Boot patches?

I have two of my three pair of Lacross boots that now have leaks. One is my fault, as I cut it on barbed wire crossing a fence. The others are my 2 year old Alfa-Burley's that have cracked at the junction of the ankle, and the upper. I'm not ready to retire two pair of $130.00 boots. Whats the BEST patch for these??? I know silicone will NOT stick, and they are not real rubber, so i wouldn't think a rubber tire patch would stick either. But I don't know that.

Having the same issue from what Ive read 3m 5200 is best bet. yet to try it though

Don't know but your comment makes me shake my head. On another site there was the debate between Lacross and Muck boots regarding which were warmer and which were more durable. Many thought the Muck boots didn't last as long but your comment Yaz about the 2 year old Lacross makes me wonder. Post up with whatever you find works on sealing them.

If I recall, the 5200 is what I use to calk and seal holes in by boat! I keep a good supply of that on hand! :rolleyes: It does remain somewhat flexible.

yep thats the stuff

delaney mine are wear cracks also lacrosse 3 years old

Dave, I'm hard on stuff, and my boots get worn on a daily basis. I have an uninulated pair, a 800 gram pair, and a 1000 gram pair. They all double as hunting/farm work boots in the fall, winter and spring. So, using me a guage on how well they hold up is probably not a good indicator. BUT, 2 years old and check/stress cracking is not good.

Ive worn LaCRosse Burlys for many years and never found anything that will patch them. If they leak I pitch them and buy another pair. Good luck! h.h.

Well you guys are just full of boot "sunshine". I'm looking to get something in the 1500 gram range, or close to it, as the toes just won't stay warm anymore with the blood pressure meds, and old age. The other site suggested that the Muck boots are heavy and wear out quickly but are supposedly warmer than the Lacross which are supposedly lighter and wear longer. Geez, who knows. Until this thread, the waterfowl guys had me leaning towards Lacross but now I'm rethinking the Muck boots.

Dave...take at look a Rocky Boots they offer some good stuff

http://www.rockyboots.com/default.aspx

Muck boots are out of the question for me with the neoprene uppers. Those and farm work wouldn't be a good match! I'd never get them clean.

LACROSSE is the only way to go. I will NEVER own another pair of rocky boots..

+1 for LaCrosse. That and Meindl are the best!

NOT a Rocky fan either!

Add me to the Muck camp. Woody Elites are the most comfortable boot I have ever owned. Mine have worn well and that is taking care of them, only use they get is from the truck to the stand and back. Camo wore off on the toe, but everytime I slide into them I wonder what I was doing before these boots.

Dave..you probably already know this, but we added a carpet swatch to every stand a few years ago. It dramatically helped with cold feet. Putting another layer between your feet and that cold metal stand really helped.

The plain old green Burly's have seemed to hold up fairly well for what I put em through. The ones that have fallen apart on me are the 2 year old camo'd Alfaburly's. The uppers are a different material, and don't seem as well built in the seams, which is where they are coming apart.

Yaz, sorry for what ended up a kind of thread hijack. Thanks for all the comments guys.

I didn't take it as a "hijack". Nice to see what other guys are using, and how well a product holds up. I don't like spending $250.00+ per year for a couple pair of boots! They SHOULD last longer than that. I've got some 3M 5200 marine sealant. I'm going to try it. It takes a couple days to fully cure. I will let you know how it works out.

Weedy and I were discussing it last night....Northerner USED to be the boot to have. Hip waders, and knee boots. They were real vulcanized rubber, and could be patched at the tire shop. They never did have GOOD insulation though. If they'd put Thinsulate brand insulation in them now, I'd buy those again.

Is that because vulcanized rubber and the insulation materials don't combine well? Please do let us know about the 3M marine, as I've got three pairs of boots here that have been shelved because of leaks.

lacrosse isn't the boot it used to be either. When they quit making the Burly with the ankle tight fit the boot wasn't the same. Without a boot jack they were nearly impossible to get off.
You might try this http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/sg_plstc/overview/Loctite-Plastics-Bonding-System.htm
Nothing Ive tried will stay on as a patch so I hope the 5200 works for you. Good luck, h.h.

I don't know if this is going to go too well....we'll see. After closer inspection, both of my Alfaburley's are coming apart at the seam between the uppers and the ankle.

I only use my boots for hunting, but I wonder why I did not go with Muck boots before, never have cold feet, just the opposite if it is over 50 degrees and 4 years and no leaks at all. Feels like wearing tennis shoes! I just wear pants down over the tops to protect the upper. Deer in Switzerland county smell you no matter what you do, spray pants legs with scent spray....when I remember.

Must be that corrosive cow poop...

Might be something to that......??? h.h.

That very well could be a true statement.

Joe...I just wear my cow poop boots for cover scent, dress in all black for my camo. Deer don't know that Angus can't climb trees!!!! Geesh....... :rolleyes:

Did whatever you used work?

Dave, I used the 5200. It takes 7 days to cure. I cut small patches out of a pair that was too far gone to save. I put a glob of 5200 on the tears and put a layer on the patch. Let it sit for 24 hours to tack up a bit. This stuff is SLLLOOOOWWWWW to cure. After 24 hours, i put the patches on, and it still wasn't tacky enough to hold. Pulled the patches off, and waited another day to put the patches back on. this time the patches stuck. I then went around the patch on the outside edge with the 5200 to taper the edge of the patch so it wouldn't catch, and peel off. I'll wear them at the end of the week to see how well it does. These rips are the uppers coming apart from the lower at the ankle. High stress area. If it works there, then it should work anywhere on the boot. Its a PIA, but beats paying another $140.00 for another pair if it works.

I looked at the Mucks today. They look to be built a little better as far as not having as many seams in the high stress areas. If these LaCross boots keep falling apart on me, I guess I'll try a couple pairs of the Mucks.

Thanks for the update.

Curios to see if this works, I am tired of wearing plastic bags over my socks to keep them dry.Can't get over a year out of LaCross.

Not supposed to wear them during the fire runs bro...

I hunt as much as any and I am on my 7th or 8th year on my Maine hunting boot by LL Bean and I believe if you wear out the bottom it can be replaced by them so no need for patches if I ever wear these out they will be replaced by the same thing

Second day of wearing the patched AlphaBurley's. The patches are holding nicely so far. May go ahead and put some 5200 on some areas that are visibly stressed now, to prevent another tear. I may buy a pair of Mucks just to try the next couple seasons to find out if they hold up any better.

Good! I'll try this on some boots on the shelf in the garage. Thanks Yaz.

Yaz, How are the boots holding up? h.h.