Innovative Tapeless Zipper Saves Tons of Fabric While Creating a Better Fit on Your Clothes

For a company that makes half the world’s zippers, new ideas have big impacts.

At Japan’s YKK, they’ve debuted a zipper sans fabric tape—the typically black-colored strip of material that separates the back of the zipper teeth from the garment.

Early adopters include Prada and North Face, and the reception is positive—with users testifying to flexibility, lighter weight, a more unifying design, and a better, more natural fit. The secret behind AiryString® is that zipper teeth are actually more bendy and twisty than the fabric tape they attach to, and that if you attach them directly to the garment, these properties are conferred to it.

But how can a zipper attach directly to fabric?

Don’t worry, all your questions can be answered in the pair of videos below. But for now, have a rea