Wader repair

[CaptnT]

I could be wrong, but any pair of rubber waders that I have ever used were trashed as soon as I saw any cracking/dryrot. Years ago I was setting out dekes on what was a very promising day, when the pair I had gave out. We were hunting in pretty deep water, and they filled up quick enought to scare the sh*t out of me. I made it to the boat in time, but needless to say I had a hell of a time getting in, plus I ruined the trip for my friend after I got too cold to sit in the boat. I'm an old stubborn cuss that can take some punishment, but when my pants starting freezing to my leg, and my toes went numb, I had to call it a day. The birds were flying good and it was only 7:30am, but I was done for the day. I went to neoprene and never looked back. They aren't as rugged as the canvas/rubber, but when they do start to leak, you can take it a lot longer. They don't fill up as much, and they will still keep you relatively warm, at least warm enough to keep hunting. My advise is to buy a new pair, or go to ebay and look for a cheap used pair. I got several pair there last summer. I paid $25 shipping included for a pair of Cabela's canvas/rubber chest waders that I keep for a spare. I would think the prices are higher now though.

[caneycreekducker]

I fancy myself to be somewhat of an expert on wader repair (mainly because I have tore so many pairs).

I the automotive section at Walmart, there is a tube of stuff called "Automotive Goop" it is pretty cheap and once dry it is flexable and water proof.

Works great on neopreme and also canvas and also your ruber boots.

ccd

[labdoc]

Does anyone know anything about repairing waders? I have a pair or Northerner rubber hip waders that are in good shape except a little cracking on the ankle area. I know that there are commerical products that you smear on the waders (they come in tubes) and have heard that you can use Shoo-goo... but the area that I need to cover would take several tubes to do, especially it you extend the coverage well past the defect like the manufactures say to.... anyway I hate to trash them if they can be repaired??

[labdoc]

Thanks for all the ideas on wadder repair. I had no idea there were so many ways to repair waders!

[chris073]

I would also recommend shoe goo it is only a couple of dollars and it fills the cracks and softens the ruuber around the area it is apllied.