Orvis wader repair service

[CRB]

I think the trick with waders is that most of the repairs you successfully send in could also be handled with a tube of aqua seal. If they can’t do it that way they’ll likely claim it’s “beyond repair”

Learning the Isopropyl alcohol, turn it inside out trick is a great way to ensure you won’t be without your waders for long periods of time only to find out they’re shot. I make minor repairs to my waders after nearly every fishing trip.

Have agree but it is nice when you need new booties Simms could replace them.
I had it don to a pair about 12 years ago.
Customer service was excellent than.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

I think the trick with waders is that most of the repairs you successfully send in could also be handled with a tube of aqua seal. If they can’t do it that way they’ll likely claim it’s “beyond repair”

Learning the Isopropyl alcohol, turn it inside out trick is a great way to ensure you won’t be without your waders for long periods of time only to find out they’re shot. I make minor repairs to my waders after nearly every fishing trip.

Having tried spray-on Flex-Seal on neoprene, I DON'T recommend it. Not only does it not work, the polymer hairs float all over the place and make quite a mess.

 

[Nocktavius]

Having tried spray-on Flex-Seal on neoprene, I DON'T recommend it. Not only does it not work, the polymer hairs float all over the place and make quite a mess.

This is what you want to use. It’s also what Orvis, Simms, Patagucci and Skwala will use when you send them in. Seriously, save the downtime and get back on the river in less than 24h

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

This is what you want to use. It’s also what Orvis, Simms, Patagucci and Skwala will use when you send them in. Seriously, save the downtime and get back on the river in less than 24h

I knew this before but had the Flex Seal on-hand and gave it a try. I've found that nothing repairs leaks on neoprene that has been thinned by compression. I've had some success repairing seams and actual holes using a combination of nylon stocking patches and Aquaseal.

 

[tjsingle]

I knew this before but had the Flex Seal on-hand and gave it a try. I've found that nothing repairs leaks on neoprene that has been thinned by compression. I've had some success repairing seams and actual holes using a combination of nylon stocking patches and Aquaseal.

So on my Orvis waders, I had a similar issue. I fish a couple streams that have a lot of fine sand and gravel, the gravel guards on my ultralights are just the same material as the waders. Often times they come undone and gravel will get into my boots. I usually wont notice until its too late.

This is 100% my fault and not the issue of the waders.

But anyway, I had just recently went to Montana and my waders leaked at the neoprene taped joints on the heels. I didn't want to send them to Orvis and end up waderless, so I took it upon myself to repair them. I used Aquaseal for Neoprene. This version of aquaseal is basically a rubberized variant. Its marketed for being for wetsuits.

Aquaseal Neo at REI

I applied several coats on the joints and used that to reseal my neoprene feet. I was skeptical at first, but after using them for about 10 days on the water, I have no leaks and the material has held up great. Working with the material is interesting because it dries QUICK. I used masking tape as well.

 

[Bamboozle]

All Aquaseal products are suitable for neoprene, they typically only vary in their formulation and how long they take to cure. The NEO version is 20 minutes which is way shorter than the FD version.

If you had a dark place to apply it, the Aquaseal UV looks like a good product to have stashed in the gear bag for emergencies.