The thing about wearing boots is that they give you an air of invincibility and indestructibility. You begin to feel like you can go anywhere and walk through anything-like that puddle of mud or that stream that doesn’t seem so deep.
Unfortunately, that also means that your boots may end up wet more often than you would like them to be. And since boots are often made out of tough, sometimes thick material such as canvas or leather, they tend to take longer to dry up. This is particularly so during winter.
While there are a host of boot drying methods available, some of these methods indeed take time. Time that you might not have, especially if the boots in question are what you intend to wear to work on a day-to-day basis. This brings us to the topic in question – the best boot dryers on the market.
Whether you live in a sun-baked region where rain and wet weather isn’t an issue, or you live somewhere where the sun is considered a rare yet welcome visitor, the truth is that you are probably going to need a boot dryer.
There are many advantages that come with owning one, and we’ll cover that and some factors you need to consider before choosing and buying the best boot dryer for you later on. But first, here’s a list and review of some of the best boot dryers on the market today.
1. DryGuy Travel Dry Boot and Shoe Dryer and Warmer
There’s a very good reason why this DryGuy Travel Dry Boot and Shoe Dryer and Warmer is at the top of our list. For one thing, it’s the kind of boot dryer that you can use with your vehicle’s 12V DC outlet or even a 120V AC power source, which means that you can use it even when you are on the road and don’t have any access to mains power.
This dryer combines a fan that blows hot 99-degree Fahrenheit heat into the boots, drying and warming them in the process. Two units measure 2.5X6.5X2.5 inches. They are compact, travel well, and weigh only 1.25 lbs. which means that they don’t take up that much space in your travel bag.
These boot dryers are effective enough, with an estimated drying time of between 2-5 hours. This means that you can have your boots ready to wear even before the night is over. The manufacturer says that you can simply leave the dryers inside your boots through the night without incurring any risk of damage to the footbed and the boot liner.
Pros:
- It is capable of using AC or DC power
- It heats up to 99 degrees Fahrenheit
- Portable
- Very compact and lightweight
- Dries boots within 5 hours
- Built-in fan
- Safe to use
- A 1-year warranty
Cons:
- The fans could be a bit more powerful
- Portable boot dryer and shoe dryer combines traditional convection drying with forced air
- Hybrid forced air and convection system heats to 99-degrees to dry footwear in less time than it takes most other portable dryers
- AC/DC power adaptor means it can be used at home or in the car; compact design packs easily in carry-on luggage
- Ability to work from the car make it the perfect travel accessory for any outdoor vacation
- Fits in most types of footwear; will not damage fragile materials
2. JobSite Original Shoe and Boot Dryer – Electric Warmer
Advertised as “ultra-silent,” this JobSite Original Shoe and Boot Dryer – Electric Warmer for people who don’t want a boot dryer that has a motor or fan. This option heats air which rises through the two tubes to dry your boots. It’s a seamless convection dryer process that doesn’t cause any shrinkage. This two-port boot dryer measures 10.5X5.5X11.25 inches and weighs only 2.67 lbs. making it ideally portable.
It does, however, take a long time to dry your boots. The estimated time is around 8 hours, which means that you would have to leave it on through the night. Another advantage is that it can be used as a boot warmer during those cold winter days.
You can use this convection boot dryer to not only dry almost every type of boots, thanks to its sturdy base, but also other wearables such as hats, gloves, boot liners, rain boots, and so on. Even though it has no timer, it does have an LED light to alert you when the dryer is on.
Pros:
- Ultra-quiet
- Sturdy base
- Two ports
- Ideal for most types of wearables, such as gloves, boots, hats, and so on
Cons:
- It has no on/off switch (you have to unplug it)
- It has no timer
- COZY DRY EVERY MORNING - Step into warm, dry footwear every morning. Dries your wet boots, shoes or gloves safely overnight with warm thermal air that rises naturally without over-drying or shrinking.
- HELPS REDUCE ODORS – Keeping your boots, shoes, and gloves dry is the key to keeping them stink-free. Dry time Warm-up (30 mins); Damp (8 hours); Wet (12 hours).
- SILENT DRY - Safe, Silent, Simple. Zero noise convection heater with no motor or moving parts. Energy efficient heat uses less electricity than most light bulbs (36 Watts).
