Patagonia jacket repair questions

I send my Patagonia puffy jacket in for repair, and they send it back said it is not repairable. Anyone has any idea if this is actually not repairable? 

The whole zipper has to be replaced but it is doable. Look for someone that does mending local to you.

Yup, that zipper needs replacing. If the other side doesn’t have any damaged teeth you can get away with a 1/2 replacement and just do the side missing teeth. If your account location is still in Wisconsin, Repair Lair in Minneapolis is relatively close and does a great job. 

As noted it is repairable, but Patagonia said it was not because the cost of repair is more than the jacket is worth. That is, the jacket is totaled. 

The biggest issue with taking the zipper out is dealing with the fill material (depending on the fill). Lot easier to put it in.

Weird, I’ve had some really beat to shit puffys given a new zipper by Patagonia and they have never batted an eye. 

Is this a down or synthetic? Usually replacing a zipper with down is a lot trickier due to the loose filling. Synthetics are easier. 

They wouldn't replace the zipper on a base layer onesie for me, so it's not the difficulty of repairing a down garment. I know some people have had a different experience with Patagonia but I think a lot of their talk about reusing/repairing/the planet is just that - talk. 

I appreciate that they use their position to take a stand on important issues regardless, but they don't always put principle over money if there's no advertising value (eg giving up their tax refund probably paid for itself pretty quick when people ate up the news stories and bought more Patagucci). 

The best way to repair damage like this on a down fill jacket is trim off the teeth and sew a new zip to the old tape, it's not the "correct" way and it won't look pretty but it'll be a lot easier and cheaper than working around the baffles. 

that guy named seb wrote:

The best way to repair damage like this on a down fill jacket is trim off the teeth and sew a new zip to the old tape, it's not the "correct" way and it won't look pretty but it'll be a lot easier and cheaper than working around the baffles. 

You beat me to it. And anyone who can operate a sewing machine can manage it.

jdejace wrote:

They wouldn't replace the zipper on a base layer onesie for me, so it's not the difficulty of repairing a down garment. I know some people have had a different experience with Patagonia but I think a lot of their talk about reusing/repairing/the planet is just that - talk. 

I appreciate that they use their position to take a stand on important issues regardless, but they don't always put principle over money if there's no advertising value (eg giving up their tax refund probably paid for itself pretty quick when people ate up the news stories and bought more Patagucci). 

As someone who used to work at one of their stores, I can personally attest to them accepting and repairing or replacing the vast majority of garments brought in, basically no questions asked. 

Take it in to a retail location and tell them you want a new one

I have found the sales people in the store to be

more accepting of returns 

They should replace or give you a credit if it’s not repairable. 

jdejace wrote:

They wouldn't replace the zipper on a base layer onesie for me, so it's not the difficulty of repairing a down garment. I know some people have had a different experience with Patagonia but I think a lot of their talk about reusing/repairing/the planet is just that - talk. 

I appreciate that they use their position to take a stand on important issues regardless, but they don't always put principle over money if there's no advertising value (eg giving up their tax refund probably paid for itself pretty quick when people ate up the news stories and bought more Patagucci). 

I have no connection with Patagonia...

But I know a lot of people who work for them...

They all care a lot about the environment and that is a credit to the owner...Yvon

The quality of there products speaks for itself

I have 30 year old Patagonia clothes I still use

I’m curious ( not trying to insult ) if you stopped buying there products!?

that guy named seb wrote:

The best way to repair damage like this on a down fill jacket is trim off the teeth and sew a new zip to the old tape, it's not the "correct" way and it won't look pretty but it'll be a lot easier and cheaper than working around the baffles. 

Because the broken teeth are on the side without the wind flap, you could even top stitch the new zipper on the inside of the jacket. One thing to note is that for a few years Patagonia used a #4 YKK Vislon zipper on their down jackets, which is a really hard size to find now. YKK might not even produce it anymore. If that's the case, you'd need to replace both sides of the zipper with a different sized zipper. If you look at the back side of the slider, it'll have a size and type code on it, something like "YKK 5VS u" or "YKK 3VS". Match the size and type to the new zipper you put on.

A top-stitched zipper on the outside comes out looking something like this.

Go to a retail store and they'll just hand you a new down puffy. I know that doesn't have the same feel-good eco-consciousness, but it's a working jacket. 

First, I want to thanks everyone for replying to this thread, and you guys gave me many helpful tips.
I personally love Patagonia's products and what they did for the environment, I don't mind to pay a little more to repair the jacket, but I also don't want to spend $200(maybe a little cheaper if they accept my old jacket for some trade-in value) every few years to buy a new jacket, so I will look for other routes to repair my jacket, Also, big thanks to those who offer some service to repair my jacket.

Part of the reason I posted this thread is to share my experience with Patagonia's repair(I know some people may have a totally different experience compared to mine). I want to share my experience to help other people when they purchasing Patagonia products.

Once again, thanks everyone for replying

Emilio Sosa wrote:

As someone who used to work at one of their stores, I can personally attest to them accepting and repairing or replacing the vast majority of garments brought in, basically no questions asked. 

1) replacing rather than repairing isn't that special, just another big company with a warehouse full of Chinese shit produced for pennies that are easy to trade for customer satisfaction. Nothing to feel that great about. 

2) They don't make the thermal onesie anymore. Just like many of the Patagonia things I have. Store credit won't do me any good either. 

Like I said above, I appreciate that Patagonia uses its influence to highlight important issues, even if I'm personally skeptical of their commitment. 

I'll still buy their gear if I think it's good, but based on my experience I don't hold Patagonia in much higher esteem than any other major brand. Whether I buy their stuff or The North Face/Mountain Hardwear etc..it seems I have to find a good tailor for technical clothing. Previously I would have  cheerfully paid more for a Patagonia product.

^^^^^ this I agree with

Take the jacket in to a Patagonia store(maybe easier said than done)

Tell them the truth

My bet says you walk out with a new jacket no cost

I tried to take there shoes back ... no deal...because they don’t make them anymore...

A jacket should be no problem