3 ms·

"The biggest issue with any zipper is snags. This design looks like it would be a lot more likely to snag, but maybe not." I can't see this new design solving

"The biggest issue with any zipper is snags. This design looks like it would be a lot more likely to snag, but maybe not." I can't see this new design solving that problem. Of all the day-to-day inanimate objects I've encountered I'd single out zippers as the most problematic I've come across. I cannot think of another device I've had so much trouble with. They snag, jam, the teeth fall out or tear out with little provocation, they come 'unraveled' at the ends and cannot be easily fixed. Fly zippers have even caused me injury, and when used on sleeping bags and like they catch the fabric and either damage it or break in the process of untangling them. And if that's not enough, the metal parts of zippers corrode in washing detergents and stain removers—often to the extent that it's a significant cause of zipper failures. Moreover, zippers are much more difficult to replace than buttons—I can replace a button on a shirt or fly in a minute or two but replacing a zipper is a major undertaking especially if one is not expert with a sewing machine. Zippers on jackets are often the worst, I've an ex NATO military jacket that's tough and hard wearing and extremely well made that I'd never be without in winter but its YKK zipper gives me no end of trouble. And recently I've scrapped two perfectly good high-visibility jackets because zipper teeth have pulled out and in both instances the zippers weren't subject to abuse (these zippers weren't YKK brand). Give me buttons any day. PS: my other peeve is Velcro on clothing. I dare not mention the tortures that ought to be inflicted on the person who came up with that abomination of an idea.

m463 1y ago
I think most zipper trouble I've had is with zippers that are too small for the job. I think really fat YKK style zippers on things like boots or gloves are wonderful. The zippers I've had problems with are usually small-tooth non-ykk zippers.
- hilbert42 1y ago
  "…too small for the job." Agreed, or they use plastic teeth that easily part company with the fabric as with my hi-viz jackets. The nylon loop type are usually much more reliable.
f30e3dfed1c9 1y ago
You seem to have... very unusual experience with zippers. I honestly can't remember the last time I had trouble with one or ever having any serious trouble with one.
- hilbert42 1y ago
  "very unusual experience with zippers." With respect, I think it's your experience that is very unusual. I reckon you must never go camping and use a sleeping bag with a long zipper or you wouldn't say what you've said. The woman who runs the drycleaning shop near where I live also provides a garment alteration service and her main business is shortening jeans and replacing broken zippers! She even specializes in replacing long zippers on leather jackets as they break so often. When they're such a bane for others one has to wonder why you have so little trouble, or how careful and methodical you are when using them, and or what type you're familiar with, what garments you have them on etc. Can you honestly say you've never had zipper teeth part company with the fabric or never had to apply candle wax or similar to the teeth so they run smoothly? If yes, then you're a very lucky person.
  - nikole9696 1y ago
    I don't go camping. I have had exactly one thing in my life that I can recall that the zipper broke on it. I think it really depends on what people are buying, how rough they are with their clothing, and many other factors.
  - lavelganzu 1y ago
    > Can you honestly say you've never had zipper teeth part company with the fabric or never had to apply candle wax or similar to the teeth so they run smoothly? Do regular people ever wax their zippers? (ChatGPT says it might be done by sailors or leatherworkers on occasion, for whatever that's worth.)
  - f30e3dfed1c9 1y ago
    Really late coming back to this, but yes, I own several sleeping bags with zippers, tents with zippers, backpacks, down coats, gadget and storage bags of various kinds, various other jackets, all kinds of stuff with zippers. You say "[w]hen they're such a bane for others," but that's not my experience. Here in my seventh decade of life, I have never heard anyone but you complain so much about zippers.
nikole9696 1y ago
I don't have much trouble with zippers, but I had a jacket where it broke. I had a tailor put on a new one.

m463 1y ago

I think most zipper trouble I've had is with zippers that are too small for the job. I think really fat YKK style zippers on things like boots or gloves are wonderful. The zippers I've had problems with are usually small-tooth non-ykk zippers.

hilbert42 1y ago
"…too small for the job." Agreed, or they use plastic teeth that easily part company with the fabric as with my hi-viz jackets. The nylon loop type are usually much more reliable.

f30e3dfed1c9 1y ago

You seem to have... very unusual experience with zippers. I honestly can't remember the last time I had trouble with one or ever having any serious trouble with one.

hilbert42 1y ago
"very unusual experience with zippers." With respect, I think it's your experience that is very unusual. I reckon you must never go camping and use a sleeping bag with a long zipper or you wouldn't say what you've said. The woman who runs the drycleaning shop near where I live also provides a garment alteration service and her main business is shortening jeans and replacing broken zippers! She even specializes in replacing long zippers on leather jackets as they break so often. When they're such a bane for others one has to wonder why you have so little trouble, or how careful and methodical you are when using them, and or what type you're familiar with, what garments you have them on etc. Can you honestly say you've never had zipper teeth part company with the fabric or never had to apply candle wax or similar to the teeth so they run smoothly? If yes, then you're a very lucky person.
- nikole9696 1y ago
  I don't go camping. I have had exactly one thing in my life that I can recall that the zipper broke on it. I think it really depends on what people are buying, how rough they are with their clothing, and many other factors.
- lavelganzu 1y ago
  > Can you honestly say you've never had zipper teeth part company with the fabric or never had to apply candle wax or similar to the teeth so they run smoothly? Do regular people ever wax their zippers? (ChatGPT says it might be done by sailors or leatherworkers on occasion, for whatever that's worth.)
- f30e3dfed1c9 1y ago
  Really late coming back to this, but yes, I own several sleeping bags with zippers, tents with zippers, backpacks, down coats, gadget and storage bags of various kinds, various other jackets, all kinds of stuff with zippers. You say "[w]hen they're such a bane for others," but that's not my experience. Here in my seventh decade of life, I have never heard anyone but you complain so much about zippers.

nikole9696 1y ago

I don't have much trouble with zippers, but I had a jacket where it broke. I had a tailor put on a new one.