Inside the Patagonia Wader-Repair Tour

Patagonia restore specialists inflate a pair of waders to determine leaks. Photographs: Rick Mikesell

By: Rick Mikesell

This spring, the Patagonia restore workforce hit the highway throughout the West to repair leaky waders—from all manufacturers—at no cost. With stops in Colorado, Montana, and Utah, they repaired a large number of waders, shared care suggestions, and supplied reside patching demonstrations, so anglers can repair rips and pinholes at house.

A Entrance-Row Have a look at the Restore Course of

I caught up with the Patagonia workforce at their latest cease at Arbor Anglers in Lafayette, Colorado, and obtained to see the entire course of in motion. A line fashioned early to reap the benefits of this distinctive service, and Patagonia was absolutely geared up to carry out all steps on website. The crew inflated compromised waders to full capability and meticulously sprayed soapy water over your complete floor. Bubbles highlighted even the smallest pinholes, and every situation was marked with a particular pen. This was undoubtedly the visible spotlight of the occasion, with a buzzing air compressor inflating waders of all sizes like balloons earlier than they have been doused in a custom-built tank.

Anglers lined as much as reap the benefits of the free service.

As soon as absolutely dry, the Patagonia workforce professionally patched every rip, tear, and gap inside a singular cabin trailer, full with a wood-fired range. Though wader building varies drastically amongst producers, Patagonia had the required instruments, adhesives, and patches available to avoid wasting virtually each pair introduced in. The workforce made fast work of the handfuls of waders, with every restore taking simply over an hour. Whereas anglers waited, Patagonia showcased their new lineup of waders and packs, alongside samples of sustainable snacks and brews from Patagonia Provisions.

Neighborhood Partnerships on the Highway

Patagonia additionally partnered with Colorado-based nonprofit Community Fly Fishing, a corporation that creates entry to the outside via free, community-based fly fishing occasions. Austin and the Neighborhood Fly Fishing workforce have been available to supply free fly-tying instruction and to gather frivolously used gear for distribution to new anglers.

This pair wanted a plethora of patches to maintain the water out.

A Radical Strategy to Gear Longevity

The wader restore tour is a radical method for a producer—whose typical M.O. is to promote extra gear. Nick Blixt, Patagonia’s fly fishing advertising and marketing lead, defined: “The aim is to maintain extra waders within the area and out of the landfill. We wish to have a very good dialog with people about high quality, and what it means to maintain waders going longer.”

The tour wrapped up on April 29 at Western Rivers Flyfisher in Salt Lake Metropolis. Whereas the chance to get any pair of waders repaired without cost could have handed this spring, Patagonia nonetheless stands behind its wader line with detailed care and at-home restore guides—and, in fact, a rock-solid guarantee providing skilled repairs when wanted.

Learn More about Patagonia’s New for 2025 Wader Line Here