A bit of a Marmite question

[leaky5]

2 way zips on jackets. In my 52 years on the planet and owning a few jackets with two way zips. I don't recall ever having to undo one from the bottom.

I only find them more fiddly to do up. I have just had to replace the two way zip on my wifes winter coat and I used a 1 way one, she is over the moon with it and just about to do the same on a new jacket I have.

Does anyone ever have need to open them from the bottom ????

 

[Stew]

No need for a two way zip on any coat I've ever used.

 

[Nice65]

I agree with Stew, silly idea. Good on sleeping bags, not on jackets.

 

[John Fenna]

I do recall opening jackets from the bottom - when sitting in a car, to get at trouser pockets...
In all about twice in my life....

 

[Mesquite]

They're handy on longer coats when you need to water a tree

 

[Toddy]

I like the big heavy brass one on my wax jacket; it lets me into the pockets on my trousers and shirt without losing too much heat.

M

 

[oldtimer]

Often use mine to get at pockets, irrigate the land, ventilate, free up legs when crossing obstacles. But I always wear longish jackets.

 

[Stew]

Hhhhm, I can see that as a good function for long jackets now - I just don't wear long jackets so never experienced the need!

 

[snappingturtle]

on a long smock it has be of use but not a lot.

 

[Macaroon]

I'm very surprised by the responses so far; I've modded many zips on jackets to become two way, I find them invaluable in many ways. Sitting and peeing would be the main, and very important, reasons for me along with reaching pockets and what about the crucial venting?

I have seen jackets that were ideal in every way and not bought them for the want of a two-way zip, or else bought them and modded them immediately.

 

[Nice65]

on a long smock it has be of use but not a lot.

That's a one way? I have a couple of smocks with zips at the side for easy on/off.

 

[Janne]

I used to use the bottom zip direction when I had a wee in my Barbour.

 

[sunndog]

When i was keepering i had a long'ish wax jacket and the bottom zip was great on shoot days when i'd wear it for pushing through brambles and such but it was sweaty so i could zip it like a cape to vent or climb over stuff

 

[bobnewboy]

I use the lower zip end of my Särmä hooded Fleece jacket all the time. As mentioned, sitting down, taking a wiz etc etc. Essential for me.

 

[Stood]

Hi Mr Macaroon,

Is it an easy job to mod a one way zip?

I’m a constant user of two way zips due to running exeptionaly hot so the ventilation benefits are a must.


Cheers

Boots

 

[Jaeger]

Aye Up,

Access to belt/pockets/fly etc, all valid points.

As any serving/ex serviceman will explain - try going for a dump in the field when wearing a full set of webbing/body armour!
Those two-way zips are a godsend - especially if waterproofs are involved as well! (The 'short-walk' - an often overlooked advantage of the good old poncho in my book!)

It's not like going 'for a porcelain' , there ain't time to sit and read the newspaper!

 

[Macaroon]

Hi Mr Macaroon,

Is it an easy job to mod a one way zip?

I’m a constant user of two way zips due to running exeptionaly hot so the ventilation benefits are a must.


Cheers

Boots

Hi Boots, I don't know of any way to mod a one way zip, and if there is one I reckon it wouldn't be much easier than just fitting a new zip of the same length; that's what I've done in the past, though these days my arthritic hands don't allow me to do much sewing of any description