A New Way to Fix Your Leaking Waders

In this brand-new video, Colin McKeown discusses how you can use Flex Seal to repair your leaking waders. This technique is especially good for slow leaks or "weeping" wader leaks.
Check out Tom Rosenbauer's fantastic Wader Repair video here: • Wader Repairs with Tom...
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[@WA-eg7ft]

I sent my back to Simms and was awarded the Red stamp of no longer under warranty and non fixable. So this lack of a better word, hack is a great idea. Thanks for posting the helpful video.

[@anthonyhipps8500]

Thank you for sharing the wader fixing tips Colin. This is the first time I have heard of this type of fix. God Bless and tight lines, Anthony Hipps

[@50Squirrel]

Simply brilliant! So simple & yet I wouldn’t have thought of it! Thanks for sharing!

[@newflyfisher]

You are so welcome!

[@garyweglarz]

This is awesome - I've been thinking about this issue and various options for an old pair of waders that I love. This is it! Thanks much! I'll probably get a bit fussy when I do it and stuff the waders with crumpled newspapers first. Great idea.

[@Charactermatters650]

Plasti-dip spray is best! I think it adheres and stretches with you better. The truth of it is all waders kind of suck and leak quite easily - I think no one makes a good wader.

[@ferniea92]

Thanks for the info

[@beyoutube76]

Nice! I did this 4/5 years ago to the booted feet. The first few times it was stiff, but became flexible and comfortable, no leaks. I bought a pair of Simms a couple years ago but still wear my old ones waiting for them to fail. They do have a couple "seeping" leaks that I will spray soon. Probably with bright orange just to be different! Cleaning them is a good idea I need to also do.

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for sharing!

[@robertlynn7332]

I've always wondered if this would work. I was concerned it might further damage th waders. I think I'll try it on an old pair of waders that seem to be weeping that I haven't thrown away yet. Thanks

[@MarkHous]

The interior laminate of my 20 year old Orvis rain jacket had worn off in the neck and shoulder area. I gave it several coats of Flexseal. I wore the jacket in March salmon fishing in Scotland. It works.

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for that positive reinforcement of Flexseal as an option to fix leaks

[@wish2fish37]

Thanks for this.Trying to figure out leaks myself.Used the alcohol method but can’t find any holes with that method.Tried a flashlight also and found one and Aquasealed it.Still getting wet.Thought it was in a seam but they appear good.Was going to just Aquaseal the seams on the outside and go from there.

[@mwiltfang4618]

I just dissolved some 100% silicone caulk/sealant in acetone at a 50/50 ratio and brushed it onto a leaky area of some hip waders where the rubber layer between the cloth layers had hardened and crack along a fold. It works to make other fabric 100% waterproof, should work here too.

[@newflyfisher]

Great idea, thanks!

[@Sochmo18]

Thank you very much! Will this then render the wader un-breathable wherever its sprayed?

[@newflyfisher]

It should as you're now sealing off the breathability. But still worth doing if you get more use out of your waders

[@Sochmo18]

@@newflyfisherSorry should haver finished the video before asking! Lol

[@willyf6172]

The thing is, if you only do a portion of the wader , only in that area would cut off the breathability . I myself don’t stand in water more than knee deep a whole lot , so only need to worry about the lower leg , where sweating isn’t to big of an issue.

[@snigman]

I believe I’m having the same issue, and may give this a try, but I was wondering about using a fabric waterproofing like Nikwax? Any thoughts on this?

[@newflyfisher]

We had lots of comments about using DWR products first such as Nikwax, Revivex, and Atsko Water Guard. In the new year we plan on doing another video testing those products. In my experience with Revivex, it does work but for only a short period. If you have a leaking wader or weeping in a relatively small area, Flex Seal seems to be a better option. This not a recommendation for waders still inside the manufacturers warranty but more for older waders that need love in order to get more use/time with them. Hope that helps

[@DanielSwe93]

What happens to the softness/suppleness of the material? Also, this would probably remove any breathing capabilities of the membrane?

[@MGS566]

The softness or suppleness of this product starts to go away about two years after it is applied. A $10 fix in a can that can add another two years to a pair of waders as well worth it especially when you are putting 200 days a year on the water.

