Tip for Jersey Zipper
 

I’ve had the zipper slider break on almost every Jersey that I’ve owned despite following the manufacturers recommended washing instructions. To save from repeatedly repairing the zipper, since my jerseys are full zipper and there is no need to zipper them completely open, I just zipper them halfway open and slip them on and off over my head.

I've done this on some of mine that looked more fragile than others. I have never understood why they so often put what appear to be such cheapo zippers on such expensive jerseys.

For some reason I've never unzipped my jerseys all the way down, even in the full heat of an Az summer. I've always treated all of them like a half zip jersey, full zip or not.

I don't undo zippers all the way on the road like a European pro on an extended hill climb, because no one would want to see that, but I do like undoing them before showering because I don't have to worry about tearing stitching like I do with a damp half zip jersey.

I like jerseys that have zippers I can operate with one hand--those to me signify better construction in most cases.

I had to switch to full zip jerseys in summer 2018 while recovering from a broken and dislocated shoulder. I was concerned about zipper quality but, so far, so good with decent mid-grade quality jerseys from Pearl Izumi (two short sleeve, two long sleeve), Garneau and Bontrager. Pearl Izumi zippers were a bit better integrated into their aero jerseys, but all of 'em seem good enough.

I already had a couple of entry level Garneau jerseys with 1/3-length zippers and they economized there, but those zippers have been fine for five years now. Ditto a low priced "Koramon" no-name jersey from Amazon. Lower cost zipper but it's been fine for three years of regular use.

Most full length zippers on sports wear have finicky entry/ending points (the bottom stops or retainer boxes) where the slider mates the two halves with teeth. I try to be patient zipping and unzipping to avoid damage there.

The worst zippers are usually on bags -- any sort of carrying bag, from camera to laptop and other gear bags. If a low cost bag seems to use good material and seems sturdy but the cost seems improbable for the apparent quality, check the zippers and stitching. That's where the knockoffs, counterfeits and bargain bags will pinch pennies. The first thing to fail on my otherwise decent weatherproof AGU bag (made in Holland) was the zipper on one of the side pouches. I'm guessing they're trying to compete with Ortleib and pinched pennies on zippers. The main closure for the lid is hinged with bungee strap closures, and those have worked fine for several years. But the side pouches are useless because of the zippers. In contrast a Kirtland Tour Pack handlebar bag I bought in the 1970s was still going strong after 30+ years and served hard duty in a second life as a camera gadget bag and utility bag for my safety testing equipment on the job. Some stitched loops failed after several years but the zippers all held up well.

A lot of my kit is worn and I do exactly that ^. Additionally, I have my wife sew a "stop" about halfway down across the two sides of the zipper. That way I can't go below it to the damaged part of the zipper.

Here is an even better tip: any decent seamstress can replace the zipper on a jersey for about $10 or $15.

Good luck finding that these days. We live in a throw away society. For me, a little thread across the zipper to make sure it doesn't come all the way unzipped is more economical than spending 10-15 bucks for every old jersey I own that has a worn zipper end.

It's not hard to find. There are two in my little town of 5,000 people. Anyone who does tailoring and alterations can replace a zipper.

One perk of living in the "big city." Not far from my house is a cleaners with a great, old world tailor. When I told him how much Jos. Banks gets for a poor hem job on a pair of pants he was shocked. We also still have things like shoe repair places.

This thread has me scratching my head. I probably have 50 jerseys, from ride jerseys to club jerseys to plain colors and 'fun' jerseys. I've never had a zipper or zipper pull break. Some of them are 30 years old. I throw stuff in the washer on regular and tumble dry on low heat.

I don't use the zipper all that much on my jerseys, just donning and doffing. [MENTION=484927]nomadmax[/MENTION] IIRC there's a tailor on Dayton-Xenia near Grange Hall that replaces zippers.

Thank you for this. We get scarred enough on a daily basis at work. And trust me, no one wants to see the hair on my chest too, especially since its more gray now than ever.

I have 4 jerseys. And two more I've thrown away. Never had a zipper break, but I also air dry my jerseys.

Perhaps that is an advantage to owning 50 jerseys. None of them get worn enough to wear out. I have 4 jerseys that I wear 4 days a week. After a couple of years zipper pulls start to fail.
I'm not sure I have 46 more jerseys in my cycling budget!
Brent

We’ve got two seamstresses and a cobbler in my town of 5000. Someone above referred to a “throwaway society,“ but that sort of thing is an individual choice. It’s not forced on us.

I pretty much like to fend for myself. There is repair place in a nearby town I've had do repair work for me. I pretty much like to fend for myself as much as possible. I don't repair shoes, that often, but I do have my own sewing machine for the odd clothes modifying.

I cycle over six jerseys one per riding day, a short sleeve set for temperate weather and long sleeve thermal set for cold.

The zippers are holding up fine machine washing and air drying, apart from perhaps running one thermal jersey through the dryer when I don't get around to laundry until late Sunday evening.

Buy a couple every year. You won't notice the cost at that rate, but after 20 years, you'll have 45 jerseys (somebody will get you an extra for Christmas, or you'll do a supported ride that comes with one, every few years). They almost never wear out -- I think I've only tossed one that really wore out.