Waterproof trousers can pick up a small tear surprisingly easily, whether from a snagging branch, a fence, or simply a long day of regular wear. Even a modest tear lets in noticeably more water than expected once it's raining properly, and the surrounding fabric tends to weaken further with continued use. It's worth dealing with the damage as soon as it's spotted.
The area around the tear is wiped clean and left to dry completely, since most repair materials struggle to bond properly to damp or dirty fabric. Any loose threads along the edge are trimmed, so the tear has a neat shape to work with.
Fix a patch from the inside of the fabric
A patch is cut generously larger than the tear itself, from a fabric with similar properties to the trousers, and placed on the inside so it stays hidden from view. Pressing it firmly along every edge helps it bond evenly across the whole area.
The repair is left undisturbed for the time recommended for it to set properly, without folding or moving the trousers unnecessarily during this period. A patch that hasn't had time to bond fully is far more likely to lift at the edges later.
Holding the mended area up to the light afterwards shows whether any small gaps remain around the edge of the patch. Any weak spots found this way are best reinforced straight away, rather than discovering the leak again halfway through the next walk.
With the tear properly patched, the trousers go back to being genuinely waterproof rather than merely water-resistant in places. This quick repair costs very little time and avoids the expense of a full replacement pair. A yearly check over the whole garment helps catch smaller issues before they turn into bigger ones.