[@stringtwister7654]

I found a much better way! After my morning shower i dry off and spray flexseal on my legs! Keeps me dry and i don't have to buy wader's! Also adding a spray to my coffee keeps me dry on the inside as well😅

[@newflyfisher]

Great tip, lol, thanks for sharing!

[@ashleyevans3330]

😂😂😂

[@markrougeux2913]

Great tip. Much appreciated. My weeping seems to occur in the neoprene bootie. After hours on the water, my sock will be wet. I won't really notice it until I'm off the water and removing my clothes. Have you tried FlexSeal on the neoprene section of your waders, or is AquaSeal still the standard solution?

[@newflyfisher]

Have not tried FlexSeal in the booted feet but if you check out the comments below, someone else did and it worked! Good question, thanks

[@jpvand1]

Are you recommending this over restoring the DWR?

[@newflyfisher]

good question. in speaking with many people who have had this issue, seems to be mixed results with using Revivex or other DWR repair options. FlexSeal is another option. I am currently in Ohio fishing and going into cold waters with flex seal repair and no issues so far in terms of leaking or wader flexibility. thanks

[@buffalobill9048]

Have you applied this on the outside or just inside or both sides? - Thxs

[@newflyfisher]

Hi there, we just applied on the inside of the waders in the area where weeping exists or where there are hard-to-find leaks. You can also use spray on DWR products on the outside as well. Many recommend using: Gear Air Revivex or Scotchgard Water Shield (heavy duty).

[@zubertish]

Good stuff! Have you tried ATSKO DWR/ Water Guard Extreme? They are the makers of Sno-Seal, an old time trusted snow/water proofing compound for boots. This DWR has a special X-link (cross link) bond that helps keep out moisture/water while maintaining breathability of the fabric which is so important. I have used Water Guard Extreme for a few years now on boots, jackets, snow gear and have been really happy with it. I have used Sno-Seal for decades and trust it with my gear. Why stop at FlexSeal and no breathability when you can have the best of both worlds?

[@newflyfisher]

Great recommendation, we will check them out asap. Appreciate this feedback

[@willyf6172]

But have you tried it on waders ? I just looked at the ATSKO website as well as various other places and have found no mention of use on waders . Use on tents or raincoats etc., is not the same as use on waders . Not saying it won’t work on waders , just that none claim it works on waders in the info I have looked through so far.

[@wish2fish37]

Do you spray Atsko inside or outside of waders?.

[@mooney411]

I have used this method on an old pair of waders. I have a pair that's at least 5 years old so i figured i'd give it a try. What could hurt! Well, it does work and I primarily have used it on the seams and booties. I use the clear and its very noticeable where you're applying it while its wet.

[@newflyfisher]

Good stuff, thanks for your feedback. The waders I sprayed in this video I used in December when steelhead fishing in Ohio. Had no leaks or weeping in those older waders, this trick taught to us by guides really does work! Cheers

[@DeformedDevices]

Using a color would help make the application easier because you can see the coverage better and the thickness

[@newflyfisher]

good recommendation, thanks

[@leonardwood8024]

Great info. How about about an update?

[@newflyfisher]

Leonard, please check out some of the comments from others. Good info sent in and also options for other ways to fix issue of leaking. My fave is the option of ATSKO DWR/ Water Guard Extreme. Great reviews on this product! I have ordered some and will test this year for a future product review

[@jackinthewoodsii8653]

Can weeping cause condensation or is that normal?

[@newflyfisher]

Condensation is usually caused temperature inversion within the water. So if you walk or run up a hill in your waders, then go into cold water right after, that may cause condensation on the inside of the waders. Weeping is where the waders are actually slowly allowing water to migrate through the material. Hope that helps

[@tomargent7202]

But if the DWR has worn off, why not first add actual DWR spray to the exterior of the outer fabric, which is where the original DWR was?

[@newflyfisher]

Good question. The issue is that DWR is not readily available to consumers plus it is exceptionally toxic. That is my understanding of why you cannot obtain it to spray on

[@jferr7691]

@@newflyfisheryes, google PFAS for the toxic chemicals.

