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How to dry wet boots fast without wrecking them
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Key takeaways
- Take out the liners and insoles and loosen the laces right away.
- Use airflow, paper and gentle warmth. Direct heat can crack leather and melt glue.
- Dry leather slowly and condition it after, since heat strips its oils.
- A second pair to rotate is the best fix.
Wet boots mean cold feet, and cold feet mean a miserable day. They also tend to take a full night to dry, and drying them the wrong way can ruin them. This is how to speed it up without damaging them.
Step by step
- Empty and wipe. Knock out any snow, then wipe the inside and outside with a dry towel. Wipe off road salt too, as it draws moisture and can stain.
- Pull out the insoles and any removable liners (many winter boots have felt or fleece liners). Dry them separately. They hold the most water.
- Loosen the laces and pull the tongue forward so air can get in.
- Stuff with absorbent paper. Use crumpled newspaper, plain paper towel or an old towel. Swap it for fresh dry paper after 30 to 60 minutes, since the first lot will be soaked.
- Add gentle airflow. Stand the boots upright in a room-temperature spot with moving air, such as in front of a fan. A boot dryer that blows warm air gently through the boot is the best tool, if you have one.
- Leave them until fully dry, inside and out, including the seams and toe. Damp boots will quickly get cold again once you put them on.
What to avoid
- Direct, high heat: radiators, fireplaces, wood stoves, hair dryers held close, and a car heater on full. Heat can crack leather, shrink or warp liners, melt glue and weaken waterproof membranes.
- Ovens and microwaves. Not even once.
- Drying them in a closed, hot space with the insoles still in.
- Putting on damp boots for the next day if you can avoid it. Damp is much colder than dry.
Match the method to the material
- Leather: dry slowly at room temperature. When fully dry, condition or re-treat the leather according to the manufacturer's care instructions, because wetting and drying take oils out of it.
- Rubber or synthetic boots: tolerate gentle warmth better, but still avoid direct heat on glued seams or foam liners.
- Boots with removable liners: take the liners out and dry them separately, which is the biggest time-saver there is.
- Not sure? Check the care label or the manufacturer's website.
Salt marks
White rings of salt can be lifted from many boots with a cloth dampened with a mild mix of white vinegar and water. Check the manufacturer's care guidance first, and test on a small area. Dry the boot properly afterwards.
Stop it happening again
- Rotate between two pairs so each gets a full day to dry
- Wear moisture-wicking socks, not cotton (see our cotton myth vs fact)
- Re-apply waterproofing as the manufacturer recommends
- Keep spare socks in your bag for a mid-day swap
- Knock snow off before coming inside, and use a boot tray
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