Though a Jacket Zipper appears to be just that – a zipper, it is very important where and how it is placed in order to properly perform the required function – i.e., primarily, waterproofing and breathability. Also, you need to ensure that such be of top quality.

When it comes to choosing the type of Jacket Zipper that best suits you, the choices include conventional, invisible and separating zippers. Waterproof and ergonomic Jacket Zippers are two other options that you should consider. Two-way conventional zippers are another option.

Also, the purpose and material of the Jacket will normally dictate the kind of Zipper that it will have.

And, then – there’s the “zipper garage”…

“Zippers use two sets of interlocking teeth called chain zippers, or coils called coil zippers, each connected to a strip of fabric tape. The teeth or coils are formed of metal, plastic, or synthetic material. A slider with a tab which may be purely functional or serve a decorative function, as well, is used to open and close the zipper.” (www.wisegeek.com)

The best Jacket Zipper is one that will go up and down with ease, repeatedly, without getting stuck, breaking apart or the having the teeth fall out. When it comes to a Jacket Zipper, strenght is also a must. Companies manufacturing this item have strength values which the zipper must meet, according to the type of zipper it is – i.e., metal Jacket Zippers have a larger strength value requirement than a plastic zipper used for lighter garments. Other factors which are also measured are the ease of zipping, laundering durability, coating with regard to abrasions, colorfastness and shrinkage.

Even though a Jacket Zipper is normally thought of being waterproof, such is not the case. Normally, in order to keep a zipper from getting wet a piece of material is sewn over it to prevent water from reaching it.

At www.inventbles.com, they discuss a waterproof Jacket Zipper which, “because it uses rails instead of teeth it leaves no openings for water to penetrate. In addition, because it is extruded instead of woven it can be attached using heat sealing or RF welding, common processes in outerwear and luggage manufacturing.”

“If you are concerned about the degree of breathability in a heavily insulated ski jacket, consider a style with zippers at the armpits.” (www.wisegeek.com) The purpose of the special location of the zippers is to maximize air flow and dry any possible underarm perspiration. “…ladies ski jackets have other special features like this one jacket that had a zippered under-arm area that can be zipped open if extra ventilation and cooling was needed.” (www.thefreelibrary.com)

(Photo courtesy of lululemon atletica, Flickr.)

The three mostly used types of Jacket Zippers are conventional, invisible and separating and, which have to do with how they are sewn into the garment.

“Conventional zippers, whether chain or coil, are those in which the zipper apparatus shows. Such zippers have the two strips of fabric connected at one end and stops at either end to prevent the slider from running off the zipper. The bottom stop keeps a little bit of the zipper always zipped, and when the slider is pulled, the rest of the zipper follows along, gliding into place. When using a conventional zipper, a flap may be used to cover the mechanism, as is commonly found in jeans.

Invisible zippers, like conventional zippers, have the two strips of fabric connected at one end, but the zipper tape itself covers the zipper mechanism. They, too, have top and bottom stops, visible only on the reverse side.

Separating zippers are designed with a unique type of bottom stop so that the fabric tapes come apart, allowing, for example, the two sides of the front of a winter jacket to be separated for ease of use. The user inserts the bottom stop at the bottom of one fabric tape into the slider, which is on the other tape, thereby joining the two sides of the base together. The user then pulls the slider up to close the zipper. Most zippers have a differentiated front and back, but two-sided zippers were developed for items that are reversible, and are designed to be equally workable from either side.” (www.wisegeek.com)

There is also the two-way Jacket Zipper whose “design allows opening from either end, while leaving the other end zipped.” (www.beaconfabric.com)

(Photo courtesy of jm3, Flickr.)

Jacket Zippers come in a variety of materials “including metal, plastics and nylon.” (www.teonlinecom) Another very popular material from which Jacket Zippers are currently being manufactured is the stretch fabrics.

Most often the materials used in manufacturing the Jacket Zipper will dictate its function. One will normally find a metal Jacket Zipper in the more expensive jackets and such will be the main zipper for opening and closing the garment. It makes sense that the main zipper be manufactured from metal, for this is the mostly-used zipper. Such should also be covered by a piece of fabric to ensure that the elements – i.e., snow, wind and rain, do not seep through the teeth.

Plastic and nylon zippers are used in areas that are exposed to water and snow due to their impermeability.

The stretch Jacket Zipper is being used with the more advanced fabrics where the garment has been sewn more tailored to the body.

Always remember, when replacing a broken Jacket Zipper, that the replacement zipper be of the same material as the one being replaced – i.e., do not sew a plastic zipper where a metal one was, originally.

(Photo courtesy of lululemon atletica, Flickr.)

An innovation in the Jacket Zipper department and, whose purpose is to protect the wearer from being continuously exposed to the cold pull tab metal piece, is the zipper garage. It is located right under your chin. Your closing options will be either snapping or locking the pull tab in place.

(Photo courtesy of dpstyles, Flickr.)