Finding the right zip

[Ivydene]

Help needed please. My daughter has asked me to replace a zip in a cycling top. This is an open zip fitted to the inner mesh liner and feels very light weight so it doesn’t distort the mesh which has a slight stretch.
I have been looking online but am finding it hard to judge the weight of the zips shown.
Any advice/ suggestions gratefully received.
Ruth

[sewmuchmore]

@Ivydene the lower the # of the zip the lighter it will be. #3 tends to be the bog standard for skirts etc. but you can buy #2 with transparent tape.
Do you know what size/colour you need? I have loads of zips i could look see if i have anything useful.

[Ivydene]

@sewmuchmore thank you for your reply and the explanation about identifying the weight. Thank you also for offering to see if you have something suitable. I measured it about 39cm and the current zip is black although the outer fabric colour is red.
Ruth

[BrendaP]

The number refers to the width, in mm, of the chain part when it is closed.  Size 3 is 3mm, size 5 is 5mm and so on.

There are so many different types of zips around now, but you probably want a YKK Soflex
https://ykkdigitalshowroom.com/en/item/325?closePath=%2Fen%2Fapplication%2F1 for the stretch element.

Have a wander around the YKK website
https://www.ykkfastening.com/
to see what's available.

[Ivydene]

@BrendaP thank you for your reply. I have just gone down another rabbit hole
So many different types of zips.
Ruth

[sewmuchmore]

@Ivydene Sorry i don't appear to have anything the right length. The black open ended zips i have are 50cm. It's sods law that you never have the right colour/length  for what you need it for.
@BrendaP I have been looking for Soflex zips for a while now, do you know of any UK sellers as all i can see is USA websites.

[Ivydene]

@sewmuchmore thank you for looking. I am struggling to find something that looks to be light enough. I have found size 3 open ended at Kleins but they only offer 39” length and cost lots of money for a zip which then has to be cut down.

[sewmuchmore]

I get mine from Jaycotts or Zipper Station although ZS are #5 Jaycotts are #3 and postage is very reasonable at £1.99 and very quick to send.

[BrendaP]

London Trimmings