YKK zippers: Why so many designers use them (2012)(slate.com)
slate.com
YKK zippers: Why so many designers use them (2012)
https://slate.com/business/2012/04/ykk-zippers-why-so-many-designers-use-them.html
160 comments
Non-YKK zippers are a canary: what other corners have been cut? Unless they’re RiRi, of course.
> Unless they’re RiRi, of course.
Or Lampo, or Raccagni.
Or Lampo, or Raccagni.
By the time you are reading statements like this on HN or Reddit or wherever people in whatever industry is being discussed already know that people who don't know how to evaluate the product are looking at that signal thereby making it useless as a signal.
What is a riri?
A brand of zippers - https://www.riri.com/products/riri/
Wow, I think that's the most beautiful photo of a zipper I've ever seen!
It's so beautiful, it makes me think it might be a render - after I learned how many "photos" in IKEA's catalogues are actually just using physically-based rendering extremely well, and not being to tell at all, that thought keeps popping up.
[deleted]
They're also really nice to use!
There is nothing that will make you appreciate the quality of a zipper more than having the zipper on your luggage break while in the airport.
And that is the day that I learned the Miami airport has a service that will basically use industrial strength cling wrap to seal your luggage.
And that is the day that I learned the Miami airport has a service that will basically use industrial strength cling wrap to seal your luggage.
> And that is the day that I learned the Miami airport has a service that will basically use industrial strength cling wrap to seal your luggage.
I did that once at JFK. I was afraid that the rigid suitcase would be mishandled so I anticipated. It did end up mishandled: I don’t know what they dropped on it but it had a large dent when I got it back. I was also checked at customs, where they cut the suitcase open with a knife, at which point I realised that the closing mechanisms were smashed and I could not close it again (they gave me some duct tape to keep it somewhat closed, but the following train journey was a nightmare). That was fun. But I did not regret the industrial strength cling wrap.
I did that once at JFK. I was afraid that the rigid suitcase would be mishandled so I anticipated. It did end up mishandled: I don’t know what they dropped on it but it had a large dent when I got it back. I was also checked at customs, where they cut the suitcase open with a knife, at which point I realised that the closing mechanisms were smashed and I could not close it again (they gave me some duct tape to keep it somewhat closed, but the following train journey was a nightmare). That was fun. But I did not regret the industrial strength cling wrap.
> I was also checked at customs, where they cut the suitcase open with a knife
My first thought is to type "WTF!", however having experienced the bully-boy antics of the US police (and how the US population appears to take this for granted) this behaviour by your Customs does not surprise me.
My first thought is to type "WTF!", however having experienced the bully-boy antics of the US police (and how the US population appears to take this for granted) this behaviour by your Customs does not surprise me.
(Ignoring the editorialization)
I believe that the comment is referring to cutting off the cling-wrap to open the case, something that would likely be done by customs in any country.
I believe that the comment is referring to cutting off the cling-wrap to open the case, something that would likely be done by customs in any country.
Yes, indeed, that is poor phrasing on my part. They cut the shrink wrap, not the suitcase itself.
Or the zippers slider breaking into 2 parts on your relatively expensive Ski Jacket in a remote location at the beginning of the vacation. Happened to me, luckily I had a (cheap) fleece jacket with me with the same zipper size and I was able to fix it.
Not a broken zipper but a good trick to know for fixing a broken backpack buckle using two carabiners: https://youtu.be/iIilqYI1JNY
Those aren’t carabiners, they are small quick links and it’s very unlikely anyone is going to be randomly carrying those in the backcountry.
The simplest solution to a broken backpack buckle is another buckle. If you’re going to carry something, carry those. They’re light and cheap and should be part of the repair kit for backcountry travel.
You can also simply thread the strap through the webbing loop and tie it off. Hard to get the length exactly right but works in a pinch.
The simplest solution to a broken backpack buckle is another buckle. If you’re going to carry something, carry those. They’re light and cheap and should be part of the repair kit for backcountry travel.
You can also simply thread the strap through the webbing loop and tie it off. Hard to get the length exactly right but works in a pinch.
A lot of airports have them when they have flights to destinations where luggage is frequently broken into.
name and shame?
Reliable stats are hard to come by, but Delhi, Johannesburg, JFK all have bad reputations. For a long time Kuala Lumpur had a gang working with the X-ray guys to tag juicy targets, but they were busted a while back.
Problem is, cling wrap won't stop a determined thief, it'll just make the theft evident -- unless they just grab your whole bag instead.
Problem is, cling wrap won't stop a determined thief, it'll just make the theft evident -- unless they just grab your whole bag instead.
> Problem is, cling wrap won't stop a determined thief
The point is just to make your bag more effort than the less-protected one next to it.
The point is just to make your bag more effort than the less-protected one next to it.
Is there an insurance company that will pay out if the seal is broken? Probably not, since then the customers would break them themselves to claim theft.
Every airport I've been to in Brazil had some saran wrapping booth. The salespeople can be quite pushy as well at those...
Yes. I check the zipper brand. I also look for molded plastic zippers (vislon) as opposed to coil zips because they are way more durable
Thank you!
My current everyday pouch has coil zips because I simply could not find a pouch with the other qualities that I'm looking for, that had an actual solid zipper. And I've had so many of these coil loop zippers fail over the years that I actually considered replacing the zippers before even using the pouch daily. Surely I'm not the only person so pedantic about the quality of their equipment.
My current everyday pouch has coil zips because I simply could not find a pouch with the other qualities that I'm looking for, that had an actual solid zipper. And I've had so many of these coil loop zippers fail over the years that I actually considered replacing the zippers before even using the pouch daily. Surely I'm not the only person so pedantic about the quality of their equipment.
Depending on the failure you can get kits to fix it.
I've sewn in new zippers in the past. My last one was such a great pouch, I've actually saved it and might replace the zipper after my current pouch is worn through.
We'll see in a few years!
We'll see in a few years!
I like Vislon as well, but each has its strengths:
> That said, Nylon Coil zippers are “self-healing,” meaning when the zipper accidently opens or closes incorrectly and skips a tooth, these misalignments are easily correctable by merely zipping the slider over the problematic area. On the contrary, misalignments on a Molded zipper usually indicates or results in a damaged tooth, which oftentimes renders the entire zipper inoperable and requires a full zipper replacement. (1)
Like HDD vs. SSD failure, the latter can be sudden.
1: https://perfectex.com/molded-plastic-vs-nylon-coil-zippers/
> That said, Nylon Coil zippers are “self-healing,” meaning when the zipper accidently opens or closes incorrectly and skips a tooth, these misalignments are easily correctable by merely zipping the slider over the problematic area. On the contrary, misalignments on a Molded zipper usually indicates or results in a damaged tooth, which oftentimes renders the entire zipper inoperable and requires a full zipper replacement. (1)
Like HDD vs. SSD failure, the latter can be sudden.
