Wader Boot Repair

[JMP]

I have a pair of Korker boots I bought 12 years ago when we went to visit my daughter in Alaska. They recently began to fail and developed a crack along the bottom and over the top where the attachment knob for the sole is located. I glued the plastic to the internal structure with contact cement and later applied shoe goo over the damaged area. I have fished one time since the repair and with no failure. After 12 years, it is time to purchase new boots.

 

[Mwo10mwo]

Well deserved! I love when a piece of gear lasts so long

 

[hooker-of-men]

Yeah, your wading boots are older than my children 😂 Time to treat yourself!

 

[Swattie87]

I had the same pair. My ultimate terminal failure point, after about 5 or 6 years (I fish small streams and tend to log a lot of hiking miles), was the same. They actually were fine to still wear but that opening was leaving my wader booties exposed, which eventually would have become an issue for the waders. Very happy with my purchase. Korkers guy for life now.

The toe box stitching was blown out for the last 2+ years of their life probably, but they never came apart there. Really well built stuff.

 

[RLeep2]

I'm a Korkers guy as well. Back when I was a lower mileage model, I probably put about as much wear on any given pair as Mr. Swattie, mostly in the same sort of settings. I'd normally buy the Buckskins and get 4-6 years per pair even with indifferent maintenance. I'd go through two sets of studded felts per season though. My sole negative experience with Korkers was with a pair of the Boa Darkhorse I bought 3-4 years ago. Halfway through the 2nd season, the front half of both shoes delaminated or whatever you call it. It took almost a full tube of Aquaseal to resurrect them. I suppose I had a case for no charge replacement, but I very seldom complain to anybody about much of anything. I see it more as a challenge to my ability to innovate. My general rule of thumb is that any boots or waders that exceed 10% or so Aquaseal by volume gets tossed and I buy new ones..