Comments on: Critical Wader Care — Advice From the Companies Themselves — How to Wash and Dry Your Waders

By: Domenick Swentosky

Domenick Swentosky — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:14:29 +0000

In reply to ed.

Let them dry first.

By: ed

ed — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:53:43 +0000

Thank you Dom. First time I’ve ever cleaned my waders, mainly because they never lasted more than a year or so at best. I have Simms G-3’s and so far so good for a full two years and fishing 100+ days a year. So, after you wash them, do you let completely dry before adding the water repellent or while the waders are still wet?

By: Ryan Amesbury-Cooke

Ryan Amesbury-Cooke — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 07:57:59 +0000

In reply to John Lauber.

Hi John – when it comes to leaders not leaking, in my experience the fit is absolutely crucial. I got a mid range pair from a guy whose only business is wader sales and repairs. I sent him my measurements and budget and he hooked me up with a pair that fit, which are coming up on three seasons with no leaks.

By: Roger Koide

Roger Koide — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 01:11:29 +0000

What a super article! To be honest, I never even thought of cleaning my waders! Thanks, Dom

By: John

John — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 13:33:02 +0000

Very useful information and much appreciated. One small tip to add … I always turn my waders inside out, at least to the bootie, when I take them off at the car. That lets the inside air out and dry out any condensation on my rive home. At home, I turn them back right side out and hang them to finish drying.

Wondering if you’ve got any similar tips for cleaning, drying (?) and treating boots? I just bought a pair of Orvis boots (based in part on your review). Wondering if it would be worth treating the boot and especially thread seams before I use them?

By: AJ Mac

AJ Mac — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 13:00:20 +0000

Well done Dom great article very practical and a good reminder to get it done !!

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:51:47 +0000

I hang my waders from a 2′ length of 4″ pvc pipe in my garage. This holds them open enough to completely air out. the pipe is also gentle on the suspenders. Give it a try.

By: Bob Heine

Bob Heine — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:44:31 +0000

Wader Care and Feeding. A History.

Forty years ago a claimed destroyer of waders was dry rot caused by “ozone damage”. This hazy science idea of ozone damage was pushed by a large wader manufacturer of the day. That manufacturer -now defunct- recommended storing waders in a closed bag after use in order to reduce this ozone damage.Regional bad air was used to explain a lot of defective wader returns.

With that intel – and a pile of leaky waders – I designed the first commercially available wader bag in 1982. The Ozark Outfitters Stand On Wader Bag was advertised in outdoor magazines during the early 1980’s. See Fly Fisherman Magazine (volume 14 number 1) December 1982 page 54. This wader bag was also awarded a patent – Des # 279234. The patent is on file with the US patent office. If a wader bag was available before 1982, let me know. My patent lawyer in the early 1980s found none.

The current Simms “Taco Wader bag” is an almost exact copy of the Ozark Outfitters Stand On Wader bag introduced in 1982 and patented in 1985. Ten years ago Simms called the Taco wader bag “a smart design”. To Simms I say “thank you”.

So if ozone damage prevention comes back in style perhaps the Taco Bag can help your waders last longer. If not, please enjoy having a place to stand when put on and take off your waders. It is one of fly fishing pleasures I’ve enjoyed for over forty years.

By: Mat C

Mat C — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:24:52 +0000

In reply to RICK SNYDER.

Hi Rick, my old G3’s ctually came with a factory tag recommending rolled up storage. Just make sure they’re dry.

By: Mat C

Mat C — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:21:34 +0000

Nice article Dom, and certainly much needed. I’ve been (as all of us) guilty of a tardy washing regime.

I look forward to your “leak repair” article. For too many years (and too many waders!) I’ve had to either repair (Aquaseal) or replace waders. Pretty sick of it. I learnt a long time ago to only buy high-end waders, but frankly, have been disappointed way too often. My latest Orvis Pro’s have lasted only ~50 water days, before repair. I’m tough on waders sure, but “durable” waders is kind of an oxymoron. I’d love to try the Skwala’s, but it’s impossible to get them in Australia…
Cheers again for your work mate.