1: https://perfectex.com/molded-plastic-vs-nylon-coil-zippers/
Do note that a decent waterproof rain flap is probably more important if you need actual waterproofing for persistent rain. Since AquaGuard isn't waterproof, it's water resistant, just like all zippers I've seen in the wild.
Check out TIZIP SuperSeal zipper -- it was used on some "dry suits" I wear for offshore sailboat racing in cold-water environments and is truly water-proof. It's advertised to be water-proof up to 700 millibar of pressure differential, which is equivalent to 23 feet of water depth. This zipper does require maintenance in the form of regular lubrication using, for example, a food-grade silicone grease/lubricant like the ones used for slushie/daiquiri machines.
I've looked into getting it worked into bags from Montrose Rope and Sail in Scotland when I worked in offshore industrial environments, but they don't have the equipment to do the "vinyl welding" necessary so you'd have to buy the bag without zippers and then find someone else who could do that welding.
I've looked into getting it worked into bags from Montrose Rope and Sail in Scotland when I worked in offshore industrial environments, but they don't have the equipment to do the "vinyl welding" necessary so you'd have to buy the bag without zippers and then find someone else who could do that welding.
You’re right. This isn’t going to last hours in a monsoon. But then again, neither would I. The water resistance means I can walk towards shelter instead of sprinting towards it.
If you're spending $100 on a backpack you can afford the extra $3 that's baked into the price for a nice zipper.
Peace of mind is a luxury good. People in the bottom of the market for any given class of product don't want to pay for it.
Peace of mind is a luxury good. People in the bottom of the market for any given class of product don't want to pay for it.
> If you're spending $100 on a backpack you can afford the extra $3 that's baked into the price for a nice zipper.
Either $100 for a nice backpack is conservative, or I'm way overpaying for backpacks.
Either $100 for a nice backpack is conservative, or I'm way overpaying for backpacks.
I'll go so far as to say that lots of people do check the zipper when buying any clothes with a zipper, and usually put it back if it isn't YKK. I picked up this habit decades ago shopping with my mom and great aunt, but they acted like it was common knowledge. In years since I've met others who do the same. In my experience, most zippers that don't say YKK will break within a couple of years - backpacks or not.
My daughter is an equestrian and the quality makers of riding boots, half chaps, etc. all mention their use of YKK zippers in their product descriptions.
You made me check my backpack's zippers... YKK.. everything is ok.
On a side note that blew me away about YKK zips is that they actually have locks built into them.
https://www.ykk.com/english/ykk/tech/03.html
All my years I never knew this. Great engineering.
https://www.ykk.com/english/ykk/tech/03.html
All my years I never knew this. Great engineering.
This is not only ykk though, many others have copied this system. Have you ever had your zipper all the way down with the tab lodged in the end of the V and you can’t bring them up until you lift the tab from that hole? The lock is why
Apparently lots of different types of locks too:
https://www.ykkfastening.com/products/zipper/slider/locking_...
https://www.ykkfastening.com/products/zipper/slider/locking_...
Wow, I never knew this! Thanks for sharing!
I received a product I had paid $400 for, that did not have a YKK zipper: the zipper was already compromised by the time I received it.
it caused me to look more closely at the materials and workmanship:
in hindsight, it saved me some effort, as I was able to return, but it also turned me off forever on the brand.
a quality zipper matters, and if you don't have one, what else was skimped on?
it caused me to look more closely at the materials and workmanship:
* extremely cheap materials
* messy workmanship
in hindsight, it saved me some effort, as I was able to return, but it also turned me off forever on the brand.
a quality zipper matters, and if you don't have one, what else was skimped on?
> it also turned me off forever on the brand.
Name and shame, please.
Name and shame, please.
I really don't care for the name and shame game, but I will note that it was a licensed Star Trek product.
Great article and I’ve worked on a project related to the fashion industry that clued me into YKK’s zipper dominance.
But they got the IT quote at the end of the article wrong -_-
“You’ll never get fired for hiring Microsoft” should be IBM ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But they got the IT quote at the end of the article wrong -_-
“You’ll never get fired for hiring Microsoft” should be IBM ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Microsoft is probably a more relevant contemporary example for an audience not steeped in our mythology, I'd certainly raise an eyebrow at someone hiring IBM in 2022. I'd wager many people aren't familiar with IBM.
Oh how the giants have fallen
Maybe if you’re a boomer. We’ve gone through iterations:
- for buying IBM
- for buying Microsoft
- for buying Oracle
- for buying Cisco
- for buying AWS
… what’s next?
- for buying IBM
- for buying Microsoft
- for buying Oracle
- for buying Cisco
- for buying AWS
… what’s next?
I was born in the 90s, been programming since I was 12 (nearly 20 years), and I've only ever heard IBM.
Do you man the saying? Then yes, I agree.
But using the saying in a way that people unfamiliar with it will (probably) understand it, I agree with OP.
But using the saying in a way that people unfamiliar with it will (probably) understand it, I agree with OP.
The current iteration is probably Google, specifically their office suite that comes with an SSO service.
Are startups in the last ~ 5 years using anything else for email/docs/calendar? Microsoft maybe, but they are already on the list. :-)
Are startups in the last ~ 5 years using anything else for email/docs/calendar? Microsoft maybe, but they are already on the list. :-)
… what’s next?
people getting fired
people getting fired
never.
laid off. downsized. made redundant.
never fired.
laid off. downsized. made redundant.
never fired.
"nobody ever got fired for laying subordinates off"
Kubernetes, probably, based on the mentality.
Except for a ton of people at Nokia when they bet the brand on Windows Phone.
> … what’s next?
Open source?
Open source?
Isn't that just our version of fusion? Despite constant developments (and a surprisingly large behind the scenes usage), it's been the tech of $time-delay into the future for at least 5 * $time-delay into the past?
Open source is already running the software world (React, Go, Kubernetes, Git, Linux, the list is huge)
Plenty of real fusion in the world too. But even with the open source elements in Android and iOS, the gap between the promise and J. Average's experience (or even from the point of view of how many of us get paid to develop OSS rather than just use it) is that it might as well be Mr. Fusion from BTTF.
Fusion will have already changed the world if it's very expensive and hard to build, and one can't build a fusion reactor in their backyard. This analogy is starting to stretch a little.
Open-source desktop apps for my grandma are not widespread, but still, open-source runs the world because that's what all the software engineers use to build their closed-source applications.
In the "no one fires you for buying IBM" quote, nobody was talking about Android applications, but business software. These days, no one fires you for buying Linux.
Open-source desktop apps for my grandma are not widespread, but still, open-source runs the world because that's what all the software engineers use to build their closed-source applications.
In the "no one fires you for buying IBM" quote, nobody was talking about Android applications, but business software. These days, no one fires you for buying Linux.
> Fusion will have already changed the world if it's very expensive and hard to build, and one can't build a fusion reactor in their backyard.