- GREAT FOR - Heavy duty boot dryer for work boots, kids boots & sport shoes, boxing gloves, leather boots, rubber boots, running shoes, hiking boots, ski & snowboard boot liners, winter gloves & socks.
- TRUSTED BRAND - Includes a 2-Year Warranty. Built tough like you by 'The Brand That Works'.
3. Everlasting Comfort Deodorizing Boot Dryer
Designed with four extendable ports, this Everlasting Comfort Deodorizing Boot Dryer is an excellent option for people who are not only looking for a boot dryer but also a deodorizer to eliminate bad odor. The extendable tubes can take on up to 16″ tall boots, making them ideal for people with different-sized boots. The dryer also features drip trays that ensure your floors remain dry even as your boots are dried.
This is a 15.27X12.83X7.68-inch device that weighs 7.41 lbs. which makes it reasonably portable. It comes with a 2-year replacement policy and is capable of drying numerous garments simultaneously.
Pros:
- Dries boots in under 3 hours
- 2-year replacement policy
- Four ports
- Portable
- It features a sanitizer and eliminates odors
- It has heat adjustment capabilities
Cons:
- The ozone setting tends to make a ticking noise
- Fast Drying Boot Dryer and Deodorizer: Quickly dry your footwear in just 80 minutes, significantly faster than other boot dryers. Ideal for work boots and sneakers with its advanced heat blower technology
- Heat Blower Technology: Our heavy-duty shoe dryer features a hybrid forced air system, ensuring your footwear dries safely while eliminating moisture and odors
- Multifunctional Use: This versatile dryer is ideal for boots, gloves, helmets, and more. Extendable tubes make it a great travel companion, easily fitting in your luggage
- Premium Features: Includes a built-in heat switch, 180-minute auto timer, and sloped base with drip trays. Keep your space less messy with our thoughtful design
- Versatile Attachments: Customize your drying experience with adjustable attachments for shoes, helmets, and gloves. Ideal for athletes, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts
4. MaxxDry Heavy-Duty Boot Dryer
MaxxDry is a well-trusted brand in the industry, and this MaxxDry Heavy-Duty Boot Dryer is an excellent boot dryer for those who don’t mind drying their boots one pair at a time. Designed as a 240-watt dryer, this option uses gentle heat and airflow to reduce the moisture and odor in your boots. It produces up to 105 degrees’ Fahrenheit heat which makes it quite effective and relatively fast.
Measuring 8.55 x 3.5 x 8.0 inches and weighing only 3.21 lbs. it comes with a 1-year warranty, uses 120V AC power, and is ideal for drying more than just boots. It also works well with various materials, including rubber, PVC, canvas, neoprene, and leather.
Pros:
- Portable
- Super quiet
- Reduces foot odor
- Easy to use
- It has a timer
Cons:
- It only has two ports
- MaxxDry Heavy Duty Dryer extends the life of footwear and gear by safely eliminating unwanted moisture in boots, shoes and gloves about an hour
- Uses 120V AC Household Outlet and heats to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius to safely dry footwear and gear
- Safe on materials such as leather, PVC, rubber, neoprene, canvas, synthetics, cloth, fleece, felt, micro and all modern fabrics
- Durable, compact design weighs approximately 3.25 lbs., has a dimension of 8.55 x 3.5 x 8.0 inches; 1 year warranty.
5. LAVIEAIR Boot Dryer
Designed with four ports, this LAVIEAIR Boot Dryer is the ideal companion if you have a family. The four ports are designed to help dry anything from leather to vinyl, PVC, fleece, canvas, and a host of other materials, which makes this boot dryer the perfect tool for big families with children.
It measures 10×9.8×22.8 inches and weighs in at only 3.4 lbs. making it portable enough. Two long ports are designed to dry long boots and two shorter ports that are excellent for drying just about anything else. It’s a powerful boot dryer that offers about 250-watts of heating power, a built-in motor as well as a powerful fan. This allows it to dry most boots in under 3 hours.
Pros:
- Four ports
- Ideal for drying many different types of materials
- Dries most boots in under 3 hours
- Powerful fan and motor
Cons:
- It can be a little noisy
- FAST DRY- With a 250-watt heating coil and a motor inside, this heavy boot dryer is capable to dry any damp shoes, boots or gloves within 2 hours.
- DEODORIZE ODORS- It removes dampness and sweat to neutralize smelly odors.
