Working in wet conditions is tough, and there's no reason to make it worse by wearing wet boots! Here's a roundup of some great boot dryers.
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There are few things more annoying than putting on shoes or boots still wet from the last time you wore them. Besides the obvious discomfort, excessive moisture can damage the boot material, generate unpleasant odors and lead to conditions such as athlete’s foot.
A boot dryer can help you avoid these headaches. These clever devices speed up drying, reduce odors and (when used correctly) prolong the life of your shoes and boots. While commercial-grade boot dryers are pricey, consumer models can be affordable and effective.
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If you were ever told to leave your boots and mittens over an HVAC register as a child, then you’re already familiar with the technology behind this Green Glove Dryer Boot Dryer. It sits over a floor or baseboard HVAC register, redirecting the forced air into your boots.
With no fan or heater of its own, this is an extremely affordable option. It breaks down easily to fit in a travel bag, and the twist-lock nozzle design keeps all the pieces where they should be. The Green Glove Dryer was invented and manufactured in Michigan.
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The Peet Boot Dryer uses slow-moving, warm air to deodorize and dry your boots. It’s a strong choice for a home boot dryer. But what really sets this U.S.-made product apart from its competitors is the warranty — a staggering 25 years!
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The DryGuy Force Dry DX Boot Dryer comes packed with options and features, and the optional add-ons really make it excel. The forced-air base unit ships with four drying tubes and a rotary blower. It has a three-hour timer and works with heated or non-heated air (temperature set to 105 F).
That’s great if you just want to dry shoes, low-heel boots and gloves. But if you have taller boots, the optional extender lets you dry boots up to 16 inches tall. And the wader adapter features flared bottoms to accommodate their unique shape. DryGuy also offers a wader extension, stretching wet waders out to their full length and minimizing dry time.
Most other dryers that accept tall boots and waders come with all those accessories bundled in, making for a convenient but expensive purchase. The DryGuy DX allows you to customize your order and only pay for the add-ons you need.
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Of course, you may need a boot dryer while on the road. Or maybe you don’t want to dedicate space to a boot dryer every day. Instead, try out the DryGuy Travel Dry DX Boot Dryer.
This streamlined dryer slips into your boots and plugs into a standard 110V wall outlet. A fan in the toe of the unit draws air over the heating element, letting most shoes or boots dry out within two to five hours. It consumes only 13 watts of power.
via amazon.com
The Kendal SI-SD06G Boot Dryer may look a little like a jellyfish, but it’s actually an amazing boot dryer! It uses what the manufacturer calls “aroma active carbon” to pull odors out of the circulating air.
We think this forced-air, heat-optional model looks great as a wall-mount, but it can also sit on a bench or the floor. It comes with a three-hour timer and high/low temperature setting, and only weighs 3-1/2-lbs.
via peetdryer.com
The Peet Multi-Dryer has the same basic design as the Peet Boot Dryer we told you about earlier. And it’s true that you can always slip gloves over most boot dryer stands. But the Peet Multi-Dryer stands out because its design — it looks like a hand — targets effective glove drying.
Gloves slip over the risers. The individual fingers allow heated air to rise naturally and reach every inch of the glove. Like the other Peet Dryer, this model also comes with a 25-year warranty. (Note that Peet also offers forced air models with a fan; these have a much shorter warranty period.)
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Most residential boot dryers are plastic devices that don’t really add much charm to your home. The Rustic Boot Dryer from Dry-X Inc. adds some warmth with classic rustic wood style.
This U.S.-made dryer ships with semi-gloss poly on white pine. But it’s also customizable and come in a range of sizes (two, four or six pair). This is the most expensive dryer on this list by far, but it sure looks really cool.
via drysure.co
British-manufactured Drysure Boot Dryer silica inserts dry boots up to 12 times faster than unaided air drying. These slip into your shoes and wick moisture like a sponge. They use the same technology as the small packs of silica that come with many humidity-sensitive tools.
These silica gel boot dryers don’t require electricity, and remove moisture from clothes and shoes fast enough to slow bacteria growth. They are also reusable. Simply lay them on a radiator, in an oven or in direct sunlight. As a bonus, if you keep them in your suitcase or gym bag, they’ll also reduce moisture and smells there as well.
Here are some key considerations when shopping for a boot dryer to ensure you get the right one for your household and travel needs:
Most boot dryers rely on forced air, which utilizes a fan or compressor to push air into and around your footwear, to remove moisture from the boot material. Passive dryers simply heat the air already present inside the boot(s) and allow its natural rise to create circulation. Silica dryers don’t rely on air movement at all; they utilize a static material that absorbs moisture, removing it from the boot(s). But they’re significantly slower than forced-air dryers and can only absorb so much moisture.
Some dryers move air through the boot (forced air dryers, for example), while others also heat the air (as is found in passive boot dryers). Heat helps combat mold growth and speeds drying time, but it adds to the purchase and operating cost of the dryer. It’s important to note, however, that forced air dryers can also have a built-in heating element to them—heating tech is not exclusive to passive dryers.
Some boot dryers have a single pair of air outlets, one for each foot. Others can dry multiple pairs of shoes, as well as gloves, mittens, hats and other items. If you’re buying for a family, consider how many boots may need to be dried at once. Remember: larger, multi-pair dryers are typically larger and more unwieldy than their single-pair counterparts, making them harder to take with you on trips. Consider whether you need a stationary one just for your home or want something that can travel with you before settling on your purchase.
Some dryers come with additional features and accessories, such as auto-off timers or hose extensions. Others control temperature or airflow. A few bring in additional elements like UV light to help kill germs. All are nice to have but not essential to the core function of drying your boots.
As a former residential remodeler, commercial site supervisor and maintenance manager, I’ve spent hundreds of hours working on my feet in all kinds of weather. I am intimately familiar with the discomfort of soggy boots. Just as I am cognizant and careful of the various tools I select to use on the worksite, I understand the importance of dry, comfortable footwear. With this mindset and approach, I’ve selected and evaluated each of these boot dryers.
We considered numerous factors when selecting boot dryers to test. These include brand recognition and reputation, overall popularity, individuals’ needs and (of course) price. We gathered an array of boot dryers to evaluate with these factors in mind. For this roundup, we tested these boot dryers, paying special attention to their efficiency, effectiveness, budget-consciousness, size and range of functionality.
This will vary from dryer to dryer, as well as boot to boot (and the amount of moisture will definitely have an impact), but a boot dryer will take anywhere from four to eight hours to dry a pair of boots fully. While that may seem like a long time, remember that these devices are intended as set-it-and-forget-it tools, meaning you don’t have to monitor them while they do their job. Just slip those boots off your feet after a long day, put them onto the boot dryer of your choice and come back to a bone-dry pair the next time you need them.
Yes. In fact, that’s the intended functionality for this device category. You should expect to be able to put your boots into the dryer and leave them overnight to fully dry for the next day’s use.
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Be cautious. Some dryers are designed specifically to dry boots, socks, gloves, beanies, etc. However, you may want to be careful with thinner fabrics, as they could dry too quickly, overheat and pose a potential fire hazard. Some boot dryers have built-in timers, which can help moderate the risk when drying socks and other items.
While they are not specifically designed to eliminate odors, their functionality can actually help. Heat helps eliminate moisture and prevent bacterial growth, one of the biggest offenders of unwanted odors.
