Remedy for leaky waders

[Rangerman]

Looking for opinions.......

I have an older pair of Cabelas stocking foot waders that are no longer repelling water in the foot area.

The waders are approximately 12 years old and I have noticed that my feet are wet at the end of the day. At first I thought that it may be condensation or maybe sweat so the last time out I went with no socks and confirmed that, sure enough, the waders were letting water pass through the "booties". Is there anything I can do to remedy this situation or is it time to treat myself to new waders?

I realize after such a long time that these waders don't owe me a thing but other than the wet feet they are in good shape. If it's indeed time for new waders, is there any advantage to upgrading to "high end" waders that will likely cost 2 to 3 times as much as a replacement pair of Cabelas at today's prices? Unfortunately non fishing commitments have reduced my time in the river to a fraction of what it was so I'm concerned that I wouldn't realize the value of a pair of expensive waders.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[krauseb]

I bought a pair of Simms waders almost 10 years ago. Last year I dropped them off a Simms because of leaking in the booties. They replaced the booties and sent them back to me at no charge, not even a shipping charge.
You might not use them today, but when you do need them you can count on them.

[whatfly]

Unfortunately, when the booties start leaking you are in trouble because they are not easily fixed. You can try slathering Marine Goop or the like in the seams in the hope that it will patch the leaks temporarily, but a new pair of waders makes more sense. Plenty of cheap waders out there, although as you learned when they go, there's no one to fix them. YMMV.

[vicrider]

If my time using them was limited and I had a pair that had given 12 years of good service, I'd have no problem with as close to an exact replacement as was available. Cabela's stands by their products but your pair has well outlived most waders out there by far.

[WarrenP]

You have gotten very good use and service out of your existing waders and I agree with vicrider that if you intend to replace them, I would replace them with another set from Cabela's. If all that is happening is damp feet and not a boot full of water, why not slip your feet into small plastic trash bags before putting your feet into the waders. This would keep your feet dry plus makes if very easy to remove your waders at the end of the day. I only offer this solution because you stated your fishing time is limited and this may extend the use of your existing waders at no cost to you. Just a suggestion and nothing more....

[anglerdave]

Try Aqua Seal, but my experience as others have suggested is that once the boots start leaking it's time to replace them. I think you can get a good pair of waders from Cabelas for around $100. By the way I had a pair of Cabelas waders that lasted me 10 years also and only retired them when the neoprene boots started leaking.

[herefishy]

There is a product that I was just thinking of, for breathable waders, to renew the water repellency - maybe that would work on the neoprene, too? And what is the name of that spray?

[whatfly]

There is a product that I was just thinking of, for breathable waders, to renew the water repellency - maybe that would work on the neoprene, too? And what is the name of that spray?

Could you be thinking of "Revivex"? Meant more for jackets and the like, and will not repair leaks.

[Allan]

How about a plastic bag over the foot? Put it on and tape it down with duct tape.

[jimsnarocks]

If you do purchase new waders, check out the web for ideas on recycling the old ones. Either do it yourself or donate. Jim