- SIMULTANEOUSLY DRY 2 PAIRS OF FOOTWEAR – 4 separate tubes and 4 brackets help to dry 2 pairs of boot or heavy skating shoes at 1 time.
- WARM AIR, NOT HOT AIR. No damage caused to shoes investment. Suitable for drying foot gears made of different kinds of materials including leather, rubber, neoprene, canvas, synthetics, cloth, fleece, felt, and more.
- 0~180 MINUTES TIMER-Set different drying periods for different occasions.
6. KOODER Boot Dryer
Weighing in at only 10.1 ounces, this KOODER Boot Dryer is an ideal portable option for people who do a lot of traveling. Featuring temperature control options, this dryer has two ports with air holes that can blow out 360-degree heat to evenly dry out your boots. These individual ports measure 7.2 x 2.1 x 2 inches and can fit inside almost any type of boots.
Designed with absolute safety in mind, this boot dryer has a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater that automatically switches it off when it reaches the maximum heat level, meaning that it can’t accidentally overheat. The cables supplying power to the heating ports are also designed to withstand up to 44 pounds of pulling weight, which means they won’t easily come unplugged.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Portable
- A strong cord that can withstand a pull of 44 pounds
- It contains a PTC, meaning that it can’t overheat
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a timer
- PTC heat generator, long lasting high temperature! Precise temperature control, to prevent over heating !
- 360 degree all rounded heat! Vertical and horizontal air-holes in cabinet to ensure an even distribution of heat!
- Heat resistant tough surface: smooth finishing touch, resistant to high temperatures and compressed to make sure the cabinet is not easily breakable!
- High quality cable: can withstand 20KG strength in pulling to prevent disconnection during use!
- Function; drying your shoes! Easy to carry,it can be placed in various backpacks and suitcases.
7. Air Choice Boot Dryer – Electric Shoe Dryer and Warmer
Designed to be plugged into a standard 120V electric outlet, this Air Choice Boot Dryer – Electric Shoe Dryer and Warmer is not only easy to assemble but just as easy to use. The assembly process takes only a few minutes, and the unit is ready for use almost immediately after. It’s a 36 Watt unit that produces convection air as soon as it is plugged into the electrical outlet. It will, however, take about 15 minutes for the hot air to begin circulating within the boots.
Since this electrical dryer produces constant hot air, it’s ideal for drying a host of shoe types, including leather boots, sneakers, vinyl, synthetic fiber, and canvas. You can also use it for drying gloves and socks.
Pros:
- Ultra-quiet
- Easy to assemble
- It starts working in under 15 minutes
- Ideal for various types of shoes and wearables such as gloves
- Energy-saving
- Two ports
Cons:
- It has no temperature control
No products found.
8. Kendal Shoes Boots Gloves Dryer
Perhaps the most versatile option on this list, the Kendal Shoes, Boots Gloves Dryer, can be used as a portable, stand-alone, or wall-mounted option depending on your specific situation. Measuring 13X10X13 inches and weighing only 3.5 lbs. This unit comes with a wall-mounting kit and has four ports. This means that you can easily dry two pairs of your favorite shoes or boots at any given time. Furthermore, it includes an attachment for gloves.
Another standout feature is the active carbon filter built into this boot dryer. This feature helps to eliminate foul odor from your footwear and leaves them smelling fresh. The unit also has a slide control that allows you to determine the temperature at which it operates. The available four ports are attached to hoses, which makes them quite flexible and ideal.
Pros:
- It’s a versatile unit that can be wall-mounted, portable, or stand-alone
- It has two heat settings
- It has four ports
- It comes with two glove attachments
Cons:
- All the hoses operate whether they are in use or not
No products found.
9. Ohuhu Boot Dryer, Shoe Dryer, Electric Boot Warmer with Heat Blower
The manufacturer claims that this Ohuhu Boot Dryer, Shoe Dryer, Electric Boot Warmer with Heat Blower is the fastest shoe dryer. Designed to get your boots, shoes, gloves, and most other wearables dry within 40 minutes, this 200-watt heat blower is not only quick but it’s effective too.
Featuring four ports, it measures 14.84 x 9.17 x 7.52 inches and weighs only 4.17 lbs. which makes it quite portable. It’s easy enough to assemble and has what the manufacturer refers to as “whisper-quiet operation.”
