Patagonia Waders Care & Repair
We make durable, comfortable waders designed for years of hard work. To help you get the longest life and highest performance from them, here are our recommendations for how to best care for your waders and repair them should the need arise.
Wader Care
Find Your Right Fit
Finding your best fit is important because waders that are too tight limit movement, placing stress on wader seams. If your waders are too loose, excess material will bag up, rub and create wear points. Waders that fit well move better in and out of the water, are more comfortable and last longer. Use our size chart to select the best-fitting pair of Patagonia waders. We recommend visiting your local fly shop or a Patagonia retailer to try waders on in person to find your perfect fit. View size chart.
How to Extend the Life of Your Waders
Suit Up Carefully: Avoid overstretching or walking on abrasive material (like gravel) without wading boots. Keep Clean: Rinse your waders after each session, especially after use in salt water. Dry Completely: Hang dry only, out of direct sunlight, until completely dry.
How to Wash Your Waders
Regular washing is good for technical fabrics—including waders. For the best performance, hand wash only, with cool water (27 +/-3C; 80 +/- 5F) in a tub with enough water to cover the waders fully. Use a mild liquid detergent or a technical wash soap. We recommend STORM Clothing Wash. Soak for 5 minutes on one side and another 5 minutes on the other side while squeezing and scrubbing the waders gently. Rinse twice in clean, cool water.
How to Store Your Waders
Grasp dry waders by booties and align so legs are parallel. Working from booties toward wader top, roll or fold. Store in a cool, shaded or indoor location. Avoid excessive heat.
Wader Repair
How to Fix Pinhole Fabric Leaks
- Turn waders inside out. You’ll be performing the repair on the inside of the waders.
- Clean and dry wader surface before applying UV repair adhesive. Waders must be dry before repair begins.
- Place a piece of LDPE material (like a plastic bag) behind the damaged area to ensure UV repair adhesive does not stick to any other part of the wader.
- It’s important to apply UV repair adhesive in shade. It dries in seconds when exposed to sunlight.
- Locate the pinhole and evenly spread the UV repair adhesive over and around the damaged area, overlapping it by a minimum of ½ inch. Replace the cap immediately. Expose repair to sunlight or UV light. UV repair adhesive cures in less than 30 seconds. Allow a little longer for UV repair adhesive to cure under cloudy conditions.
- A single application is suitable for most repairs. A second coat may be applied if needed.
How to Fix Small Tears
- Turn waders inside out. You’ll be performing the repair on the inside of the waders.
- Clean and dry wader surface before applying UV repair adhesive. Waders must be dry before repair begins.
- Cut a flex patch to size using the grid pattern on backing. Remove the backing from the patch and apply it to the repair area.
- Smooth out the patch, ensuring there are no air bubbles and the edges are flat. Expose repair to sunlight or UV light for an additional 30 seconds.
- Turn waders right-side out.
- It’s important to apply UV repair adhesive in shade. It dries in seconds when exposed to sunlight.
- Locate the tear and evenly spread the UV repair adhesive over and around the damaged area, overlapping it by a minimum of ½ inch. Allow to dry, and apply a second coat. Replace the cap immediately.
- Expose repair to sunlight or UV light. UV repair adhesive cures in less than 30 seconds. Allow a little longer for UV repair adhesive to cure under cloudy conditions.
How to Repair Neoprene Booties
- You’ll be performing the repair on the outside of the bootie.
- Clean and dry the surface before applying UV repair adhesive. Booties must be dry before repair begins.
- It’s important to apply UV repair adhesive in shade. It dries in seconds when exposed to sunlight.
- Locate the leak and evenly spread the UV repair adhesive over and around the damaged area, overlapping it by a minimum of ½ inch. Allow to dry, then apply a second coat. Replace the cap immediately.
- Expose repair to sunlight or UV light. UV repair adhesive cures in less than 30 seconds. Allow a little longer for UV repair adhesive to cure under cloudy conditions.
How to Repair TPU Booties
- You’ll be performing the repair on the outside of the bootie.
- Clean and dry the surface before applying UV repair adhesive. Booties must be dry before repair begins.
- It’s important to apply UV repair adhesive in shade. It dries in seconds when exposed to sunlight.
- Locate the leak and evenly spread the UV repair adhesive over and around the damaged area, overlapping it by a minimum of ½ inch. Allow to dry, then apply a second coat. Replace the cap immediately.
- Expose repair to sunlight or UV light. UV repair adhesive cures in less than 30 seconds. Allow a little longer for UV repair adhesive to cure under cloudy conditions.
- Cut a flex patch to size using the grid pattern on backing. Remove the backing from the patch and apply it to the repair area.
- Smooth out the patch, ensuring there are no air bubbles and the edges are flat. Expose repair in sunlight or UV light for an additional 30 seconds.
- The patch will continue to cure over the next 24 hours.
