Wet shoes are right up there with warm beer.
No one likes that.
This is especially true of wet work boots. Not to mention how unhygienic it can be to hike or work in footwear that’s still damp from the prior day.
Getting the wrong boot dryer can actually damage the leather on your boots. Let’s protect your investment and get the most life out of your shoes possible.
Stick with one of these tested and approved boot dryers and you’ll never have to worry about putting soggy shoes on again.
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4 Key Benefits to Owning a Boot Dryer
Safety: Boot dryers don’t get much hotter than 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Leaving one plugged in is no different than leaving a hair dryer plugged in. They’re also the safest method for your boots. Drying by a fire can eventually damage your footwear and air drying doesn’t always kill bacteria.
Hygiene: Boot dryers help prevent the growth of mildew, mold and bacteria, which also keeps your boots smelling fresh.
Does a boot dryer help with smell?
Yes, boot dryers help reduce odor. They don’t kill the bacteria that produces off-putting smells, but they can dry the shoe out and prevent mildew from growing on the inside of the shoe. You may still need to wash the inside of your boot if it’s smelling particularly bad, but if you regularly use a boot dryer, you shouldn’t have issues with bad smelling boots.
Lasting boots: The longer you keep your boots wet, the more likely they’ll become damaged overtime. Seemingly harmless home heating strategies, like taking a blow dryer to your boot, will certainly damage it.
They’re dynamic: A boot dryer can effectively dry out other clothing items like gloves and athletic shoes.
How Did I Come up With My List?
To find the best boot dryers in the market, I combined my own experiences with product deep dives to make sure wI rounded up effective and consistently well-liked options.
Each boot dryer I’ve listed specializes in a unique strength so you can find the one that suits your specific needs.
7 Best Boot Dryers in 2022
Best Overall: PEET Original 2-Shoe Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer
The PEET Original 2-Shoe and Boot Dryer is the easiest, most reliable, and most hands-off dryer we've found. You just pop your boots on the dry ports at the end of the day and forget about them until they’re ready. It doesn’t use a lot of electricity, so you don’t have to worry about unplugging it when it’s done, and it’s completely silent.
Consistently popular since 1968, the PEET Original 2-Shoe and Boot Dryer is the industry’s quintessential can’t-go-wrong-with-it model.
You just pop your boots on the dry ports at the end of the day and forget about them until they’re ready. It doesn’t use a lot of electricity, so you don’t have to worry about unplugging it when it’s done, and it’s completely silent.
There’s only one moving part on the machine, while nature takes care of the rest. The base, which is super sturdy, draws in air and warms it. Remember science class? The warm air rises naturally, then gently dries the boots.
The PEET Original also kills the bacteria that causes boot smells.
What I Like
It plugs into any standard US socket and uses less electricity than a standard light bulb, so you can leave it plugged in all day. There are also UK, New Zealand, and European compatible versions.
It’s completely silent.
It safely dries other outdoor gear made of different materials like athletic shoes and gloves made of leather, rubber, vinyl, etc.
It comes with a 25-year warranty.
Since it only features two dry ports, it doesn’t take up much floor space.
What I Don’t Like
This isn’t a hands-on express dryer, and will take 3-8 hours to dry boots.
It only dries two items at a time.
What Other Reviewers Say
Athletes loved the deodorizing capabilities of the PEET Original, while outdoor workers praised how hands-off it is. The last thing a logger wants to do when he gets home from a long day at work is actively hold a dryer to his boots.
There were a few reviews that mentioned that their dryers didn’t work, but these were likely defective.
The Verdict
The PEET Original 2-Shoe and Boot Dryer is the easiest, most reliable, and most hands-off dryer we’ve found. It checks the most boxes out of all the boot dyers in this roundup: Affordable, a reliable brand, easy to use, and comes with a great warranty.
