When it comes to broken tent zippers, it’s usually one of two things: The zipper slider came off or the teeth aren’t connecting anymore.  Either way, you can’t close your tent and that’s a problem.  In both of the scenarios, the zipper slider (the thing that goes up and down the track, connecting the teeth) is worn out and needs to be replaced.  This might come as a surprise, if you recently bought the [...]]]> There must be a broken tent zipper epidemic going on, because the majority of the phone calls I’ve received this week are from people who need to repair a broken zipper on a tent.   Actually, it probably has more to do with the fact that spring is here and people are digging their camping gear out of the garage and finding broken zippers.  If you’re having the same problem, just take a deep breath. You’re not alone and there is help.

When it comes to broken tent zippers, it’s usually one of two things: The zipper slider came off or the teeth aren’t connecting anymore.  Either way, you can’t close your tent and that’s a problem.  In both of the scenarios, the zipper slider (the thing that goes up and down the track, connecting the teeth) is worn out and needs to be replaced.  This might come as a surprise, if you recently bought the tent or spent a lot of money on it. Put simply: most zippers are cheap pieces of junk (yes, even the ones on your expensive camping gear).  What’s worse is that a lot of manufactures do not warranty zippers.  You can try calling the retailer or manufacturer, but most people are told to go buy a new tent.  You could always take your tent to an alterations shop or a seamstress. The process usually involves un-stitching the broken zipper and sewing in a new one. This can easily cost over $100, which search the internet for a cheaper solution and end up finding us.

We manufacture a replacement zipper slider called the FixnZip™. It’s easy to use, and requires no tools or sewing to install. It’s made of zinc and is nickel plated, so it is strong and built to last. It’s also entirely manufactured/produced/ assembled in the USA.  It’s perfect for tent zipper repair, and can also be used on other outdoor gear.  We sell it for $9.99 on our online store, and we also have a “Buy 3 get 1 Free + Free Domestic S&H” promo going.

Of course we think it’s a great solution…. We sell it. But don’t just take our word for it. See what other industry pros have said about it:

-Kayaking blogger at We Stroke recently tried the FixnZip™ when the zipper failed on his Coleman tent. Check out his review: “FixnZip to the Rescue”

-Exploring Elements included FixnZip™ in its 2013 “Top 10 Survival Products” at the Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow.

Watch the Video below to see how to repair a broken tent zipper using FixnZip™ (Note: It’s easier to put the FixnZip™ on before you set up the tent.)

Below is a list of frequently asked questions I get about ordering a FixnZip™ for a tent.

What Size do I need?
Most likely a Medium. The majority of camping tents use zippers that fall within our Medium size range.  The Medium alone fits zipper sizes 5, 6, 7, 8 and will work on nylon, plastic, and metal teeth or coils. Unless it’s a large canvas tent used for outdoor events, there’s a good chance the Medium will work for your tent.

Can I measure my zipper, just to be sure I get the right one?
Absolutely. Click here to use the measuring guide on our website.

Do I need Nickel or Graphite?
It’s a matter of color preference. The Nickel is brighter and the Graphite is darker. Other than that, they are exactly the same.

What if it doesn’t work?
Send it back and we’ll issue you a full refund.

Miscellaneous tips for installing on a tent:
-Try installing the FixnZip™ before you put the tent together. It’s much easier to put on when there’s no tension.
-On a tent zipper, the coils will be visible from either the inside or the outside of the tent. Make sure that the thumbscrew on the FixnZip™ is on the same side that the coils are visible (see picture below).

The great thing is that one FixnZip™ can be used on a tent, sleeping bag, or backpack etc. So don’t wait until you’re out camping and the zipper breaks before you buy one. Keep a spare in your first aid kit just to be prepared.  If you have any questions, feel free to call/email, or hit us up on facebook and twitter. Now get out there and hit the trail!

Jonathan

Do you have a review of your own? We love hearing what people think of the product and how they are using it. So head over to our Facebook page and tell us about your experience with FixnZip™.

