Looking for tips to prevent stuck zippers
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Prevention. I lube with wax. They gave me some lately with my Yeti cooler.
Fixing? Patience or I finally got a jacket zipper that I took to my family owned dry cleaner lady to unstick.
edit to fix a sentence. much easier than a stuck zipper.
Fixing? Patience or I finally got a jacket zipper that I took to my family owned dry cleaner lady to unstick.
edit to fix a sentence. much easier than a stuck zipper.
Zipper Ease® Zipper Lube
You wouldn't head out on a bikepacking trip without lube for your chain?!?! Zippers require a little love here and there to keep them running smoothly. Do your bag a favor and keep it lubed up! Includes 1 stick Made in the U.S.A.
www.ovejanegrabikepacking.com
That's a pretty good idea as a preventative measure, especially considering the cost of hip packs, frame bags, etc.Zipper Ease® Zipper Lube
You wouldn't head out on a bikepacking trip without lube for your chain?!?! Zippers require a little love here and there to keep them running smoothly. Do your bag a favor and keep it lubed up! Includes 1 stick Made in the U.S.A.
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1,253 Posts
There are a few good companies that at least in the past have provided lube for zippers with purchase (I had a Stio jacket come with zipper lube and an Ice Mule cooler backpack). Even though it's one of those maintenance things that's easy to forget about, there's no doubt it helps with function and longevity of the zipper.
With the ice mule I just tried to use it any time I used the cooler, which was not super frequently. The jacket I used it any time I washed the jacket.
With the ice mule I just tried to use it any time I used the cooler, which was not super frequently. The jacket I used it any time I washed the jacket.
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832 Posts
Buy a roll top pack without a zipper. I have a waterproof Eddie Bauer one I transition to when conditions get wet enough.
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851 Posts
Thanks for the suggestions, all. Sounds like I should pre-treat with zipper ease or equivalent, and keep the zippers clean of sweat after a ride. A buddy of mine recommended throwing the packs in the washer every once in a while, even though the manufacturers tend to recommend against this.
A roll top hip pack would be great, with just a clip fastener. The zipper pouches on the hip belt get on my nerves - wish they were just snaps or velcro or a clip, because that's just another zipper I need to worry about (and those are the ones that tend to get stuck soonest).
A roll top hip pack would be great, with just a clip fastener. The zipper pouches on the hip belt get on my nerves - wish they were just snaps or velcro or a clip, because that's just another zipper I need to worry about (and those are the ones that tend to get stuck soonest).
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seems like washing it more often is the answer you are looking for...
pretty expensive when birthday candles are 20 cents and do a better job
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7,471 Posts
Canning wax, because I always have it around. Always.
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462 Posts
I never throw my pack in the wash, but I do take a very wet rag and wipe it down really well sometimes. The zipper definitely gets all munged up and sticks from the sweat, but wiping it off real well with a very wet rag, drying and then spraying some chain wax on it always makes so silky smooth. I like the smell too. I I did use a little candle wax from my wife's candle one time. Seemed to work just fine except it was lavender scented and I caught a lot of grief from my buddies. She has a butterscotch candle now that smells like a warm cookie that I might use next time.
Keep it cleanish and lube it with wax, spray wax, dry lube or anything else to keep it zipping smooth.
Keep it cleanish and lube it with wax, spray wax, dry lube or anything else to keep it zipping smooth.
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999 Posts
I use the same Mopar or Bestop soft top zipper cleaner/lube on everything with a zipper. It is designed specifically for zippers exposed to dirty conditions. They come with a brush head on the top of the bottle that helps work it in and clean out dirt.
It does a pretty good job of protecting zippers from road salt and grime from winter roads damaging the zippers. But you still have to clean the big chunks of dirt and salt off before you use it. The first step before using any lube is to clean the zipper.
It does a pretty good job of protecting zippers from road salt and grime from winter roads damaging the zippers. But you still have to clean the big chunks of dirt and salt off before you use it. The first step before using any lube is to clean the zipper.
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