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Zipper Security
Even though many zippers can be locked with a padlock or a zip tie, these security precautions and meant to only slow or deter a thief.
Locks can be picked, decoded, or even be cut.
Locked zippers can be separated where sliders meet with a little bit of effort. The closer the slider ends are from opposing sliders or the end of the zipper, the more difficult it is to gain access to the pack. That said, locking the outer ends of a zipper pull is less secure than locking the inner holes of zipper pulls, which is less secure than locked padlock designed sliders.
Zippers with only a single slider can be locked by adding a D-ring of fabric loop at the closed end of the zipper and locking the slider to this.
Lockable zipper sliders can be purchased from luggage repair specialty shops (such as Ohio Travel Bag), homemade or salvaged from luggage (try Goodwill or thrift shops).
Padlock Sliders with Single Locking Tab
Zipper separation with long shackled lock
Padlock sliders with single tabs tend to be more durable than those with multiple tabs, but can allow for enough separation of the zipper to be a problem. It only takes a small opening between the sliders to allow sticky fingers access to your pack. Lengthy shackles as well as narrow diameter ones make zipper separation easier.
Padlock Hasp Zipper Sliders
Padlock sliders with a hasp design tend to be pretty sturdy in design, but tend to jingle quite a bit when not locked. It is difficult to pad these zipper pulls and still allow for the hasp to function properly and may be better suited for packs that are to be locked when in transport. They may not be ideal for daypacks, unless they are always locked when worn or if the little jingle doesn't bother you.
Keyed Hasp Lockable Zipper Slider
Keyed Lockable Zipper Slider
Sliders with a built in locks can usually be easily picked with a paperclip and the keys may of course be easily lost. Ones with the lock built directly into the slider generally force a tooth into the zipper and prevents the zipper from being fed through the slider.
If you are not able to use or install a locking zipper slider, you can make a lockable zipper pull out of stainless cable (either coated in vinyl or small cord) and crimp it to your slider. If you make a long zipper pull, you can add an extra crimp in the middle of the pull to allow for a usable length pull and a tight lock. With a bit of work, metal cable can also be sew together to avoid need for a crimp.
Sewlock zipper end prevents separation of zipper once locked
Even with padlock designed sliders, nimble fingers can easily separate the zipper unless the sides of the zipper are firm and prevent flexing of the unzipped zipper between double sliders. Semi hard luggage with plastic reinforced sides are difficult to tamper in this manner, but access into soft backpacks can often be done by just pulling on the fabric adjacent to the zipper sliders. Firm plastic or metal may be sewn or riveted to the sides of zippers to help prevent zipper separation when sliders are locked. Locking the sliders to a D ring sewn to the end of the zipper makes it a little more difficult to separate the zippers than if the sliders were fix or floating in the middle of the zipper. Again, the tighter the sliders are locked together, the more difficult it is to separate the zipper.
Zippers, especially the coil type, can be separated with a little bending or/and picking in a manner of seconds and rezipped with locked but free-floating sliders. Locking your sliders to a fixed position (such as to a D ring at the end of the zipper) will not prevent someone from prying open a zipper, but will make if very difficult for them to cover their tracks and hopefully deter them from doing so. Plastic and metal tooth zippers are more difficult to pry open than coil zippers, but a sharp blade can usually still open up a bag without much resistance.
More information on security can be found on our Backpack Security page.
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