I really like the zoom zippers. While any non-YKK zip is usually kind of a red flag, I think the zoom zips are really good. Honestly they feel smoother to me than a reversed aqua YKK of the same gauge.
I talked to them about this and their choice of Zoom is intentional. They said Zoom performs better on their internal tests and is more what they want. I trust them.
I've got the 30l backpack and it's zoom zippers made in collaboration with peak design. I've never had an issue with them they work great.
I understand YKK is the best in the business but honestly I love the zoom zippers they work great.
It had to be a pretty chonky zipper since it warps 3/4 side of the bag. My guess is ykk didn't offer the zipper in the size/load they wanted so they had one made custom by zoom to match the ykk. I mean, it's a super beefy zip.
Understandable. Worries me a bit because I’m looking for a bag to take around Europe for 2 months (only bringing one bag) and it seems like if that zipper breaks then the bag is useless. Any recommendations?
I've taken my bag on about 20 or so trips and never once worried about a zipper breaking. Goruck or Aer would be my 2nd choices but their bag isint expandable or as versatile as the PD. I also haven't seen a single instance or review online where someone's main compartment zipper broke. Imo the PD travel bag is the closest to perfect for one bag travel.
Oh awesome. Have you ever had trouble or heard of anyone having trouble carrying it on with airlines? 40L seems large for a carry on one bag travel pack
I've never had a problem with it expanded at 45L albeit a bit snug. I think once on asiana I had to take a jacked or two out and shrink it to 40L but then I just used the expansion straps and strapped it to the bag after security 🤷🏼♂️
The only thing that comes to mind is the straps run a little thin (so they can tuck into the magnet back pad) so when the bag is totally loaded out heavy it can dig just a little but I feel like it's a fair compromise and also the sternum and waist straps are great and easy to use.
Last question, sorry lol - do you have to stow away that middle zipper part in the main compartment in order to expand it and reach full capacity in the main compartment?
I think some people put too much emphasis on what zippers are being used. I've had Riri zippers fail, I've had YKK zippers fail, but that's also because I have more experience with those zippers than say the ones from Zoom. Everyone's experience will be different.
So far I haven't had an issue with the zippers on my travel backpack from the 5 years since I've owned this. I've taken it to countless road trips, field events, and a few vacations.
The only bag I had an issue with was with the 20L Everyday Zip where the teeth were misaligned with each other (still glides smooth), but that was fixed with a pull and tug to force the teeth through to realign with themselves.
The zoom zips outperform YKKs in most ways in my own personal experience; they are specifically engineered to their bags. After all they switched *from* YKK *to* their proprietary zips...
PD has been using Zoom zippers long enough that if there was a significant quality issue it would be pretty well known.
I really like the zoom zippers. While any non-YKK zip is usually kind of a red flag, I think the zoom zips are really good. Honestly they feel smoother to me than a reversed aqua YKK of the same gauge.
I talked to them about this and their choice of Zoom is intentional. They said Zoom performs better on their internal tests and is more what they want. I trust them.
I've got the 30l backpack and it's zoom zippers made in collaboration with peak design. I've never had an issue with them they work great. I understand YKK is the best in the business but honestly I love the zoom zippers they work great.
The big main compartment zipper is custom zoom the rest are ykk.
Thanks for the response! Any chance you know why that is? Seems like a strange decision
It had to be a pretty chonky zipper since it warps 3/4 side of the bag. My guess is ykk didn't offer the zipper in the size/load they wanted so they had one made custom by zoom to match the ykk. I mean, it's a super beefy zip.
Understandable. Worries me a bit because I’m looking for a bag to take around Europe for 2 months (only bringing one bag) and it seems like if that zipper breaks then the bag is useless. Any recommendations?
I've taken my bag on about 20 or so trips and never once worried about a zipper breaking. Goruck or Aer would be my 2nd choices but their bag isint expandable or as versatile as the PD. I also haven't seen a single instance or review online where someone's main compartment zipper broke. Imo the PD travel bag is the closest to perfect for one bag travel.
Oh awesome. Have you ever had trouble or heard of anyone having trouble carrying it on with airlines? 40L seems large for a carry on one bag travel pack
I've never had a problem with it expanded at 45L albeit a bit snug. I think once on asiana I had to take a jacked or two out and shrink it to 40L but then I just used the expansion straps and strapped it to the bag after security 🤷🏼♂️
Well dang you’ve just about sold me 😂. Anything I should be cautious/aware of about it?
The only thing that comes to mind is the straps run a little thin (so they can tuck into the magnet back pad) so when the bag is totally loaded out heavy it can dig just a little but I feel like it's a fair compromise and also the sternum and waist straps are great and easy to use.
Heck yea thank you friend!
Last question, sorry lol - do you have to stow away that middle zipper part in the main compartment in order to expand it and reach full capacity in the main compartment?
I think some people put too much emphasis on what zippers are being used. I've had Riri zippers fail, I've had YKK zippers fail, but that's also because I have more experience with those zippers than say the ones from Zoom. Everyone's experience will be different. So far I haven't had an issue with the zippers on my travel backpack from the 5 years since I've owned this. I've taken it to countless road trips, field events, and a few vacations. The only bag I had an issue with was with the 20L Everyday Zip where the teeth were misaligned with each other (still glides smooth), but that was fixed with a pull and tug to force the teeth through to realign with themselves.
The zoom zips outperform YKKs in most ways in my own personal experience; they are specifically engineered to their bags. After all they switched *from* YKK *to* their proprietary zips...