Wader repair

[BroKenneth]

With all this high water in Mississippi, I started thinking about wading my favorite timber and remembered my neoprene waders have a small leak. Any advice as to how to find and repair that leak? Can’t find a hole or tear anywhere.


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[slabin]

Use a leaf blower to blow them up and spray Soapy water all over them you’ll find it. But I guarantee they leaking in the Crotch area and no matter what you do they always going to leak

[BobC]

Use a leaf blower to blow them up and spray Soapy water all over them you’ll find it. But I guarantee they leaking in the Crotch area and no matter what you do they always going to leak

The last part of your second sentence says it all. With waders, it is not a matter of if, only of when. After many years and many waders I have made my peace. If I get two years I’m “happy” and consider them a cost of fishing. (And I take care of my waders and dry them throughly, etc) I settled on the Cabelas and quit worrying about it. Buy decent and avoid the high end.
Bob

[scrat]

Goop silicone adhesive. When you find the leak.

[skeetbum]

Even after I found my leaks and dealt with them, I still got wet. Only 100% way to fix is to replace.

[Alphahawk]

I’ve never owned neoprene waders. I have a set of Orvis breathable waders I got over 10 years a go. From walking though briars to sitting down on the side of the river bank I’ve put a couple of holes in them. The iron on patch material that came with them for repair has worked out great. Not sure if that will work on neoprene or not.

Regards


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[shaved ice]

The last part of your second sentence says it all. With waders, it is not a matter of if, only of when. After many years and many waders I have made my peace. If I get two years I’m “happy” and consider them a cost of fishing. (And I take care of my waders and dry them throughly, etc) I settled on the Cabelas and quit worrying about it. Buy decent and avoid the high end.
Bob

I agree stay away from the high end , waders take a beating plan on replacing every so often. I use mine for fishing and hunting and like I said they take a beating, if the hole isn't obivious then it is really hard to seal it completley , I have used clear silicone with sucess on neopreme if hole is vizable , rub small amount into hole and surrounding area on both sides, and then add a little dab right on the hole. if you cant see a hole probably best to just buy a new pair , wing supply always have good deals on waders

[BroKenneth]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I understand completely about the life expectancy of waders. I've owned several dozen pair in my 40+ years of wading. This pair is not leaking in the crotch, it's somewhere mid-thigh, and was caused by wading through briars. I love the suggestion of using the leaf blower. I'm gonna try that. I just hate to throw away a good pair of waders because of a thorn-hole.
Thanks again.

BTW, I absolutely LOVE this site. Thanks to all who contribute..

[bfish]

silicone caulk (aquaseal or other) cut with cutol (to speed the drying up) on every seam. Especially feet, knees and crotch.

Fill the waders with water works, but try the air method first. Be sure to completely dry complete before sealing the seams.

FYI, breathable waders don't leak from the seams as often. However they can get punctures (which are easy to repair with Tear-Aid).

[Ketchn]

melt a plastic worm with lighter make for a quick fix on the spot in question .
its ALSO the best way to use bass baits btw ….