The specific type of fusion reactor which people have built in their back yards already has commercial applications.
The specific type of fusion reactor which people have built in their back yards already has commercial applications.
Cloudflare.
bitcoin
"...you’d think that something so simple might have been perfected—becoming a 100 percent reliable commodity. But that hasn’t happened. There are still tons of faulty zippers out there. Teeth that break. Pulls that pop. Herky-jerky sliding and irreparable lockups."
Oh so true. I've had so many run-ins and fights with zippers over the years that I've developed an intense dislike for them. I come to the conclusion that they're a 100-year-old invention still looking for a suitable use.
They're forever jamming or the teeth fail to engage, or they catch on clothing which then cannot be extracted. ...And I shouldn't have to remind the average male of their ability to draw blood.
When they break they're impossible to repair. To repair them means changing them completely for a new one and for that one needs a 'degree' in sewing and the patience of a saint. Then there's the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement that fits.
Buttons may be less convenient but at least any fool can replace them.
Oh so true. I've had so many run-ins and fights with zippers over the years that I've developed an intense dislike for them. I come to the conclusion that they're a 100-year-old invention still looking for a suitable use.
They're forever jamming or the teeth fail to engage, or they catch on clothing which then cannot be extracted. ...And I shouldn't have to remind the average male of their ability to draw blood.
When they break they're impossible to repair. To repair them means changing them completely for a new one and for that one needs a 'degree' in sewing and the patience of a saint. Then there's the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement that fits.
Buttons may be less convenient but at least any fool can replace them.
Since we're trading anecdata I haven't had a single zipper problem in 10 years+
Zippers are a suitable design for some people - those with patience and who take care. They're the ones who take the time to slow down, straighten the fabric and ensure that the zipper's interlocking teeth are best aligned before zipping. And we all know that's especially important on long very flexible zippers such as those on backpacks and sleeping bags.
On the other hand others like me are inherently impatient and regularly fall foul of inanimate objects such as sticking zippers, scissors that won't cut evey known material and screwdrivers that slip out of screw slots because they're the wrong size for said screw.
People like me should be kept away from such objects for the sake of our blood pressures and to protect others nearby who've 'delicate' ears.
Incidentally, sleeping bag zippers are my true nemesis, if I were to live long enough I'd be remembered for 'The 100-Year Sleeping Bag Zipper War'.
On the other hand others like me are inherently impatient and regularly fall foul of inanimate objects such as sticking zippers, scissors that won't cut evey known material and screwdrivers that slip out of screw slots because they're the wrong size for said screw.
People like me should be kept away from such objects for the sake of our blood pressures and to protect others nearby who've 'delicate' ears.
Incidentally, sleeping bag zippers are my true nemesis, if I were to live long enough I'd be remembered for 'The 100-Year Sleeping Bag Zipper War'.
I've met a few people (and done it myself) that put themselves in a bucket like this and started self identifying with some character flaw like "I'm a person that gets annoyed easily at innanimate objects", and it's unproductive.
Why would you think of yourself like that? You're just perpetuating a flaw you already are self-aware about. I have found myself referring to some of my own character or personality flaws like this as if they were not fixable, and once you change the way you think about it, you don't "fix it", but let me tell you, I became way less annoying to those around me. Particularly because people will notice you are making an effort on things that you struggle with. The best way to stop being "the impatient one" is to not think of yourself as "the impatient one".
This comes across a bit condescending upon second reading, specially on the back of a simple zipper comment, but maybe it'll help someone.
Why would you think of yourself like that? You're just perpetuating a flaw you already are self-aware about. I have found myself referring to some of my own character or personality flaws like this as if they were not fixable, and once you change the way you think about it, you don't "fix it", but let me tell you, I became way less annoying to those around me. Particularly because people will notice you are making an effort on things that you struggle with. The best way to stop being "the impatient one" is to not think of yourself as "the impatient one".
This comes across a bit condescending upon second reading, specially on the back of a simple zipper comment, but maybe it'll help someone.
Thanks for sharing this. This especially annoys me with my kids when they picked up the "I'm bad at maths" meme, likely early in their school years. We have since had many discussions about it – deciding you're bad at something is not itself a reason to give up trying to improve, and I firmly believe anyone can learn methods to be productive with a tool, given care and concentration.
It wasn't so much condescending as showing a tin ear for comedy. Comedic self-deprecation makes for engaging reading and is generally a sign of someone who is secure in their foibles.
No, I don't think your comment is condescending at all, rather I think bigger issues are involved, thus it's why I seem unusually vocal about the issue. I may be impatient but in reality my personality flaws have precious little to do with the matter.
The issues principally have to do with fitness for purpose, durability and manufacturing quality. There's no reason why zippers on suitcases, backpacks or sleeping bags cannot have a life and durability commensurate with that of the products they're used on but that's often not the case. If this were so then it's very unlikely that the YKK article would have been written in the first instance - and logically that discussions in this forum would never have existed.
Take my nemesis the sleeping bag zipper. Over the years I've done a lot of outdoors activity, camping, hiking etc. so I've owned a lot of sleeping bags and I can say honestly that not one of them has been without zipper trouble, in fact zipper failures are the principal reason for why I've had to replace them.
There should be no excuse for these zipper problems but unfortunately premature failures of these long zippers are commonplace, so too the fact that they are often installed in such a way that the fabric gets easily (and frequently) caught in the zipping mechanism. Not only does this damage the bag's fabric but it also leads to excessive strain on the zipper and ultimately to its early demise.
I would note that to avoid the problem I have purchased some of the most expensive sleeping bags available but they too have had the same zipper issues. Holistically, the issue is this: zippers on sleeping bags are essentially an afterthought, you don't really need one to get in and out of the bag, it's there more out of convenience. Simply, manufacturers pay more attention to, say, a bag's thermal properties, etc. than they do to the quality of the zipper and its method of installation.
Unfortunately, the 'optional' zipper becomes the weak point of failure, it's demise renders an otherwise useful product non functional or worthless.
This all boils down to bad design, and bad design is everywhere, it, like global warming, permeates into just about every nook and cranny - every aspect - of our lives. The fact that bad design is so all pervasive and that it costs humans so much time, money and effort as a consequence - and also that so few complain - is why I'm so vocal about the issue.
I could provide you with hundreds of examples but that's outside the scope of this discussion. Instead, let me give you an illustration that's a little closer to the zipper issue.
During the Iraq War, US soldiers were issued with battle fatigues that used Velcro as a fastener, the cargo pockets of their pants were fastened with it. Unfortunately, the desert sand and other dirt from combat meant that the Velcro clogged up and quickly became useless, thus soldiers lost valuables from these pockets whenever they were in a horizontal or prone position and such. I recall news reports of soldiers whingeing about the fact. The headlines read 'Please Give Us Back Our Buttons'.
