Which was frustrating. It seems the fashionistas who design our clothing have decided that a wet bum and wet thighs are not, after all, the problem we pathetic wimps had thought they were for all these years, with the result that practically all wet-weather gear sold as coats – even from specialist "outdoors" manufacturers like North Face or that most traditional of purveyors of waxy kit to the huntin' and shootin' set, Barbour – now stop short just below the waist. Really? What, you weren't selling enough waterproof leggings? Or does keeping dry but looking like a dork offend your fashion sense? Well, excuse me...
These so-called "coats" – actually jackets, surely – have also become bloody expensive, what with the multiple layers of "technical" fabrics, taped seams, and all the rest of it. Which wouldn't necessarily be a problem, if they actually kept your important middle bits dry. I must admit I was quite tempted by the products of Swedish firm Tretorn, not least because the idea of a coat made out of "regenerated nylon from fishing nets and consumer waste found in the oceans" has a certain green cachet, but I was saved from an uncharacteristically large outlay of cash by the discovery that broken zips can easily be fixed. Wow!
I had no idea. I'd assumed that, at the very least, the old zip would have to be removed and a new one sewn in, probably by a specialist in repairing waterproofs and thus quite time-consuming and expensive. But then I stumbled across a little YouTube video, "How to Repair a Zipper With Two Sliders", put up by a firm called FixnZip. As people like to say, the clue is in the name. Basically, FixnZip (and doubtless other manufacturers of similar zip-oriented solutions) sell replacement sliders, which you simply open up with a screw mechanism, slip over the zip's teeth, and screw shut. So I bought one, put the favourite coat through a Nikwax wash cycle to re-waterproof it, and fixed the zip. Good as new! Job done.
The other useful thing I learned from this is that zips have standard sizes, and this is nearly always moulded onto the slider as a number [1]. You'll probably need to use a magnifier to find it, but it's there. Who knew? Who cared, until now?
20 comments:
Mike
I spent ages looking for a replacement waterproof that had a big enough pocket to take an OS map. Astonishingly even in the biggest outdoor shop in Keswick none were available. No wonder people get lost in the mountains with only google maps for company. Eventually I had it renovated by a nice Polish seamstress in town and taped over the seams all by myself. But,the zip has now broken and I'm relying on the velcro, so thanks for the tip.
Andy,
It's weird, isn't it? I forgot to mention the pockets thing. You do have to wonder if any of these people actually venture outdoors.
N.B. if you can bring yourself to trade with Amazon, FixnZips are available there.
Stay dry!
Mike
That first picture is really great, Mike, especially viewed big (and well done on the zips; I've just taken delivery of some Nikwax to restore my waterproof to . . . be waterproof).
Huw
Thanks, Huw, always appreciated when someone notices the pictures!
I haven't yet given the re-proofed coat a proper testing -- it's been too wet to venture out... Maybe tomorrow...
Mike
I spent a number of years sailing and you many find sailing brands suit better. Henri Lloyd. Although they may have succumbed to jacketitis by now as well.
What turned out to be the biggest issue there was pocket zippers. Down to open, please, up to close.
amolitor,
Interesting thought -- you'd think there might be some kind of sailing outlet in Southampton, but no, as all the yachties hang out in Lymington. I checked out Henri Lloyd, and it's jackets, jackets all the way, apart from one £425 design. Never mind, I've fixed the zip, and I'm good to go!
Mike
Can't believe I'm impelled to write more about zippers on what is ostensibly a blog about hats and photography, but North Face jackets drive me nuts because they have the zipper on the other side (to the majority of other UK brands for men's clothing). And of course down to open, up to close!
Huw
Huw,
It's good to have a clothes-related rant now and again... Just wait till I do my post on trouser and sleeve length!
I've never actually used North Face. Up to close is surely normal, though? My main waterproof coat is from Caterpillar, the construction people, plus a winter weight marvel from Aigle, the French firm.
Mike
I knew I'd learn something useful if I followed this blog long enough. Thanks.
Btw, Feedly asked me if this post was about fashion and I told them it was. They were really appreciative, saying "Thanks! Your feedback helps make Leo smarter. Leo was 59% confident this article was about fashion." Heh heh. Poor Leo, eh?
Zouk,
Maybe I should start covering fashion, just to save Leo (whoever he is) any embarrassment... As I say, more opportunities for fashion fulmination will be forthcoming. I mean, honestly, how long are arms supposed to be, and yet pencil-thin all the way up to the armpit? And why are all men supposed to be gym-slim around the waist these days? Grrr...
Mike
Zippers have to be one of the grandest inventions of all time, yet do they get the love that, uh, say, the stinkin' internet gets? No, not a bit of it. Over a lifetime, they've surely saved me minutes of time over their alternative, that clumsy nodule called a button.
Can't wait for the upcoming fashion rant about sleeve length. But I want to hear the story of the Caterpillar acquisition. Never knew they made - or branded - "soft goods." I would have thought their no doubt "registered" color would be emblazoned on the exterior, rather than relegated to the lining. Goes to show what a fashionista I am.
Kent,
Zips are indeed an extraordinary invention, though in general on a coat I prefer heavy duty press-studs.
Yes, Caterpillar do clothes, boots, and general workwear accessories like gloves and stuff, all branded "Cat". Their UK shop is here:
https://www.shopcaterpillar.co.uk
The US one is here:
https://shopcaterpillar.com/
It's worth keeping an eye out for their sales, when stuff gets massive reductions (I got an £85 coat for £35, for example).
Mike
Undermining a 13 Billion Dollar business one repaired zip at a time:
https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/intelligence/the-13-billion-zipper-wars
My first call for coats is Uniqlo
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/men-blocktech-hooded-coat-431945.html?dwvar_431945_color=COL32&dwvar_431945_size=SMA002&cgid=IDm-coats-jackets
mainly because they are the first clothes shop out of the office door.
Alpkit https://alpkit.com/collections/mens-waterproof-jackets do some good quality outdoor stuff without too much fuss
Gavin,
Well, I'm amazed, who'd have guessed a little post about repairing a zip would throw up so much comment? The "zipper wars" thing is fascinating, I must say. But as for the waterproofs -- pretty much every one a jacket!
Mike
Mike
Leo is a bot who helps guide people to the 'content' they're interested in, so you should now see a slight increase in visitors looking for a range of idiotic, yet fashionable hats. Hey, why not forget all that arty-farty photographic stuff and move more towards a click-and-collect service for party needs?
Zouk,
Sadly the Language Hat blog has got that angle covered.
Mike
I'm following this discussion for a couple of days now. Isn't it interesting that a post about zippers garners almost more comments than a traditional photo gear post? The camera industry appears to be in *real* trouble ...
Best, Thomas
Thomas,
Strange, isn't it? Zips clearly have a bright future, and a big following. You'll never be able to do your coat up with an app on your phone!
Mike
OK, now I'm outing myself as a silly old man - from the grandmaster of onomatopoeia: Don Martin's take on zippers.
Enjoy!
Thomas
Thomas,
Heh... But, Don Martin in French? I suppose no stranger than Claire Bretécher in English!
Mike
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