Wader Warranty

[BigDuckHunter]

My waders gave up the ghost halfway through the season this year. Third year in a row that I’ve been left hanging mid season by a pair of leaky waders.

I’m looking at some of the high-end brands with the lifetime warranty. Specifically Kuiu, Sitka, and Chene, but open to any others.

Does anyone have experience with any of their warranties? It concerns me when they say “lifetime of the product” because that pretty much gives them an out whenever they don’t feel like taking care of you. The one time I had an issue with a pair of Sitka pants the first time I wore them, they basically told me to pound sand so that doesn’t give me much confidence there. I definitely don’t expect them to replace waders 20 years down the road or for someone who’s abusing them, but I’d hope they’d last 6-8 years at least. I don’t baby my gear, but I do try to take care of it. I’m not busting through ice with my knees or walking through a bunch of brush to get to my spot.

Has anyone dealt with their warranty departments for waders? What was your experience like?

 

[Wheels]

I have a pair of Sitka waders that are probably 4 years old, have patched a leak but haven’t sent them in. My understanding is they will fix any manufacturers defect for free and will charge $125 for just about anything else. I have heard of others sending theirs in with self induced rips/tears and didn’t get charged anything, but it’s probably case by case. Not sure about Chene or Kuiu.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

I have had good experiences with both Sitka and Chene wader warranties. Chene had no issues patching up leaks inside the knees that were clearly wear and not factory defects. My Sitkas developed some pinholes at the boot/leg intersection due to wear. They put brand new boots on the waders for a $125 repair charge. I have had good experiences with Sitka jackets and zipper repairs as well.

I just contacted Chene today because the seams on the inside of the legs are starting to split open. I am sure they will take care of me, but I am a little disappointed in that defect. For what it’s worth, the Sitka's have a better fit and comfort level and the padded knee section helps with wear. I prefer them over the Chenes.

 

[BigDuckHunter]

Ok that’s good to hear. I’ll probably go with a pair of Sitka waders. All the Sitka stuff I have has worked well and it seems well thought out, but waders are obviously a different ballgame. And I know everyone makes lemons from time to time so I’d like to know they stand behind it.

Side note, but it is kind of crazy to me that Kuiu sells theirs for a full $200 more than Sitka, even though they can’t use Gore Tex for theirs.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

I don't think you are going to get a free set of waders if you put a hole in them. Seems most of the big players in the wader game will fix defects for a year or so for free. Then you pay some small fee for anymore fixes. I have been wearing dryft waders for a few years for hunting, fishing and land surveying in fresh and salt water and they have been great.

Sent from my SM-S921U using Tapatalk

 

[Beagle1]

I’ve been using Redington Sonic Pro waders for about the last eight years. The warranty is for a year. Every four years one of the booties gets a small leak and I buy a new pair. If you shop around a new pair is around $300. I’ve considered buying some high end waders but the Redingtons are just too good at their price point to make the change.

 

[BigDuckHunter]

I’ve been using Redington Sonic Pro waders for about the last eight years. The warranty is for a year. Every four years one of the booties gets a small leak and I buy a new pair. If you shop around a new pair is around $300. I’ve considered buying some high end waders but the Redingtons are just too good at their price point to make the change.

I’ve looked at them before. If they made a bootfoot wader that’s definitely the way I’d go. The stocking foot just doesn’t work for me.

 

[Beagle1]

I was a bootfoot guy in my younger days but as I got older wading boots were much more comfortable during a long day of fishing.

 

[BigDuckHunter]

I was a bootfoot guy in my younger days but as I got older wading boots were much more comfortable during a long day of fishing.

Oh yes definitely more comfortable, but not near as warm. I’ve got bootfoot waders I wear fishing, but they don’t work hunting in 32 degree water.

I also don’t have to worry about my boots coming off and getting stuck in the mud when bootfoot waders.

 

[SloppyJ]

I've given up trying to get more than a season or two out of waders. I go with a decent pair of breathables every other year or so. I have a Drake set right now.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I’ve been using Redington Sonic Pro waders for about the last eight years. The warranty is for a year. Every four years one of the booties gets a small leak and I buy a new pair. If you shop around a new pair is around $300. I’ve considered buying some high end waders but the Redingtons are just too good at their price point to make the change.

I use these as well. They are awesome. Mine are going strong after three years and were used on two alaskan moose hunts.

 

[Beagle1]

Oh yes definitely more comfortable, but not near as warm. I’ve got bootfoot waders I wear fishing, but they don’t work hunting in 32 degree water.

I also don’t have to worry about my boots coming off and getting stuck in the mud when bootfoot waders.

What I do to avoid cold feet in wading boots is wear Lenz electric socks under a pair of heavyweight wool socks. I routinely steelhead fish for hours in the winter in 30s water and have toasty feet. I also use the Lenz socks for hunting in much colder temps. The Lenz are pricey but work well.

Funny on the mud issue. When I was steelhead fishing in a swampy area in my younger days one of my bootfoot waders got stuck in the mud. I mean really stuck to the point I thought I was going to have to step out of my waders to get back to shore. I think the embarrassment of having to do that was the only reason I was able to get my boot loose.