Care & Storage
The Hunt Doesn't End at the Truck
Most gear fails in storage, not in the field. A wader stuffed wet into a bag, hung in a hot garage, or compressed under other gear for four months will wear out faster than one that got hard use every morning of the season. The difference is what happens after the hunt.
These aren't complicated steps. They're just the ones that matter.
After Every Hunt
Rinse Inside and Out
Mud and silt work into seams over time. Rinse your waders thoroughly with fresh water after each use: boots, legs, and anywhere that picked up debris. A garden hose is enough.
If you hunted saltwater or brackish water, a full freshwater rinse isn't optional. Salt breaks down seam integrity faster than almost anything else.
Dry Completely Before You Put Them Away
Turn them inside out. Hang them in a shaded, ventilated spot and leave them until they're fully dry. Not just surface dry. Moisture sealed inside creates mold, mildew, and material breakdown. None of that is a warranty issue. All of it is preventable.
Check for Damage While the Hunt Is Fresh
You'll know where you felt wet. Run your hand along the inside seams and boot lining before you forget. A small repair done now is a dry morning next season. Tape off anything suspect so you don't lose track of it. Not sure what fit or wear patterns to look for? The Wader Size Guide covers what a proper fit should feel like.
Between Seasons
Hang Them. Don't Fold Them.
Compression is what kills waders in the off-season. Folding the same crease repeatedly, or packing them tight under a pile of gear, cracks the waterproof laminate from the inside before you ever get back to the water. Hang them upright or store them loosely rolled, boots down. Keep other gear off them.
Keep Them Away From Heat and Light
A garage that runs hot in summer, a truck cab in July, direct sunlight through a window. All of it degrades neoprene and waterproof membranes faster than field use will. Cool, dark, and stable is the right environment. A closet works. A furnace room doesn't. For a deeper look at how our materials are built to hold up, see Materials and Features.
A Stuff Sack Is for the Marsh, Not Storage
Pack them tight for the boat ride. Don't leave them that way for months. Sustained compression breaks down the internal structure of waterproof materials in ways you won't see until the season opener.
Repairs
Pinholes and minor seam issues are fixable. Clean and dry the area completely first. Adhesive won't bond to damp material. A neoprene patch kit or wader-specific seam sealer handles most of what you'll find.
For anything more significant, reach out. We'd rather walk you through it than have you guess. If it's a warranty situation, we'll tell you straight. You can read the full terms at Chêne Gear Wader Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Washing
A rinse after each use is usually enough. If your waders need a deeper clean, use a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and a cleaner made for waders. No fabric softener. No bleach. No dryer.
For neoprene, skip harsh detergents entirely. They strip the material and shorten its life.
Keep Them Field-Ready
Rinse them. Dry them. Hang them somewhere they won't get cooked or compressed. Check them before they go away for the season, not when you're pulling them out at 4 a.m. on opening day.
Do that, and they'll be ready when you are. If you're still dialing in fit before the season, start with How Should My Waders Fit? Questions about repairs or warranty? Reach out directly. We pick up.
