Your waders are one must-have items in your fishing kit that you don’t want to be without.

They form a watertight barrier to keep you comfortable when you go into the water.

But, they can tear and leak.

Patching them may seem intimidating, but we’ll outline why it isn’t below.

Why Patch Waders Instead of Buy New Ones

• Cheap – It’s relatively cheap to patch your waders, even if you buy a higher-quality kit. Waders can be expensive, so patching them will save you money in the long run over buying new ones every time they get a hole or tear in them.
  
  
• Easy and Simple – It’s simple, easy, and straightforward to patch your waders. As long as you follow the instructions, you shouldn’t have a problem forming a watertight seal to lock the water out and keep you comfortable.
  
  
• Doesn’t End up in the Landfill or Garbage – Waders don’t break down very quickly. Patching them ensures they don’t end up rotting away in the landfill or garbage. Instead, you’ll get years of additional use out of your pair.

Different Types of Wader Patch Work

There are a few different types of patches you can use to fix your waders. A dual patch is applying a patch to the inside of your wader with a second patch on the outside of your wader. You put your sealant between both patches.

A single patch will work in a pinch too. You can cut a patch around a quarter of an inch bigger than the hole itself. Then, you apply the adhesive to the patch and waders. This will create a waterproof seal to lock the moisture out.

The Only Tools You Will Need to Patch Waders

1. Shoe Goo

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This is a clear adhesive that comes in a 110ml bottle with a tapered top. The top comes to a point to make precision applications easy. It’s waterproof, easy to use, and it has a clear finish that will blend into your waders for a seamless look and seal.

Pros

• Clear finish
• Has a slightly tapered top
• Get a lot in a single bottle

Cons

• May have to use a lot of the adhesive to get a great seal
• Can peel off after a few uses

2. Aquaseal

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This is a durable urethane adhesive that bonds firmly to your waders and withstands water or humid environments without letting go. It has super abrasion resistance, and it dries as a clear and flexible rubber. This allows it to move with your waders without cracking or peeling. It works on all types of waders, and the top seals tightly between uses.

Pros

• Forms a flexible barrier
• Works well on different material
• Dries very quickly after applying it

Cons

• Can get messy after the first use
• Can turn a yellow shade after time

Wader Patch Repair Kits

1. Gear Aid Repair Kit

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This is a heat activated patch designed to repair wetsuits in minutes, and it works well on your waders. You can iron it on as a permanent patch. The patch is very resistant to abrasions, and the patch is flexible enough to move with your waders. It stretches without losing the elasticity levels, and the dark coloring blends into different waders.

Pros

• Very easy and fast to apply
• Has a flexible and permanent design
• Resistant to abrasions

Cons

• May peel off after a few uses
• Takes time to iron on

2. Gear Air Aquaseal Wader Repair

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This is a compact and lightweight repair kit that is easy to carry with you out when you fish. There is a tube of Aquaseal repair adhesive and seam sealer with two Tenacious tape repair patches. The application brush and field repair guide are also included in the kit. It dries quickly after you apply it.

Pros

• Application brush makes adding a patch easy
• Expert field guide included in your purchase
• Forms a flexible and durable seal

Cons

• Instructions can be confusing
• Adhesive tube is small

How do I Fix a Hole in My Waders?

• Clean the area around the hole with alcohol.
• Cut a patch to fit around the tear with a quarter-inch overlap.
• Apply your sealant to the wader around the tear.
• Apply the patch and hold it firmly in place.
• If you double-patch, apply a second patch to the interior of the waders.
• Wait a few minutes for it to dry.

How do I Fix a Tear in a Rubber Boot?

• Clean around the hole or tear with an alcohol wipe.
• Allow it to dry completely.
• Cut a patch slightly larger than the hole or tear.
• Apply your sealant over the crack or hole.
• Add your patch over the sealant and press the edges to seal it.
• Leave the patch to dry for a few minutes.

FAQs

1. How do you use Aquaseal on waders?
Aquaseal is great for creating instant repairs that allow you to go back into the water straight away. To use it, locate the tear and apply a patch on the wader’s exterior. Add Aquaseal to the inside of the wader, making sure to extend it a quarter-inch beyond the tear.

Cover the Aquaseal with a second patch on the inside of the wader. Press down firmly. You can now go back into the water with your newly patched waders. The Aquaseal dries instantly to form a watertight barrier.

2. What is Aquaseal?
Aquaseal is a clear repair adhesive. It’s a waterproof sealant that comes specially designed to be flexible while providing protection against abrasions. It’s clear, and you can go back into the water as soon as you apply it to your waders and apply a patch over it.

Aquaseal was originally created to repair wetsuits. It sticks to a huge amount of fabrics, including waders without peeling or flaking off.

3. How do you waterproof waders?
If you have breathable waders, you can waterproof them relatively easy. Once you get your waders damp, you can spray them with a waterproof repellent. A warm iron applied to your waders will activate the waterproof repellant. You don’t want to use the iron on any rubber materials. The waders should air dry for at least 48 hours to let the sealant set.

4. Can you patch neoprene?
Neoprene is the material you use on wetsuits, and it’s popular for waders. You can patch neoprene using Aquaseal or contact cement. There is neoprene tape available with neoprene patches in kits as well.

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