How to Fix a Zipper on an Oakley Backpack

Oakley produces a variety of sporting goods, gear and clothing. Among the company's product lines is a series of backpacks and daypacks. These packs use a variety of enclosures including zippers. Oakley uses a variety of zippers in the backpacks products; the packs have YKK zippers, an outdoor industry standard. When a zipper gets stuck or is in need of repair, use some tested methods to get the zipper open and the backpack functioning once again. When troubleshooting or fixing the gear, start with the easiest solution first.

Things You'll Need

  • Tweezers
  • Stitching remover
  • Dry wax-based lubricant such as White Lightning
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the backpack on a flat surface and pull back the nylon lip that covers the zipper. Apply a coat of the wax-based lubricant down the length of the zipper and let it penetrate the mechanism. Zip and unzip the zipper to get the teeth meshing smoothly once again.

    • 2

      Push the stitching remover into the small space in the slider to push out any debris or gunk causing the zipper slider to malfunction. Blow the debris away and try the zipper again.

    • 3

      Push the stitching remover under any area where the fabric of the pack is stuck in the zipper. Pry the fabric out from the edges of the zipper and push the slider up and down over the offending area until the zipper opens at the stuck area.

    • 4

      Pull stuck fabric pieces out of the closed zipper with the tweezers. Squirt lubricant into the areas where the fabric is stuck to provide viscosity in the removal.

    • 5

      Push-pull the slider over the full length of the zipper once repaired and opened to ensure the zipper is functioning again.