Furthermore, it’s designed to dry more than just boots. It can be used on ski masks, helmets, liners, and even thigh boots made out of a host of different materials, including nylon.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Whisper-quiet operation
- A convenient timer
- Four ports
- Fast-drying action (under 40 minutes)
Cons:
- It’s a little fragile
- FASTER SHOE DDRYING: What use are your shoes when they're all wet? Prevent your favorite pairs from getting soggy by putting them onto this 200-watt heat blower. Use it on gloves, work boots or damp shoes? they'll be dry in 20-40 min! With the 4 shoe brackets, you can even dry 2 pairs of shoes at the same time. How's that for efficient?
- CONVENIENT TIMER: So that your shoes get the right amount of dry and no more, the unit comes with a handy, adjustable timer (30-180 min), along with overheat protection: When it senses the temperature is too high, it will automatically turn off. Let it do its thing overnight and wake up to a pair of fresh, dry shoes!
- WHISPER-QUIET OPERATION: The last thing you need is another loud device keeping you awake at night. Rest assured, this shoe dryer is nearly silent while operating; you'll forget it's even there!
- DRIES MORE THAN SHOES: Think you can only dry shoes? Think again! Try it on liners, helmets, hats, ski masks, gloves and even thigh boots! It gently dries all manner of materials including leather, nylon wool fiber, canvas, rubber, PVC, neoprene fleece, felt, synthetics and everything in between without damage.
- SIMPLE ASSEMBLY & COMPACT STORAGE: What's great about this dryer is that when you're not using it, it doesn't sit around cluttering up your house. You can actually disassemble all 6 air tubes and 4 shoe brackets, and even join 2 air tubes together to elongate for drying tall boots! When you're done, pack it all up and put it away until next time!
10. PEET, The Original 2-Shoe Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer and Warmer
In 1968, Gene Peet, a sportsman, and inventor from St Maries, Idaho, finally decided that he had had enough of wearing wet and soggy boots. He set about inventing something that would dry his boots faster than the sun.
That’s how this PEET, The Original 2-Shoe Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer and Warmer came to be. This is a 10.5X4.8X13.2 inch, two-port boot dryer that weighs only 2.7 lbs. Designed to use thermal convection, this dryer comes with an optional deodorizer attachment that helps to keep your boots smelling fresh.
It’s designed to dry and warm boots and shoes made out of many different materials, including leather, canvas, rubber, vinyl, microfiber, fleece, neoprene, and so many others. It’s a super silent dryer that takes anything between 3 to 8 hours to dry your shoes.
Pros:
- Ultra-quiet
- It comes with a 25-year warranty
- Two ports
- It has an optional deodorizer attachment
- Ideal for many different materials
Cons:
- It doesn’t have an on or off switch
- Works silently: The Original 2-Shoe Dryer works silently by gently warming air that rises and dries footwear; No loud fans blowing hot air
- Dries most footwear overnight: Drying time depends on material and saturation level; We recommend leaving shoes on the dryer overnight for best results
- Always on: Simply leave it plugged in 24/7; The Original 2-Shoe Dryer uses less electricity than a low wattage household light bulb and costs just pennies a day
- Safe on all materials: Safe to use on leather, rubber, vinyl, neoprene, canvas, synthetics, fleece, microfiber and more
- 25-year warranty: Our products are designed to last and we're confident that your PEET Dryer will exceed expectations for years; Register within 10 days of purchase to take advantage of our warranty
11. DryGuy DX Forced Air Boot Dryer and Garment Dryer
This DryGuy DX Forced Air Boot Dryer and Garment Dryer is another excellent entry from a highly trustworthy brand. As an electric boot dryer, it’s perfect for drying anything from soccer cleats, shoes, boots, gloves, and even hats. Designed with four drying ports, this is a 12X7.5X15 inch dryer weighs 5 lbs. and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Equipped with a timer, this dryer uses a rotary blower that provides it with heated air that goes up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s super quiet and can dry your boots in as little as two hours.
