Rework, Greenroom136, Fjallraven, Alpha One Niner, Able Carry are few that I know that don't have coated zippers/ Aquaguard zippers, or at least only partially has them.
My Niid Fino V and Radiant Mega do not have coated zippers. I am really tempted by their new Nomad Neo Sling.
My beloved Bellroy Ventrue has coated zippers, I hope they last. I am in 1 year and holding well. I have also used Tomtoc which has also coated zippers. But it is heavily used so it is starting to show wear.
Might have lines that use PU coated zips, but mostly don't:
Tom Bihn (except a couple)
Greenroom 136
Rework
Fjallraven
Jansport
Wontancraft
Evergoods
Matador
Alpha One Niner
Pioneer
Topo
ULA
Baboon To The Moon
Day Owl
Minaal
DSPTCH
Rickshaw Bagworks
Azo
Some bags in line up don't:
* Able Carry
* TomToc
* Aer
* Boundary
* Go Ruck
* Moment
* Arktype
* Mystery Ranch
Bellroy, Aer, Alpaka, Peak Design are some of the last big lines to move away.
Able Carry remains to be seen as they are not consistent e.g. the Daily line still has coated zips, but the Daily Naughtiam version does not. I suspect they may remove the coated zips on a revised version.
There are brands that don’t; rework, tom bihn, inateck, tomtoc, I think jansport, too.
What size and function?
It’s really on a case by case basis. For example, the ULA Dragonfly in Robic fabric does not but the Ultra version does.
Topo designs
Pioneer has amazing zippers. Able carry max edc, even in xpac, does not minus laptop compartment. I’m sure there are many others.
I agree with you, that I think too many brands are using and hurts longevity of backpack potentially.
Frank clegg Hampton
Rework, Greenroom136, Fjallraven, Alpha One Niner, Able Carry are few that I know that don't have coated zippers/ Aquaguard zippers, or at least only partially has them.
My Niid Fino V and Radiant Mega do not have coated zippers. I am really tempted by their new Nomad Neo Sling.
My beloved Bellroy Ventrue has coated zippers, I hope they last. I am in 1 year and holding well. I have also used Tomtoc which has also coated zippers. But it is heavily used so it is starting to show wear.
Able Carry Max EDC
Evergoods Civic Travel Bag 26L (also Civic Access Sling 2L)
Osprey
I just got the able carry core sling in. Its amazing. No coated zips.
Its really good.
Might have lines that use PU coated zips, but mostly don't:
Some bags in line up don't: * Able Carry * TomToc * Aer * Boundary * Go Ruck * Moment * Arktype * Mystery Ranch
Bellroy, Aer, Alpaka, Peak Design are some of the last big lines to move away.
Able Carry remains to be seen as they are not consistent e.g. the Daily line still has coated zips, but the Daily Naughtiam version does not. I suspect they may remove the coated zips on a revised version.
Tom Bihn wrote an interesting blog in 2021 explaining about their decision to move away from coated zips https://www.tombihn.com/blogs/main/zipper-updates.