Replacement Zipper For Boots

[JoelR]

Can anyone tell me where to get zippers of sufficient strength for motorcycle boots? The ones on my boots are about shot. The boots are army-style full leather and the zippers are heavier than I have ever seen in local fabric shops.

Edited September 8, 2010 by JoelR

[celticleather]

I guess zippers must be available in the US, but if all else fails, there's a pretty good range here: http://www.abbeysadd...cat_id=ZIPS0001.

I use their zips in motorcycle and riding boots, and they're quite happy to send overseas.

[Kevin]

Look at the back of the slider and there may be a number on it, I'm guessing it is a no. 10 metal zipper, if so anyone that sells chap supplies will have them. I've never seen any that short, so you'll just have to shorten them which is no problem. Just carefully remove the topstops, cut the tape about an inch longer than you need, use some nippers or sidecutters to cut the extra teeth off put the topstops back on and glue and fold your tape, you're ready to go.

Good luck,

Kevin

[albane]

Can anyone tell me where to get zippers of sufficient strength for motorcycle boots? The ones on my boots are about shot. The boots are army-style full leather and the zippers are heavier than I have ever seen in local fabric shops.

http://www.zipupzipper.com/

[busted]

Edited September 9, 2010 by busted

[albane]

http://www.ykk-usa.com/

I am pretty sure these guys will have what you are looking for

YKK USA has a $100.00 minimum that's why I recommended http://www.zipupzipper.com/ there minimum is 1 piece.

By the way they have EVERYTHING.

[JoelR]

Thanks all for the replies. The original zippers are marked 'Talon'. The boots are made by Double-H. I was looking into YKK zippers but had no clue what size to get. So, #10 it is. Hand sewing is going to be a bear as there are 3 rows of stitches. Tried giving the work to my local cobbler, but he won't do zippers.

[Kevin]

I forgot, does your zipper separate at the bottom or stay together? You may have to cut the bottom off also, so you may need bottom stops or if the bottom is hidden you can just whip it together with thread.

I don't know what you may have done already, but one way to make things easier is just cut the old zipper tape away and don't take anything apart. Slap that new zipper on the inside and sew over the old stitching, and you don't have to do all three rows of stitching either if you don't want to. It all depends on what you want it to look like.

Did your cobbler tell you zippers don't belong in boots? Or does he just hate zippers period?

Have fun,

Kevin

PS remember when they sewed those zippers they were flat on the table.

[JoelR]

I haven't done anyhing with them yet. There is a bottom stop on them. I was planning on marking the line where the leather met the zipper before removing them and then transfering that line new the new zipper so they lined up properly. I have narrow feet and ankles so if I add too much play the boots will be loose. Not sure why he won't do zippers.