Pros:
- Four ports
- Ultra-quiet
- It has a timer
- It goes up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
- A 1-year warranty
- It comes with 16-inch extensions for when you want to dry long boots
Cons:
- It tends to topple over when placed under a lot of weight
- All the ports remain functional even when not in us
- SAFE & EFFECTIVE DRYING – Safe to use on nearly any type of material, the DryGuy DX's convection heating delivers gentle, gradual drying of up to 2 pairs of shoes, boots, work boots, ski boots or gloves—even hats and helmets
- QUICK DRY PROCESS – Central forced-air blower circulates air evenly throughout 4 drying ports to simultaneously dry two pairs of footwear simultaneously, or one pair of footwear and one pair of gloves, in just 1-3 hours
- NO DISRUPTIVE NOISE – Whisper-quiet rotary blower operates silently to deliver fast, efficient drying of your shoes and other garments
- CUSTOMIZABLE DRYING – Heat/No Heat switch lets you tailor the drying process to different materials and garments; plus, the 3-hour automatic shutoff timer ensures efficient and power-saving drying
- BIG OR TALL, IT DRIES THEM ALL – Easily expand the DryGuy DX's capabilities with compatible accessories designed for drying your favorite footwear or other gear, including waders, helmets, taller boots, and sporting goods
12. IRIS USA Portable Smart Electric Dryer
This IRIS USA Portable Smart Electric Dryer is a dual nozzle shoe dryer that comes with a host of pre-set functions from which you can choose. Not only does it have 3 different runtimes (30, 60, and 120), but it also has 3 power settings, from Low to Medium to High, giving you full control.
The nozzles are extendable, meaning this boot dryer can be used on any type of shoe, regardless of size. What’s unique about this dryer is that each of the two nozzles has a divider at its tip, which means that you can turn it into a four-port shoe dryer. Measuring 3.98 x 5.39 x 11.38 inches and weighing only 1.7 lbs. It’s a highly portable and extremely quiet unit.
Pros:
- Portable
- Two nozzles that have dividers and can turn into four ports
- Super quiet
- 6 different setting options
- Ideal for all types of shoes
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a deodorizer
- Minimize drying time with this easy to use electric shoe dryer
- Adjustable mode and temperature settings to suit any shoe drying need
- Extendable hoses and kickstand help adjust fabric dryer to the perfect position
- Notches in shoe drying hoses let you dry two pair of shoes at once
- Dimensions: 5.39"L x 3.98"W x 11.38"H
13. Dr. Prepared Dryer and Deodorizer
This Dr. Prepared Dryer and Deodorizer is a wonderful option for hikers, athletes, skiers, and bowlers who want to ensure that their shoes remain dry even as they enjoy their activities. It’s a highly portable unit that folds down to a compact size. When collapsed, the tubes measure 10.6″ as opposed to the usual 13.8″ when extended.
The unit is extremely quiet with a highly efficient drying mechanism. All you have to do is set the timer and go about your business as the boot dryer uses its antimicrobial and dehumidification technology to work its magic.
Pros:
- Compact design
- Portable
- Use dehumidification to dry your shoes
- Two ports
- It has antimicrobial properties
- Easy to store
Cons:
- The construction isn’t the sturdiest in the market
- 【Eliminates Damp & Odor】Optimum heat circulation effectively eliminates moisture, damp, sweat, and odor in shoes. Getting caught in a rain? Don’t be upset. Dr. Prepare boot dryer is ready to restore your soggy shoes to dryness and comfort.
- 【All-Purpose】Dr. Prepare shoe dryer is suitable for different kinds of shoes like boots, sneakers, flats, oxfords, kid's shoes. It works perfect for gloves, hats, socks, helmets, berets as well.
- 【Quick Drying】With 104-122 (℉) constant heat, this boot dryers with heat blower quickly dry your shoes and boots in a few minutes.
- 【Intelligent Timer】Set different working time for different kinds of shoes. Easy to reduce power consumption.
- 【Folding Design】90° folding design assures great portability and easy storage, this boot warmer dryer is perfect to take on any hiking or backpacking trip. It’s good for foot health and shoe maintenance, extending the life of your valuable gear.
14. FORWIT Shoe Boot Dryer and Electric Glove Warmer
This FORWIT Shoe Boot Dryer, Electric Glove Warmer is not only highly portable, but it’s quite effective too. Capable of heating up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s probably the hottest dryer on this list.
Featuring two extendable ports, it has deodorizing capabilities and acts as an all-purpose shoe dryer that can dry sneakers, boots, gloves, children’s shoes, and so on. It measures 11.5 x 7.4 x 4 inches and weighs 2.27 lbs. This is a 90-degree folding dryer that works well in almost every condition.
