor.json
+++ b/data/json/items/tool_armor.json
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@
   {
     "id": "miner_hat_on",
     "copy-from": "miner_hat",
+    "repairs_like": "miner_hat",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "mining helmet (on)",
     "name_plural": "mining helmets (on)",
@@ -271,6 +272,7 @@
   {
     "id": "thermal_socks_on",
     "copy-from": "thermal_socks",
+    "repairs_like": "thermal_socks",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "pair of thermal electric socks (on)",
     "name_plural": "pairs of thermal electric socks (on)",
@@ -328,6 +330,7 @@
   {
     "id": "thermal_suit_on",
     "copy-from": "thermal_suit",
+    "repairs_like": "thermal_suit",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "thermal electric suit (on)",
     "name_plural": "thermal electric suits (on)",
@@ -386,6 +389,7 @@
   {
     "id": "thermal_gloves_on",
     "copy-from": "thermal_gloves",
+    "repairs_like": "thermal_gloves",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "pair of thermal electric gloves (on)",
     "name_plural": "pairs of thermal electric gloves (on)",
@@ -443,6 +447,7 @@
   {
     "id": "thermal_mask_on",
     "copy-from": "thermal_mask",
+    "repairs_like": "thermal_mask",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "thermal electric balaclava (on)",
     "name_plural": "thermal electric balaclavas (on)",
@@ -522,6 +527,7 @@
   {
     "id": "wearable_light_on",
     "copy-from": "wearable_light",
+    "repairs_like": "wearable_light",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "headlamp (on)",
     "name_plural": "headlamps (on)",
@@ -579,6 +585,7 @@
   {
     "id": "survivor_light_on",
     "copy-from": "survivor_light",
+    "repairs_like": "survivor_light",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "survivor headlamp (on)",
     "name_plural": "survivor headlamps (on)",
@@ -620,6 +627,7 @@
   {
     "id": "wearable_atomic_light_off",
     "copy-from": "wearable_atomic_light",
+    "repairs_like": "wearable_atomic_light",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "looks_like": "survivor_light",
     "name": "atomic headlamp (covered)",
@@ -662,6 +670,7 @@
   {
     "id": "rm13_armor_on",
     "copy-from": "rm13_armor",
+    "repairs_like": "rm13_armor",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "RM13 combat armor (on)",
     "name_plural": "RM13 combat armors (on)",
@@ -724,6 +733,7 @@
   {
     "id": "dimensional_anchor_on",
     "copy-from": "dimensional_anchor",
+    "repairs_like": "dimensional_anchor",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "5-point anchor (on)",
     "name_plural": "5-point anchors (on)",
@@ -788,6 +798,7 @@
   {
     "id": "phase_immersion_suit_on",
     "copy-from": "phase_immersion_suit",
+    "repairs_like": "phase_immersion_suit",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "phase immersion suit (on)",
     "name_plural": "phase immersion suits (on)",
@@ -856,6 +867,7 @@
   {
     "id": "rebreather_on",
     "copy-from": "rebreather",
+    "repairs_like": "rebreather",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "rebreather mask (on)",
     "name_plural": "rebreather masks (on)",
@@ -903,6 +915,7 @@
   {
     "id": "rebreather_xl_on",
     "copy-from": "rebreather_xl",
+    "repairs_like": "rebreather_xl",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "XL rebreather mask (on)",
     "name_plural": "XL rebreather masks (on)",
@@ -1284,6 +1297,7 @@
   {
     "id": "goggles_nv_on",
     "copy-from": "goggles_nv",
+    "repairs_like": "goggles_nv",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "pair of light amp goggles (on)",
     "name_plural": "pairs of light amp goggles (on)",
@@ -1347,6 +1361,7 @@
   {
     "id": "goggles_ir_on",
     "copy-from": "goggles_ir",
+    "repairs_like": "goggles_ir",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "pair of infrared goggles (on)",
     "name_plural": "pairs of infrared goggles (on)",
@@ -1435,6 +1450,7 @@
   {
     "id": "mask_h20survivor_on",
     "copy-from": "mask_h20survivor",
+    "repairs_like": "mask_h20survivor",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "survivor divemask (on)",
     "name_plural": "survivor divemasks (on)",
@@ -1481,6 +1497,7 @@
   {
     "id": "mask_h20survivorxl_on",
     "copy-from": "mask_h20survivorxl",
+    "repairs_like": "mask_h20survivorxl",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "XL survivor divemask (on)",
     "name_plural": "XL survivor divemasks (on)",
@@ -1676,6 +1693,7 @@
   {
     "id": "towel_wet",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "towel",
     "symbol": ",",
     "color": "blue",
     "name": "towel",
@@ -1695,6 +1713,7 @@
   {
     "id": "towel_soiled",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "towel",
     "symbol": ",",
     "color": "magenta",
     "name": "soiled towel",
@@ -1758,6 +1777,7 @@
   {
     "id": "patchwork_scarf_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "patchwork_scarf",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "light_gray",
@@ -1805,6 +1825,7 @@
   {
     "id": "long_patchwork_scarf_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "long_patchwork_scarf",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "light_gray",
