Boots come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. They are must-have footwear for every individual because of their versatility, functionality, and level of comfort.
For a worker, boots become the most practical type of footwear that provides both comfort and safety. And you can find boots that have laces, or zippers, some come with no laces or zippers for that matter and are pull-on boots or slip-on boots.
Over the years boots with zippers have gained a lot of popularity due to their ease of use, plus they look great. A lot of people today are revamping their already used boots by adding a zipper on them.
If you do not wish to buy a new pair of zipper boots, you can opt for getting a zipper put on your boots by a professional or you can do it yourself at home, which will actually save you a ton of money.
Although doing it yourself will save you more money, getting it done by a professional will cost you anywhere between $50 and up, depending on the type of shoe repair shop you visit, and the quality of the zipper.
Before you decide to get zippers on your boots, it is imperative that you understand and learn about all the pros and cons of having this feature on your boots, which I have covered in this article.
I have also given you a few helpful tips on how you can add zippers to your boots by yourself at home, along with what you should do in case a problem arises with the zippers.
Are there any benefits of having a zipper on boots?
Yes, there are several benefits of having a zipper on your boots, and I have explained them below.
1.) You can get your boots on and off effortlessly when it has a zipper. So, after a long day at work or otherwise, you do not have to worry about loosening your boot laces. All you have to do is simply unzip them and off they go.
2.) Since it is quite easy to get your boots on and off with the help of a zipper, in turn, it saves you a lot of time when compared to boots with laces. In the case of an emergency or when you are in a hurry wearing boots with zippers will be quicker than wearing boots with laces.
3.) Boots with a zipper gives you a more consistent fit as it stays on your feet firmly and in place throughout the day.
4.) It is very comfortable to wear boots with a zipper because they fit well and adjusting them does not take as much time.
5.) In case your feet are sweaty and a little hot, you can unzip your boots slightly to allow for some ventilation. You do not need to take off your boots completely like in the case of boots without any zippers.
6.) An added bonus is zippers make your boots look more stylish and trendy, whether they are work boots or casual boots.
See also: Are Zipper Boots Durable?
Are there any disadvantages of having a zipper on your boots?
Apart from all of the great advantages of having a zipper on your boots, they also come with a few cons. You should be aware of them before as well.
1.) Some zippers may be designed very poorly due to low-quality materials, which can easily fail to serve the purpose in the right manner.
2.) Zippers can get stuck or jammed which can be very frustrating because you will have to get them replaced or fixed. If not fixable then you will have to get rid of the boots completely.
3.) Water can seep into your boots through the zippers. Not all zippered boots are waterproof.
4.) There is very little room for making any adjustments to get the right fit in boots with zippers. They need to fit you correctly from the get-go. Boots with laces can be tightened or loosened according to your comfort level.
How is a zipper added to your boots?
If you want to add zippers to your boots, the safest way to do this is by giving them to a professional who works with shoes and boots. However, if you are someone who enjoys ‘Do It Yourself’ projects then you have come to the right place.
Take a look at this step-by-step guide on how you can add the zippers on your boots all by yourself at home with the help of a few basic tools.
1.) First and foremost, figure out the place where you would like to add the zipper to your boots.
2.) The next step would be for you to measure the area of the zipper so that you buy the right-sized zipper. When measuring you need to ensure that you start from the top till around 2 inches from the sole of the boot, which will be the size of the zippers that you need.
3.) Mark that particular area with a piece of chalk and ruler to avoid any mistakes later.
4.) Then you need to place a board that can fit inside the boot to prevent the rest of your boots from getting damaged when cutting the area where you will place the zipper.
5.) Take a properly sharp knife to cut the area along the line that you had marked previously with chalk.
6.) In order for you to fit in the zipper, you will have to enlarge the opening by cutting a tiny fragment of your boot material.
7.) You can now smear glue on the zipper fabric and stick it to the inside of your boot. Doing this step helps to keep the zipper in place when it is time to stitch.
8.) Make sure to press the zipper in its correct place before you start sewing.
9.) It is time for you to get the sewing machine in action. Start stitching or sewing the zipper along with its fabric and exactly where it is aligned. To make sure that the stitch is strong enough, you should repeat this process on both sides of the zipper.
Follow these steps thoroughly and voila you have zippers on your boots. For best results, you need to keep the following things in mind when sewing.
1.) The needle you use should be a sharp and heavy-duty one that is suitable for materials such as leather and vinyl.
2.) The boots you plan on adding zippers to should be in prim and proper condition to be able to withstand the stitching process. If they are old and almost worn out they will only further get damaged.
3.) Similar to the strong and heavy-duty needle, you will also need a heavy-duty thread for stitching into tough material like leather.
See also: Why Do Tactical Boots Have Zippers?
What do you do if the zipper on your boots is stuck?
It is a common problem for zippers to get stuck at some point. This mainly occurs when you end up wearing them very frequently or even when you leave them sitting for a prolonged period of time.
Here are a few household items that you can use to fix this issue yourself first if you do not want to take your boots to a cobbler.
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- Candle wax
- Bar of soap that is clear
- Clear Chapstick
- Petroleum jelly
- Graphite pencil
- Crayon
- A Q-tip dipped in Olive oil
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All you have to do is, apply any of the items mentioned above on both sides of the stuck zipper. You need to rub it up and down for a few seconds or minutes, post which you should check by pulling the zipper.
More often than not this should do the trick. However, in a more severe case of the zipper being stuck, you will need to take it to a professional shoe repairman.
Can you fix or replace the zipper on your boots if it breaks or stops working?
Yes, you can definitely fix or replace the zipper on your boots if it breaks or stops working for any reason. However, before you go to a shoe repair shop, you should try and fix the problem on your own by trying any of the methods that I have mentioned above.
If these methods do not solve your problem, then try to clamp down the zippers with a plier, using all your force. This will help bring it all the way to its origin. Once you have exhausted all your options, you should then consider taking them to the cobbler.
Wrapping up
You need to take care of your boots regardless of them having zippers or not. However, in the case of zippers, you need to make sure you look after them by using lubricants that are available specifically for the upkeep of zippers.
Sometimes fixing or replacing zippers on boots can cost you more than even your boots themselves. Keep in mind to clean and maintain your precious boots to give them a long and healthy life.