The PEET Original 2-Shoe and Boot Dryer is the easiest, most reliable, and most hands-off dryer we've found. You just pop your boots on the dry ports at the end of the day and forget about them until they’re ready. It doesn’t use a lot of electricity, so you don’t have to worry about unplugging it when it’s done, and it’s completely silent.
Best on a Budget: Dr. Prepare Boot Dryer
The Dr. Prepare Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer lacks bells and whistles. However, it does what it’s meant to do, and that’s release moderate heat inside your boot. If you’re on a budget and not in a hurry, this dryer is more than enough.
The Dr. Prepare Boot Dryer is the simplest dryer on the list. Since there’s no fan or any sort of circulation mechanism, it works more like a warmer than a traditional dryer.
Don’t let that or the suspiciously low price deter you, though. It’s remarkably effective. Although it’s designed to dry boots in 3-4 hours, you’ll likely need all night, which is the same as any non-express boot dryer.
There’s no automatic timer, so you have to turn it on and off by plugging and unplugging it. This dryer’s manual quality is like a safety feature—you’ll always know when it’s off and when it’s on.
Fortunately, the heat won’t burn any fingers, so it’s safe for kids to use. This dryer may be no frills, but it’s the best for its price.
What I Like
Very affordable.
Lack of a fan makes it reliably silent.
It’s very easy to use (you just plug it in).
What I Don’t Like
It doesn’t feature an automatic timer.
It likely won’t last as long as other boot dryers on the list.
What Other Reviewers Say
Most people appreciated the modest heat since there’s no way to turn it off while it’s plugged in. No one is trying to burn their house down for insurance, it seems.
The Verdict
The Dr. Prepare Boot Dryer lacks bells and whistles. However, it does what it’s meant to do, and that’s release moderate heat inside your boot. If you’re on a budget and not in a hurry, this dryer is more than enough.
The Dr. Prepare Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer lacks bells and whistles. However, it does what it’s meant to do, and that’s release moderate heat inside your boot. If you’re on a budget and not in a hurry, this dryer is more than enough.
Best Portable Boot Dryer: DryGuy Travel Dry DX Boot Dryer
Since boots dry better upside down, and utilizing warm air’s natural rise is safer than forced heat, it’s difficult to make an effective baseless portable boot dryer. The DryGuy Dry DX Travel Boot Dryer features the best balance of portability and heat drying technology out there by utilizing forced air.
The DryGuy Travel Dry DX Boot Dryer is not only smaller than the already compact PEET Original, but also more versatile. It features an AC/DC adaptor that you can use in your car.
You don’t have to wait until you get home to start drying your boots, which is particularly helpful if you have a long commute.
Instead of placing your shoes on ports, the DryGuy Travel comes as two separate devices, each slipped into an individual boot. It uses forced air and convection to blow warmth into the toe area, which is the most effective way to do it when the boots aren’t upside down.
Like the Dr. Dry, the heat can’t be turned off while it’s working, but the DryGuy does feature a bright LED light indicator to let you know when the dryer is on.
What I Like
It’s small and lightweight at 1.25 lbs and 13” x 10” x 3”.
There’s a slight whir of the fans that you can hear when you put your ear to it, but for the most part the DryGuy works silently.
It can be used in the car, so you can start the drying process on your way home.
The LED indicator and ventilation system are great safety features.
What I Don’t Like
There’s no fan function.
What Other Reviewers Say
By far, reviewers’ favorite quality about the DryGuy is its ability to dry boots effectively in a car setting. Since the heat is modest, you don’t have to keep your eye on it.
The main complaint I’ve seen is that the red LED light shines brightly, which is distracting when you’re drying overnight or driving in the dark. Reviewers simply recommended turning it away or covering it up.
The Verdict
Since boots dry better upside down, and utilizing warm air’s natural rise is safer than forced heat, it’s difficult to make an effective baseless portable boot dryer.
The DryGuy Dry DX Travel Boot Dryer features the best balance of portability and heat drying technology out there by utilizing forced air.