@@ -1857,6 +1878,7 @@
   {
     "id": "knit_scarf_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "knit_scarf",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "dark_gray",
@@ -1904,6 +1926,7 @@
   {
     "id": "long_knit_scarf_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "long_knit_scarf",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "dark_gray",
@@ -1951,6 +1974,7 @@
   {
     "id": "scarf_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "scarf",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "brown",
@@ -1998,6 +2022,7 @@
   {
     "id": "scarf_long_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "scarf_long",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "brown",
@@ -2045,6 +2070,7 @@
   {
     "id": "scarf_fur_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "scarf_fur",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "brown",
@@ -2092,6 +2118,7 @@
   {
     "id": "scarf_fur_long_loose",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "scarf_fur_long",
     "category": "clothing",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "brown",
@@ -2151,6 +2178,7 @@
   {
     "id": "thermal_outfit_on",
     "copy-from": "thermal_outfit",
+    "repairs_like": "thermal_outfit",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "name": "thermal electric outfit (on)",
     "name_plural": "thermal electric outfits (on)",
@@ -2191,6 +2219,7 @@
   {
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
     "id": "mask_ski_loose",
+    "repairs_like": "mask_ski",
     "name": "ski mask (open)",
     "name_plural": "ski masks (open)",
     "category": "clothing",
@@ -2517,6 +2546,7 @@
   {
     "id": "powered_earmuffs_on",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "powered_earmuffs",
     "category": "armor",
     "symbol": "[",
     "color": "blue",
@@ -2596,6 +2626,7 @@
   {
     "id": "solarpack_on",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "solarpack",
     "name": "solar backpack (unfolded)",
     "name_plural": "solar backpacks (unfolded)",
     "description": "Unfolded array of portable solar panels ready to push some power into an active cable charger system.",
@@ -2638,6 +2669,7 @@
   {
     "id": "q_solarpack_on",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "q_solarpack",
     "name": "quantum solar backpack (unfolded)",
     "name_plural": "quantum solar backpacks (unfolded)",
     "description": "Unfolded array of portable quantum solar panels ready to push some power into an active cable charger system.",
@@ -2683,6 +2715,7 @@
   {
     "id": "helmet_riot_raised",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "helmet_riot",
     "category": "armor",
     "name": "riot helmet (raised visor)",
     "name_plural": "riot helmets (raised visor)",
@@ -2735,6 +2768,7 @@
   {
     "id": "scuba_tank_on",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "scuba_tank",
     "category": "other",
     "name": { "str": "scuba tank (on)", "str_pl": "scuba tanks (on)" },
     "description": "This is a high-pressure 232 bar diving tank that can contain up to 12L of compressed mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.  It is equipped with a on-demand regulator and a mouthpiece designed mostly for underwater use.",
@@ -2790,6 +2824,7 @@
   {
     "id": "small_scuba_tank_on",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "small_scuba_tank",
     "category": "other",
     "name": { "str": "small scuba tank (on)", "str_pl": "small scuba tanks (on)" },
     "description": "This is a small high-pressure 200 bar backup diving tank, that can contain 4L of compressed mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.  It is equipped with a on-demand regulator and a mouthpiece designed mostly for underwater use.",
@@ -2855,6 +2890,7 @@
   {
     "id": "electric_blanket_on",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "electric_blanket",
     "name": "electric blanket (on)",
     "name_plural": "electric blankets (on)",
     "description": "A heated blanket made of polyster.  It's turned on, making it nice and toasty while it lasts.",
@@ -2905,6 +2941,7 @@
   {
     "id": "foodperson_mask_on",
     "type": "TOOL_ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "foodperson_mask",
     "name": "Foodperson mask (on)",
     "name_plural": "Foodperson masks (on)",
     "copy-from": "foodperson_mask",
@@ -2931,6 +2968,7 @@
   {
     "id": "attached_ear_plugs_off",
     "type": "ARMOR",
+    "repairs_like": "attached_ear_plugs_on",
     "name": "pair of attached ear plugs (out)",
     "name_plural": "pairs of attached ear plugs (out)",
     "description": "A pair of industrial grade ear plugs, they are attached together by some string.  They hang around your neck, use them to plug them in.",
diff --git a/src/item_factory.cpp b/src/item_factory.cpp
index c737e50406443..b1f25b35fc2ae 100644
--- a/src/item_factory.cpp
+++ b/src/item_factory.cpp
@@ -2058,6 +2058,10 @@ void Item_factory::load_basic_info( const JsonObject &jo, itype &def, const std:
         def.thrown_damage.add_damage( DT_BASH, def.melee[DT_BASH] + def.weight / 1.0_kilogram );
     }
 