I've experienced the same problem with Velcro on my own cargo pants, every time they get washed lint cloggs its hooks and it fails to fasten effectively. Moreover, removing the lint only partially fixes the problem as eventually the hooks get bent and fail to work which happens long before the pants are worn out.
...And I shouldn't have to mention the concomitant problems of having to prematurely buy new clothes and the fact that old clothing waste is a serious worldwide problem - not to mention the overproduction of cotton has led to water shortages and other serious ecological problems - take the now essentially-waterless Aral Sea for instance.
And I've yet to mention other upstream economic loses from the use of Velcro on clothes - I lost an almost new smartphone after going to a concert and lounging back in the auditorium's comfortable chairs.
I often wonder how many others have lost their smartphones in a similar manner - or lost them to that other nasty costsaving measure of recent decades, that of insufficiently deep side pockets in pants. These days, whenever one sits down things fall out of them. It's amazing that people actually put up with this nonsense, we've been wearing clothes for many centuries so there's absolutely no excuse for designing them in ergonomically unsound ways. (For heavens sake, complain more often, use your wallet to do your bidding.)
Using Velcro on clothes in the manner it so often is, is a quintessential example of bad design not to mention bad/substandard manufacturing practice. That ought to damn obvious to most. Velcro may provide a short-term convenience on clothes but in the longer term it has serious repercussions. Clearly, it suits manufacturers as it makes clothing cheaper and easier to manufacture (similarly, it's cheaper to include less material in the inside of a pocket). That said, I am still somewhat at a loss to understand why consumers don't complain about the issue and demand the return of either buttons or zippers.
Frankly, I've come to a reluctant conclusion that many people have too much money and don't mind having to buy new clothes before they otherwise would have had to do - and thus are overly seduced by Velcro's convenience.
Also, the Fashion Industry is guilty in the broader sense by pushing the notion that people need to change their clothes long before they're worn out so as to keep up with fashion.
Little wonder that many of us get frustrated at times.
The issues principally have to do with fitness for purpose, durability and manufacturing quality. There's no reason why zippers on suitcases, backpacks or sleeping bags cannot have a life and durability commensurate with that of the products they're used on but that's often not the case. If this were so then it's very unlikely that the YKK article would have been written in the first instance - and logically that discussions in this forum would never have existed.
Take my nemesis the sleeping bag zipper. Over the years I've done a lot of outdoors activity, camping, hiking etc. so I've owned a lot of sleeping bags and I can say honestly that not one of them has been without zipper trouble, in fact zipper failures are the principal reason for why I've had to replace them.
There should be no excuse for these zipper problems but unfortunately premature failures of these long zippers are commonplace, so too the fact that they are often installed in such a way that the fabric gets easily (and frequently) caught in the zipping mechanism. Not only does this damage the bag's fabric but it also leads to excessive strain on the zipper and ultimately to its early demise.
I would note that to avoid the problem I have purchased some of the most expensive sleeping bags available but they too have had the same zipper issues. Holistically, the issue is this: zippers on sleeping bags are essentially an afterthought, you don't really need one to get in and out of the bag, it's there more out of convenience. Simply, manufacturers pay more attention to, say, a bag's thermal properties, etc. than they do to the quality of the zipper and its method of installation.
Unfortunately, the 'optional' zipper becomes the weak point of failure, it's demise renders an otherwise useful product non functional or worthless.
This all boils down to bad design, and bad design is everywhere, it, like global warming, permeates into just about every nook and cranny - every aspect - of our lives. The fact that bad design is so all pervasive and that it costs humans so much time, money and effort as a consequence - and also that so few complain - is why I'm so vocal about the issue.
I could provide you with hundreds of examples but that's outside the scope of this discussion. Instead, let me give you an illustration that's a little closer to the zipper issue.
During the Iraq War, US soldiers were issued with battle fatigues that used Velcro as a fastener, the cargo pockets of their pants were fastened with it. Unfortunately, the desert sand and other dirt from combat meant that the Velcro clogged up and quickly became useless, thus soldiers lost valuables from these pockets whenever they were in a horizontal or prone position and such. I recall news reports of soldiers whingeing about the fact. The headlines read 'Please Give Us Back Our Buttons'.
I've experienced the same problem with Velcro on my own cargo pants, every time they get washed lint cloggs its hooks and it fails to fasten effectively. Moreover, removing the lint only partially fixes the problem as eventually the hooks get bent and fail to work which happens long before the pants are worn out.
...And I shouldn't have to mention the concomitant problems of having to prematurely buy new clothes and the fact that old clothing waste is a serious worldwide problem - not to mention the overproduction of cotton has led to water shortages and other serious ecological problems - take the now essentially-waterless Aral Sea for instance.
And I've yet to mention other upstream economic loses from the use of Velcro on clothes - I lost an almost new smartphone after going to a concert and lounging back in the auditorium's comfortable chairs.
I often wonder how many others have lost their smartphones in a similar manner - or lost them to that other nasty costsaving measure of recent decades, that of insufficiently deep side pockets in pants. These days, whenever one sits down things fall out of them. It's amazing that people actually put up with this nonsense, we've been wearing clothes for many centuries so there's absolutely no excuse for designing them in ergonomically unsound ways. (For heavens sake, complain more often, use your wallet to do your bidding.)
Using Velcro on clothes in the manner it so often is, is a quintessential example of bad design not to mention bad/substandard manufacturing practice. That ought to damn obvious to most. Velcro may provide a short-term convenience on clothes but in the longer term it has serious repercussions. Clearly, it suits manufacturers as it makes clothing cheaper and easier to manufacture (similarly, it's cheaper to include less material in the inside of a pocket). That said, I am still somewhat at a loss to understand why consumers don't complain about the issue and demand the return of either buttons or zippers.
Frankly, I've come to a reluctant conclusion that many people have too much money and don't mind having to buy new clothes before they otherwise would have had to do - and thus are overly seduced by Velcro's convenience.
Also, the Fashion Industry is guilty in the broader sense by pushing the notion that people need to change their clothes long before they're worn out so as to keep up with fashion.
Little wonder that many of us get frustrated at times.
For what it's worth, I absolutely have no patience and do not take care. If i need it open or close i just yank it. No straightening, no taking care and especially no patience or slowing down. If the first yank doesn't work i can just use two hands and yank the zipper and the fabric in opposite directions and it will function properly, no really a need to patiently straighten anything. Yet, can't even remember the last time I had issues with a zipper. You might be overthinking this a bit.
I don't believe I'm overacting as in my case the evidence is there with broken zippers (and that's many over the years). And I'm not alone, hence the quote from the story connected to these posts where the author has had similar experiences.
Moreover, zippers often fail at the most inconvenient times and that stands to reason, as zippers are involved at either the beginning or end of some more important process and the interruption to said process is often highly inconvenient.
