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How to Take Care of Your Packraft TIZIP
One of the biggest advantages of a packraft with a TIZIP is the ability to store your gear inside the tubes. It keeps your load low and balanced, frees up deck space, and makes carrying everything you need on multi-day adventures much easier. It's one of those features that completely changes how you pack and paddle.
At the same time, the TIZIP is also the most delicate component on your packraft. The good news is that most zipper issues can be avoided with a few simple maintenance habits.
Navigate To:
- Why TIZIP Maintenance Matters
- Keep Your TIZIP Properly Lubricated
- How to Clean Your TIZIP on the Water
- Why Keeping the Zipper Dry Matters
- Proper Storage for a Longer Lasting TIZIP
- When It's Time to Replace Your TIZIP
Why TIZIP Maintenance Matters
A TIZIP is an incredibly durable waterproof zipper, but like any moving part, it needs a little attention. Most problems don't happen because the zipper is poorly built. They happen because dirt, sand, or a lack of lubrication gradually wear it down over time.
There are three simple things to remember when caring for your zipper:
1. Keep it lubricated.
2 Keep it clean.
3. Keep the inside of the zipper dry.
Following those three steps will dramatically extend the life of your zipper and help prevent problems while you're out on the water.
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Keep Your TIZIP Properly Lubricated
One of the easiest ways to tell if your zipper needs attention is simply by how it feels.
A healthy TIZIP should move smoothly without excessive resistance. If you find yourself pulling harder than usual or the slider feels stiff along the entire length, it's time to lubricate it.
How often you'll need to do this depends on where you're paddling. In hot, dry climates, you may find yourself applying lubricant every day or every other day. Here in Canada, where humidity is generally higher, many paddlers only need to lubricate every four to seven days. Rather than following a strict schedule, pay attention to how the zipper feels.
Alpacka Raft recommends using TIZIP Liquid Silicone Lubricant , which is also commonly used on drysuit zippers. While stick-style lubricants can work in a pinch, the liquid version tends to last longer and provides smoother operation over time.
When applying lubricant, less is definitely more.
Start by putting a small amount of lubricant on a clean cloth. Dab it along the outside rubber surface of the closed zipper, then work it in evenly with the cloth. Be sure to coat not only the top surface but also the sides anywhere the slider contacts the rubber.
Once the lubricant is spread evenly, move the zipper back and forth several times. This naturally pulls just enough lubricant into the zipper without overdoing it.
Avoid applying lubricant directly onto the metal teeth. Excess lubricant inside the teeth can attract dirt, sand, and grit, which creates more wear instead of preventing it. This is the main reason we start applying lubriant while the TIZIP is closed.
When you're finished, wipe away any excess with a dry section of the cloth. A clean zipper stays cleaner longer.
How to Clean Your TIZIP on the Water
One of the most common mistakes happens at camp after a great day of paddling. You pull your boat onto shore, sand and dirt wash across the zipper, and then you immediately open it without thinking twice.
Unfortunately, that's often when debris gets forced directly into the zipper teeth.
Instead, keep a small bandana or cloth in your bow bag or repair kit. Before opening the zipper, give it a quick wipe. It doesn't have to be spotless. You just want to remove the loose grit before running the slider across it.
Sometimes dirt finds its way into the zipper from the inside as well. Dry bags that have been sitting on sandy beaches can brush against the zipper teeth while you're loading your gear.
If you ever notice a small section of zipper that doesn't fully seal, or your boat slowly loses air from one spot along the zipper, debris in the teeth is often the culprit. Thankfully, the fix is usually straightforward.
Open the zipper and gently clean the affected area with a soft brush. One option is carrying an old electric toothbrush head in your repair kit because it's compact and works perfectly for cleaning between the teeth. Brush across the zipper rather than along its length to help remove trapped sand or grit.
After cleaning, apply a small amount of lubricant to the outside of the zipper and close it again. In many cases, the teeth will seat properly once the debris is gone.
Why Keeping the Zipper Dry Matters
This is one step that's easy to overlook, especially after a long trip.
Even though your TIZIP is designed for wet environments, moisture trapped inside the zipper during storage can eventually cause problems.
On multi-day trips it's common for a little water to get inside the hull. Rain, damp gear, and humidity can all leave moisture around the zipper folds. If that moisture stays trapped inside while the boat sits in a warm garage or the back of a vehicle, it can slowly damage the zipper's internal coatings.
Over time, this may lead to air leaking through the zipper itself.
You don't need to dry the zipper after every single paddle, but after longer trips or several outings, it's worth opening the zipper completely and allowing the inside to air dry. Leaving the boat open overnight in a dry garage or basement can go a long way toward preventing long-term damage.
Proper Storage for a Longer Lasting TIZIP
Once everything is dry, close the zipper completely before putting your packraft away.
This is an easy step to skip, but it's an important one.
The thick rubber material around the zipper has a bit of memory. If it's stored partially open for even an few days, the separated section can become more difficult to reseal later.
Even during multi-day river trips, Alpacka recommends opening the zipper only long enough to load or unload your gear before closing it again.
When storing your boat for the winter, always make sure the zipper is fully closed before rolling it up.
When It's Time to Replace Your TIZIP
Even with excellent care, every TIZIP eventually reaches the end of its service life.
The rest of a quality Alpacka Raft is remarkably durable. It's common to see boats that are 15 to 20 years old still paddling strong thanks to their rugged fabrics and construction.
The zipper simply wears faster because it's the primary moving component on the boat.
Most paddlers can expect around six to eight years from a TIZIP before replacement becomes necessary, depending on how often it's used and how well it's maintained.
Think of it like replacing the tires on your bike or the brake pads on your vehicle. It's a normal part of ownership, not a sign that the boat has reached the end of its life.
Planning ahead helps. If you notice your zipper beginning to wear, consider scheduling a replacement during the off-season. That way your packraft will be ready to hit the water when spring arrives.
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