  FixnZip™ was selected as a “ We’re very excited about all the positive feedback we’ve been getting since the launch of the FixnZip™, and we wanted to take a moment to share it with you. From blog reviews to awards at tradeshows, and even a feature in a recently published book, people seem to be happy with the product. But why brag about ourselves when other people can do it for us? Here are some links to the various awards and reviews FixnZip™ has received from experts in a range of fields. Don’t forget to check back as we update the list.

Do you have a review of your own? We love hearing what people think of the product and how they are using it. So head over to our Facebook page and tell us about your experience with FixnZip™.

FixnZip™ was selected as a “Hot 20” product at the 2013 Craft and Hobby Show.	Thirty thousand new products were Introduced at the 2013 International Housewares Show. FixnZip™ was awarded in the Top 5 of its category.	Backpacker Magazine included FixnZip™ in it’s book the “the Complete Guide to Outdoor Maintenance and repair“

		Product Pioneer
FixnZip™ was included in Exploring Elements “Top 10 Survival Products“	In a review of the Craft and Hobby 2012 Summer Show, FixnZip™ was considered to be the most innovative product.	Product Pioneer featured FixnZip™ on its blog, giving you a look at the background of our company.

I invested good money in my sleeping bag, because it’s one of the most important pieces of equipment I take backpacking. I need it to maintain body heat, and hopefully get a good night’s sleep in the process.  It’s lightweight, comfortable, breathes well, and it keeps me warm. It wasn’t cheap either.  I’ve never had a problem with the zipper on my sleeping bag (knock on wood), but I consider myself lucky because a number of my friends have run into this exact problem. So what are [...]]]> It’s October, and the weather has officially transitioned to fall here in Portland, OR. We’ve been getting beautiful sunny days here in the Northwest, but the nights have been getting noticeably colder. It’s the time of year when I actually zip up my sleeping bag when I go camping, which brings me to the topic of today’s blog post: Replacing a broken zipper slider on a sleeping bag.

I invested good money in my sleeping bag, because it’s one of the most important pieces of equipment I take backpacking. I need it to maintain body heat, and hopefully get a good night’s sleep in the process.  It’s lightweight, comfortable, breathes well, and it keeps me warm. It wasn’t cheap either.  I’ve never had a problem with the zipper on my sleeping bag (knock on wood), but I consider myself lucky because a number of my friends have run into this exact problem. So what are your options if the zipper slider on your sleeping bag wears out or breaks? Here are a few of your options (and of course the FixnZip is in there).

Your first option would be to take it to a seamstress. You’ll get your sleeping bag back good as new, but it will also run you anywhere from $60-$100, depending on their pricing. This is only a viable option if you’re in town and not using the bag. But what if the zipper breaks when you’re out backpacking?

McNett has a good field zipper repair kit that runs about $9.95. It involves unstitching the seam, putting on a new slider, and sewing the seam back up.  It includes 5 sliders, but each one fits a specific size and style (i.e. a #5 tooth and a #5 coil).  This option is definitely cheaper than the seamstress, but it requires you to do the sewing, and you have to carry multiple zipper sliders for each specific size and style.

Naturally I’m partial to this option, but the FixnZip is great for repairing sleeping bag zippers, whether you’re at home or on the trail. For sleeping bags, I recommend the FixnZip size Medium. It fits zipper sizes 5-8 and works on both tooth and coil zippers. It does not require tools or sewing, and takes only seconds to install, which makes it a great option for repairing zippers in the field. A single runs $9.99, but you can buy a 3-pack for $19.99 here.

Below is a video showing Ray, the President and CEO at FixnZip, using the FixnZip on his daughter’s sleeping bag.

As you can see in the video, the FixnZip is easy to use on a sleeping bag. I highly recommend keeping a few in your first aid kit when you’re backpacking, just in case the zipper goes out on any of your gear.  As always, if you have any questions about this post or have a topic you would like me to cover, comment below or hit me up on twitter or facebook.

