Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire How to fix a hole in rubber boots?

Im getting ready to leave on a bear hunt Friday and noticed my knee high rubber boots have a frickin slit in em. What is a good way to patch this? I know I should just go get new ones but there fit so dam good and I have not been able to find this style any more.

Any ideas? Gorilla glue maybe?

Shoe goo

Those old hot patches like they used to use on inner tubes work very well if you can find some of them.

Use a bicycle tire/ inner-tube patch kit.

I had same problem. Took a piece of rubber,cut larger than existing hole/slit, and used Gorilla glue. let it set-up 24hrs.

Works great. Good luck Bear hunting.

No on Gorilla glue. Stuff expands way too much for that type of patch.

Could try a tire patch kit for bike tires, maybe?

Vinyl patch kit for vinyl pool liners?

shoe goo and the same way you would repair an inner tube or bike tire.

I looked for hot patches online and didn't find any,..but I found this place which offers several different types of cold patches.


http://www.gemplers.com/search.aspx?q=tube+patch&src=25GLTRS&s_kwcid=TC|4086|tube%20patches||S|p|2947598125

If they are real rubber and not one of the synthetic copies, use the glue that comes in a bike or auto tyre repair kit...In fact I would could use the patches that come in the auto kit to add the need strength to the repair..The glue used will actually form a "weld" rather than just bonding to the surface.

Additionally, I'd add a patch to the inside too, as long as it won't rub/blister your foot. Type of patch and glue would depend on the liner material ect...

The suggestions are solid, of course, but I'd buy another pair just to have some backup.

Even though you have yours broken in to perfection, I wouldn't let a failed or later failing repair job leave you with being unprepared on such a hunt.

Growing up on a dairy farm, we lived in 'barn boots'. A hole always was fixed with a tire patch. Clean/rough up the surface, spread the patch glue on, let it 'dry', put the patch on, then roll with the patch roller thing. Always worked for us, did it just like fixing an inner tube off a tractor or other piece of equipment.

I did buy another pair last year but they just dont fit like the old ones. The pair with the rip is an old pait of LaCross that hold the ankle and there the best dam boot ever for walking in. I looked all over hell last year and I dont think that make em anymore.

Xtratuf

Say what?

Xtratuf, use your Google-fu.

Shoo-goo if it's a cut. Xtratuf boots is it's rotted.
Now they make Shoo-goo for lots of types or repairs.
Use your Shoo-goo-google-fu.

Duct tape...preferably blue.

Cheesy has it. I am a retired lineman. I lived in insulated Northerners about all winter. Always kept my feet toasty warm, but they were very soft. We always used cold patch kits to patch, if you can still find them. Our process was no square corners on the patch, and after you prepare the boot to patch and brush with the glue, you light the glue and fire it on the boot for a few seconds, blow out the fire, and apply the patch. I've been retired for ten years, so this may all be for naught, but it worked for me many, many times. Good luck.

You you might check on the Alaska Forum. Hip boots are called Alaska tennis shoes up there.

I've used a tire patch kit but substituted Shoe-goo for the glue.

FYI, Gorilla glue is way overpriced. Elmers sells the same stuff but it's called Ultimate Glue for a lot less money. It comes in a blue labeled squeeze bottle.

Blue duct tape! Christ I would not stand a chance........grin