Hang’em High: How to Properly Store Your Waders

As my final installment in the wader series, this is a reminder that no matter how clean, breathable, and leak-free your waders may be, all it takes is a few months of improper storage to send them to the trash can. Keep these tips in mind when the season comes to an end:
• If the insides are wet, use a Peet shoe dryer or hang your waders outdoors until they are completely dry inside and out.
• If you have stocking–foot waders, hang them on a hanger by the suspenders. If they are bootfoots, hang them upside-down from the base of the boots on a commercial hanger, which you can get at Cabela’s.  Whatever you do, don’t fold them.
• Store your waders in a dry area that is not regularly exposed to fluorescent light or direct sunlight.
Follow these instructions and your waders will last until they’re out of style.
How many days and seasons do you usually get out of a pair of waders? Hit the comments bar and let us know.

Comments

[Benson]

I had a pair of Red Ball neprene waders that technically are still alive and well after 14 years of steady use, but they have a stench so foul in them that I can't wear them anymore. No amount of airing out or Lysol will kill the smell. A shame, as they're the best waders I ever had (sniff!)

[greg kumnik]

I am in the process of buying waders, but I'm not sure how to find the right ones for me at a reasonable price. What are the pros and cons of the boot and stocking foot waders? What brands are considerable? I would like a wader that will let me use them for duck hunting as well as fishing.

[tom]

greg-
depends on where you live, but out here in MT, stockingfoot waders are the best. pair them with even some $50, felt-sole boots and you're set to fish. i've also worn the same setup in a tube for farm pond bass is KS. Try Dan Baily brand waders for true value. i've worn their light-weight, breathables for all twelve months of the year fishing here in MT. my current pair of Dan Baily's have 150 days on them, and the only hole i've had is when i tangled with a barwire fence. not the waders fault and they repaired easily.

[Smith W. Dewlen]

I would like to add something I have done for many years (NO! I will not say how many years.)to keep rubber boots in good shape. Apply a rubber prservative to them after each use or at least every six months. I use the same stuff I use on my tires.