If your ski boots get wet, whether from the snow or through sweat from your feet, you need to dry them out. This will help you stay warmer and more comfortable the next time you head up to the mountain.
I’ve been skiing for decades, and I’ve learned a lot of tricks to help me make the most of every day I have on the mountain. I know a few different methods for drying ski boots that I’ve learned through first-hand experience.
I’ll show you how to dry ski boots easily and effectively in this post. There are a few different ways to go about this, and I’ll show you all the methods I know. There’s no right or wrong way to do it – so long as they get dry!
Let’s get after it.
Contents
Method 1: Use a Boot Dryer
One of the most effective ways to dry your boots is to use a boot dryer. If you already have one of these, then your boots will be dry really soon. If you don’t, you can purchase one to use for years. Read this buying guide to learn more:
=> Best Ski Boot Dryers of 2022
Follow these steps to dry ski boots using a boot dryer.
- Make sure the boot dryer is plugged in and turned on.
- Adjust any temperature or time settings you want (if your boot dryer is equipped with them).
- Place your boots on the drying tubes or holders if it’s designed this way. Insert the boot dryer into the boots if it’s a single-boot design.
- Let the dryer do its thing, and wait a few hours until they are dry.
*Tip: You can also remove the liners from your boots and place those on the dryer instead of the entire boot. Sometimes this speeds up the drying process.
Method 2: Use Rice and a Sock
Not everyone has a boot dryer to use, and that’s ok. You can use other methods that will dry out your boots just as effectively. One method that I like to use is the sock full of rice method.
To dry your ski boots using the sock full of rice method, follow these steps:
- Get an old sock and fill it full of uncooked rice. Any type of rice will work here, but I like to use cheap white rice. Use whatever you have in the pantry.
- Tie the open end of the sock, so the rice doesn’t fall out.
- Put the sock filled with rice in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. It doesn’t take long to get hot, but you might need to adjust this time based on the power of your microwave.
- Now put the sock in your ski boot. The heat of the rice will begin to dry the boot, and the rice will also absorb some of the moisture.
- Wait about an hour and check to see if the boot is dry. If it is not quite dry, repeat steps 3 and 4.
- Repeat all steps for the other boot.
*Tips: You probably won’t want to eat the rice after this method. But you can save the sock to use the rest of the season to help you dry your boots after every ski day.
Method 3: Use Newspaper
A very basic method for drying your ski boots is to use newspaper. This method can take quite a while, but it’s faster than letting them air dry on their own, especially if you’re in any sort of moist environment.
To dry your ski boots using newspaper, follow these steps:
- Bunch up some old newspaper into balls.
- Cram the newspaper balls into each ski boot until it fills up the entire inside of the liner.
- Wait a few hours.
- Check the dryness of your boots. If they aren’t dry yet, take out the old paper, replace it with fresh balls, and wait a few more hours.
*Tips: You can use other types of paper for this, but I think that newspaper works the best. Paper towels or paper bags can also wor,k but they don’t absorb moisture as well.
Method 4: Use a Heater or Fireplace
You can also simply place your ski boots next to a heater or fireplace to help dry them out. This is a classic maneuver that works well. You just want to be careful that you don’t get your boots too close to the heating source because they can melt.
I always like to take my liners out of my boots when I dry them next to a fireplace or heater. This speeds up the process and allows you to position everything just right – not too close but not too far away from the heating source.
*Tips: You can combine the newspaper method with the heater/fireplace method to try and speed up the drying process. Just be sure not to catch the newspaper on fire!
Method 5: Use a Fan
If you’re in a pinch, a simple house fan can also help you dry your ski boots. Just aim the fan right at the open area of your boots. Again, I always take my liners out of my boots when I dry using a fan.
*Tips: You’ll want to move the fan or your boots around to get even drying and speed up the process. Reposition things every hour or two.
Final Thoughts
Nobody likes putting on wet ski boots, and it’s an easy issue to avoid if you plan ahead of time to get them dried out thoroughly before your next ski day.
All of the methods shown here will work well to get your boots nice and dry. A boot dryer is good to have around if your boots get wet every day, but if you don’t want to spend money on one, there are several other ways to make it happen.