Since they’re both technically portable, the DryGuy is similar to the Dr. Dry but with a lot more advanced features
Since boots dry better upside down, and utilizing warm air’s natural rise is safer than forced heat, it’s difficult to make an effective baseless portable boot dryer. The DryGuy Dry DX Travel Boot Dryer features the best balance of portability and heat drying technology out there by utilizing forced air.
Best Ski Boot Dryer: Kendal SI-SD06G Boot Dryer
The Kendal SI-SDO6G’s four dryer hoses are flexible enough to get into your rigid, hard-shelled ski boots. The high and low settings allow you to gently dry your boots over night, or rapidly dry them in one to three hours if you need to get back on the slopes sooner.
There are three important reasons why I like the Kendal SI-SDO6G Boot Dryer for ski boots specifically.
The SI-SDO6G features four hoses, each of which you’ll put inside individual boots. Ski boots come with a hard shell unlike flexible snowboard boots, and these accordion hoses can easily wriggle into more rigid footwear.
If you’re on a ski trip with a friend or a lady, you can both use the boot dryer at the same time. If you’re on a ski trip alone, you can use the extra two ports for your ski gloves.
There’s a high and low setting that you can adjust based on how wet you got on the slopes, how soon you want to get back out on the slopes, or if the shells of your boots are sensitive (maybe you dried them by a fire one too many times?).
Depending on how damp your gear is, the SI-SDO6G can get them dry in one to three hours AKA about the time it takes to imbibe in an après-ski whiskey.
What I Like
It can be mounted on the wall, so it won’t take up floor space.
It’s quick drying.
It features aroma active carbon to absorb shoe odor.
The four ports offer more flexibility.
What I Don’t Like
Between the wall mounting and all of the settings, it’s more involved than I’d like from a boot dryer, but it’s these qualities that make it good for ski boots specifically.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers loved the flexibility of the hoses. One reviewer mentioned that she sometimes uses two hoses on one of her soccer cleats for a more thorough drying.
The Verdict
The Kendal SI-SDO6G’s four dryer hoses are flexible enough to get into your rigid, hard-shelled ski boots. The high and low settings allow you to gently dry your boots over night, or rapidly dry them in one to three hours if you need to get back on the slopes sooner.
The Kendal SI-SDO6G’s four dryer hoses are flexible enough to get into your rigid, hard-shelled ski boots. The high and low settings allow you to gently dry your boots over night, or rapidly dry them in one to three hours if you need to get back on the slopes sooner.
Best Boot Dryer for Work Boots: MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot Dryer
Unless it’s built with a time machine, you'll struggle to find a faster boot dryer out there than the MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot Dryer. Depending on how wet your boot is, it can dry it in less than an hour. Because of all the options and settings at your disposal, it works great for work boots specifically whether you have spiked, steel-toe, or rubber.
Unless it’s built with a time machine, you’ll struggle to find a faster boot dryer out there than the MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot Dryer. Depending on how wet your boot is, it can dry it in less than an hour.
It has four ports and can get up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about as hot as a boot dryer can get. Miraculously, gloves and boots don’t come out stiff or shrunken despite how fast and warm it is.
The timer can be set for up to three hours. There’s a heat/no heat switch option if you just want to use the fan, which is a surprisingly rare feature for boot dryers.
The MaxxDry Heavy Duty comes packaged with a removable 16-inch extension tube for drying taller boots and a six-foot power cord.
What I Like
It quickly eliminates odors and reduces the growth of bacteria and mold.
It can dry a boot in an hour depending on how wet it is.
It comes with a one-year warranty.
It’s versatile, with a lot of extra add-ons and settings.
What I Don’t Like
The fan makes an audible sound when it’s on.
What Other Reviewers Say
Overall, the reviews for the MaxxDry were overwhelmingly positive. Out of all the boot dryers, this one had the most diverse set of users, from soccer moms to truck drivers to casual hikers.
Reactions to the noise are subjective, varying from reviewers saying it’s a subtle white noise to claiming it’s too noisy.
