Q: Which zipper is used on a full-zip hoodie?
A full-zip hoodie takes a size 5 vislon or size 5 metal zipper, open-end, with a single auto-lock slider. Fleece and loopback are heavy and the garment is pulled over the head, so the bottom box and pin see a hard load every time it is worn; molded vislon handles that better than coil, and it also keeps its shape after repeated washing. Pre-shrunk tape is essential, because a hoodie is usually washed hot and a tape that shrinks will pucker the front edge.
- Size 5 vislon or metal, open-end, single slider.
- Auto-lock slider with a pull long enough to grip with cold hands.
- Reinforced bottom box and bar-tacked tape ends.
The usual pitfall is a coil zip on a heavy fleece: the chain spreads at the bottom box when the hoodie is pulled on, and once the box has opened the zip cannot be repaired. The second is a zip that is too short, which puts the split at the widest point of the hip and makes the garment feel tight even when it is not.