Zipper Won 39;t Unzip

[Juliane Bari]

Can you help me rescue my 2009 Houdini. Apparently I didn't push the zipper pin (on the right) far enough into the zipper box (attached to the left, the part marked YKK), and zipped up. Appears to be one or two teeth/coils "off" where it should be. Noticed the zipper coming undone from the bottom. Tried to unzip but could not. I had to use the Houdini as a pull-over for the rest of the trip.

You might have to lightly yank on the zipper head or apply steadily increasing pressure on one side of the zipper track or the other while tugging on the zipper head. It'll probably work easiest if you hold the stopper side of the zipper track while tugging the zipper head towards the stopper.

Roger: I swear I didn't use force. I'm gentle with gear. But obviously, I did something wrong. So Roger, are you thinking I should take a needle to a few of the teeth (coils) and try to push them where they should be?

It's important to note that the Houdini, like many other zippered widgets, has a very small locking zipper head. It unlocks when the pull tab is pulled straight outwards (perpendicular to the track) and prevents the jacket from unzipping itself while in use. You will not be able to easily move the zipper head without pulling on the pull tab.

Held the box side (or was it the pin side? can't remember! I think box side) stationary with one hand and pulled the pull tab beyond my comfort zone. After a bit of drama, the pull tab made it all the way down to the bottom of the pin and the zipper released. Amazingly, even under a magnifying glass it appears no damage, just as you said. Zips as it always did.

I get a similar error with a zip file containing a very large file (5.5GB uncompressed). The error comes when I double-click on the file in the finder. That launches the MacOS Archive Utility, which is what gives the error. In my case it happens after it does the decompression, which takes quite a while.

just change the extension of the file to .RAR and expand it. It should uncompress the file without any problem.This error usually happens when a compression operation of a large folder is interrupted.

I had the same issue with a password protected .zip which may have something to do with it. I was able to open it with Keka but you can probably use any decent file archive tool / unzipper on the app store.

works but where do the files go?They are in users/your_user_name/Unless you cd first to another directory.To get the path to file.zip just drag it into the terminal window.Stuffit Expander also worked for me.

I got this problem, when I was sent .zip from another macos computer. For some reason Macos includes hidden _MACOSX folder with duplicated hidden meta files. When I cleared this folder from archive with help of Winrar, it unarchived normally.

The issue for me was that I had zipped the files at a relative location with double dots i.e. I'd run zip -r zipfile_name.zip ../relative/path/to/folder. Recreating the zip but using an absolute path solved my problem e.g. zip -r zipfile_name.zip /absolute/path/to/the/same/folder.

Don't pack your most valuable things in the external pockets. Honestly, though, I think with a bit of awareness you won't have any problems. It's nice that RS and posters here warn people of potential problems, but its easy to blow things way out of proportion. My guess is that someone as concerned as you is already aware enough and is very unlikely to be a target.

Or you can use twist ties or cable ties. Don't keep anything valuable in the outermost pockets, try to keep your distance from people as much as possible, and turn the bag around and wear it in front on crowded transportation, etc.

The best method would be to lock the zippers using a small travel lock. You could use one of the TSA-approved Padlocks or a small Cable Lock such as the ones sold in the Travel Store (click the tab at the top of the page).

What type of Pack are you using? Are there locking holes in the zippers. If the zippers are not provided with some method for locking, there are usually fabric "pulls" attached. You can lock these together, which offers a minimal degree of security.

We took off our backpacks while traveling on trains/subways and kept them between our legs. We only packed our clothes and non-essential items in the outermost pockets and never felt threatened since all important documents were safe in our money belts.

I just take an old shoe lace, cut it into 4-6" strips, pass them through the eyelet, and tie both ends in a single not. Do this to both zippers, then just pull one through the other, and wa-la. Never had a zipper opened with them.

Realistically though the bag's on you back, what you need to guard against are crimes of opportunity - someone slipping a hand in an open pocket before you notice. If someone's waving a knife at the bag while your wearing it then, TBH, I think you've got bigger worries than minor theft.

