Caring for Breathable Waders

They're possibly the most expensive investment in your fishing kit, but they're worth it. Instead of stumbling around in clammy heavy neoprenes or sweaty Nylon/PVC waders, fishing in breathable waders is just like wearing comfortable fitting jeans. Mobility on the river is enhanced and better fitting waders with sound boots are considerably safer than traditional waders. The expense of breathable waders can be justified if the life expectancy of them is several years, and this is certainly possible if you take sufficient care of them. We asked one of our more avid fly fishers, Peter Fowler of Hutt Valley Hunting & Fishing New Zealand to share some advice on the best care of breathables.

Choose the Right Size

Firstly when choosing breathable waders it is vitally important that they fit 100% correctly. A simple test is to squat down and check that there is not excessive pulling across the knees etc. Most wader manufactures offer a variety of boot/leg fits for each foot size.

Next Treat Them Like You Would Your Skin

As basic preventative maintenance, a good rule of thumb we tell our customers is that they treat their waders like their skin. With bare legs, you wouldn't go charging into the likes of blackberry or matagouri, do this in breathables and there is every likelihood you will puncture them.

To 'breath' your waders must be kept clean so the microscopic pores that allow vapour to escape do not get blocked. The beauty here is that most reathable waders can be machine washed but there are strict instructions for this. Only use cold water and use additive free laundry detergent. Hunting & Fishing New Zealand stores carry suitable products for use on breathable fabrics like waders and Gore-Tex coats etc. Do not use detergents that contain fabric softeners or colour-safe bleach.

Locating and Repairing Punctures and Tears

Accidents do happen, but punctured breathable waders are easy to repair. First of course you need to locate the hole, which can be difficult if it is a small pin prick. You will have a general idea of the location through the damp patch on your clothing. Simply turn your waders inside out and spray the general area of the leak with rubbing alcohol. Then turn your waders right side out and look for a dark patch forming on the outer face fabric. If you got side tracked and consumed the rubbing alcohol, then you can just swing the waders around your head until they fill with air. Seal them by folding over at the top then put them into water and look for bubbles like you would a bike tube! Do not fill them with water to locate a leak on the outside as the weight of the water will put excess stress on the seams.

Once located, mark the hole on both the inside and outside of the waders. Use an Aquaseal Repair Kit (available at Hunting & Fishing New Zealand stores). Apply Aquaseal to completely cover the spot and a 5cm area around it. Allow time for it to dry then repeat the process on the other side of the waders.

Tears require a different process. Firstly stabilise the area by applying tape to the tear on the inside of the wader - most waders come supplied with tape. Ensure a perfect edge to edge match when taping up a tear. Clean the area with alcohol and apply enough Aquaseal to completely cover the tear and a 5cm area around it. Allow to dry then remove the tape and clean off any adhesive residue. Repeat the Aquaseal application now from the inside. For larger tears or tears in high stress areas, a second application of Aquaseal is recommended. Be sure to extend the second coat of Aquaseal by an extra 5cm around the repair so that it can adequately bond to the wader.