Wet waders

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trout man
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2013/03/11 12:04:21 (permalink)

Wet waders

Hello all
Went for a walk on the Pine creek DHALO section on sunday. Suddenly became aware of a wet and cold left foot. Thought the waders sprung a leak. The only place i got wet was my foot. Did the necessary, fill the foot with water and mark the leak, to repair it. To my surprise, no apparent leak.  What i did notice was the water seemed to ooze through the neopreane. Almost like condensation forms on a glass. The boots are about 3 years old. These are Hodgman stocking foot waders. When my sock started to wick the moisture, the amount of wetness increased. Has anyone had this problem? Can they be repaired with a spray sealant? Should i just get new ones?  First time this has ever happened. The boots have already been repaired once, same foot but there was no leak at that spot. BTW: Caught 6 had several follows with spinners.
Thanks all
Tight lines
Trout Man
#1

5 Replies Related Threads

    rippinlip
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    Re:Wet waders 2013/03/11 12:12:29 (permalink)
    Your feet will sweat from walking and you might be mistaking that for a leak. Happens with GoreTex hunting boots too.

    You should have been here yesterday.............. Streams are made for the wise man to contemplate and fools to pass by [Sir Izaak Walton]
    #2
    trout man
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    Re:Wet waders 2013/03/11 12:18:15 (permalink)
    Rippin  
    I tought about that, but considering the amount of moisture, it was not sweat. Besdies there was no moisture on my leg or my other foot and leg. 
    #3
    davef
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    Re:Wet waders 2013/03/11 13:05:21 (permalink)
    Maybe turn the boots inside out and fill with water again.  I've often had to tie my breathables up somewhere, fill with water and let sit for quite a while till I found where a pinhole leak was coming from.  In my opinion those waders have a lot more years of use if you can find the leak.  My Cabelas waders are at least 5 years old and have aquaseal all over the place but they kept me dry for 2 days fishing in Erie last week.
     
    If you fill them with water and wait long enough I would think the leak would have to show itself.  The more water you put in the boot the greater the pressure will be.  That's why I tie them up somewhere instead of try and hold them till the leak appears.
    #4
    Porktown
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    Re:Wet waders 2013/03/11 13:42:22 (permalink)
    I think the same as Davef.  The water will spread on the inside layer of the neoprene, and appear to be coming through the entire area.  I think the inside layer is more padding than actual neoprene on most.  Try getting some blue paper towels from the auto parts store, and wrap around your waders when you do your water test, or go over your waders with it while doing your testing.  That should help show where your leak is coming out first, then spreading in the padding.  I've heard that the seems are usually the first to go.  If you can't find the leak, give the seems a once over with patching cement.  Do a search or PM Mr. Slickfish, he had a good product on here for fixing neoprene that you can get in plumbing supply stores.
     
    #5
    luvinbluegills
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    Re:Wet waders 2013/03/11 15:20:18 (permalink)
    I'm so glad that you posted this because I have the same problem with my Hodgman waders. Both feet get just a little too wet to be sweat, and it is always below the calf. It's been driving me crazy trying to find the leak, and I just picked up a pair of Korkers to replace the flats booties that I wore out last Fall.
     
    If I need to get new chest waders, I hafta figure it out before I spend the rest of my tax return, lol!

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