waterproof zippers?

1798 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by mg66, Mar 21, 2009

jcamel

Discussion Starter · Mar 8, 2009

i would have liked to put thi under the product review portion but am un able to because i am new. i felt this was a good second choice because it would pertain to a tip. has anyone ever replaced or placed a waterproof zipper on a piece of gear or had a tailor do it. i found a really great looking jacket with all the features i want except the reviews say it doesnt flow air that well. it is the teknic freestyle jacket and has exterior vents but there is a water proof liner beneath that does not breath. a easy solution to me seems to be cut the make a slice in the liner and use a water proof zipper sew it in and use the stuff for tent seems to water proof the seem. has anyone ever done anything like this or does this even sound like something that could work?

thanks
justin

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doser

· #2 · Mar 9, 2009

jcamel said:
a easy solution to me seems to be cut the make a slice in the liner and use a water proof zipper sew it in and use the stuff for tent seems to water proof the seem.

cool idea - go for it. a good tailor would be able to handle it. be aware that when you slash a piece of fabric to insert a zipper, you need to also cut little 45 degree extensions both sides, each end, to allow the fabric to fold back to create seam allowances to sew the zipper onto. each corner will be a weak point. the solution is to use a separate piece of fabric to create a 'window' (kinda doubling up the system) - the tailor will understand. use coated fabric so the raw edges do not fray.
i doubt you need to seam-seal the system. first try without, then deal with it if you get leakage.
cheers,

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jcamel

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 9, 2009

how much do you think something like this would cost?

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Oh My Sack!

· #4 · Mar 10, 2009

Probably more than it's worth!

Zippers are a pain in the ass to sew into a complete and finished garment. It will take a good deal of a good seamstresses time. Time is money.

I would check around and see what kind of responses you get.

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TripleC5

· #5 · Mar 10, 2009

I just got the same jacket from Newenough.com ($60), and you are correct. The liner (waterproof) does hinder the airflow to my skin. Here is my question to you: do you need this jacket to be waterproof? I have a tourmaster rain suit (2 pc) that I keep with me when the chance of rain is possible. I just put it over my jacket, and voila! Waterproof! If it gets too hot this summer, I may either cut slits in the liner by the vents, or just remove the liner altogether. The rain suit (at least the top) may be another alternative for you. (and maybe cheaper than installing zippers)

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jcamel

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 11, 2009

yeah i think i will go to a few tailors and if they can do it for a reasonable price i may. i would like it to be waterproof ut i was thinking about cutting out the liner too and just carry the liner to my joe rocket phoenix. my only reservation would be i wonder if removing the liner completely would make it to cold in early and late season riding.

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Tombiker

· #7 · Mar 12, 2009

The term "waterproof" is relative, but as used in motorcycle apparel, it means that no water better get thru the jacket or you'll be flamed on the internet. Waterproof and breathable are mutually exclusive, and companies like Gore-Tex have made their name based on their product's balance of waterproofing vs. breathability. Does that waterproof liner not come out? A zippered vent or two will not increase airflow all that much, but now that you've cut into the waterproof material, it will leak water when it rains. Probably just a little, and probably not enough to notice unless you're really particular. Or ride a BMW.

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jcamel

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 12, 2009

the liner is not removable, and i have not yet cut the liner its just an idea that is running through my head. i really would like this to be my full time riding jacket so the big wonder now is, if the liner was removed would it would it be too cold, for early and late riding because it would no longer be windproof. and as for adding the zippers there are alot of vents in this jacket and by opening up the liner it should flow quiet a bit of air.

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gahdzila

· #9 · Mar 12, 2009

Where do you live? this is a bit of a different suggestion, but it works well for me living in the south. The way I handle this is to have two jackets. My "winter" jacket is a waterproof full textile. It works fine, even without much airflow, up to the mid 70's or so. My "summer" jacket is a mesh...of course, not waterproof. When it's hot enough for the mesh, I keep a cheapo walmart PVC rainsuit in my bike luggage. If it's hot enough outside for the mesh, I usually don't care about getting sopping wet...it helps me stay cool! If it's cool enough that I don't want to get wet in the rain, I'll put on the rainsuit over my gear...I brought my gear to walmart when I bought the suit, and sized it to fit over my gear. Also, since the PVC rainsuit doesn't breath much, it can serve as a windproof layer if I'm out with the mesh jacket and get into some cooler weather. It adds a surprising amount of warmth.

There are some "all-weather" jackets out there...but they mostly look to me to be pretty good at one or two seasons and only so-so for the others.

Personally, I wouldn't add a zipper to the rain liner of a jacket for fear that it would leak.

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greencountry

· #10 · Mar 12, 2009

Tombiker said:
The term "waterproof" is relative, but as used in motorcycle apparel, it means that no water better get thru the jacket or you'll be flamed on the internet. Waterproof and breathable are mutually exclusive. . .

Have you tried Frogg Toggs? I haven't used them in heavy rain yet, but at least when dry they seem to be both totally waterproof and very breathable.

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rallen5

· #11 · Mar 15, 2009

If your going to put a hole in the liner, I would recommend this. Have the zipper sewn into a patch an and use Seam Grip by McNett to seal the seams. Then sew that patch into the liner and use the same product for the seams. This will be a much stronger setup. The coated zippers are more difficult to pull and will likley put too much stress on the WPB you are trying to vent. I've seen people make similar changes to WPB jackets and this is the best way to do it. That said, it doesn't work very well unless your really specific where you put zippers to give the air somewhere to flow IN AND OUT.

Richard

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mg66

· #12 · Mar 21, 2009

greencountry said:
Have you tried Frogg Toggs?

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