If the bag's left somewhere unattended then there is really no way to secure the zips because it's as easy to cut the bag as remove any locks (or just take the whole bag.) I know some people like the armoured bags that seem popular in the states which might stop someone cutting in but not taking the whole bag.

When I do the strings, I usually make them so that by the time you pull one knot through the other, and there is at least 1/2" of string to cut through. There's nary room enough to get anything in there, and pretty impossible to slice through what's in effect 4 knots on top of each other. Worked so far.

If you're not checking the backpack, no need for TSA locks as they are big and bulky. (If you think you might have to check it then get some.) Besides luggage stores, I've seen them at Wal mart, Target, and even most large hardware stores.

When I'm out and about, I sometimes use small screw-type carabiners. I like the small ones sold as key chains at REI. While it won't stop a thief if the bag is unattended, it will probably make a thief move along to an easier bag to get into while you have it on.

In addition to the above, another cheap option is regular old safety pins. It can be just enough to detour the opportunistic thief. But the best thing is to not carry anything too valuable that can't be replaced.

I met one wise traveler who carried a large DSLR. She would take the SD card out at night or when she had to leave the camera in her bag unattended. So if a thief got the camera they didn't get the card.

Some use twist ties - but lock or ring is easier. Also - just the fact that you have the zippers together all the way down to a corner makers it better than nothing. Many packs now have little covers to stick the ends in.

I have been following this thread for several days but something is missing here. Where are the examples of stuff actually being stolen from backpacks while someone is walking around? How many people go sightseeing or otherwise go into busy areas wearing a backpack? I am sure there are some, but probably not very many. Is this really a problem or just something else to worry about? I don't know if my practice is the norm, but I only actually wear a backpack from the airport or train station to the hotel and back. I use tie bands to hold zippers together, but that is to prevent them coming apart accidentally.

So, it does happen, even if not all that often outside of the usual high-risk places. Safety pins sound like a good idea, especially two facing in opposite directions. (Can we get those past security on carryon items?) But the best defense is still to remain vigilant, unlike the folks in that video.

The other important think to notice in Michael's video is the number of people developing an acute case of haul-butt when the cops show up. While all are not probably in the same gang, it gives an idea of the number of people that may be working together.

I'm thinking about getting one of the PacSafe MetroSafe bags to use as a day bag. I don't want it to be too big, so I'm looking at the 100, but I also need to bring my camera along. Would the 100 fit a DSLR with a standard zoom lens, or would I need the 200 for that?

Plastic cable ties.
I use them instead of padlocks on my checked bag too.
I've only had one removed once in years of travel.
You just have to make sure you have access to a knife or scissors to get them off!

BTW, I have had an item - cheapo mini umbrella - stolen from a pack while wearing it, but the umbrella was lashed to the back with bungee cord. Bumped from behind in an airport line and whoosh, gone. Zippers weren't the problem, though!

This is weird. I've noticed before that backpacks typically have one string on each zipper set, but I've never actually been able to tie them together without using another string or clip of some kind. But then the single string already on the packs is useless, and why not have two anyway? The consistency of the nonsense intrigued me. Finally last Friday at 4:20 I sat down to figure this out. I quickly got it. The knotted end of the string will not fit through the hole in the zipper tab on either of my backpacks, so that must be intentional; the knot is the block. So, only the other end of the string will fit through. Push that through -- fold the string and push it through the hole on the other zipper tab, and then push the knot through that loop. It is a tight fit, and it does not simply pull out. Why do we all not already know about this? Now that I see how well it works, it is obvious this is how it was designed. Weird. PS/Edit: I know this thread is old. This is still showing near the top of a google search for related terms. The issue addressed still stands, and this thread remains open for discussion. I'm doing my part to tie up loose threads, literally :-)

I am kind of embarassed (but at the same time proud) to say that after many trips carrying a backpack (as short as 2 weeks and as long as 2 years)I have Never locked my bag. I always use one of the outer pockets for my DSB (dirty sock bag)and have always secretly hoped someone would break in. Nope.

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