Helpful Hints
Drying Wading Boots and Booties
By Elaine Cook
Helpful Hints
Drying Wading Boots and Booties
By Elaine Cook
Storing wading boots and booties wet may cause mildew and "rot."
If you're using them every day or two, wading will rinse them enough that mildew (mold or fungus) will not be a problem. You should rinse sand and grit out each day to prevent damage to your wader feet.
To expedite drying, try one of these:
* Put them in a mesh bag and hang them from an outside rear view mirror. (Doug Severin)
* Tie securely by the shoelaces to ladder on the back of a RV. (John Cook uses a square knot and bow.)
* Stuff with crumpled newspaper, changing it frequently as moisture is absorbed. (Cabela's)
* Prop tops open with short sticks. (Elaine Cook)
* Place on dashboard.
Basically, give them lots of sun and air circulation!
(Ed Notes:
* Don't overdo sun: most fabrics, plastics, rubber and leather will get brittle and weak if left out for long periods.
* Take care of the neoprene parts of your waders:
- rinse or brush grit off of the feet daily;
- if the feet are damp inside from perspiration, hang them out inside out to dry before using them again;
- if you get any noticeable perspiration salt buildup (white streaks), rinse it off. The acids will "rot" neoprene.
- don't leave neoprene out in the sun beyond what's necessary for drying out.)