A sticky zipper on a jacket is no fun at all. When we can't unzip our jackets, we are forced into the undignified position of having to pull the jacket on and off over our heads. Fortunately, just because a zipper is stuck doesn't mean it's ruined for good. A pair of pliers and some household wax is all you really need to get that unstuck zipper zipping smoothly again.
How to fix a stuck zipper on a jacket
Before doing anything, check the back of the zipper first to see if a loose thread or bunched fabric is hanging things up. If this is so, then gently move the zipper pull discount north face denali tab up and down while trying to dislodge the fabric.
Once the zipper clears the fabric, unzip the jacket the rest of the way and then test to see if the fabric has a tendency to bunch in that area. If it does, then use a hot iron to press the fabric away from the zipper.
If the zipper is just plain sticky and doesn't want to move all that well, a simple fix is to apply a bit of paraffin to the teeth just above and below the slider. Work the zipper pull tab up and down until it glides effortlessly. No paraffin? The end of an unscented, white taper cheap north face outlet candle will also work.
How to fix a jammed, stuck zipper
If the zipper has made it almost to the end of the jacket, and then has jammed, it will take a pair of pliers and a little work to fix.
Step 1. Gently slide the zipper pull tab to the bottom of the jacket as far as it will go.
Step 2. Grab a hold of the two ends of the zipper itself, and gently wiggle the fabric back and forth. This sometimes helps to unstick the zipper so it can continue sliding.
Step 3. If the zipper won't slide, grab the zipper slider with your hand and pull down firmly in a straight motion. Remember that most jackets are designed so that the zipper "breaks away" on the right. If the zipper won't budge, trying wiggling the right side with one hand while tugging on the slider with the other.
Step 4. Once the zipper has unstuck, use the pliers to reshape the pin at the bottom of the zipper. Rub the pin and the teeth above with some paraffin, and try rezipping the jacket. A couple of up and down tugs should lubricate the zipper pull tab and keep that jacket zipper working much smoother.