Drying the insides of hiking boots?

[Strickland]

Every time I take my boots off after a long day on the trail, then put 'em back on the next morning they are still "swampy" (in the winter frozen) and moist. I wear mid-high boots that offer ankle support btw. I've tried hanging them upside down on wooden stakes, laying them out by the fire with the insoles taken out, hanging them from my hammock but all do nothing. What should I do?

 

[musicimprovedme]

Although we expect the various weather conditions, and can't baby our boots, we should take certain measures not to slog through lots of water. If you know you are going to be walking in water, use your Tevas or Crocs or barefoot or whatever, even in winter for a brief time, because even if your feet are exposed, you can dry your skin a lot faster and easier, then you have your dry boots to warm them back up. Another option is to use gaiters or waterproof boots. Whatever you decide, make every effort to keep the inside of your boots dry.

If they do get wet, do all those things you describe and get them where they aren't dripping anymore....then just suck it up and wear them. If you have the right socks, you can sort of mop out your boots without compromising the health of your feet or being too uncomfortable. Use wool or some other wicking fabric of socks, and use a pair and a spare. Alternate them once every hour or so, hanging the spares to air dry, or lashing them to the outside of your pack by their tops, so the toes of the socks can air dry...and take a little break between getting out of wet socks and into dry socks, so your tootsies can breathe a little bit. Use it for a water or snack break and chance to take some pictures.

When you get to campsite, if it is warm enough, you can get ahead of the process of drying out your boots by getting out of them as soon as possible, get them hung up, all those things you have been doing. You can wear insulated booties in cooler weather, or sandals, sneakers, etc. longer which is better for your feet too, and I think more comfortable.

Foot health is important...Wear good fitting boots, cushion your hot spots before blisters form, keep your toenails trimmed and clean, wash your feet and dry them thoroughly every day (tea tree soap is a great thing to prevent fungus), use powder in your boots, and keep them aired out and dry.

Have fun!

 

[TeaPe]

if your boots soak through, there's really not much you can do about it, leather hangs on to water for dear life. you should try using an impregnating spray (if you already aren't), it helps protect the boots from outside moisture and water. a quality boot maintained correctly should hold your feet dry even after a day's hike through knee-high snow. if impregnating doesn't help, perhaps you should consider buying a better pair of boots.

if the problem is your own feet (sweat), perhaps you're not wearing the right socks that enable your feet to breathe properly. or then again, perhaps your boots aren't very good and they make your feet sweat (buy a new pair).

i know you asked about drying the insides, but from my experience unless it's really hot outside or you're dragging a gas heater with you, there's little you can do and the best solution would be to invest in a new pair of boots. they're very expensive, but you'll be at peace for a couple of years.

 

[scott]

Dry as much as you can using what you described above. Usually there is a fair amount of time between the end of the hike and hitting the sack. As you crawl into bed, activate a pair of the pocket size hand-warmers, the disposable ones last longest and work the best. Wrap each in a sock and stuff into the toe of your boots, drape the clean socks you intend to wear the next day over the opening to slow the heat loss (don't fully block the opening, the moist air needs to escape).

The next AM you will have warm dry boots and socks. It will take a little bit of learning how tight to wrap the sock around the warmer. If the warmer is spent and boots cold the next day, you did not wrap tight enough, or had too much moisture in the sock (which speeds the chemical reaction that makes the heat). If the boots still are wet and you get hours of Warmth from the warmers, don't wrap as tight next time.

This all assumes you have properly treated your boots, and are using quality moisture-wicking socks.

I have had to wade creeks and usually do not need to use the hand-warmer method, except in the winter. I use North Face, mids and treat with nik-wax.

If all else fails, gor-tex socks!