[@stephenrosenfeld833]

@@newflyfisherMy local flyshop sells Revivex DWR and there are no special warnings on it. (Having said that, it didn’t solve my problem, but I guess it was a more serious leak). I see that Simms recommends Nikwax which I can get at an outdoors and camping store. I haven’t tried it myself.

[@williamklauber8970]

Even if you do have access to the DWR coating, it will most likely affect adhesion of any other compounds.

[@BigDoeJ424]

⁠​⁠@@newflyfisherwhat? It is just as available as Flexseal. They sell it at REI or online. Nikwax or ReviveX are a few brands to look at. I use it on my ski gear every year

[@leonardchecchio1655]

Does using flex seal void the warranty? I suspect it will.

[@newflyfisher]

Not sure, something you can probably check out in the website of the wader company. But if you're waders are still under warranty and they're weeping, then you should exchange them.

[@BigDoeJ424]

100%

[@newflyfisher]

Leonard I checked various company websites about this concern (Orvis, Simms and Patagonia) and none state this will void your warranty, If your waders are within the warranty period (Simms is one year), then I would not take a chance by using FlexSeal. However, if your waders are still within the warranty period and they are leaking or weeping, you should send them back for repair for replacement anyways. As I stated in the video, the Flexseal option is more for extending older waders life. Thanks

[@glenndotter5065]

Been using it for years.

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for confirming it works.

[@jeffjones4006]

Why not just use a good silicone spray?

[@newflyfisher]

That is a good option as well, it would be interesting how long that would last before re-application is needed. One of our cameramen has an older Orvis wading jacket which he loves. It developed "water absorption" on the shoulder and elbows and we used 3M Water Repellant on those areas and it seemed to work well for 3-4 months before needing another application. Thanks for your feedback

[@soobz]

Might as well buy some cheap PVC waders as this will just kill the breathability. There are DWR products I'd be trying first, eg. Grangers or Nickwax, plenty of info on treating Goretex raingear to explain it.

[@keithkijowski8077]

I paid $700 for my Simms waders and they would never recommend this. You just created neoprene non-breathable waders out of these Orvis breathable waders. Cant wait to see how much moisture will now be retained on the inside especiallly on a warm day. Proper cleaning and re-application of a quality DWR will do the trick better. I think you just created a video you will retract.

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for your feedback Keith. This repair option is definitely not for waders still under warranty, Simms have a one year warranty. However, like the waders I used in the video which were at least four years old, using FlexSeal is one option you have for fixing weeping or leaking. The FlexSeal is surprising flexible, even in cold water, just like Aquaseal is on seams. I have used spray DWR products but have found they are not that effective and do not last long. The FlexSeal option is one professional guides use in western Canada to help extend the life of their waders. Most wader producing companies state that with "normal usage" waders should last 3-4 years. Guides and some anglers, obvious put alot more demand/wear on their waders and this FlexSeal option is a good one IMHO but everyone has their preferences. Happy holidays!

[@willyf6172]

Can you make a video showing how to do this DWR re-application? Also , where can you get DWR?

[@aaronantonio8280]

Always someone. 🤦‍♂ For those $120 waders, this may in fact be the answer. Some of us don't have the luxury of being pimped out in fly fishing gear with Simms or Orvis as our corporate sponsors.

[@weisswurstfruhstuck8523]

Why not putting the stuff and spray it on the outside! Not the inside ? Didn’t get the reason behind that.

[@timDaly-eo9bl]

I weep when the fish gets away

[@gregstafford5447]

I don’t weep………. I SCREAM OBSCENELY!!!

[@betrickey]

Now help me figure out where that pin hole leak in my Simms is at... 🤷

[@newflyfisher]

Check out Tom's video here, may help with that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2Gac4SFaNmCbcU

[@bradleycousineau6394]

I wonder if flex seal is toxic to your skin

[@Troutguyfromdubai]

Do you not wear a layer under your waders?

[@MikeWitmerNatureJournal]

Void your warranty if you do this to your waders

[@newflyfisher]

If you still have a warranty, then you should be having the manufacturer fix or replace the waders. This fix is aimed at fixing older waders that have this issue. Thanks for your feedback

[@ronparr6799]

flex steel is worthless...come on man