Treatments to Improve Breathable Wader Waterproofness. Worth the Effort?
- Thread starter DGC
- Start date
I tried DWR treatment on waders and old Frog Toggs raincoats. Made the material very soft, but not impressed with the waterproofness. OK for crossing a parking lot in the rain, but not for serious outdoor use. Haven't been impressed with home DWR treatment.
BTW, after being soaked in breathable raingear in long, hard rains in June have gone back to 100% waterproof non-breathable rain gear. Maybe breathable is important in summer hiking or other strenuous activities, but I have found with trout fishing the 100% waterproof keeps me dry and the conditions are such that I don't uncomfortably sweat. Spent a week on the Olympic Peninsula two weeks ago and was very glad I switched away from breathable raingear. Many years ago I switched to 100% waterproof for steelhead fishing after a bad experience in freezing rain and never looked back.
BTW, after being soaked in breathable raingear in long, hard rains in June have gone back to 100% waterproof non-breathable rain gear. Maybe breathable is important in summer hiking or other strenuous activities, but I have found with trout fishing the 100% waterproof keeps me dry and the conditions are such that I don't uncomfortably sweat. Spent a week on the Olympic Peninsula two weeks ago and was very glad I switched away from breathable raingear. Many years ago I switched to 100% waterproof for steelhead fishing after a bad experience in freezing rain and never looked back.
salmo
Well-known member
I’ve used the NikWax wash and waterproofing liquid. I’m pretty happy with it on my 8 year old waders. BTW just retired my waders and bought a new pair with a very important feature - a full zipper chest to crotch.
nymphingmaniac
Well-known member
not worth the effort/expense imo
Bamboozle
Well-known member
Since for the most part I wet wade all the time & don't wear waders, my only experience is with stocking foot hippers that weren't leaking/weeping.
It made a noticeable difference, IMHO because water repellancy is part of the whole waterproof thing with breathable fabrics. The hippers dry faster and I have to believe are closer to their performance when new.
FWIW - I used the Revivex products, now sold under the Gear Aid Revivex name.
It made a noticeable difference, IMHO because water repellancy is part of the whole waterproof thing with breathable fabrics. The hippers dry faster and I have to believe are closer to their performance when new.
FWIW - I used the Revivex products, now sold under the Gear Aid Revivex name.
CRB
Well-known member
I've used revivex and it has worked very well on my gtex rain gear and older waders. You have to do it correctly clean, air dry and use an iron for the heat set..
The gear aid repair tape works very well too. used on rain gear and my pool.
The gear aid repair tape works very well too. used on rain gear and my pool.
goose54cdd
Active member
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- Jul 23, 2021
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- 549
I've never had much luck repairing waders.
PennKev
Well-known member
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- Sep 9, 2006
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- 3,776
Uh.... what wetness?
If you are referring to general dampness that occurs, that's sweat and condensation. It's a fact of life and is going to happen anywhere below the water line when you wade. The vapor can't "breath" through the fabric if there is water on the other side.
But anyway, my answer is no. It's not worth treating the waders.
tomgamber
Well-known member
Agree. That's your wetness. Not the river.
I'm not sure what the OP means by "weeping wetness", but the the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is a chemical coating applied on the outside of the fabric to shed water and bead up. If your waders or raincoat no longer bead up water and just wet out, the DWR has worn out. Reading the instructions (see link below) and properly washing the waders and applying the DWR and, and as mentioned above, drying it as per the instructions renews the water repellency for your waders or raincoat or any breathable garment regains its breathability. I've done this successfully several times with both my waders and raincoat. And it's a lot cheaper than buying a new pair of waders or raincoat.
CRB
Well-known member
Dito
Have Tex 10-20 years old take care of them they will take care of you. Key keep then clean. I use ivory snow no perfumes to wash have had the box for about as long.
