In some U.S. states, it rains on more than 200 days each year, which makes it tough to keep hiking boots dry after every adventure.
Through our hiking experiences and encounters with rain, we’ve come to appreciate the importance of effectively drying our boots. It’s not solely about preserving the longevity of your boots or preventing wet feet on future treks.
Proper drying also helps prevent blisters and inhibits bacterial growth within your footwear.
Here are my recommendations based on my mistakes and what I’ve learned along the way.
6 Ways to Dry Your Wet Hiking Boots
| Method | Description | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suspend Them for Drying | Hang boots upside-down for water drainage and natural drying. | Effective for leather boots; avoid direct heat sources. |
| Use A Kitchen Roll or Newspaper | Fill boots with newspaper or kitchen paper to absorb moisture. | Replace paper when saturated; promotes air circulation. |
| Use A Boot Dryer | Utilize a boot dryer using thermal convection. | Gentle on materials; suitable for regular hikers. |
| Use A Towel | Wrap boots in a dry towel to absorb external moisture. | Can be used at home or during hiking breaks. |
| Use A Fan | Position boots in front of a fan to expedite drying. | Utilizes cool air; no direct heat applied. |
| Use A Hair Dryer With Cold Air | Blow cold air into the boots to speed up drying. | Ensure the dryer is set to cold; avoid hot air. |
While drying wet hiking shoes requires patience, there are several methods I’ve personally tested, and they effectively speed up boot drying.
But if you’ve just returned from a hiking trip, ensure your shoes are clean before drying. In order to properly clean your hiking boots, you need to:
- remove your laces and the boot insoles (if they are removable)
- clean them thoroughly inside and outside
- (Optional) apply a waterproofing treatment or conditioner to maintain your leather boots.
Now, choose one of the following methods to dry your boots safely.
1. Suspend Them for Drying
After cleaning your boots and ensuring proper ventilation, the next step involves hanging them up for natural drying.
This not only helps eliminate any lingering unpleasant odors in your hiking boots but also speeds up the drying process.
In my experience, I’ve discovered that hanging them upside down is particularly effective. This orientation allows excess moisture to drain easily from the boots, resulting in a quicker drying time.
Leather hiking boots typically require a longer drying period compared to regular boots. When thoroughly soaked, they may take anywhere from 2 to 4 days to dry completely, depending on the storage conditions. However, by hanging them upside-down, you can reduce this drying time to just 1 to 2 days.
While it might be tempting to place your boots near a heat source like a radiator, it’s essential to exercise caution. Direct exposure to heat can potentially damage the protective materials of your boots. Therefore, it’s advisable to refrain from positioning them in close proximity to such heat sources.
2. Use A Kitchen Roll or Newsletter
Fill your hiking boots with newspaper or kitchen paper, fill them to capacity, and leave them in place until they have absorbed as much moisture as possible.
Replace the newspaper or kitchen paper with fresh ones when they become saturated and no longer absorb additional moisture over time.
Once you ascertain that the newspaper or kitchen roll has reached its maximum absorption capacity and is no longer becoming damp, remove it from the hiking boots to facilitate proper air circulation.
3. Use A Boot Dryer
Utilizing a boot dryer emerges as one of the most effective methods to expedite the boot-drying process while preserving the integrity of leather or synthetic materials.
Boot dryers operate by employing a thermal convection method as their heat source, ensuring a gentle and non-damaging warming process for your boots, devoid of any high heat that could potentially cause harm.
Some models even offer the added convenience of accommodating the simultaneous drying of multiple pairs of boots, making them an ideal choice for families or groups of friends.
However, it’s important to note that while these dryers prove invaluable for regular hikers looking to prepare their boots for the next day’s adventure, occasional hikers may find the investment less justifiable.
4. Use A Towel
A dry towel can be used as an additional absorbent option to aid in the drying of your boots. Generally, a single large bath towel should be sufficient for this purpose.
Place your hiking boots on the towel and tuck a portion of the towel’s corners into each boot.
Proceed to wrap the boots with the remaining sections of the towel, effectively covering them.
This technique promotes the absorption of moisture from the external surfaces of the boots.
It’s worth noting that this method is effective both at home and during hiking breaks.
In situations where a towel is not available, an alternative involves using socks, although it’s important to acknowledge that this approach is somewhat less effective.
5. Use A Fan
If you have a portable fan at home, it can be a practical tool to speed up the drying of your hiking boots.
Since fans use cool air and do not apply direct heat to the boots, you can enhance their drying process by placing the boots on their side and directing the fan airflow towards them.
6. Use A Hair Dryer With Cold Air
This approach greatly quickens boot drying if you use cool air. I’ve seen many people mistakenly use a hot dryer on their boots, but this can ruin them. Heat exposure can damage your boots—stitching, materials, and waterproof layers included.
It’s best to steer clear of any drying technique that uses heat.
How Can You Dry Your Boots While on a Hike?
If your hiking boots are thoroughly soaked, don’t expect them to be dry by the next morning. While the idea of using a campfire for quick drying may be tempting, be cautious about positioning your boots too close, especially if they’re made of leather, as direct heat can potentially melt the rubber soles.
However, there is a safe way to dry your boots next to a campfire. Follow this guideline: hold your hand near your boots for 30-60 seconds. If you find the campfire’s heat unbearable for your hand, it’s also too intense for your boots. Conversely, if the warmth is tolerable, it’s safe for your footwear as well.
I’ve seen it firsthand—a friend once damaged an expensive pair this way.
I’ve already damaged one pair drying them off near the camp fire, and I would like to avoid doing that again.
By u/thegoodnewsnews
FAQs
Avoid putting your hiking boots in a standard dryer at all costs. This action will subject them to excessive heat, leading to rapid damage and a breakdown of the materials.
The drying time for hiking boots varies based on factors like humidity, ventilation, and the material. Leather hiking boots, in particular, may require a longer drying period, usually spanning from 24 to 72 hours.