Pros:
- Foldable and portable
- Two extendable ports
- It features a deodorizer
- It can reach 122 degrees Fahrenheit
- It has a timer
- Super quiet
Cons:
- Not very sturdy
- 【DRIES QUICK】-- 200W high power, working temperature control at 104-122 (℉) constant heat, this boot dryer with soft winds blower can quickly dry your shoes, boots or gloves in a few minutes without any damage.
- 【DEODORIZE ORORS & ULTRA QUITE】-- Silently dries and eliminates damp, moisture, sweat and odors. Keeping your feet comfortable, healthy and dry.
- 【ALL-PURPOSE】-- FORWIT shoe dryer is suitable for different kinds of shoes such as boots, sneakers, oxfords, flats, children's shoes, etc. It works perfectly for hats, helmets, gloves, socks, berets, ski masks as well. Extend the life of your footwear and gear!
- 【FOLDING & PORTABLE】 -- 90° folding design and two stretchable brackets assure great portability and easy storage, this shoe dryer is perfect to take on any outdoor activities, like camping, hiking, skiing, hunting and more. It’s good for foot health and shoe maintenance.
- 【INTELLIGENT TIMER】-- You can set a different working time (maximum 120 minutes, 110V) according to different footwear. Easy to reduce power consumption and save energy. 200 watts high powered air circulation that's quick to dry but gentle on shoes and gear.
15. DryGuy Simple Dry Boot and Glove Dryer
This DryGuy Simple Dry Boot and Glove Dryer is a simple yet highly functional option from a reliable brand. Designed to produce convectional heat, it’s the kind of dryer you want when you intend to dry boots and gloves made out of different materials.
It’s a super silent dryer that takes anywhere between 6 and 8 hours to dry your boots. It measures 11 x 6 x 10 inches and weighs only 3.4 lbs. It makes it super portable and features a super fluted tube design that goes a long way in improving circulation.
Pros:
- It can reach temperatures of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
- Helps to reduce boot odor
- Ultra-quiet
- It has a timer
Cons:
- It doesn’t have an on or off switch
- Convection-based boot and glove drying system heats to approximately 105 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dries two garments (1 pair) in 6-8 hours
- Completely silent, no moving parts; fluted tube design improves circulation
- Will not damage fragile materials in footwear or other garments
- Helps reduce odors
16. OdorStop Boot and Shoe Dryer and Deodorizer
Designed to permanently remove all foot odor, this OdorStop Boot and Shoe Dryer and Deodorizer would be a welcome addition to your closet if you suffer from foot odor. It has a high-output fan that comes attached to a 3-hour countdown timer, which means that you don’t have to worry about it overheating.
It measures 13 x 11.55 x 11 inches and weighs 7.3 pounds. It has four ports, all of which are extendable to fit a wide range of shoes and other garments. It’s easy enough to set up and is quite portable.
Pros:
- It completely removes all foot odor from your boots
- It has a timer
- Four ports (adjustable)
- A fan with a high output
Cons:
- It isn’t very quiet
The Benefits of Owning the Best Boot Dryer
When was the last time you had to walk around in wet boots for a prolonged period of time? Maybe you were out hiking, and it started raining, or maybe you just accidentally stepped into a puddle of mud on your way home. Either way, walking around in wet boots isn’t fun.
Unfortunately, there are many different ways through which you can get the insides of your boots wet. One of the most common causes of wet boots is sweaty feet.
After a long day at work or walking around in your boots, the sweat from your feet might make them feel damp. Just leaving them out overnight might not be the best solution. You need something that can dry them out completely in as short a period of time as possible. And that’s where the best boot dryers come into play.
Here are some key benefits to owning one:
- It minimizes your risk of blistering: Blisters often occur due to friction that is more pronounced when the insides of your boots are moist. That risk is significantly lower if you have bone-dry boots.
- Prevents mold and mildew: Your damp boots are an ideal breeding ground for mildew and mold. This can occur every time you store your boots when they aren’t completely dry. Using a boot dryer will help keep your boots dry, and the warm air from these dryers makes it difficult for spores to grow and multiply.
- Help to keep your feet fresh: Bacteria typically thrive in wet and hot conditions, exactly the kind of environment the insides of your boots will create if you constantly wear them when they are not fully dried. Using a boot dryer to ensure that all the moisture is removed from inside your boot will make it difficult for any odor-causing bacteria to thrive therein, which means that you are less likely to develop smelly feet.
