Breathable wader leakage

[eng5]

I am wondering if any of you know of some type of water repellant that will stop the minor seepage that seems to be a problem with alot of breathable waders?
I own two, one bootfoot and one stocking foot, and I have had to send both of them back.
Hodgeman replaced the stocking foot with a new pair, but the bootfoot is Redington, and since they don't make them anymore they told me that they would just send them back to me without any coverage. I thought that was kind of lousy of them. Even if they had worked out something with me would have been ok.
The problem even goes beyond that. They don't even have any knowledge of receiving them, so they are parts unknown for now.
But back to the original problem. You would think there would be some type of water proofing you could apply to a small seepage.

[scruffy_fish]

I just returned a pair of Hodgeman breathable, lucky they were still under warranty, although they don't make that model anymore. They are going to replace them with the new line. Mine had a bad crotch leak that I put up with through the fall season.
If it’s a seam leak I'd use goop, but if its weeping all over its part of the material make up. It is supposed to let water vapor out, but as you may know it not going anywhere if you are standing in water, so it condenses on the inside when it hits the cold exterior water.
They don't make them like they used to (TG) I had a pair of Hodgemans that lasted almost 10 years back in the 60's.

[SageBoy]

I don't have a solution for your problem but I will tell you that I had a pair of Cabela's Dry plus that were about 3 yrs old that started to leak on me this past fall. I contacted Cabela's to find out what my options were because they were past there 1 yr warranty and they said to ship them to them and they will take a look at them. Surprisingly they replaced them for nothing! I have to say that I was very surprised. No questions asked!

If you are going to buy a new pair you may want to consider ordering from them. It could pay off in the long run. --127-3-

[eng5]

I don't have a solution for your problem but I will tell you that I had a pair of Cabela's Dry plus that were about 3 yrs old that started to leak on me this past fall. I contacted Cabela's to find out what my options were because they were past there 1 yr warranty and they said to ship them to them and they will take a look at them. Surprisingly they replaced them for nothing! I have to say that I was very surprised. No questions asked!

If you are going to buy a new pair you may want to consider ordering from them. It could pay off in the long run. --127-3-
How was it ordering through the mail. I am always leary of buying cloth that way. Did they fit like you thought they would? Thanks for the reply

[Ray]

Two things;

1. Are you sure its a leak? If you wear them for a long time you will get some moisture in. Especially in a creased area.

2. Do not put some type of coating on them. They will not breathe any more. The fabric is a membrane and needs to have open pores to allow the vapor out.

I have been using Orvis waders for many years now. If it comes down to getting new ones, try the Clearwaters. They work for me and if you have problems you can ust go back to your local store.

[SageBoy]

Joe V

The Cabela's Dry Plus I will say are very comfortable. They also have a stout size in most of there models as well if that works for you. If you don't like them I know for a fact they would take them back no qestions asked.

[bdowning]

Another vote here for Cabela's Dry Plus. The first pair I owned developed more than just a condensation leak after only a few outings. It was out of warranty, but I returned it to Cabela's and they sent a replacement, no questions asked. So far no leaks on the new pair. I don't know if it's variability in the quality of the material or a design change but sometimes you just get a clunker I guess.

-bd


Joe V

The Cabela's Dry Plus I will say are very comfortable. They also have a stout size in most of there models as well if that works for you. If you don't like them I know for a fact they would take them back no qestions asked.

[captshiner]

If they're gore-tex you can get a product called "tech-wash." EMS and most other outdoor stores carry it. It's designed for breathable fabrics. Most of the time breathability is lost once dirt/salt clogs the pores of the material after a few seasons. If it can't breath then condensation builds up on the inside. Or you can try washing your waders as per manufacturers recommendation. FWIW 2 years ago I bought a pair of those breathable cabelas and they were destroyed in a month. Their service is great though and I highly recommend dealing with them.

[eng5]

Thanks gents for all the replies. Joe.

[BobG]

...on the Cabelas Dry Plus. I bought a pair of their Dry Plus, hunting waders (to be used only for fishing). They have an extra heavy rubber boot, and the neoprene, quik-release suspenders. I'm going into my third season with them, and they've been perfect.
I wear them shellfishing in the winter, and bassing and lobstering in the canal the rest of the time. During very hot weather, I seem to get some tiny areas of dampness on my right ankle. However, it doesn't happen in cold weather, so I'm assuming it's a condensation type of thing.
Sometimes you can't say enough good things about Cabelas. --127-3-

[JakeFF]

Just some info...if anyones interested...i just saw an ad..flyer for Bldg 19..they have neoprene waders either boot or stocking foot on sale, as well as a wading shoe...hope this helsp somone.

[pops]

my simms gore tex bootfoots came with aqua seal and a couple of patches for tears.
..take an alchohol swabs/whatever and wipe the area you suspect the leak in ..
it shows up as dark grey against the lighter fabric of gore tex.
take the aqua seal and apply to the pin holes etc.. and let cure.
never had a problem with them either and thaey get to see the surf etc...
a lot. swear by them.

[eng5]

Two yrs. ago I bought a pair of breathables from build 19, and they leaked bad. Brought them back for an exchange which they had no problem with, and that pair leaked worse. Went back and got my 20.00 dollars back.
The old saying is true most of the time, "you get what you pay for".
A short time after that, they had a sale on wading shoes for $5.00!. I bought two pair and they have been fine. Of course you don't have to be concernd about leakage with wading shoes.
When the first pair of waders leaked I called Hodgman and asked what they could do for me. They said nothing because they were from build. 19, which I kind of expected.
In her own words, she said all that gear is Hodgman's JUNK!
So, be careful of what you expect from build 19, but they will take them back if defective.

[Quicksilver]

Joe V. I am with you word for word. I even own a pair of the $5 wading shoes! I own two pairs of Hodgeman neoprenes from Building #19. It has been at least four years with the 5mm, no problem. My 2mm developed a small leak last year that I will fix this spring. Based on my success last year I went back to the store and purchased a pair of breathables. The waders are so bad it is scary. I don't think I will be able to fix these. I will give it a shot, but I think I will be doing a serious upgrade in the wader department this season.