Patagonia's wader repair tour wraps up this month

Patagonia, more than any other large apparel maker, has a history of encouraging its customers to keep their existing gear in action. Whether through advertising like its infamous “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign, its long-running Worn Wear program, partnerships with repair outfits like iFixit, online and other customer resources providing tips and instructions on how to mend common wear-and-tear, or through hands-on repair clinics and services, the Ventura-based company has long made sincere efforts to keep still-good apparel and other gear from ending up in a landfill prematurely. The latest in those efforts, Patagonia’s in-person wader repair tour, is ongoing and wraps up at the end of this month.

Patagonia is in the midst of a 7-stop tour focused on the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. in which it is offering free in-person wader repair. Perhaps most importantly, the free repair offer isn’t limited to Patagonia brand waders. Any brand of waders is eligible for repair and all anglers need do is show up with their waders (preferably clean and turned inside out) to have common ailments like punctures and failing seams repaired on site.

The company offered a similar, free service in 2020, when its wader repair team joined the Fly Fishing Show circuit, providing free repairs to show goers visiting to check out new gear, explore travel destinations, as well as see fly tying demonstrations and other presentations.

If the free wader repair isn’t enough to lure you out, there’s a bit more. According to a release from the company, “Patagonia’s Wader Repair Team is here to help. They’re going on the road this spring to inspect, diagnose and repair your waders (any brand) free! They’ll also demonstrate in fieldpatch techniques and maintenance tips. You'll have a chance to meet local organizations working to protect wild fish and clean water and get a sneak peek at some upcoming Patagonia fly gear. There may also be beer.”

Earlier stops on the tour included Littleton, CO as well Missoula, MT and Bozeman, MT. The remaining, all of which occur during the last week of April, take place in Colorado and Utah (see below for full schedule).

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For three of the remaining tour dates, Patagonia will be joined by non-profit organization Community Fly Fishing, whose mission is to help facilitate access to fly fishing for people interesting in experiencing the outdoors. In conjunction with Patagonia's wader repair services, Community Fly Fishing will be holding a gear drive, accepting donations of used fly fishing gear.

The wader repair team is requesting that anglers visiting the tour limit their repair ask to one pair of waders per person.

APR 25 — Littleton, CO — Anglers All

5211 S. Santa Fe Dr. Littleton, CO 80120
2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Community Partner: Community Fly Fishing
Refreshments by Patagonia Provisions
Open fly tying class from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Community Fly Fishing will be holding a gear drive accepting lightly used gear donations (waders, boots, fly rods, reels, fly lines, flies, tippet, leaders, sunglasses, etc.) to assist in providing access to the outdoors and opportunities to learn the art of fly fishing."

APR 26 — Lafayette, CO — Arbor Anglers Fly Shop

489 US-287 Suite 130, Lafayette, CO 80026
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Community Partner: Community Fly Fishing
Refreshments by Patagonia Provisions
Open fly tying class from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Community Fly Fishing will be holding a gear drive accepting lightly used gear donations (waders, boots, fly rods, reels, fly lines, flies, tippet, leaders, sunglasses, etc.) to assist in providing access to the outdoors and opportunities to learn the art of fly fishing.

APR 27 — Fort Collins, CO — St. Peter's Fly Shop

2008 E. Harmony Road, Fort Collins, CO 80528
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Community Partner: Community Fly Fishing
Refreshments by Patagonia Provisions
Open fly tying class from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Community Fly Fishing will be holding a gear drive accepting lightly used gear donations (waders, boots, fly rods, reels, fly lines, flies, tippet, leaders, sunglasses, etc.) to assist in providing access to the outdoors and opportunities to learn the art of fly fishing.