- Helps to increase boot durability: Not only are wet conditions a favorable breeding ground for bacteria, mildew, and mold, which cause blisters and bad odor, but these conditions can quite literally ruin your boots. Prolonged wetness can cause the material to shrink and bend in different ways, destroying the structural integrity of your boots and reducing their durability.
- It’s faster: If you live in an area where it snows or rains a lot, air-drying your boots can take ages. With the best boot dryer, it will only take a matter of hours, which will save you a great deal of hustle and time.
- They do more than just dry boots: The best boot dryers can be used for drying much more than just boots. You can use them to dry clothes, gloves, hats, and other types of shoes, making them some of the most versatile pieces of household equipment you can own.
The Best Boot Dryer Buyers’ Guide
As you can imagine, there are a host of options available when it comes to the best kind of boot dryer to buy. Like it’s the case with most things, not all boot dryers are created equal. As such, there are some factors that you need to consider if you are going to choose the best one for your needs. These factors include:
Portability
Portability is a key factor as far as convenience is concerned. Yes, if you never intend to travel with your boot dryer, then maybe portability isn’t that big of a deal. This means that you can simply choose a freestanding boot dryer or even one that can be mounted on a wall in your home, which brings another set of dynamics into the mix.
Whether you choose a freestanding or a wall-mounted boot dryer, the mechanics of using them will differ. Freestanding boot dryers are pretty straightforward and very functional when it comes to boot drying, but wall-mounted boot dryers can do so much more than just dry your boots.
They can be used to dry your clothes too, but only at that one specific location. If you choose a portable boot dryer, on the other hand, you have to consider several other factors, including how to pack it and how safe it is to travel with wherever you go. You would also have to consider the overall weight in relation to everything else you intend to bring with you.
Ports
The best boot dryers come with a number of port options depending on how many pairs of shoes and what other objects you want to dry. If you have a big family, you should probably go for something that will allow a number of members to dry their boots and shoes at the same time without having to wait turns.
This often means that you should go for a boot dryer that has four ports or more. However, if you live alone, then maybe choosing a two-port option is the best choice since you can simply take turns drying whatever it is you want to dry.
Timer
There are two main types of boot dryers available on the market today-those that run full time as long as they are plugged in and those that have timers. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
For the boot dryers that run full time, you will have to remember to unplug them or remove your boots from the ports; otherwise, you will end up spending a lot of money on the energy bill. Ideally, boot dryers with timers are better since you don’t have to worry about leaving them on over a long weekend. However, the problem with this option is that if your boots aren’t dried up by the end of the timer, you will have to set them up again, which can be inconveniencing, especially if you were expecting to wear your boots right after.
Heat Selection
Boot dryers come with a host of heat options. The most common dryers allow you to select between several heat selections, including high heat, which is often around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or, on the other extreme end, no heat at all.
These options make it ideal for drying different types of boots and belongings using these boot dryers. Just make sure to check the recommended heat setting for your boots before using these kinds of dryers on them.
Odor Control
Granted, the process of drying your boots goes a long way in keeping mold, mildew, and bacteria at bay. However, some boot dryers go one step further by including built-in odor control. They have numerous fillers, such as charcoal, which help sanitize the boots and eliminate that nasty smell that comes with dampness.
Finally, there are other things to consider, such as the kind of warranty offered and the overall price of the boot dryer. The better the warranty, the more confidence the manufacturer has in the product, indicating that you have a good product in your hands.
FAQ’s
How long does it take to dry your boots using a boot dryer?
There is no clear answer to this question, given that boots are manufactured using different types of materials, all of which have their own drying times. Also, the level of boot wetness matters.
That being said, the best boot dryers, especially forced-air boot dryers, are designed to take as little time as possible to dry your boots. In some cases, you will find that some boot dryers take as little as 60 minutes to get the job done. However, in many cases, you might need to keep the boot dryer on through the night.
Can your boot dryer be a fire hazard?
Most things can be fire hazards when mishandled. However, boot dryers are designed to be very safe, which means that it’s very rare for them to catch fire unless you aren’t using them correctly. To be safe, be sure to read all the safety instructions from the manufacturer before operating your new boot dryer.
Can you leave a boot dryer on all night?
Yes, you can leave your boot dryer on all night if you want.