+    if( jo.has_member( "repairs_like" ) ) {
+        jo.read( "repairs_like", def.repairs_like );
+    }
+
     if( jo.has_member( "damage_states" ) ) {
         auto arr = jo.get_array( "damage_states" );
         def.damage_min_ = arr.get_int( 0 ) * itype::damage_scale;
diff --git a/src/itype.h b/src/itype.h
index 7679669a24035..52848aeffdcd2 100644
--- a/src/itype.h
+++ b/src/itype.h
@@ -861,6 +861,9 @@ struct itype {
         // a hint for tilesets: if it doesn't have a tile, what does it look like?
         std::string looks_like;
 
+        // What item this item repairs like if it doesn't have a recipe
+        itype_id repairs_like;
+
         std::string snippet_category;
         translation description; // Flavor text
 
diff --git a/src/iuse_actor.cpp b/src/iuse_actor.cpp
index 0e42188114e73..2827692c9b4e1 100644
--- a/src/iuse_actor.cpp
+++ b/src/iuse_actor.cpp
@@ -3067,20 +3067,23 @@ bool repair_item_actor::handle_components( player &pl, const item &fix,
     return true;
 }
 
-// Returns the level of the lowest level recipe that results in item of `fix`'s type
+// Find the difficulty of the recipes that result in id
 // If the recipe is not known by the player, +1 to difficulty
 // If player doesn't meet the requirements of the recipe, +1 to difficulty
-// If the recipe doesn't exist, difficulty is 10
-int repair_item_actor::repair_recipe_difficulty( const player &pl,
-        const item &fix, bool training ) const
+// Returns -1 if no recipe is found
+static int find_repair_difficulty( const player &pl, const itype_id &id, bool training )
 {
-    const auto &type = fix.typeId();
-    int min = 5;
+    // If the recipe is not found, this will remain unchanged
+    int min = -1;
     for( const auto &e : recipe_dict ) {
         const auto r = e.second;
-        if( type != r.result() ) {
+        if( id != r.result() ) {
             continue;
         }
+        // If this is the first time we found a recipe
+        if( min == -1 ) {
+            min = 5;
+        }
 
         int cur_difficulty = r.difficulty;
         if( !training && !pl.knows_recipe( &r ) ) {
@@ -3097,6 +3100,27 @@ int repair_item_actor::repair_recipe_difficulty( const player &pl,
     return min;
 }
 
+// Returns the level of the lowest level recipe that results in item of `fix`'s type
+// Or if it has a repairs_like, the lowest level recipe that results in that.
+// If the recipe doesn't exist, difficulty is 10
+int repair_item_actor::repair_recipe_difficulty( const player &pl,
+        const item &fix, bool training ) const
+{
+    int diff = find_repair_difficulty( pl, fix.typeId(), training );
+
+    // If we don't find a recipe, see if there's a repairs_like that has a recipe
+    if( diff == -1 && !fix.type->repairs_like.empty() ) {
+        diff = find_repair_difficulty( pl, fix.type->repairs_like, training );
+    }
+
+    // If we still don't find a recipe, difficulty is 10
+    if( diff == -1 ) {
+        diff = 10;
+    }
+
+    return diff;
+}
+
 bool repair_item_actor::can_repair_target( player &pl, const item &fix,
         bool print_msg ) const
 {