How to repair a coat zipper using ZlideOn
A winter coat that won't zip is rarely worn out — it's the slider that has given up, usually after a season or two of cold-weather use. Replacing it takes a couple of minutes indoors, with no sewing and no trip to a tailor.
Get the right ZlideOn for your coat
First things first! Check the number printed on the back of your old slider, or measure the width of the zipper teeth, and pick the ZlideOn that matches. Coats run heavier than jackets — size 5 for lighter models, 8 or 10 for thick winter and parka zippers.
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Carefully snap off the broken slider
Grip the old slider with a pair of pliers and snap it off the bottom of the coat zipper, where the two sides separate. Push any bulky lining or storm flap out of the way first so you can see the teeth clearly.
Fully open your ZlideOn
Hold the ZlideOn between your fingers and open it up completely, so the two halves are ready to sit around the zipper chain.
Click it onto the zipper
Place the open ZlideOn over the zipper teeth and press both sides firmly together until you hear it click shut. Zip at least 10 cm on the first pull to align the teeth — your coat is repaired.
Better to see it in action?
The whole repair takes less than a minute. Watch it done from start to finish.
Watch the ZlideOn repair video
Important things to remember
ZlideOn replaces the slider — not the zipper chain itself. Before you start, check the teeth and the fabric tape: if teeth are missing or the tape has torn away from the coat, the zipper needs a tailor rather than a new slider. In most cases, though, the slider has simply worn wide from months of heavy use, which is why the teeth stop locking behind it.
Getting the size right matters. Check the number printed on the back of your old slider or measure the width of the zipper teeth before ordering. Winter coats and parkas often use larger sizes than you'd expect — 8 or 10 is common. If you're unsure, a multipack covers the most common sizes and is the safe choice.
Coats frequently have two sliders on a double-pull zipper, so replace both if the second one is also loose. Fit the ZlideOn onto the side carrying the larger part of the stopper, and if the zipper skips or gapes after the first 10 cm, open the slider, check both rows of teeth are seated fully inside, and press it shut again.
Why repair your coat instead of buying a new one?
A well-made winter coat is one of the most expensive garments most people own, and retiring one over a broken slider is an expensive habit. Replacing it with ZlideOn takes minutes, costs a fraction of a new coat, and needs no sewing, tools, or repair shop. Made in Europe from durable zinc and steel, a ZlideOn slider handles the cold as well as the coat does.
Repair, don't replace. Every coat kept in use saves the CO₂, water, and raw materials that go into producing a new one. Choosing to repair is one of the simplest, most effective sustainable choices you can make — and with ZlideOn, it's also one of the easiest.