Hookless Zipper help please!

AeroFan_07 · Oct 27, 2019

So, some days things just don't quite work out as expected!

Here is where my recently acquired jacket with a Hook-less Talon zipper left me at a local home improvement store...

Since the zipper is not supposed to open itself like that underneath, it's showing it's carnage.

This one really fouled up, a simple mis-step in zipping and it failed, quite literally 3/4 of the way up before I noticed. Seemed to zip up smooth before this. Well, rats indeed!

At least it happened at Lowe's. I was unable to even think about pulling the jacket off over my head (the well-fitting jackets really don't give that option). What it took was an associate and I with a pair of 8" slip-joint pliers to get the zipper backed down and released. Even then it was not easy and it caught very distinctly in 2 places. One of those was just above the lower tabs that *should* have been aligned to get it started zipping.
It's done for:

Neat zipper by appearance, not at all practical as a daily wear piece. I live in Iowa, we have to have reliable, robust zippers against the winds, rain and simply crazy climate that is around us here. So this one is going in for a new, more practical zipper to be fitted.

Decided to revisit this thread, sorry to sound like a rant, just a little silly overall. It will be repaired and fine, just will loose some character in the process!

El Marro · Oct 27, 2019

AeroFan_07 said:
So, some days things just don't quite work out as expected!

Here is where my recently acquired jacket with a Hook-less Talon zipper left me at a local home improvement store...

View attachment 191994

Since the zipper is not supposed to open itself like that underneath, it's showing it's carnage.

This one really fouled up, a simple mis-step in zipping and it failed, quite literally 3/4 of the way up before I noticed. Seemed to zip up smooth before this. Well, rats indeed!

At least it happened at Lowe's. I was unable to even think about pulling the jacket off over my head (the well-fitting jackets really don't give that option). What it took was an associate and I with a pair of 8" slip-joint pliers to get the zipper backed down and released. Even then it was not easy and it caught very distinctly in 2 places. One of those was just above the lower tabs that *should* have been aligned to get it started zipping.
It's done for:

View attachment 191995

Neat zipper by appearance, not at all practical as a daily wear piece. I live in Iowa, we have to have reliable, robust zippers against the winds, rain and simply crazy climate that is around us here. So this one is going in for a new, more practical zipper to be fitted.

View attachment 191996

Decided to revisit this thread, sorry to sound like a rant, just a little silly overall. It will be repaired and fine, just will loose some character in the process!

I’m sorry to hear that AeroFan. Same thing happened to my Bootlegger a month after I received it and I was pissed off to say the least. I highly recommend a #8 riri zipper for the replacement. They don’t look half bad and they will actually work as intended.
I myself will not buy another new Aero jacket with a zipper until they begin making them with zippers that are reliable and appropriately sized for heavy leather.

ton312 · Oct 27, 2019

Looking at those pics. Are you sure it can’t be zipped? The hookless is riveted in at the base. Replacing will leave two blank holes. It’s a sturdy but finicky zipper. I’d put some bar soap on both sides and be sure it can’t be zipped before replacing it. But man. That sucks!!

seres · Oct 27, 2019

ton312 said:
Looking at those pics. Are you sure it can’t be zipped? The hookless is riveted in at the base. Replacing will leave two blank holes. It’s a sturdy but finicky zipper. I’d put some bar soap on both sides and be sure it can’t be zipped before replacing it. But man. That sucks!!

I agree. From the picture, it looks like it would work. Lube it up and try carefully. After a few zips it should straighten out.

robrinay · Oct 27, 2019

It’s good that you bumped this thread - if members read it from the beginning it will show them the best solution and help save them from making the same mistake and ruining their hookless zippers.

Mich486 · Oct 27, 2019

I’ve got jackets with hookless zippers that are as smooth as any other while I’ve had a CXL jacket where the hookless failed just like that and I had to replace it after only a month of wear.

Aero jackets normally have a the piping along the main zipper that hides it completely which can be more or less desirable from an aesthetic point of view but it definitely makes more difficult engaging the zipper. CXL is also very stiff which helps even less. With the hookless type engaging it wrongly a couple of times can mean the box needs to be replaced.

