Patagonia restore specialists inflate a pair of waders to establish leaks. Images: Rick Mikesell
By: Rick Mikesell
This spring, the Patagonia restore group 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 mess of waders, shared care ideas, and supplied reside patching demonstrations, so anglers can repair rips and pinholes at dwelling.
A Entrance-Row Have a look at the Restore Course of
I caught up with the Patagonia group at their latest cease at Arbor Anglers in Lafayette, Colorado, and received to see the entire course of in motion. A line shaped early to benefit from this distinctive service, and Patagonia was absolutely outfitted to carry out all steps on website. The crew inflated compromised waders to full capability and meticulously sprayed soapy water over the complete floor. Bubbles highlighted even the smallest pinholes, and every problem 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 benefit from the free service.
As soon as absolutely dry, the Patagonia group professionally patched every rip, tear, and gap inside a singular cabin trailer, full with a wood-fired range. Though wader development varies significantly amongst producers, Patagonia had the mandatory instruments, adhesives, and patches available to save lots of nearly each pair introduced in. The group 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.
Group Partnerships on the Highway
Patagonia additionally partnered with Colorado-based nonprofit Community Fly Fishing, a company that creates entry to the outside via free, community-based fly fishing occasions. Austin and the Group Fly Fishing group 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 Method to Gear Longevity
The wader restore tour is a radical strategy for a producer—whose typical M.O. is to promote extra gear. Nick Blixt, Patagonia’s fly fishing advertising lead, defined: “The objective is to maintain extra waders within the discipline 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 might have handed this spring, Patagonia nonetheless stands behind its wader line with detailed care and at-home restore guides—and, after all, a rock-solid guarantee providing skilled repairs when wanted.
Learn More about Patagonia’s New for 2025 Wader Line Here
Nick Blixt explains the environmental rationale for the Patagonia venture.
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