Let me give you an anecdote (it's only but one of many nevertheless a notable one). Years ago, I worked alone in an office with three young women, one was my secretary and the other two were helpdesk assistants (I was always well behaved and it's something I'd never risk doing these days).
One day they all left the office together for lunch leaving me alone to continue working. During that hour I went to the toilet and my pants zipper broke necessitating a quick retreat to my office where I would attempt a temporary fix. Back there, the only practical and quick solution I could come up with was to take the very large paper stapler capable of stapling a half inch of paper and staple my fly back together - note, this was done with my pants still on as it was too risky to do otherwise.
Anyway, in the middle of the process the women all arrived back from lunch. Fortunately, they all broke out in hysterical laughter. I'd hate to think what would happen if that were to happen to me again today, I'd likely be charged with harassment.
That never happens with buttons, one may come off but in such circumstances that's hardly the drama of a broken zipper.
I'd add, it seems that from your experience with zippers that you've been unusually lucky (perhaps you can afford more expensive clothes than me).
Moreover, zippers often fail at the most inconvenient times and that stands to reason, as zippers are involved at either the beginning or end of some more important process and the interruption to said process is often highly inconvenient.
Let me give you an anecdote (it's only but one of many nevertheless a notable one). Years ago, I worked alone in an office with three young women, one was my secretary and the other two were helpdesk assistants (I was always well behaved and it's something I'd never risk doing these days).
One day they all left the office together for lunch leaving me alone to continue working. During that hour I went to the toilet and my pants zipper broke necessitating a quick retreat to my office where I would attempt a temporary fix. Back there, the only practical and quick solution I could come up with was to take the very large paper stapler capable of stapling a half inch of paper and staple my fly back together - note, this was done with my pants still on as it was too risky to do otherwise.
Anyway, in the middle of the process the women all arrived back from lunch. Fortunately, they all broke out in hysterical laughter. I'd hate to think what would happen if that were to happen to me again today, I'd likely be charged with harassment.
That never happens with buttons, one may come off but in such circumstances that's hardly the drama of a broken zipper.
I'd add, it seems that from your experience with zippers that you've been unusually lucky (perhaps you can afford more expensive clothes than me).
Do you own a backpack?
I don't often have zipper problems but it's always on a backpack, probably due to the abuse they take.
I don't often have zipper problems but it's always on a backpack, probably due to the abuse they take.
I don't have any trouble at all with the zippers on my 3 backpacks, but they're all Ospreys so that might make a difference. They all get a lot of abuse.
Just as an aside since we're talking about zippers and backpacks, if you ever want a truly amazing zipper experience out of a pack, get a GORUCK GR1 (or any GORUCK, really).
These are built to tolerate being used for rucking with 100 pounds or more of weight plates inside. So the zippers are tough, but ultra-smooth as well, and the metal zipper pulls have been removed and replaced with loops of para cord that are shrinkwrapped with rubber tubing. Easy to grab even with gloves on.
Also the best backpack in the world for carrying a laptop safely and easily.
https://blog.goruck.com/travel/gr1-explained-by-jason-goruck...
These are built to tolerate being used for rucking with 100 pounds or more of weight plates inside. So the zippers are tough, but ultra-smooth as well, and the metal zipper pulls have been removed and replaced with loops of para cord that are shrinkwrapped with rubber tubing. Easy to grab even with gloves on.
Also the best backpack in the world for carrying a laptop safely and easily.
https://blog.goruck.com/travel/gr1-explained-by-jason-goruck...
If we're pitching our favorite bags, I'm going to throw in DEFY bags because they're made in Chicago up the street from my house. I've owned one for 5-6 years now and it's been absolutely bulletproof carrying all my shit all over the world.
A good deal cheaper than GoRuck as well.
https://defybags.com
A good deal cheaper than GoRuck as well.
https://defybags.com
Is it? The Goruck is $325 and the competing bag from DEFY looks like it's $303.
I've been buying REI backpacks, they tend to grossly oversize the zippers, particularly on their travel backpacks. I have not had a zipper failure in, well since 2008 which was the last time I bought a backpack, because they (50 liter "large" travel backpack, and 18 liter "flash 18" backpack) haven't failed yet. I did have a clip failure on a timbuk2 messenger bag, but they gave me a replacement for free at one of their retail locations.
The only backpack that gave me zipper problems was so cheap it fell apart within one minute of use. The one I got afterwards was on the expensive side but it's now ~16 years old and has survived daily use pretty well, the zippers always worked perfectly despite me having put them through quite some strain.
When a zipper fails for me it's 100% a jacket. Cheap, expensive, doesn't matter, they all get stuck now and then.
When a zipper fails for me it's 100% a jacket. Cheap, expensive, doesn't matter, they all get stuck now and then.
"When a zipper fails for me it's 100% a jacket."
That's often so with me. I've an ex-NATO military jacket that I bought from disposals. It was new old/surplus stock so I am the first to wear it.
It's by far my favorite jacket and it gets a great deal of use as it's not only excellently designed (in that everything about it is immensely practical), and that the quality of the materials used in its manufacture are excellent (it would be difficult to find better). Originally the military must have paid top dollar for them (and it's much better than the one my own country's military issued me with decades earlier).
Nevertheless its zipper is a perennial problem in that it's hard to engage when I'm in a hurry and it often jams or is sticky at the start end. Fortunately, it has a large flap that covers the zipper from top to bottom and it is secured with a vertical row of buttons!
I like that, there's nothing like a bit of 'bootstrapping' to guarantee things will always work.
That's often so with me. I've an ex-NATO military jacket that I bought from disposals. It was new old/surplus stock so I am the first to wear it.
It's by far my favorite jacket and it gets a great deal of use as it's not only excellently designed (in that everything about it is immensely practical), and that the quality of the materials used in its manufacture are excellent (it would be difficult to find better). Originally the military must have paid top dollar for them (and it's much better than the one my own country's military issued me with decades earlier).
Nevertheless its zipper is a perennial problem in that it's hard to engage when I'm in a hurry and it often jams or is sticky at the start end. Fortunately, it has a large flap that covers the zipper from top to bottom and it is secured with a vertical row of buttons!
I like that, there's nothing like a bit of 'bootstrapping' to guarantee things will always work.
I've had no issues on either backpacks or jackets. Shoes, on the other hand... (especially boots. Don't get me started)
I have at least four good backpacks, one used for hiking, another for short trips and the others to store my laptops, cables and related paraphernalia.
You're correct, the zippers take a considerable punishment due to their shape and the fact that I often squeeze too much stuff into the backpacks. It's usually a strain to do them up.
You're correct, the zippers take a considerable punishment due to their shape and the fact that I often squeeze too much stuff into the backpacks. It's usually a strain to do them up.
I’ve got half a dozen pieces of clothing with broken zippers. I hate throwing away nice stuff, but it’s not cost effective to replace a zipper and it seems you can’t just replace the zip. I was here looking for something better than ykk
Rubbing some paraffin on the teeth can help.