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Monitor · Oct 27, 2019

I'm... Not sure I see what's wrong with the zipper. It just didn't catch on while you were zipping the jacket, which is something that happens with smaller zippers, Randy. Hookless is a fussy zipper but I found it sturdier than the Talon and never had any issues with mine, as long the pin was correctly inserted. Add some lube to it, even pecard will do and it should work.

Mr Knight · Oct 27, 2019

Pretty much anyone who has the fun of specifying an Aero jacket will always have to make the decision of Hookless vs Talon. It all comes down to if you want historical accuracy or not, Hookless do look very cool and very robust but if you’re either clumsy or not always paying full attention then they can quickly go wrong, I mean I got one stuck when trying a jacket on in the Aero showroom but luckily Denny spotted what the problem was before I pulled the zip up more than a couple of mm and he managed to tease the zip back down. His simple words were “they’re bomb-proof so long as you respect them”. It’s fair to say that I requested a Talon zip based on this incident.

I’m glad Aero sorted you out with the parts and guidance to fixing it and I’m sure in future you’ll make double sure to engage it properly prior to pulling it up, call it a hard lesson!

ton312 · Oct 27, 2019

Hookless isn’t a speed zip. The pin needs to be fully set into the pull/box. So long as you take the time to ensure that’s done, there shouldn’t be any problems.

handymike · Oct 27, 2019

The #5 zips are hard to engage with the way these CXL jackets turn out. With all that thickness down by the box, it can be very difficult to properly seat the pin. It is certainly easier with thinner hides and zips that don’t begin at the bottom hemline. I wish Aero would offer a #8 option for their CXL jackets. @AeroFan_07 at least your Hookless pin sits out a little from the leather. My Talon is buried in there.

JMax · Oct 27, 2019

handymike said:
The #5 zips are hard to engage with the way these CXL jackets turn out. With all that thickness down by the box, it can be very difficult to properly seat the pin. It is certainly easier with thinner hides and zips that don’t begin at the bottom hemline. I wish Aero would offer a #8 option for their CXL jackets. @AeroFan_07 at least your Hookless pin sits out a little from the leather. My Talon is buried in there.

that’s what I have found. Once seated and past the extra thick hem, which I love, it flows. But getting it past that is a PIA.

AeroFan_07 · Oct 27, 2019

Thanks for the suggestions here. I gave it the old college "try" again this morning off me on the bed and found the following results:

As you can see here the pin is inserted as far as I could get it to go and as soon as the zipper moved up it separates right away. I took it back down (very difficult to get it back down indeed) and tried again, still the exact same results.

We'll figure this one out! Have a good Sunday!

Mich486 · Oct 27, 2019

When you force it down the inside of the zipper box gets damaged irreversibly and it loses the ability to lock the teeth together. That bit needs replacing exactly as described a few posts above. It happened to me the exact same thing.

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handymike · Oct 27, 2019

That sucks.

ton312 · Oct 27, 2019

Ugh. I never had a problem with it. That is ruined. Shame as a replacement zip will never align perfectly and the rivers will need to be somehow capped or filled?
Before sending it off to the Amish, I’d ring up Denny and Aero. I’m sure this can be repaired without an atomic bomb of an entire new zip. Starting the zip carefully going up past the waistband always zipped it just fine for me.

Mich486 · Oct 27, 2019

If you stick with the hookless you just replace the part with the pull so it’s something you can do at home in 15mins. Aero sent me the spare part free of charge with instructions and even if i’m not that good at diy I got it sorted pretty easily.

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robrinay · Oct 27, 2019

Looks like brute force has opened the puller wider (front to back) the front and back should be parallel for correct operation. If they’re at an angle to each other then gentle squeezing with suitable pliers may solve your problem. If that is the case squeeze it parallel with the puller at the bottom of the tape without the male pin engaged.

Bennarion · Oct 27, 2019

It was also difficult for me to fasten and unfasten at first. But then I adapted. Need attention and accuracy.

Monitor · Oct 27, 2019

That is a shame. But once I figured Hookless out, I too never had much trouble with it and it's a good, reliable and fun zipper. @AeroFan_07 , send that jacket back to Aero for a replacement, or to JL or somewhere good. Think of the devaluation if someone botches the repair.

AeroFan_07 · Oct 27, 2019

Yes, thanks for all the replies, it's a bump in the road but I really do love this jacket!
I'm going to call up JL tomorrow and ask about their replacement options, I think that would suit the need very well!

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