> Buttons > Zippers

I disagree. Yes, the failure mode of buttons is better. But the opening/closing process of zipper is much more convenient/faster than for buttons, and I dress and undress a lot more often than I need to replace a button or zipper.

I own a lot of zip hoodies, some of them > 10 years old, and for none of these the zipper has ever failed. The only zipper that have failed on me are on bags (e.g. messenger bags or similar)

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wccrawford an hour ago | parent | next [-]

I think zippers from 40 years ago were much more likely to fail than they are today. I remember multiple failed jacket zippers when I was a kid, and having to fix them at the worst time.

But I can't think of any zippers, other than ones put under too much stress like an overstuffed bag or suitcase, that have failed recently.

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haritha-j an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I have a pair of jeans where Levi's has inexplicably decided to use buttons instead of a zipper. Why??? It's a struggle every time i go to a urinal.

	▲	ndsipa_pomu 27 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Levi's had an advertising campaign in the UK a few decades ago that promoted their "new" button fly, so it's mainly a fashion/marketing thing. Jeans were around before zips were invented, so it's a callback to the original design. I remember wearing them and certainly they were really stiff and awkward to use when new.
	▲	kijin an hour ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		When Levi's first made jeans, zippers were not invented yet. You must have bought a pair from one of their original product lines. Besides, pants with button fly have the distinctive advantage that you will never get your most sensitive skin accidentally pinched between the zippers. :)

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tenderfault an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

Real backpacks should come equipped with a replacement zipper. In a secret pocket you will remember about it when you will need to remember.

The pain you feel when the zipper of your beloved 20-years old backpack fails is overwhelming. It rips through your soul. And all I want to do in that moment is to remember that I have a secret pocket inside it which keeps my replacement zipper. The feeling of having it there ready for me to fix my brother in arms will also give me an extra 20 years of good life. Small things. Matter. So much.

	▲	ndsipa_pomu 22 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		I much prefer the "dry-bag" style of backpacks that don't use zips (maybe for a small front pocket). I've previously cycled with many a brand of "waterproof" rucksacks and they always seemed to let in water through the zip in a heavy downpour. With my current rucksack, the top rolls down and then buckles together to form an airtight seal and that is absolutely waterproof and the contents would survive being thrown into a river. It's also extremely robust as there's nothing to go wrong apart from the material itself becoming worn through (not happened after years of heavy use).