That being said, if buttons work better for you, more power to you. People simply have different lifestyles and needs, and it's great to have options. I've not had nearly as much trouble as you describe (I've only zipped my weener twice in my entire life, and I don't think I drew blood), but there are other things in life that people swear by that just don't work well for me.
That being said, if buttons work better for you, more power to you. People simply have different lifestyles and needs, and it's great to have options. I've not had nearly as much trouble as you describe (I've only zipped my weener twice in my entire life, and I don't think I drew blood), but there are other things in life that people swear by that just don't work well for me.
OK, fine. But read my reply to vasco. By the time I'd have found the paraffin or wax I'd have exploded with impatience. Besides, usually that's only a temporary solution as the lubricant comes off in the wash, thus the cycle repeats.
Moreover, I've noticed repeatedly that once a zipper starts to give trouble it's inevitability on a downward slope to compete failure.
Similarly so zippers with metal teeth and diecast-type zip housings suffer from clothes washing, as they are prone to progressive failure from being attacked[1] by washing powders and inorganic stain removers.
(I've only zipped my weener twice in my entire life, and I don't think I drew blood)
Granted, this is less of a problem nowadays as many zippers now use rounded interlocking nylon wire that's less likely to 'bite'. However, that once wasn't so especially in the days when jeans were more work clothes than a fashion statement. Their zippers were made strong and to last and had large brass interlocking teeth that could do real damage, and impatient guys like me were often 'bitten' to the extent blood would flow (I recall from experience). Presumably, the reason for the change arose from victims' complaints.
__
[1] The sodium percarbonate in these cleaners attacks the metal, similarly so with metal the rivets and buttons in jeans (as in 501s, etc.), especially on the unpassivated underside that clamps to the material. The oxides that then build up rot the nearby fabric and the button can then detatch.
Moreover, I've noticed repeatedly that once a zipper starts to give trouble it's inevitability on a downward slope to compete failure.
Similarly so zippers with metal teeth and diecast-type zip housings suffer from clothes washing, as they are prone to progressive failure from being attacked[1] by washing powders and inorganic stain removers.
(I've only zipped my weener twice in my entire life, and I don't think I drew blood)
Granted, this is less of a problem nowadays as many zippers now use rounded interlocking nylon wire that's less likely to 'bite'. However, that once wasn't so especially in the days when jeans were more work clothes than a fashion statement. Their zippers were made strong and to last and had large brass interlocking teeth that could do real damage, and impatient guys like me were often 'bitten' to the extent blood would flow (I recall from experience). Presumably, the reason for the change arose from victims' complaints.
__
[1] The sodium percarbonate in these cleaners attacks the metal, similarly so with metal the rivets and buttons in jeans (as in 501s, etc.), especially on the unpassivated underside that clamps to the material. The oxides that then build up rot the nearby fabric and the button can then detatch.
or beeswax. This is a classic trick for drysuits, where the zipper needs to stay waterproof.
Regarding button, while it's certainly easier to replace them than to replace a zipper (I can see where to put the needle and don't have to learn how to use the zipper foot for my sewing machine), I find the reattached buttons tend to come off again easily.
Given I'm enough of a nerd to be on this site, I decided to try a pair of (small, rare earth) magnets next. While they were even easier to attach than buttons, the force between them was weaker than I had hoped, even allowing that I already knew it would only be a normal force and have minimal shear strength.
Given I'm enough of a nerd to be on this site, I decided to try a pair of (small, rare earth) magnets next. While they were even easier to attach than buttons, the force between them was weaker than I had hoped, even allowing that I already knew it would only be a normal force and have minimal shear strength.
I tried that magnet trick on a pair of my overalls after some of the press-locking fasteners broke but it too was an abject failure. Every time I bent over or made sudden movements the closure popped open.
As I couldn't immediately get replacement press-locking fasteners, I resorted to sewing on buttons at points where the fasteners had failed but that wasn't the most brilliant of ideas. When it came to removing my overalls I could no longer just rip them open from top to bottom in one go - as is my usual wont.
As I couldn't immediately get replacement press-locking fasteners, I resorted to sewing on buttons at points where the fasteners had failed but that wasn't the most brilliant of ideas. When it came to removing my overalls I could no longer just rip them open from top to bottom in one go - as is my usual wont.
> Buttons may be less convenient but at least any fool can replace them.
Buttons are choking hazards to infants and toddlers. Zippers are far better for clothing for them when needed.
Buttons are choking hazards to infants and toddlers. Zippers are far better for clothing for them when needed.
Velcro. We have a small dog which needs clothes, and naturally zippers would be no-go and buttons wouldn't work well for many reasons. Velcro though is like magic.
The Velcro company kindly asks that you refrain from using Velcro as a noun or verb. Instead use the generic term hook & loop.
https://www.velcro.com/dont-say-velcro/
This in jest but I like sharing this as it's really interesting the efforts Velcro goes to, to protect their trademark.
https://www.velcro.com/dont-say-velcro/
This in jest but I like sharing this as it's really interesting the efforts Velcro goes to, to protect their trademark.
Interesting, I’ve only seen rules like these for the proper verbal usage of Adobe® Photoshop®:
https://www.adobe.com/legal/permissions/trademarks.html
https://www.adobe.com/legal/permissions/trademarks.html
You could probably google a dozen more instances, but it's the sort of thing that bored journalists do every few years:
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/kleenex...
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/kleenex...
> When you use “velcro” as a noun or a verb (e.g., velcro shoes), you diminish the importance of our brand and our lawyers lose their insert fastening sound. So please, do not say “velcro shoes” (or “velcro wallet” or “velcro gloves”) – we repeat “velcro” is not a noun or a verb.
Weird, the word they're looking for is 'adjective'.
As the name of the company it absolutely is a (proper) noun.
Weird, the word they're looking for is 'adjective'.
As the name of the company it absolutely is a (proper) noun.
That is a very cute page. I like their attitude.
And the video at the top of the page is absolutely wonderful. It's the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Watch it with good headphones or speakers and the sound up.
Direct link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRi8LptvFZY
And the video at the top of the page is absolutely wonderful. It's the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Watch it with good headphones or speakers and the sound up.
Direct link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRi8LptvFZY
> When you use “velcro” as a noun or a verb (e.g., velcro shoes), you diminish the importance of our brand and our lawyers lose their insert fastening sound.
Haha, so sad to hear. I wish I could print this and velcro it to my fridge.
Haha, so sad to hear. I wish I could print this and velcro it to my fridge.
Can certainly work in certain situations but not all with a young person. They can generally learn to rip open Velcro and now you’re dealing with that. Zippers require a certain level of coordination and dexterity they won’t develop for awhile.
Why are zippers a no-go? I have a small dog I put a raincoat on when it's raining and it zips up.
Depending on the rest of the article design, that may be fine or it may risk fur getting caught in the zip. I have occasional trouble with my own body hair in zip.
