How do you like to attach the cord on your zipper pulls?

[Trailhiker]

Thanks Darcy. That makes more sense. I might be the only one, but the explanation you just gave to me is much more clear than what was written on the site.

Ditto here!
I feel better now.
(Especially after snipping all the metal pulls on my Guides pack and pockets and replacing them with pull cords.)
Even the slightest whimper of a zipper clang bugs me while hiking.

[Pocketz]

To clarify: the warrantee is voided on the pulls, so, in other words, if you remove the pulls yourself and then decide that was a bad idea, we won't replace the pulls under the lifetime guarantee. The rest of the zipper is still covered, unless it was somehow damaged in the pull removal process.

You'll see more and more of our bags bags as time goes on with metal pulls standard, optional cord pulls included. Why? In our experience talking with people, not everyone prefers cord pulls, and we figure it's better to give people more choices (stick with the metal pulls; loop the included cord through the metal pulls; remove the metal pulls and replace with the cord).

Thanks Darcy. That makes more sense. I might be the only one, but the explanation you just gave to me is much more clear than what was written on the site.

[Darcy]

Why? I didn't like what I read about the impact on the warranty of Tom's bags if you remove the pulls. Zippers and seams are the two biggest failure points on any pack. If doing that mod is going to void the warranty on the zippers then I wouldn't recommend it.

To clarify: the warrantee is voided on the pulls, so, in other words, if you remove the pulls yourself and then decide that was a bad idea, we won't replace the pulls under the lifetime guarantee. The rest of the zipper is still covered, unless it was somehow damaged in the pull removal process.

You'll see more and more of our bags bags as time goes on with metal pulls standard, optional cord pulls included. Why? In our experience talking with people, not everyone prefers cord pulls, and we figure it's better to give people more choices (stick with the metal pulls; loop the included cord through the metal pulls; remove the metal pulls and replace with the cord).

[Pocketz]

Those pulls work very nicely, I have the GR2 and I'm considering doing so on my Guides Pack.
(Hmmm, I may have to split that project up in segments between the Guides Pack and three Lead's Pockets that's a lotta zippers!)

Very nice tutorial by the way.

You're welcome. I just did the zipper pulls on the Guide's Pack I'm testing. I opted to keep the metal pulls and thread paracord through them instead. Why? I didn't like what I read about the impact on the warranty of Tom's bags if you remove the pulls. Zippers and seams are the two biggest failure points on any pack. If doing that mod is going to void the warranty on the zippers then I wouldn't recommend it.

Also, if that's the case, then Tom shouldn't include the meta pulls in the first place. Many manufacturers, especially Milspec bag companies like GoRuck, don't.

[Eric_in_BC]

Yes, thanks for the tutorial Pocketz. I may try that out this weekend on a older test bag before I commit to altering my Smart Alec.

[Trailhiker]

That was done by yours truly. If anyone has any questions then I'll be happy to help.

Those pulls work very nicely, I have the GR2 and I'm considering doing so on my Guides Pack.
(Hmmm, I may have to split that project up in segments between the Guides Pack and three Lead's Pockets that's a lotta zippers!)

Very nice tutorial by the way.

[Pocketz]

How about this: using paracord and heat shrink tubing similar to the zipper pulls used over at Goruck?

Just Googled it and found this how to video...

Do It Yourself: GoRuck Style Paracord Zipper PullsLoaded Pocketz

That was done by yours truly. If anyone has any questions then I'll be happy to help.

[Eric_in_BC]

How about this: using paracord and heat shrink tubing similar to the zipper pulls used over at Goruck?

Just Googled it and found this how to video...

Do It Yourself: GoRuck Style Paracord Zipper PullsLoaded Pocketz

[jmoz]

I got excited to add the pulls to my Tri-Star, but the existing metal pulls are larger than any shown in the pictures above. Has anyone else done anything other than cut the metal pull off or add the cord and plastic pull only to the end of the pull?

Also, the Tri-Star page says there are instructions on the Cord Zipper Pull page, but I can't find it. Help!

I just put mine through the loops on the end of the pull and it seems to work just fine. I don't notice the zippers being especially loud. If you wanted to do a fancier pattern (like the ones above), you could buy paracord (many colors available) and cut it down a bit longer than the pieces that come from TB.

[tCook]

I got excited to add the pulls to my Tri-Star, but the existing metal pulls are larger than any shown in the pictures above. Has anyone else done anything other than cut the metal pull off or add the cord and plastic pull only to the end of the pull?

Also, the Tri-Star page says there are instructions on the Cord Zipper Pull page, but I can't find it. Help!

[dchang0]

Awesome photos! I use #2 with the heavier milspec 550 paracord, which at 4mm diamter is so thick that it's hard to fit the double-ends through the top hole in the metal pull and even harder to fit into the TB plastic heads. But the pulls are absolutely quiet afterward, and they're nice and soft and easy to grab on to.

I do not use the thinner synthetic braided rope that comes with the TB soft zipper pull kit. For one, I had the heads pull right off, and that just doesn't happen with the paracord. But two, the thinner rope still results in noisy pulls.

[jujigatame]

That's one I hadn't considered, going through the slide and both holes on the metal pull. I'm sure it is effective at minimizing any nose. I'll have to give it a try.

[autolycus]

This is how I like to do mine. Doesn't look the best but is ultra quiet.
[ATTACH]3878[/ATTACH]

That's how I do mine too, except I have them upside down compared to you. I have it so the tab sits toward the bag when the metal pulls are sitting opposite each other. I thought it would keep things a little flatter most of the time.

All these photos have made me want to switch the black chords for something more colorful!

[Miking]

This is how I like to do mine. Doesn't look the best but is ultra quiet.

[drobinson]

I use your #4 example. Keeps things a little quieter.