Zipped. Also, if the zipper pull breaks (which I haven't heard a lot about here) it is usually a free in-store repair. What I have heard more about here is the DE canvas cracking along the top stitches (rarely) and those who have had that issue come up always seem to be asked if they aren't zipping up their bags. I don't know if there is any real correlation to it. I sip my bag up because I'm always afraid I will knock my stuff out of it.