Boot Zipper Fix

Hi all, Not long ago I purchased a lovely new pair of boots. The leather is pure quality, soft and buttery, the heels are strong but the zippers were very poor quality. Both zipper tags broke within a few weeks of buying them and the zipper popped on one boot (around ankle height) a couple of weeks ago.

I took them to a bootmaker and as they are fully lined they were going to cost a fortune to fix so I decided to try a couple of things before I sent them off for open heart surgery and I am glad I did. Now I don't guarantee these couple of tips will work for every situation and they may be too involved for some, but I thought I'd share them in case others here are in a similar position and want to give them a try before spending a fortune on replacing long boots zippers. Obviously if any of the zipper teeth are completely broken, then the zipper will need to be replaced.

In my case they were intact but were weakened and out of alignment. Tip 1 For the broken zipper tags, replace them with medium sized key rings.

Jan 14, 2013 - Zippers haven't changed much since they were first invented, and. From stuck zippers to teeth that just won't clinch, here's how to fix all the.

Not only are they cheap (around a dollar for 2) but they actually look quite fashionable. Note that in order for them to attach to the zipper runner, the remaining part of the broken zipper tag needs to be removed. Tip 2 I've found that a popped zipper was not the end of the world. In my case the zipper completely detached from one side. If possible, force the zipper back on to the other side in an angled downward unzip motion making sure that the teeth are lined up correctly and pull it down to the base. Obviously the last few teeth near the base of the zipper will not link without the zipper being unstitched so I used a small staple (pushing through from the inside to the outside of the zipper) just above where the zipper disappears into the boot and press the points down and inward to prevent the zipper from splitting at the base.

Glue or thread looping fine fishing line may also keep the zipper base together. As mentioned earlier, if the teeth are out of alignment where the zipper popped, to prevent it from re-popping, straighten them up by hand and drizzle a tiny amount of superglue along the base of the affected teeth where the zipper teeth are stitched into the zipper fabric. The glue keeps the affected teeth in position and strengthens them. Be careful not to add too much glue as it could create a ridge preventing the zipper from gliding and make sure the zipper is open whilst the glue dries to prevent sticking. I have worn the boots around a dozen times since my makeshift repair and the zipper is still holding firm. The reason your zipper broke is not because of its quality but because the boots are a little tight & your pulling hard to raise the zip runner! Along with rings you can (in the UK at least) buy replacement runners similar to these for only a few pounds/dollars If the teeth on the zip spread behind the runner as you pull the runner or if the runner comes off, then as a temporary repair (they usually spread again!) you can nip the trailing edge of the runner together again, usually it has spread because it is only solid at the leading edge & its the trailing edge that closes the two sides of the zip.

Dolphy out to lunch rar extractor. If you do go down the route of getting it replaced you can ask your repairer not to set the zip so deep into the boot, you can gain almost 1/4inch each side this way which gives you another 1/2 to fill! Nylon zips are far more durable than metal ones, I always advice to change to nylon from metal.

Metal zip teeth are individually crimped to make the zipping, the problem arises that if you have to force them or the zip twists the can move & then the zip can pop or fall apart. Nylon zips either have a spiral of plastic with is stitched in place or teeth which are melted onto the material that makes up the zipping & in my experience are far more forgiving to movement forcing & daily life! Lee Thanks for the wonderful advice Shoerepairer. I'll stick with nylon zippers.