Is Waterproof Tape ACTUALLY Worth It?

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Can tape really stop a rushing leak, work underwater, or even repair your cute rain boots? Well, that's the promise of waterproof patch and seal tape — a product that's often advertised as a heavy-duty outdoor fix that's affordable, versatile, and useful. But can it really deliver? 

To learn if these waterproof seal and repair tapes are actually worth your money, we've partnered with Extreme Reviews to put them through some — as the name implies — extreme tests. Punctured hoses, abused pool floaties, slashed umbrellas — nothing was safe when testing several brands, which included T-Rex, Flex Tape, and Gorilla Tape. Will the waterproof tapes deliver, or will they end up in the disappointing impulse buy drawer?

These waterproof tapes promise to work on all sorts of materials, including wood, steel, glass, rubber, metal, vinyl, acrylic, and plastic. Some, like T-Rex waterproof repair tape, even promise to work on concrete and fabric. And these are not supposed to be for quick fixes. Instead, these tapes are designed to create a permanent seal that bonds with the material to create a barrier against water and air. It's supposed to be weather resistant so that you can use them for long-term outdoor fixes. All of the brands tested retail for between $10 and $15, so they're a quite a good deal if they can do all that they claims. So, are these worth your money, or should you skip them?