Yeti Hopper coolers are amazing soft coolers by Yeti. The coolers have a waterproof zipper to stop it leaking.
However the Yeti Hopper Zipper is notorious for breaking, even when you’ve used the lubricant that Yeti supplies you.
If your zipper breaks will Yeti actually fix or replace it? Do you need to fix this problem yourself?
If you have a broken zipper on your cooler and it is under warranty Yeti will will replace the cooler completely with a brand new one. You will need to repair or replace your cooler if it is beyond the warranty period.
There have been many stories of owners of coolers from other brands where the zipper broke and they blamed the owner for not using it properly. They refused to replace the cooler.
It’s good to know that Yeti stands behind their products and replaces coolers where the zipper has broken.
Yeti Will Replace Coolers with Broken Zippers IF They Are Under Warranty
The above video is made from a very happy Yeti customer who got a original Yeti Hopper for their birthday. The zipper gave up after being used daily for approximately 2 years.
They contacted Yeti customer support and sent them some photos of the issue and within a few hours they received a called from a Yeti customer service rep and they organized a brand new cooler to be sent to the customer FREE OF CHARGE!
The cooler was replaced in a different color by the customer. They just had to send the old cooler back. This is some outstanding customer service.
This forum post also showed that Yeti replaced a very well used cooler with a broken zipper
Good news is I sent this picture to Yeti and they’re sending me a replacement, but I don’t want to throw this away. Do you know how to fix these zippers??
This Reddit post also shows that Yeti delivers on their promise of great products and great customer service.
After having a broken zipper a customer contacted Yeti and within a couple of hours they got the following response:
“Good afternoon,Thanks for reaching out to us here at YETI about this issue!I’m sorry to see that you’re having this issue with your Hopper and want you to know I’m here to help. Although your warranty request has been accepted, the Hopper 20 was retired recently. The Hopper M30 is the closest replacement. The new Hopper M30 is the same style and size as the Hopper 30, but we’ve replaced the zipper with a magnetic strip which holds the cold in and keeps the heat thegoneapp.com you’re interested in the M30 please let me know which color you’d prefer between Navy or thegoneapp.com you’re looking for something a little different this time around, we have some other great options for your replacement:YETI Tundra 45 (Tan, White or Navy) *This is a great option if you need some additional thegoneapp.com Hopper BackFlip 24 (Navy or Charcoal)YETI Hopper Flip 18 (Navy or Charcoal)Please reply directly to this email to let us know which replacement cooler you prefer and we’ll get your warranty exchange taken care of.Hope to hear back soon!”
I mean how amazing is that?
How To Get Your Yeti Zipper Fixed By Yeti
Getting your broken zipper replaced by Yeti is extremely easy. You simply need to get in contact with Yeti through their warranty page.
Simply fill out one of their forms and send them some photos of the issue and as long as your Yeti is under warranty customer service should organize a fix or replacement for you.
They will likely request that you send the old Yeti cooler back to them and then they will send you a brand new one free of charge.
Your Yeti customer service rep will advise you of exactly how to got about organizing a replacement.
What If You Can’t Get Your Yeti Fixed/Replaced Under Warranty?
If your Yeti Hopper cooler or other product is out of warranty when your zipper breaks or if you’ve lost the receipt or aren’t eligible for the warranty for some other reason is there anything you can do?
Unfortunately, Yeti does not offer a paid zipper fixing service. They cannot fix your products unless you send them the product.
This means that you will have to figure out a solution for yourself. People online has suggested the following 2 options as your likely best solution
- Go to a shoe repair shop and see if they can replace the zipper
- Go to a dive shop and see if they can replace with a waterproof zipper
I looks like getting it repaired is likely going to ruin it’s waterproof rating and your new zipper may leak. But this is better than having no zipper at all and will still mean you can use your Yeti cooler.
Many people also suggest that the cooler be left unzipped and can continue to be used without any zipper. Like this post on The Hull Truth:
Those zippers on soft side coolers have very little effect on R value regardless if zipped or unzipped. A zipped cover isn’t gonna hold ice any longer then an unzipped cover with the lid in place.
You’d be amazed at how long the coolers can hold ice even if they are permanently unzipped.
I kind of wish Yeti has a service where they repaired products. Some of the old Yeti coolers are still in great condition and are now considered “vintage” and valuable as a result. It would be wonderful to see them properly repaired and given new life.
But given Yeti manufactures all their products overseas it makes sense that they don’t offer this service.
Popular Yeti Products That Have Zippers
There are several products from Yeti that use zippers in some way or another. There are soft coolers with zippers that are popular in the Yeti lineup and even luggage bags from Yeti use zippers.
Yeti Soft-Sided Coolers
The soft-sided coolers from Yeti are very popular and extremely versatile. They’re a great addition to any toolbox of fun.
Soft-sided coolers are more likely to fail or need replacements. This is the most commonly reported Yeti Hopper problem.
The zipper Yeti uses is a HydroLock zipper and is watertight and leakproof. The zipper is quite difficult to use. Sometimes the zipper can be broken by the force needed to open and close it. The cooler will not function properly if it isn’t fixed.
Yeti It does come with a special lubricant for zippers. However, zippers can sometimes break even with this lubricant.
See the latest price of Yeti Hopper Soft Coolers at thegoneapp.com(or compare to prices of Yeti Hopper Soft Coolers at Amazon)
Yeti Tote Bags
These everyday commuter bags are waterproof totes. These bags have zippers in the pockets.
Yeti Panga Duffel Bags
These duffel bags from Yeti are some of the most durable there are. A A durable zipper is essential for a durable duffle bag. Yeti It also makes a great backpack.
Yeti Crossroads Packing Cubes
These handy packing cubes have everything you need within a zipper opening. These packing cubes are able to accommodate all types of travel, from trains and bush planes to trains.
Warranties On Yeti Products
For the most part, if the zipper malfunction happens when the cooler (or any other product from Yeti) is under the warranty, Yeti will fix or replace the zipper in your Yeti product for you. I
f your Yeti product is not still under warranty, Yeti will not fix the zipper for you. You’ll have to either pay for the repair or learn how to do it yourself.
Your Warranty Needs To Be Approved By Yeti
For Yeti to replace anything of yours still under a warranty, you need to submit a warranty claim. This claim needs to be approved by Yeti. To have your claim approved, you need to show a receipt, return it to a Yeti dealer, use the product as it was intended, and provide proof of the date of purchase.
FAQ:
Q: What is a Yeti zipper?
A: A Yeti zipper is used on Yeti soft coolers, such as the Hopper series. It is designed to be waterproof, leakproof, and durable.
Q: How does a Yeti zipper work?
A: A Yeti zipper creates a tight seal between the teeth and the slider. The zipper is made of HydroLok, which prevents water or air from entering or escaping the cooler.
Q: How can I maintain a Yeti zipper?
A: To maintain a Yeti zipper, clean it regularly with mild soap and water, lubricate it with the provided zipper lubricant, and store it in a dry place. You should also avoid overfilling the cooler or forcing the zipper.
Q: How can I fix a Yeti zipper?
A: If your Yeti zipper is broken or stuck, you can try to remove it from the cooler and replace it with a new one. You can also lubricate the tracks or use zip strips to smooth the zipper movement. If these methods do not work, contact Yeti customer service for assistance.
Customized Yeti
If your product was customized by Yeti, your customization will stay intact and Yeti will replace or fix what is required.