Outdoor gear is meant to be put through the wringer. When it seems like it’s on its last legs, there’s always a way to squeeze a little more life out of your favorite puffy jacket, tent, or backpack.

DETROW: ...So frustrating. For an item that we do not spend much time thinking about, fixing a broken zipper can be complicated and expensive, sometimes costing more ...

Michelle Elise is known in repair cafe circles as the "Zipper Queen." She finds that most broken zippers just need some TLC, not replacing.