Frequently Asked Questions
# 1 - Zipper Anatomy - Begin here
We mainly encounter 3 styles of zipper and 3 types of teeth
Non-Separating Style
Example with diagram has Plastic Teeth
This style is used on:
- Tents
- Backpacks
- Hand bags
- Pants
- Pull over coats (see photo)
*Important Note – Type of teeth is not specific to the style of zipper. Any style of zipper can have the following 3 types of teeth.
Plastic Tooth
Metal Tooth Zipper
Coil Zipper
Non-Separating Zippers
Example shown has Plastic Teeth.
Coat pockets are an example of a Non-Separating zipper.
Backpacks or purses are also non-separating. May have 2 sliders or just 1
1-Way Separating Style
Example with diagram has Coil Teeth
Used with
- Coats
- Boat covers
- Detachable clothing (ex. zip off hoods and pant legs)
1-Way Separating Zippers
This diagram identifies the parts of a standard separating zipper. Common on coats.
Unzipped coat zipper
Zipped up sweatshirt
2-Way Separating
Example with diagram has Metal Teeth
This style is used on
- Coats
- Sleeping bags
2-Way Separating Zippers
This diagram shows a 2-way separating zipper with metal teeth
This jacket has a 2-way separating with plastic teeth.
# 2 - What am I able to fix using your products?
Problems you CAN fix using one of our Zipper Rescue Kits
FIND OUT IF YOUR ZIPPER IS FIXABLE
In many cases, the reason a zipper fails is because the slider wears out, falls off or breaks. Explore the section below to see examples of this and learn about other creative repairs that are good to know.
Worn out or broken sliders
Simply replacing the slider using one of our zipper rescue kits will get you back up and zipping in no time!
This is the classic zipper problem where the teeth will not stay closed.
*Note - the box and pin are still intact at the bottom and the teeth are not obviously damaged.
Broken off pull tab? No problem
Slider broke in half?
You got this!!
Slider off one side or got jammed and bent open?
How many ways can a zipper break?
Many ways...
This example shows a worn out slider on a boot.
Make sure and look close to make sure the coils aren't damaged near the ankle on boots. FAQ #5 will show damaged coils in more detail.
Non-separating zippers with damaged teeth / coils
If teeth or coils are only damaged in one place there is still hope in some cases. Click “See More Examples” for simple repair steps. This applies to a tent, backpack, luggage or any other item with 2 sliders that meet (see photo example)
*Note – this repair will usually not work on jackets or other separating zippers that do not have both ends sewn shut permanently.
This example shows a stop added to fix damage on one spot.
Step 1 -
Identify there is one place where the teeth/coils are damaged.
Step 2 -
Grab a top stop from out Outdoor or Clothing Kit with some pliers.
Step 3 -
Place stop over the damaged spot and squeeze to crimp it securely.
Voila! The zipper functions and you will never be searching for your sliders again.
Separating zippers with damaged teeth / coils
If there missing teeth or damage is up near the top on a jacket zipper as shown in the photo. Have a look through the photo examples to see how a top stop can save the day.
*Note – this repair will also work for jeans, jackets zip only part way down and other non-separating zippers with one slider and missing/damaged teeth near the top or bottom.
Step 1 - Identify missing teeth
Step 2 - Select top stop from our Clothing or Outdoor kit to pinch with pliers.
Step 3 - Place the stop right next to the last good tooth and squeeze firmly, securing it to the fabric.
You will now have a jacket zipper that will function without coming off one side.
This repair only really works if the damage is near the top of the zipper.
# 3 - Are the kits easy to use?
Zipper Repair 101
This 45 sec video shows a basic slider replacement for coats, sleeping bags etc.
For any zipper that comes apart completely at the bottom.
- In most cases you can do both of these repairs in minutes
- Tools: needle nosed or regular pliers and basic wire cutters (shown in videos)
- If you have never used pliers in your life this may require a little patience at first or asking a friend for some help. Once you get the hang of it, this skill will serve you for the rest of your life.
Zipper Repair 102
This 45 sec video shows a basic slider replacement for handbags, tents, pants, luggage etc.
For any zipper that does not come apart completely at the bottom when fully unzipped.
# 4 - How/why do zippers break?
This section will show all of the ways zippers can break.
*Please note that the vast majority of broken zippers are simply due to a worn out/broken slider which can be replaced easily. Not all broken zippers can be fixed easily, this will help you understand all of the reasons zippers can break.
Worn out or broken slider
The sign of a worn-out slider, is when the teeth do not close or mesh together, a zipper that doesn’t zip! Or maybe the slider or pull tab has broken off completely.
This is the most common type of broken zipper by far. Replacing the slider is simple using one of our Zipper Rescue Kits and will get you back up and zipping in no time as long as the zipper teeth (or coils) are still in good shape!
Examples of worn out or broken sliders
Teeth will not stay closed when zipped.
Usually the teeth are fine.
It's the little metal slider and you can replace it using one of our kits.
Slider is off track on one side or missing completely. (inspect closely to make sure teeth are not damaged or missing)
Another worn out slider!
This happens a lot!
And another jacket zipper.
All types all sizes, and they all break!!
A broken pull tab is also common.
Easy fix using our kits
Broke in half?
Chinese zippers are delicate items...
Our parts are YKK and last much longer.
Missing or damaged teeth/coils
In most cases, if the teeth or coils are missing or visibly damaged the zipper must be replaced.