This would be the "bad" design: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/613U7zu5OoL...
I don't know the terms of art so I can't google for a picture of the "good" design, but it would have a wide strip of fabric behind the zip that would ensure no fur gets near the zip mechanism.
This would be the "bad" design: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/613U7zu5OoL...
I don't know the terms of art so I can't google for a picture of the "good" design, but it would have a wide strip of fabric behind the zip that would ensure no fur gets near the zip mechanism.
fur may stuck into it. And if zipper gets stuck for whatever reason the dog may not like sitting for the prolonged time while you're trying to unstuck it. Of course it all depends on specific circumstances, and it is definitely great that it works for your dog.
A garment with zipper also requires much better fitting - which giving dog shapes variations may be a tall order - than say with Velcro where usually there is some latitude, and with Velcro it is much easier to make adjustment by moving it a bit if needed while making adjustment with zipper looks daunting.
A garment with zipper also requires much better fitting - which giving dog shapes variations may be a tall order - than say with Velcro where usually there is some latitude, and with Velcro it is much easier to make adjustment by moving it a bit if needed while making adjustment with zipper looks daunting.
For me the annoying failure mode is when the metal ring on the puller which attaches to the slider eventually wears through and breaks (this seems to happen on bags and luggage a lot for me). The important parts of the zipper are all still working, it's infuriating that there isn't an easier way to replace the puller easily like for like (at least that I'm aware of).
Zip tie. Even a paper clip.
If you have a 3D printer you can even make nice little pulls for the zip ties to attach to.
If you have a 3D printer you can even make nice little pulls for the zip ties to attach to.
Yes, paperclips are wonderful for this purpose, especially so when used on one's fly zipper as they've a low profile and can't be seen.
The best paperclips for this purpose are the V-shaped type that are narrower at the top. They've saved me from having to replace a zipper on a number of occasions.
If you read my comment about washing powders attacking the crappy alloy material that's so often used in those pull tabs and causing them to fail then a paperclip is the ideal solution.
The best paperclips for this purpose are the V-shaped type that are narrower at the top. They've saved me from having to replace a zipper on a number of occasions.
If you read my comment about washing powders attacking the crappy alloy material that's so often used in those pull tabs and causing them to fail then a paperclip is the ideal solution.
Split rings (key rings) work well in my experience.
Yes, I've usually just used a short piece of string. But I'd still like to be able to replace them with a proper puller.
“Zipper pull” returns a good variety of results in Amazon.
I have a bag of replacement pulls. Sometimes, though, the mechanism breaks in such a away that you can’t attach a new pull to it. Not YKK, of course!
Are you buying the cheapest clothes possible? This sounds very much like a problem that you cause yourself.
I have a pair of kahkis from Banana Republic that have a touchy zipper. If I unzip too far, it is difficult to get the zipper back up. This has caused me significant consternation in public bathrooms! They probably cost around $60, with an MSRP 30% higher.
Banana republic does not sell quality clothing. Cheap construction, priced for branding.
This comment was in reply to a question about buying the cheapest possible clothes.
My point was that zipper issues happen with clothes that aren’t cheap also. I realize BR is not high-end, but they are above Gap and Old Navy in their corporate family.
My point was that zipper issues happen with clothes that aren’t cheap also. I realize BR is not high-end, but they are above Gap and Old Navy in their corporate family.
Yes, and I meant to convey that the quality of the clothing material and construction at banana republic is no better than the gap. It's just branding.
That's funny, I've found that Gap uses lower-quality materials, especially compared to the nicer BR stuff. The BR non-iron dress shirts, for example, truly don't need any ironing. Gap has "non-iron" clothing as well, but it's of much lower quality and wrinkles much more easily.
Yeah, there are probably differences. I suppose my overall point is that if you're buying mall brands, you are paying for brand first, and everything else second. I wouldn't expect good zippers from a mall store.
You got ripped off.
And now you know why people check that the product uses YKK zippers.
>> The young Yoshida was a tinkerer who designed his own customized zipper machines when he wasn’t satisfied with existing production methods. One by one, Yoshida brought basically every stage of the zipper making process in house
This where a lot of things are today. You don't just need a good design, you need a good production method that produces that design. With manufacturing coming back to the US this seems like a huge opportunity.
This where a lot of things are today. You don't just need a good design, you need a good production method that produces that design. With manufacturing coming back to the US this seems like a huge opportunity.
Growing up in the 1980s I remember becoming mildly obsessed with zippers (or "zips" as we called them) at one point.
I remember going around the house and noticing that it was strange that almost all of them, no matter what type of clothing it was, how old it was, or what size of zip it was, said YKK on them. Now days I guess they're more of a premium brand, but back then they seemed to totally dominate the market at all levels.
(just checked the zip on my Lululemon trousers, and yes, it's YKK!)
I remember going around the house and noticing that it was strange that almost all of them, no matter what type of clothing it was, how old it was, or what size of zip it was, said YKK on them. Now days I guess they're more of a premium brand, but back then they seemed to totally dominate the market at all levels.
(just checked the zip on my Lululemon trousers, and yes, it's YKK!)
I read this article 10 years ago and have since revered these little YKK zippers and paid particular attention to how well they work in practice. They're... okay. At the end of the day, they're still zippers. They do jam less than others, but they have broken occasionally and I've learned not to 100% rely on them either.
I prefer the button like on levis, but maybe that's just me.
I recently bought a wetsuit and it had GIANT zippers. I love levi's button fly jeans but giant zippers like that would be kind of cool too.
wetsuit zipper may have to pull some pretty stretchy rubber closed (assuming a less than ideal fit), may also be subject to stress from a 25-30kg harness, and also deal with sand/mud/grit in the teeth.
There are strong functional drivers for large zippers on wetsuits. It isn't just fashion.
There are strong functional drivers for large zippers on wetsuits. It isn't just fashion.
Lots of folks here saying they won’t buy items without ykk zips but a lot of brands will use custom pullers by ykk. So there’s no visible ykk branding at all and you might be missing out.
Ykk’s excella range is very nice, particularly for higher end shoes and leather goods.
Ykk’s excella range is very nice, particularly for higher end shoes and leather goods.
On a side note, I recently switched to jeans with buttons and I'm not really sure why people use zippers for that anymore... Seems like an unnecessary point of failure that nobody can even see...
You never had a button fall or break?
Copper buttons in jeans? No, not yet and very rarely do any buttons in general break compared to zippers which break pretty much all the time.
> ... compared to zippers which break pretty much all the time.
I haven't had any zippers broke in my jeans in like 40 years. Now I'm not sure if I'm the rare exception here.
I haven't had any zippers broke in my jeans in like 40 years. Now I'm not sure if I'm the rare exception here.
Hmm, is that a specific brand? I wonder if you might spend more than I do. I'm talking about the cheapest I can find that fit in both cases, so I'm comparing those. I don't buy Levi's or anything like that.
