Wader Maintenance

[Loren]

1. What's the best way to check for (locate) leaks in a pair of waders?

2. I really like my Cabella waders which are nylon coated with PVC (I think). They have some abraded areas from briars probably. Any ideas on coating these areas.

3. Are there protective sprays used to extend the life of nylon/PVC waders?

Loren

[Mr T1]

Loren -- I've got a pair of Cabela's nylon waders that I've used for the past three seasons and they still are in very good shape probably because I only get to use them about three weeks a year total. They came with a little repair kit that contained patches and some glue that I've since lost.

Seems like I've seen a can of some kind of spray in the Cabela's flyfishing catalogue that's supposted to seal leaks in all kinds of waders. They also have a couple of repair kits at very reasonable prices.

The spray kind of sounds like it would put on a protective coating which would be specially good for abraded areas.

Let us know what you do and how it works.

Mr. T

[Mr T1]

Loren -- almost forgot -- the only way I've heard to test for leaks is to fill the waders with water and look for wet spots on the outside.

Mr. T

[BUDMAN]

The best way i've found to check for leaks is just like you would do an inner tube, with a little air in them grab the opening in one hand tightly and push them under in a pool of water. I have never failed to find my leaks this way and I don't belive it puts quite as much stress on the waders as filling them with water.

[Ken Smith]

Loren,
Which type of cabela's waders do you have?. I have the dry plus brathable waders. I was wondering if you have the same kind, how long should I expect them to last. They don's seem like they would hold up to well walking to and from the stream through the woods and briars, but once in the water they're great.

good luck with the leak
ken

[Hound]

Loren, One good way to test for leaks is to shine a flashlight from the inside of your waders and look for bright spots on the outside of the waders. It really depeends on the type of waders and type of leak you have. Pin hole leaks are the hardest to find and fix. I still have several pin hole leaks in my Hodgman neoprene waders that I haven't quite tracked down. Hope this helps

Hound

[Loren]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll give some of these a try.

Ken, as far as the type of Cabella's -- they're the least expensive they offer in the catalog. Lightweights, I think they are called. They are not breatheable but seem fairly tough. I like them (unless the leaks keep coming).

[Loren]

Well, I tried the air-in-the-waders-
and-dunk-it technique and the flashlight trick and still have a tiny leak. Maybe some seam-sealer for tents will work.
Loren

[BUDMAN]

My light weight waders developed a leak in the seam at the end of the toe, I found it using air but I had to put some pressure on them to force the air thru the hole.