Boot Zipper Replacement

Written By: Alex

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

5 - 7 hours

Introduction

This guide shows the process of replacing a broken boot zipper.

Broken zippers are a common issue found on daily clothing, especially boots. Over time, zippers can wear out due to regular use. The teeth may become worn, or the slider may lose its grip, leading to malfunction. Sometimes, forcing the zipper when it’s stuck or overloading the boot can also cause the zipper to break, for zippers are designed to handle a certain amount of stress, and exceeding this can lead to damage. Broken zippers lead to the boots seen as unusable and open up the possibility for it to be thrown away.

Therefore, addressing these issues promptly can help extend the life of your boots and prevent the need for more extensive repairs or replacements.

With this guide, we will show how to replace a boot zipper, saving the overall boot and lessening the waste of thrown-out clothing.

Tools

Step 1

Using a seam ripper, carefully remove the stitching at the top of the boot on either side of the zipper.
Only remove enough to free the zipper, about ¾ of an inch.

Step 2

Remove the stitching on the heel side of the zipper.
The stitches on the heel side connect four layers of material: the lining, the zipper underlay, the zipper, and the outer leather.
Work between the leather and the zipper by pulling apart the leather and zipper and inserting the seam ripper into the gap.

Step 3

Remove the stitching on the toe side of the zipper.
The stitches on the toe side connect three layers of material: the lining, the zipper, and the outer leather.
Work between the leather and the zipper by pulling apart the leather and zipper and inserting the seam ripper into the gap.
Set aside the original zipper.

Step 4

Remove any leftover thread.

Step 5

Measure your zipper against the boot.
Use a pin to mark how long it should be.

Step 6

If your zipper is too long, trim it about an inch below your pin.

Step 7

Fold down the excess fabric at the top of the zipper twice to create a right angle.

Step 8

Stitch in place.
Use pliers if the fabric is too thick to push the needle through easily.

Step 9

Pin your new zipper to the outer leather on the heel side.
Be careful to put your pins through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.

Step 10

Using a backstitch, sew the zipper to the leather along the inner row of stitching.
Be careful to put your needle through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.

Step 11

Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the toe side of the zipper.

Step 12

Pin the lining to the zipper and leather on the toe side.
Be careful to put your pins through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.

Step 13

Using a backstitch, sew the lining into place along the outer row of stitching.
Be careful to put your needle through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.