See FAQ #2 to see what can be fixed with this type of damage
Click Here to purchase a replacement jacket zipper.
Plastic tooth zipper on a coat, missing teeth near the bottom cannot be fixed with a simple slider replacement. The entire zipper will need to be replaced.
This photo shows a mangled coil zipper that will likely need to be replaced.
It is not always this obvious.
Sometimes a coil zipper will wear out where the threads hold the coils in place. It will spread and cause the coils
You can see here that the worn thread is what keeps the coils attached. Once the thread wears off the coils will easily come out of alignment and stop working.
This shows damaged coils on a boot zipper. Boots are notorious for this problem and it generally warrants a full replacement zipper.
Missing box / pin on separating zippers
If the box / pin at the bottom of a separating zipper (see FAQ #1 – Zipper Anatomy) is missing, these parts cannot be replaced successfully.
Click Here to purchase your replacement zipper
*Note – For separating zippers only, mainly used on coats and sleeping bags – see photo example
Missing box at the bottom of a jacket zipper.
Missing both box and pin
(the slider will be gone too probably)
Missing only pin on bottom of a jacket zipper.
If the box goes missing the slider comes right off
Missing one pin on 2 way separating zipper.
# 5 - What am I NOT able to fix using your products?
Separating zippers with a missing Box/Pin
If the box / pin (see FAQ #1 – Zipper Anatomy) are missing, they cannot be replaced and require a full replacement zipper.
Click Here to purchase your replacement zipper
*Note – For separating zippers only, mainly used on coats and sleeping bags – see photo examples
This photo shows a missing box at the bottom of a jacket zipper. Because the box is missing the slider will fall off completely.
Here is a photo of a jacket zipper with a missing box and pin. The slider would fall off in this case as well.
This shows a missing pin on a jacket with a 2-way separating zipper. If either pin is missing this is not possible to fix.
This example shows a jacket with a missing pin only. It seems there could be an easy fix but there is not as of yet.
Missing or damaged teeth
In most cases, if the teeth or coils are missing or visibly damaged the zipper must be replaced.
See FAQ #2 to see what can be fixed with this type of damage
Click Here to purchase a replacement jacket zipper.
Tooth zippers will have completely missing teeth as shown on this jacket.
Coil zippers are different, they wear out but the teeth won't fall off because they are all connected. You have to look closely to see the thread holding them on is actually rubbed off. This problem starts slow and spreads leading to failure.
Boot zippers are notorious for having worn out coils right by the ankle. Video on preventing and fixing this coming soon.
Here is an extreme case of damaged coils. This must have gotten slammed in a door, it will usually be much less obvious coils are damaged.
Damaged teeth/coils in multiple places
If an item is damaged in more than one place, it’s time to replace the whole zipper unfortunately.
If you find more than one place on the teeth/coils with damage, the zipper will not be able to close completely again and may need replacing.
Non-obvious damage to Coil Zippers
*Note – This applies to Coil zippers ONLY
See the photo examples of subtle damage to the thread that holds the coils in place. If the thread is worn off, the coils will move around freely and become mangled as the problem spreads, eventually leading to failure.
This is common on boots right at the ankle.
It is possible to stitch each coil back in place by hand if you catch it early, instructional video on this coming soon.
Examples of worn out coil zipper
This close up shows the thread worn off of a small section of the coils. This can be hard to see in the beginning but it will continue to spread.
A tiny little pin prick of super glue rubbed in at each end of the thread can slow the spreading
This shows how the coils will pull away from the zipper tape once the thread is worn, causing them to become misaligned.
This shows the infamous boot zipper ankle problem. They are not always this obvious but over half of the boot problems I see involve this problem. It is a design flaw ultimately
# 6 - My slider fell off the bottom of my jacket. Will your kit repair this?
Unfortunately this cannot be fixed easily as of yet
If the box / pin (see FAQ #1 – Zipper Anatomy) are missing, they cannot be replaced and require a full replacement zipper.
Click Here to purchase a replacement jacket zipper.
*Note – For separating zippers only, mainly used on coats and sleeping bags – see photo example
# 7 - What if my slider is stuck and will not move?
If your pull tab is missing but slider won't move
You likely have a locking zipper if the pull tab broke and now the slider suddenly will not move.
- What is a locking zipper?
- Common on coats, pants, boots, dresses etc.
- Locks automatically so the zipper stays closed.
- Grab a safety pin, paper clip, piece of wire or any thin tool.
- Feed the tool through the hole or loop where the pull tab was attached, pull outward and the slider should move freely.
- You can tie a piece of paracord or leather string to fix this yourself if the metal loop is still intact
Slider is really stuck or corroded - must pry off slider.
If the slider is truly stuck, whether from corrosion or you cannot get it back through the zipper the wrong way, you will have to pry the slider open to remove it.
Tools and instructions:
- Needle nose pliers and a flat head screwdriver.
- See the photo examples for step-by-step instructions
This example shows a boot zipper with a stuck slider being pried off
Step 1 - Grab the slider with the needle nose pliers as shown.
If the little loop is broken off, pinch the slider on the side opposite from where you are prying.
Step 2 - Insert the flat head screwdriver next to the fabric and twist as if you were prying open a tiny clam shell. Be firm but try not to damage the teeth.
Step 3 - After the slider is slightly opened it will usually slide to the bottom so I can be replaced.
Check out our instructional videos to learn how to replace a slider.
Step 4 - If the slider is being stubborn, pry it even further and it will usually break in half fairly easily. Now you're ready to install a new one
