MRS Packraft TiZip®Zipper Maintenance

Preventing TiZip Failure

The TiZip airtight zipper on your MRS packraft is a high-performance mechanical seal — not an ordinary zipper.

If the raft is packed away wet, trapped moisture triggers a chemical reaction called hydrolysis that permanently destroys the zipper’s airtight TPU coating. The good news: it is almost entirely preventable with a few minutes of care.

Keep the zipper clean and dry at all times

“Insufficient drying of the zipper tape and end pieces or improper zipper storage can lead to material degradation (delamination, leakage) caused by aging (moisture, temperature, microorganisms, etc.), known as hydrolytic degradation processes. Ensure that both sides (inside and outside) of the TiZip zipper are completely dry when storing. If the zipper is not completely dry after use, it should be stored fully opened to allow air circulation between the inside and outside of the finished product. Also, ensure that any trapped moisture between overlapping flaps and the zipper is dried as well. After complete drying, the zipper can be closed.”

— Official TiZip handling guide

See What Hydrolysis Does

A hydrolyzed zipper leaks air along its length and cannot be re-sealed. This is what failure looks like.

Leaking TiZip zipper showing hydrolysis damage, user photo 1
Leaking TiZip zipper showing hydrolysis damage, user photo 2

Leaking TiZip zipper and user-submitted photos of hydrolysis damage.

Early signs to watch for:

  • The zipper leaks air along its length.
  • It feels stiff or is hard to open and close.
  • The coating looks discolored, cloudy, or brittle.

How to Prevent Hydrolysis

The 3-minute habit: after every trip — BRUSH · DRY · AIR OUT, and LUBRICATE before storage.

After every trip:

  • BRUSH sand and grit off the zipper track with a soft brush — an old toothbrush works well. Grit lodged between the teeth wears the sealing lip, so for stuck-on dirt clean with mild soapy water and a fine brush. Never use solvents or aggressive cleaners; they damage the coating.
  • DRY completely. Wipe the zipper track and inside the hull with a microfiber towel. Never fold or store the raft wet.
  • AIR OUT the inside of the tubes — leave the zipper open until everything is fully dry, then close it for storage.
  • LUBRICATE the zipper with TiZip silicone grease when it feels stiff or dry, and always before long-term storage (steps below).

Storage:

  • STORE IT CLOSED. Store the zipper completely closed, dry, and clean — never pack it away damp or gritty.
  • KEEP IT COOL & DRY. Store the deflated raft loosely rolled in a cool, dry place, away from heat and humidity (which also accelerate TPU breakdown).
  • NO SHARP FOLDS. Avoid bending or creasing the zipper.

How to Lubricate the Zipper

Proper lubrication is essential for smooth operation and a reliable seal. A healthy zipper slides easily; if it feels stiff or sticky, it needs cleaning and fresh grease. Depending on the model, a lubricant package may be included with your packraft.

  • CLEAN FIRST. Thoroughly clean the zipper before applying any lubricant (see BRUSH above).
  • USE THE RIGHT GREASE. Use only original TiZip lubricant or a comparable product.
  • COAT CHAIN & DOCKING END. SuperSeal zippers need the TPU coating lubricated along the chain and at the docking end — front and back, plus the inside at the transition to the chain.
  • WIPE OFF any excess. Leftover grease stains the fabric and attracts dirt and sand.
  • CYCLE 5+ TIMES. Open and close the zipper fully at least five times to distribute the lubricant evenly; it should glide and dock easily.

Goal: a light, even film along the chain and at the docking end so the slider glides and seals cleanly.

Field-kit tip: keep a small clean rag (about 3×3 in), TiZip lubricant, and a small brush in your repair kit so you can clean and lube on multi-day trips.

Daily Use: Best Practice

Handle the zipper gently — failures that aren’t hydrolysis usually come from rough operation.

  • GLIDE, don’t yank. Move the slider smoothly and straight. Pulling at an angle strains the seal and hurts tightness.
  • Don’t force the sides apart. Never pry the two halves of a closed zipper apart by hand.
  • Don’t overstretch the docking end. Avoid pulling the docking end and end pieces out of shape.
  • Close it fully. Run the slider all the way into the docking end so it seats correctly — that is what guarantees the airtight seal.
  • Don’t fold or crease the zipper. Avoid folding, squeezing, or packing the raft with a hard bend across the zipper.

Why Isn’t This Covered Forever?

TiZip is a German-made wear component with a 1-year manufacturer warranty, and TiZip does not cover hydrolysis — because hydrolysis comes from storage conditions, not a manufacturing defect.

Like the tires on a car or the battery in a laptop, an airtight zipper is a serviceable part with a finite life. Cared for well, it lasts for years; packed away wet, it can fail in as little as two. Maintenance is what makes the difference.

If Your Zipper Has Already Failed

Because TiZips are bonded into the hull, they can’t be swapped at home — the raft has to come back to the MRS factory. We offer a full repair (replace the zipper, or remove it and patch the hull) for $300, with roughly a 2-month turnaround.

Think your zipper is failing? Contact us and we’ll assess it and recommend the best option.

Official manufacturer guidance: TiZip SuperSeal and TiZip handling & maintenance.