Leaky waders

[RobertN]

Dang! Put my waders and boots on last night, and stepped in to the neighbors pool. Wanted to check them since have not been duck hunting since last year. They leaked, right in the worst spot!

Grabbed my sons waders and tried them. They have the built in boots(mine are the type wher you wear boots over the top). His leaked on the left boot, right at the seam...

Gotta get some seam sealer today. But I don't think it will dry in time; check in time at the refuge tomorrow morning is 4:14am...

 

[chucko]

Duck tape

 

[haroldy]

hot glue

 

[RobertN]

I got seam sealer while out to lunch. Used it before; hope it works this time...

I have never heard of using hot glue with waders... How does it hold up?

 

[sld]

Man I feel for you. But the best time to find out your waders leak is early in the season!

I have gone thru a pair of high dollar Cabelas waders about every 2 years hear in Kansas. They just don't seem to hold up. But what is funny is I have a pair of old Red Balls that must by 15 years old and don't leak. I wore them the last 2 weekends in a shallow river and they are still fine. The only reason I don't wear them all the time is that the boots are not real warm.

The Cabelas Warriors I have been getting are awesome in every way but durability. Just doesn't seem right to spend 180 bucks every 2-3 years. But you have to stay dry and warm!:laughing:

There is a product called Aquaseal that is like the old ShooGoo. It works good but takes a while to set up. Good luck hunting!

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I have good luck with tire patchs for repairs to the rubber part of waders as they stay more flexible and dont start to crack next to the repair like it does with a stiffer repair. If the repair is to the neophrene i use aquaseal but cut it with cotol as it lets you put on a thinner more flexible repair that dries faster.

 

[RobertN]

I got some seam seal today. The guys at the hunting store said most waders are only good for a year of use, maybe two with light use and good care. They said even the manufacturers only rate them for a year, whether cheap or expensive.

There are no tears; appears the seams are leaking.

 

[ronjhall]

I got some seam seal today. The guys at the hunting store said most waders are only good for a year of use, maybe two with light use and good care. They said even the manufacturers only rate them for a year, whether cheap or expensive.

There are no tears; appears the seams are leaking.

Frsrt pair I purchased to work on our garden pond lasted one year. Seams leaked all over the place next year. When I purchased a new pair I got top of the line. They are now 5 years old. Storing them has a lot to do with longevity. Never put away wet. Store in a cool (not freezing), dark, dry place. Then it is still a possibility that a seam will go bad.

 

[Western]

Duck tape

:laughing::thumbsup: Think that's what they use "after" they get on the water

 

[T_e_r_r_y]

Waders, rain coats and pants are basically the same water proof material. Never fold up any rubber product,after taking it out of the orginal package. I store my waders upright with toes stuffed with news paper,card board taped in a circle,inserted in the legs up to about shoulder height. Use the straps to hold them up. Same with rain pants,coat-insert card board in the legs and arms. I run pvc thru the arm holes and shoulder straps and hang-em up. Might not work for everone, but it works for me.

T.J.

 

[LBrown59]

New boots / waders

 

[RobertN]

I used seam sealer on all the seams(these are stocking type waders, where you wear boots over them).

After five hours, my right sock got a little damp on the heel. And, there were some spots where it looked like there were just seeping thru the neoprene. All the seams did ok though.

I'll get new ones before the next trip.

I rinse them well after hunting. And, store them in the closet, hanging usually. The refuges I have been to, usually only have tuley's(sp?). I stay away from brush, down trees ect.

 

[studor]

A piece of camo duct tape on both sides of a leak has always worked for me. I have also used aqua seal, goop etc -- never tried the hot glue. I have a number of pairs of waders and find that I always get wet to some extent -- if not from the outside then from sweating in them. I tried the breathable ones and they are not warm enough for most hunting conditions. I have a set of hip waders that are now about 20 years old with no leaks so the technology does exist to make them last

 

[Combustix]

aqua seal i have found is the best for repairs and just use half a tube, and goop like crazy. At the end of the season I armorall my boots and wipe off the excess then hang them in the close, on one of those boot hangers. I have had the same waders now for 5 years and this year they are working fine once again. I used to have the stocking foot waders and switched. glad I did. Enjoy the duck hunt:thumbsup:

 

[SPYDERLK]

Waders, rain coats and pants are basically the same water proof material. Never fold up any rubber product,after taking it out of the orginal package. I store my waders upright with toes stuffed with news paper,card board taped in a circle,inserted in the legs up to about shoulder height. Use the straps to hold them up. Same with rain pants,coat-insert card board in the legs and arms. I run pvc thru the arm holes and shoulder straps and hang-em up. Might not work for everone, but it works for me.

T.J.

:thumbsup: Yes! the point Iv seen is NO creases. I hang my waders upside down by the boots. Dow Corning 3145 RTV is a good flexible patch/sealer [tool it with spit on your finger], but takes 24hrs for full cure.
larry