wader life expectancy

[RobertN]

How long do your waders last?

I went duck hunting wednesday. This is my third season for these waders. I seamsealed them Monday, but when I got to knee deep water, the problems started. When I got to crotch deep water, there were big problems! Seems there are multiple leaks, and not from the seams. I wound up soaked from the belt line down, I was able to wring probably a quart of water from my socks!

I had a minor leak last year that was fixed with seam seal near the knee.

The birds were'nt flying, the waders leaked... Still a better day than being at work though

 

[scott_vt]

How long do your waders last?

I went duck hunting wednesday. This is my third season for these waders. I seamsealed them Monday, but when I got to knee deep water, the problems started. When I got to crotch deep water, there were big problems! Seems there are multiple leaks, and not from the seams. I wound up soaked from the belt line down, I was able to wring probably a quart of water from my socks!

I had a minor leak last year that was fixed with seam seal near the knee.

The birds were'nt flying, the waders leaked... Still a better day than being at work though

Hey Robert,
A bad day at the farm is allways better than a good day at work Hope you get your leaks sealed up

 

[Tig]

From what I have seen waders leak after one year or they never leak. My current waders are Bushlite, neoprene and are more than 15 years old, no leaks. They were not very expensive at the time. I don't fold them, they hang from the rafters in the basement most of the year.

 

[MossRoad]

I've had the same pair of neoprene waders for close to 20 years. They still don't leak. What are your made out of?

 

[RobertN]

I've had the same pair of neoprene waders for close to 20 years. They still don't leak. What are your made out of?

They'r neoprene with nylon shell. I don't have the box any more... They are the booty style; I wear boots with them.

My old set didn't last more than 2 years without leaking. They were the Hodgeman with integral boots.

I always clean/rinse them, and then hang them up.

Do you wear waders for fishing, or hunting? I wonder if thses get beat up while wading out through the tules and "stuff"?

 

[Bird]

How long do your waders last?

The only ones I ever owned lasted about 10 years. Of course, I only used them once, a day or two after I bought them, and then they stayed stored in a plastic bag for 10 years before I gave them away.

they hang from the rafters in the basement

I was in my early teens when a new female cleaning lady went to work for her first day at our church. She ran from the church and called the police to report someone had committed suicide and was hanging in the church. I guess the pastor should have hung his waders upside down, instead of right side up, just inside the door at the entry to the baptistry, especially since anyone opening that door would only see those legs hanging down. But it gave the officers a good laugh anyway.

 

[MossRoad]

I wear them fishing and when I wait too long to winterize the pool in September. The are LaCrosse, I believe. Stocking foot. I just slip them into boots or shoes. I only wear them in trout season in the spring for a couple weeks a year. They are pretty thick neoprene. I bought them on clearance at some outdoor store in Chicago suburbs in the mid 80's.

 

[EddieWalker]

I bought mine in either 1988 or 1989 from Cabela's. They are neopreme with boots attached. My brother bought similar waders without the boots and has to wear special boots over his. Mine have never leaked, except a few times I put holes in them. They sealed right up with sealer and no problems. I've sat in the marsh on days the water was freezing over on top and we had to break it with the buts of our guns. I've never been cold or wet in them.

My brother always had issues with his. They leaked and his feet were always cold. He's stuborn, so when he replaced those waders, he went for a more expensive set that also didn't have the boots. He had the boots, so he bought the waders to use them with. Again, he had issues with them and sometime in the mid 90's, he gave up and bought a pair like mine.

No problems, leaks or cold feet anymore.

In the last four years, I haven't been duck hunting, but seem to need them for something a few times a year. So far, no leaks.

They have always been stored hanging upside down.

Eddie