I’ve kept a pair of Simms wading boots around for 7-8 years even though they are beat to shit, barely have any nubs left on the bottom and aren’t the most comfortable boots I’ve worn.
But they’re still working.
Better than I can say for all the other crap I’ve worn in that same time period that have barely made it through one fishing season.
The other day the sole on one of the boots pulled away from the upper part of the boot. Fixable, maybe, but how?
Also in the last two weeks I’ve noticed that the Cabela’s waders that are going on their third season and have had seams resealed a couple of times, is now leaking at one of the seams in the booties. I’m shocked these have lasted as long as they have, I must be getting better at my repairs or I’m not as tough on waders as I used to be. Those too, no matter the brand and how much I paid, never last more than a season.
Problem is, I can’t afford to replace either of these right now and not sure when I’ll be able to.
Luckily I’m currently working for a chemical manufacturing company. I have access to and can take home free samples of a huge array of chemical compounds that according to their labels, can do just about anything.
Better living through chemistry indeed.
I toyed with the idea of getting a tube of AquaSeal to fix my boots and waders. I hate that shit. You pay too much for a tiny little tube. If you only use some of it and reseal the tube, you’ll never get the cap off again. Now you have to cut off the other end, use what you need and toss it in the garbage. At nearly $7 a little tube, a tremendous waste of money.
Then I came across something we manufacture. I just got done putting my boots back together and coated all of the seams of the wader booties with it. It’s supposed to seal and keep water out of anything you put it on for many years. It’s also extremely flexible and should be perfect for what I just did.
If it works.
If it does work, I’ll let you know. You’ll never have to, and you won’t want to, piss away another dollar on AquaSeal ever again.
Should be dry in 24 hours. Will be tested over the weekend.
I’ll let you know what happens.
Jim McClellan
22 May 2013Good thinking, Ken. Be sure to let the company marketing folks know if it works!
Ken G
23 May 2013We sell to companies big and small and they can put their own labels on it and market it however they want. If this works, I may have to look into it. I’m sure this use was never even on the radar.
Olaf
22 May 2013If you need another tester, I’ve got some leaky waders that could use some help.
Ken G
23 May 2013So far I think it’s best use is on seams and boots Olaf. Not sure I would put it on the breathable part of waders, but on neoprene waders this could be pretty good.
Dan "The Impractical Fishermen"
22 May 2013No pictures? I like seeing pictures of your wading boots, it is like looking at a train wreck or natural disaster.
Ken G
23 May 2013I put a picture of them up around 4 years ago Dan when I thought I would never use them again. I’ve kept them around for my daughter for those few times she gets out wading with me.
You’ll like the way they look now, like I threw them in a chipper.
I wasn’t very neat with the application of this stuff, so it looks like hell. I could see being neater about it and having it look not half as bad.
RK Henderson
23 May 2013Keeping waders (anything made of mackintosh) alive is a whole science. I am constantly having to deal with people (family members, for the most part) who borrow my foul weather gear or waders and leave them in a heap, or _fold_ them. It’s like putting cast iron in the dishwasher; adults should know better, kids should be taught.
One summer I worked in a cannery where I had to wear my foul weather pants on the floor, for all the spraying water. One day the boss sent me to fill a drum from a diesel tank. The connector was a lousy fit and it sprayed diesel all over me for twenty minutes. The good news is, the oilskins saved me from being drenched to the skin. The bad news is, they aged about a year for each minute. Came out looking like I’d stored them in a hot attic for a summer.
It’s cranky material, but I haven’t seen better. Best of luck.
Robin
Rusty Ring: Reflections of an Old-Timey Hermit
Ken G
23 May 2013I tend to be pretty neat about my wading things Robin, but this time of year they live in my car. Not the best environment for them. Took them out one time years ago. There’s a pretty funny post on my blog somewhere of the end result of getting all suited up and then realizing you have no boots with you.
That never happened again.
Nick@BrookfieldAngler.com
23 May 2013Looking forward to this! I’ve got a few small seeps that I was about to order Auquaseal to fix. Ill hold off and deal with wet feet for a bit
Ken G
23 May 2013Well so far Nick it looks like the seams on the neoprene booties are sealed. I’ll know when I test them. Not sure I’m going to get to test them any time soon. The boots are looking like a total failure, but then one was pretty far gone and I don’t think AquaSeal would have worked any better. Can’t afford to replace them for now.
If your leaks aren’t in the booties, not sure I would put this anywhere else. Tough call on that.