Sliders provide the easy mechanism for opening and closing zippers. They are made in a range of materials and sizes to match the specific zipper they are intended to be used with, the gauge of a slider is used to match its size to a specific zipper chain. Sliders also have specific variations in functionality and this can change the applications they are suited for. Besides the functionality of a slider, there are also many aesthetic options to choose from.
Slider Functionality
Name | Image | Characteristics | Applications |
---|---|---|---|
Non-Lock |
|
Luggage / Bags | |
Auto-Lock |
|
Jackets / Dresses / Trousers / Jeans / Pants | |
Pin-lock |
|
Furniture / Trousers / Dresses / Jeans | |
Double Puller |
|
Tents / Sleeping bags | |
Reversible |
|
Outerwear / Jackets / Sportswear |
Standard Slider Gauges vs Material
It is always important to match sliders with the zippers they will be used on. Specifically, material of construction and zipper gauge. The following table identifies the standard gauges and materials that sliders are available in.
Slider Gauge | Polyester (suitable for nylon/spiral zippers) | Plastic Injection Molded (suitable for Chunky zippers) | Metal (suitable for metal zippers – Brass, Antique Brass, Nickel, Die Cast Zinc Alloy) | Concealable (suitable for Invisible zippers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
#3 | ||||
#4 | ||||
#5 | ||||
#7 | ||||
#8 | ||||
#10 |
Standard Slider Functionality vs Gauge
Suitable for Zip Gauge | Auto-Lock | Non-Lock | Pin-Lock |
---|---|---|---|
#3 | |||
#4 | |||
#5 | |||
#7 | |||
#8 | |||
#10 |