UKH

The zip on my winter shell jacket is bust and needs replacing. Any recommendations for a repairer? Quality/reliability more important than cost. Thanks.

Is it zip, or the pull? I've fixed several zips by spending £2 on a new pull. 

If the zip is stitched into the edges of the baffles it's going to be costly, I think Burnley Sports Repairs said they could cope with it but at a cost of £40 when we enquired for Mrs RR's jacket.

If unpicking the stitches holding the zip doesn't open the baffles, your high street repair place can do it for a round £30 -£35. 

I've had three Rab zips and one Arc'teryx break recently. None were that old. They said they'd replace them but it'll cost me. Very annoying. 

It’s not particularly difficult if you can borrow a sewing machine.  

http://artandneedlework.com/?p=21

https://www.scottishmountaingear.com/repair-service

They replaced a zip in a Castelli cycling softshell jacket for me in January.  It had a nice non-flappy but glove friendly zip puller on it and I rather feared that I would lose that.

I got a quote back from them saying that the replacement zip would be black not silver-grey as in the original, if that was OK.  I approved their quote and shortly afterwards, back my jacket came, with a black zip and the old puller transferred onto new zip (without prompting).  You'd never know that it had ever been repaired.  Faultless service in all regards.

PS It cost about £40-45, which seemed fair to me given the cost of bits and labour and the price of a new jacket

Its the zip. The bottom inch on one side has completely detached, including the blocky-bit that stops the pull from running off the end. I've rigged a temporary repair with a cut-down cable tie, but the entire zip needs replacing.

I should have clarified that its a three-layer goretex hardshell, so no baffles. I'd prefer a specialist for durability of repair, and as it would be expensive to replace if a highstreet repairer messed it up.

I'm still trying to suppress the memories of the last time I used a sewing machine.

Bugger. I have had what you might call a low spec zip fitted on a ski/snow board jacket by a dry cleaners, that also did repairs and alterations. If you bought a good zip of the right length they should fit it for you. I can't recall if the cleaners was a chain or independent though. 

Hi Andy,

I see from your profile that you’re in Manchester.

Keep an eye out for the next Worn Wear at the new Patagonia store in town - info should be on Facebook or the Worn Wear website, or you could call the store to ask.

Get there early, as zips are time consuming so the seamstress can’t take many on, but the repair is free!

Cheers, 

Mike 

If you're in Manchester there's a repair shop called Stitches in St Mary's Street north side of Kendals. If you want a proper sports repairer, none better than Lancashire Sports Repairs in Burnley but pay attention to their opening times as you can't drop in on a Friday on your way to the Lakes.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Lancashire Sports Repairs seem to have a good rep and charges about £40 for a new zip. I'll probably go with them.

+1 for the Patagonia Worn Wear if you get the chance - they fixed the zip on my Resolute Smock for free that LSR had quoted about £70 for!

Its a great idea. Unfortunately there don't seem to be any events in the UK in the near future: http://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/worn-wear-tour-dates.html

Just to chuck an additional option in the mis. Alpkit are now offering a repair service via their stores in Hathersage and Ambleside if you would be passing either. Details here:

https://www.alpkit.com/support/stickies/store-repair-station-price-list

Not used them so can’t comment on the quality of the workmanship though.

Interesting. Is that only for Alpkit gear or any make? Not clear from the page.

I asked the same question and they said they were happy to do other people's gear but did warn that the repairs may not be invisable. I think zips are an issue though as they don't have the facilities to create custom length ones, well worth getting on touch though to see if they can help.