The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years • Hacker News Board

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#151

Post by lavelganzu » Tue, Oct 21, 2025, 4:24 PM UTC

hilbert42 wrote: post #145

f30e3dfed1c9 wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You seem to have... very unusual experience with zippers. I honestly can't remember the last time I had trouble with one or ever having any serious trouble with one.

"very unusual experience with zippers." With respect, I think it's your experience that is very unusual. I reckon you must never go camping and use a sleeping bag with a long zipper or you wouldn't say what you've said. The woman who runs the drycleaning shop near where I live also provides a garment alteration service and her main business is shortening jeans and replacing broken zippers! She even specializes in rep…

> Can you honestly say you've never had zipper teeth part company with the fabric or never had to apply candle wax or similar to the teeth so they run smoothly?

Do regular people ever wax their zippers? (ChatGPT says it might be done by sailors or leatherworkers on occasion, for whatever that's worth.)

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#152

Post by portaouflop » Tue, Oct 21, 2025, 11:20 PM UTC

phatskat wrote: post #135

portaouflop wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It also helps to avoid synthetic fabrics in my experience. But you are right it’s not that easy…

It feels easier to me: buy second hand, look for natural fibers, take care of your garments (wash according to tag, don’t use fabric softeners or dryer sheets). Learning to mend isn’t too bad either, especially with fabrics that are sturdier.

I don’t know how to mend at all - but I have an excellent tailor in my neighbourhood who mends stuff like jeans and shirts for me for a reasonable price. Also I love his little shop so I’m happy to pay a bit extra to support that business!

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#153

Post by phatskat » Sat, Oct 25, 2025, 1:43 AM UTC

portaouflop wrote: post #152

phatskat wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It feels easier to me: buy second hand, look for natural fibers, take care of your garments (wash according to tag, don’t use fabric softeners or dryer sheets). Learning to mend isn’t too bad either, especially with fabrics that are sturdier.

I don’t know how to mend at all - but I have an excellent tailor in my neighbourhood who mends stuff like jeans and shirts for me for a reasonable price. Also I love his little shop so I’m happy to pay a bit extra to support that business!

That’s awesome! I love community solutions. I recently moved out to a more rural area so places like that aren’t as walkable as my old place in the city - we had a sustainable store with refillable soaps, detergent, etc; a good half dozen hair places, a local yarn and slewing shop that doubles as a place for people in the refugee community to learn techniques and get assistance; there’s also food co-ops, community garden, etc.

It’s all been really cool to see as it grows, and while I’m sad to have moved away, it also gives me an opportunity to find and form new communities.

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#154

Post by f30e3dfed1c9 » Fri, Oct 31, 2025, 3:02 AM UTC

hilbert42 wrote: post #145

f30e3dfed1c9 wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You seem to have... very unusual experience with zippers. I honestly can't remember the last time I had trouble with one or ever having any serious trouble with one.

"very unusual experience with zippers." With respect, I think it's your experience that is very unusual. I reckon you must never go camping and use a sleeping bag with a long zipper or you wouldn't say what you've said. The woman who runs the drycleaning shop near where I live also provides a garment alteration service and her main business is shortening jeans and replacing broken zippers! She even specializes in rep…

Really late coming back to this, but yes, I own several sleeping bags with zippers, tents with zippers, backpacks, down coats, gadget and storage bags of various kinds, various other jackets, all kinds of stuff with zippers.

You say "[w]hen they're such a bane for others," but that's not my experience. Here in my seventh decade of life, I have never heard anyone but you complain so much about zippers.