How do you dry out your shoes?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: Kobe Chapparal
How do you dry out your shoes?
when you commute in the rain, how do you dry out your shoes? I have a pair of Cannondale shoes (with cleat) that I use along with my Forte Campus pedals. Although I don't mind biking in the rain (rather welcome it in fact), I do hate putting on a wet, soggy shoe the next day expecially if it will be a little cold in the morning. Short of buying another pair of shoes, what is the best way to dry?
I have tried packing them with newspaper so they keep their form, but that does not dry them too quickly.
I have tried packing them with newspaper so they keep their form, but that does not dry them too quickly.
#2
DNPAIMFB
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,655
Likes: 0
From: Cowtown, AB
Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.
Take the insoles out and place the shoes and insoles in a warm place overnight. If you still use a CRT monitor or TV, they work wonderfully as shoe dryers.
#6
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Bikes: Trek 930, Redline Conquest, Surly LHT, Surly Troll
I have had good luck with newspaper. I really pack it in there, though, and I figure that provides more material to absorb the moisture. The shoes will be just barely damp in the morning but nothing that soaks through a pair of socks.
#7
52-week commuter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Redline Conquest, Cannonday, Specialized, RANS
I use a boot dryer.
__________________
The United States of America is the only democratic nation in the world to deny citizens living in the nation's capital representation in the national legislature. District residents have no vote in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives. www.dcvote.org
The United States of America is the only democratic nation in the world to deny citizens living in the nation's capital representation in the national legislature. District residents have no vote in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives. www.dcvote.org
#8
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
"REALLY PACKING" could stretch out shoes.
#9
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Bikes: Trek 930, Redline Conquest, Surly LHT, Surly Troll
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: Giant OCR1
Furthermore, change the newspaper after a few hours. The first batch tends to get soaking wet quickly, and having fresh dry newspaper in there really speeds up the final drying process.
If you have a warm, but not too hot, place to put your shoes in addition to stuffing them with newspaper, that helps too.
#11
+1
You can make your own shoe dryer.
Find a metal box your shoes will fit in, a rural metal mailbox will be fine.
A metal desk drawer will work as well.
Install a lamp holder and an incandescent 20 to 40W bulb. A large box will require a higher wattage bulb.
The bulb will produce enough heat to dry out your shoes.
You can make your own shoe dryer.
Find a metal box your shoes will fit in, a rural metal mailbox will be fine.
A metal desk drawer will work as well.
Install a lamp holder and an incandescent 20 to 40W bulb. A large box will require a higher wattage bulb.
The bulb will produce enough heat to dry out your shoes.
#12
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 184
From: south Puget Sound
I really like these mesh shimano mtn bike shoes. They let the water out when it's pouring, and they also dry faster in the office while I'm working. Very seldom are they not dry at the end of the day if I take the insole out when I get in in the am. There have been some biblical rainstorms where they don't dry at home over night but for some reason those have only been on the trip home, not the way in. Either way, I wear wool socks, and if they aren't dry when I need them, it's not too bad. Frequently I have to put the gloves on the (gas) water heater at home. Rarely do I think to put the shoes (sans insoles) there.
#13
Erect member since 1953
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,000
Likes: 38
From: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
I have an old Alsop ski boot dryer that works like a charm.
In my office i have a small fan under my desk that works well. Our office is pretty warm.
In my office i have a small fan under my desk that works well. Our office is pretty warm.
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,237
Likes: 75
From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
Unfortunately shoes just don't dry out that quickly. Standard gear one takes on a road gear, usually does not include hair dryers. Unfortunately.
__________________
Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living

^ Since January 1, 2012
Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living
^ Since January 1, 2012
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 7
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
First I take out the insoles and blot them with a towel then let them hang to dry. Then I take the towel and blot out the inside of the shoe until its just barely wet to the touch. I then let the shoe air dry for the rest of the day underneath my desk in the office. By the end of the day the shoes and the insoles are typically dry to the touch.
I used to stuff newspaper in the shoes too. But then I figured that the newspaper hinders the evaporation process. Blotting out the shoes with a towel and letting the tiny bit of moisture evaporate has worked for me better.
I used to stuff newspaper in the shoes too. But then I figured that the newspaper hinders the evaporation process. Blotting out the shoes with a towel and letting the tiny bit of moisture evaporate has worked for me better.
#16
Selfish bitter clinger.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Red Stick
Bikes: Surly 1x1 commuter, Specialized Epic, Litespeed Ultimate, Nishiki Sport, Trek zx6000, Fisher Sugar team issue, Surly Big Dummy, 1984 Trek 400, Trek 820, kabuki road bike.
If you haven't tried the newspaper you are missing something truly amazing. It really works. I get it in there pretty good and change it every hour or so if I'm in a hurry for the shoes to dry.
#19
Best thing I've found- - https://www.peetshoedryer.com/
You can dry gloves on it as well. I have one at home and one at work.
You can dry gloves on it as well. I have one at home and one at work.