My anecdata from buying cheap thrift store jeans/Target jeans is I've never had a zipper break on them. Have had the pull break off on my luggage though, for a few bags.
I hate zippers and wish more clothes had buttons in place of them, especially the fly.
A zipper fly's rigidity and metal teeth are at odds with the flowing elegance of clothing. When seated, the zipper fly props itself up, informing others that I'm happy to see them, even when I'm not. The zipper fly is a liar. Whereas the button fly does not lie. It acquiesces to my position in honest fashion, whether I'm seated or standing.
A zipper fly's rigidity and metal teeth are at odds with the flowing elegance of clothing. When seated, the zipper fly props itself up, informing others that I'm happy to see them, even when I'm not. The zipper fly is a liar. Whereas the button fly does not lie. It acquiesces to my position in honest fashion, whether I'm seated or standing.
That's not my experience - denim is generally stiff enough that it will bulge regardless. And button flies have the bad habit of becoming unbuttoned throughout the day if the pants are old enough.
On this note I do want to get into Anoraks because from what I understand they pack up much easier and the zippers basically don't wear out.
But I've never found a comfortable way to take them on and off them so always end up returning them. Any anorak wearers wanna share some oppinions on this?
But I've never found a comfortable way to take them on and off them so always end up returning them. Any anorak wearers wanna share some oppinions on this?
In total I used anoraks for about 2 decades by now and probably won't anymore, for exactly the reason you mention: none of them were really convenient to get on and off, and if they were sort of convenient then it was because they were somewhat too big. In the end I just liked the single frontpocket (warm for your hands) and look.
And most of what seems like advantages are actually that: in comparison with a decent jacket with zipper it's not more windproof, nor more waterproof (zippers+flaps have been figured out for a long time), nor did I find them easier to pack. Even though the latter should be true in theory I cannot say it ever bothered me, and I have the impression that what makes a jacket hard to pack is wrong technique and mainly how thick the fabric is, zippers shouldn't play any roll (pun intended - the roll up just fine). Anoraks could be lighter though.
And most of what seems like advantages are actually that: in comparison with a decent jacket with zipper it's not more windproof, nor more waterproof (zippers+flaps have been figured out for a long time), nor did I find them easier to pack. Even though the latter should be true in theory I cannot say it ever bothered me, and I have the impression that what makes a jacket hard to pack is wrong technique and mainly how thick the fabric is, zippers shouldn't play any roll (pun intended - the roll up just fine). Anoraks could be lighter though.
Former anorak owner. Taking them on and off is uncomfortable so I went back to full length zippers.
[deleted]
I heartily recommend stopping by their headquarters in Tokyo, they have a small museum open to the public! Their largest zipper has fist-sized teeth and is for zipping together fishing nets.
Look for the YKK letters on a building near Akihabara.
Look for the YKK letters on a building near Akihabara.
It seems like they are one of the many companies milking their brand and turning into wealth by reducing costs and quality. Both my two recent experiences with YKK were negative: two broken zippers.
Couldn't they have been counterfeit YKK zippers? It's a big thing, unfortunately.
On Prada? Bought from a reputable store? Unlikely.
It's because the rock band Rush did a song about them [0].
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdpMpfp-J_I
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdpMpfp-J_I
Actually if you look closely at the repeated notes at the beginning of the song it can be read as morse code (without spaces) for YYZ [0]. The story goes while on the Toronto Airport Neil Peart overheard the airport identifier in morse code and so the intro was born.
But I'm not sure where he would have heard that other than over radio broadcast reserved for pilots and ATCs.
Instead I think he must have been aware of the obscure history of canadian airport identifiers when wondering about why they have no resemblance (like mostly in the rest of the world) with the letters of the respective cities/geographic area.
Canadian airport codes have their roots in the old telegraph stations operated by the railways. They were assigned two-letter identifiers so as to be easily tapped in Morse code. As radio communications evolved, these stations added beacons and specialized in weather reporting. In the 1930’s, a third letter was added to the classification [...] [1][2]
[0]https://www.johndcook.com/blog/2022/08/14/yyz/
[1]https://rwy23.com/en-de/pages/the-hidden-language-of-airport...
[2]https://www.blogto.com/city/2019/04/why-torontos-airport-cod...
But I'm not sure where he would have heard that other than over radio broadcast reserved for pilots and ATCs.
Instead I think he must have been aware of the obscure history of canadian airport identifiers when wondering about why they have no resemblance (like mostly in the rest of the world) with the letters of the respective cities/geographic area.
Canadian airport codes have their roots in the old telegraph stations operated by the railways. They were assigned two-letter identifiers so as to be easily tapped in Morse code. As radio communications evolved, these stations added beacons and specialized in weather reporting. In the 1930’s, a third letter was added to the classification [...] [1][2]
[0]https://www.johndcook.com/blog/2022/08/14/yyz/
[1]https://rwy23.com/en-de/pages/the-hidden-language-of-airport...
[2]https://www.blogto.com/city/2019/04/why-torontos-airport-cod...
Outkast was a phenomenon while I was in college. "YKK on your zipper" was a lyric in "So Fresh, So Clean." That was the first time I'd heard of them and I recall looking at all my stuff to see what used YKK. I had to make sure I was dope or whatever.
That’s YYZ not YKK and is a reference to the airport code for Toronto airport.
YKK is that ubiquitous, that even when I was a child living in USSR, almost every zipper that I ever saw had these mysterious letters on them. Even on domestic products.
TL;DR
YKK makes incredibly dependable zippers, ships them on time without fail, offers a wide range of colors, materials, and styles, and never gets badly undercut on price. The feeling in the apparel industry is that you can’t go wrong with YKK.
YKK makes incredibly dependable zippers, ships them on time without fail, offers a wide range of colors, materials, and styles, and never gets badly undercut on price. The feeling in the apparel industry is that you can’t go wrong with YKK.
Ah yes, the original Y2K.
> You don’t buy your jeans and jackets by looking for their letters on that pull. Likewise, you almost certainly wouldn’t nix a garment purchase because the zipper isn’t YKK.
LOL LOL LOL. The YKK zipper is pretty much the first thing I look for if I'm going to spend more than $average on any product. Nixed my son's favorite backpack choices because no YKK zipper. It is one of the few brands I trust in apparel.
LOL LOL LOL. The YKK zipper is pretty much the first thing I look for if I'm going to spend more than $average on any product. Nixed my son's favorite backpack choices because no YKK zipper. It is one of the few brands I trust in apparel.
But what if the backpacks had comparable or better zippers than YKK? They exist.
This is partially true. YKK has tremendous brand loyalty among people buying expensive backpacks. If you’re spending $100 or more, it gives you a lot of peace of mind to know that the zipper won’t fail.
I ended up buying one last month. One of the reasons was that it promised YKK AquaGuard zippers for the laptop compartment.