-Jonathan

FixnZip was sponsoring the Bridge City Guild golf tournament, benefiting the Children’s Cancer Association, so I got to represent the company and play in the tournament. Mind you, I’m a garbage golfer, but I still enjoy playing from time to time. I was running late for the [...]]]> I’ve been getting an influx of emails, lately, asking if the FixnZip can repair broken zippers on golf bags and golf carts. One guy even told me that a squirrel attacked his bag and broke the zipper slider. I googled it, and apparently squirrel vandalism is a legitimate issue for the golfing community (which is hilarious, until an angry squirrel ruins your $200 bag).  Now I’ve never been the victim of squirrel vandalism, but I did have a zipper slider break on my Srixon golf bag. Here’s what happened to me, and what I did to fix it.

FixnZip was sponsoring the Bridge City Guild golf tournament, benefiting the Children’s Cancer Association, so I got to represent the company and play in the tournament. Mind you, I’m a garbage golfer, but I still enjoy playing from time to time. I was running late for the tournament, and when I zipped up the pouch that holds my tees and ball markers, the zipper slider broke. It didn’t come clean off, but the teeth wouldn’t connect, making the pouch useless.  Often times, the issue is with the zipper slider, not the actual zipper teeth or coils. Luckily for me, I work for a company that deals with this sort of thing. So I ran into the house, grabbed a size medium FixnZip replacement slider (which fits tooth and coil zippers size 5-8) and ran back out to the garage. I pulled the broken slider off, and within about 20 seconds I had the replacement slider on my golf bag. I was able to repair my golf bag, without using tools, and head to the tournament in a matter of minutes.

I’ve already mentioned that I work for the company, but it just goes to show that everyone needs to have one of these around the house, in a toolbox, or even in your golf bag.  Speaking from personal experience, it saved my golf outing.

So, “can FixnZip be used to repair broken golf bag and golf cart zippers?”  The answer is Yes.

For a golf bag, I recommend using a FixnZip size Medium. For a golf cart door or cover, I would recommend using the FixnZip size Large. Both of these options fit on a range of sizes and work on both tooth and coil zippers. This is just a general rule of thumb, but your specific bag or cart might utilize a different zipper size. You can check our sizing guide here http://www.fixnzip.com/sizes.

If you have questions about this post or any other zipper repair topics, comment below or hit us up on facebook and twitter. Ever had a broken zipper on your golf gear? Tell us about it!

Enjoy your weekend, and hit the green while the weather still nice.

-Jonathan

P.S. If you live in the Portland area, be sure to check out the Bridge City Guild at http://www.bridgecityguild.org.
They’re an awesome non-profit that hosts great events (most involving beer) to benefit youth charities in the local community, such as the Children’s Cancer Association.

A few members of the Bridge City Guild at the Golf Tournament

Whether you like to go camping, boating, golfing, hunting, fishing, traveling, or surfing, the world of zippers is enormous. Heck they even zip you up in a body bag when you die. Everyday life is filled with zippers, and yet we have no idea what to do when a zipper breaks. That is why I decided to start a blog dedicated to zipper repair and zipper education.  I’ll be updating about twice a week and posts will cover topics from zipper sizes to diverse applications of the FixnZip product. I’ll also be [...]]]> Welcome to the very first FixnZip blog post. My name is Jonathan and I’ve been working at FixnZip for about a year. In my time working here, I’ve gathered more information about zippers than any normal person should.  As I’ve talked with our customers, I’ve realized that there’s a general lack of information about zippers out there.  There’s even less on zipper repair.

Whether you like to go camping, boating, golfing, hunting, fishing, traveling, or surfing, the world of zippers is enormous. Heck they even zip you up in a body bag when you die. Everyday life is filled with zippers, and yet we have no idea what to do when a zipper breaks. That is why I decided to start a blog dedicated to zipper repair and zipper education.  I’ll be updating about twice a week and posts will cover topics from zipper sizes to diverse applications of the FixnZip product. I’ll also be giving updates on upcoming products and promotions.

If you have questions, comments, or have a topic you want me to cover, you can comment below, facebook me, or use the “contact us” page on the FixnZip website. I hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for updates.

Jonathan