Waterproof Without a Film — “Traditional Waterproof Zippers Age and Fail. Is There a More Durable Solution?”

Outdoor gear promises protection, but zippers often let you down. Traditional waterproof zippers rely on fabric tapes with bonded films. These tapes add weight, break the design line, and—over time—inevitably fail. Enter NOTAPE™ Tapeless Zippers: tapeless without film, yet full water-repellent performance.

The Hidden Weakness of Conventional Zippers

Most outdoor enthusiasts don’t realize that the zipper is often the weakest link in waterproof gear.

Taped zippers: Short-term waterproofing, visible bulk, and environmental waste.

Chemical coatings or adhesives that age or crack have the ability to pollute our gear over time.

These problems happen with even the highest quality gear, and they can be frustrating for both the designer and the user.

NOTAPE™ SEAL has redesigned a solution. Instead of coatings, gear can be made water-repellent because of the construction of the gear. No glue, tape or film are needed, just structural engineered anti-leak.

What is Different and How NOTAPE™ is Unique

Each component of the NOTAPE™ zipper helps create a longer lasting product that is also more functional.

•Interlocking precision teeth: because the teeth are directly fused to the fabric, we are able to seal water from entering without the need of chemical coatings.

•No fabric tape = no absorption path: By opting out of use of tape, we have essentially removed the absorption path, and have made it so water has less of a source to leak from.

•No stitching = no needle holes: By removing seams, we have eliminated the most common entry points for water.

•A glue and film free design: The design is purely functional and uses only a physical structure. It helps to ensure longer lasting performance and is more sustainable.

Real Data and Tests

•Spray test: When you look at the competition, you see time and time again that NOTAPE™ zippers outperform taped zippers at maintaining water repellency.

•Certifications: NOTAPE™ is internationally recognized and certified to meet the EU, US, and CN standards for water-repellent, and lace walling, making it more reliable to designers. Also

Designed for Each Outdoor Application

•No matter the elements (rain, snow, wind), gear retains it’s lightweight, sleek, and fully operational design.

•More designing friendly: zippers integrate easily into garment lines, thus retaining overall aesthetic.

NOTAPE™ Takes a New Approach to Zipper Standards

The teeth integrated directly to fabric provide seamless closures without sewing lines and heavy tape layers. No other company has been able to combine efficiency with design as we have.

•Better Use of Resources: Materials are saved as there is less leftover material as we eliminate dying processes.

•Less production steps improves stitching defects and optimizes integration.

•Sustainability: Increased molding efficiency means no water and no dyes which have led to a 19% reduction to our carbon footprint and a 32% reduction to our energy usage.

Impressive results both outdoors and in the industry have awarded NOTAPE™ the ISPO 2025 Best Product for Zipper Innovation and the Red Dot: Best of the Best.

Where It Excels

•Wind and outerwear: Quiet, low-profile closures.

•Athleisure: Tape-free edges for skin contact.

•Water-repellent gear: Film-free physical barrier, no coating failure or peeling after repeated washing.

•Lightweight & high-end apparel: Seamless, flat profile, no bulk or fabric bulging.

•Sustainable fashion: Zero tape weaving and dyeing, minimal resource waste, fully eco-friendly.

•Intimate & premium wear: Smooth, irritation-free finish, next-to-skin comfort.

The Future of Waterproof Zippers

Zipper · Reinvented. NOTAPE™ uses the intelligently structured, glue-free design so the customer is sure that a zipper will always be water-repellent, durable, and sustainable while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic.

The days of bulky, aging closures are over. Seamless integration creates a closure that functions like fabric.

NOTAPE™: Water-repellent needs met without compromise.