The Verdict
The MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot Dryer is the most dynamic boot dryer on the list. Because of all the options and settings at your disposal, it works great for work boots specifically whether you have spiked, steel-toe, or rubber.
Unless it’s built with a time machine, you'll struggle to find a faster boot dryer out there than the MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot Dryer. Depending on how wet your boot is, it can dry it in less than an hour. Because of all the options and settings at your disposal, it works great for work boots specifically whether you have spiked, steel-toe, or rubber.
Best Snowboard Boot Dryer: PEET Advantage 4-Shoe Electric Express Boot Dryer
The PEET Advantage 4-Shoe Electric Express Shoe and Boot Dryer is a high-quality boot dryer at a high-quality price. Because of its express drying capabilities and standing base format though, it’s best for those who snowboard often and/or seriously.
Like our pick for the best ski boot dryer, the PEET Advantage 4-Shoe Electric Express can dry a pair of boots and a pair of gloves at the same time. It also dries boots just as fast, clocking in anywhere between one and four hours.
Snowboard boots don’t have the tough shell of ski boots though, and this flexibility allows them to sit easily on the Advantage’s dry ports. Some people don’t mind having to mount the Kendal because it saves them floor space, but I prefer the standing base of the PEET Advantage because it’s less work.
Like the MaxxDry, you can run the fan without heat. This allows you a level of temperature control, the kind you don’t get when you just haphazardly dry your boots by the fire.
Sure, it isn’t as specific as the temperature controls of the Kendal. But again, ski boots have that shell, and that shell can degrade when exposed to certain temperatures too often. This isn’t as big an issue with snowboard boots.
What I Like
It comes with a five-year warranty, so get it registered within ten days of buying!
You can run the fan without heat.
It dries much faster than the convection model of the PEET Original by powering air through the Air Chambers and DryPorts with a fan.
What I Don’t Like
It’s expensive.
The large base takes up a lot of room.
What Other Reviewers Say
For an everyday boot dryer, I recommend the Original. The Advantage is still the best boot dryer for snowboarders, and most positive reviews acknowledged that.
The Verdict
The PEET Advantage 4-Shoe Electric Express is a high-quality boot dryer at a high-quality price. Because of its express drying capabilities and standing base format though, it’s best for those who snowboard often and/or seriously.
The PEET Advantage 4-Shoe Electric Express Shoe and Boot Dryer is a high-quality boot dryer at a high-quality price. Because of its express drying capabilities and standing base format though, it’s best for those who snowboard often and/or seriously.
Best Boot Dryer for Hunting: Manledio Electric Portable Boot Dryer
The most important features for hunting boot dryers are portability and flexibility, and the Manledio Portable Electric Boot Dryer offers both in spades. It has a modular design, which allows it to accommodate boots of all sizes, lengths, and weight.
The most important features for hunting boot dryers are portability and flexibility, and the Manledio Electric Portable Boot Dryer offers both better than any entry on the list.
Sure, the DryGuy Travel is lighter and takes up much less room. However, the Manledio folds open and shut and its dry port brackets can be raised for lighter items and lowered for heavier items. The ports can also be extended and retracted.
I wear light, cool boots for spring turkey season, and I wear tall, heavy boots for pheasant season, which can extend well into February. This dryer makes it so that I don’t need different dryers for different hunting seasons.
It’s compact and weighs only 2.3 lbs. If for whatever reason you end up having to keep your boot dryer on your person, it won’t impede your agility.
To activate, twist the timer on the base. The Manledio lightly circulates 105 degree circulated air, which will take about 2 hours to get your boots dry enough to reuse.
What I Like
It’s light, portable, and won’t take up much room in your car trunk or suitcase.
It gets your boots dry enough to put back on in about two hours.
The extendable and adjustable brackets are built for boots of different weights and lengths.
What I Don’t Like
Considering how beat up my boots get during the hunting seasons, I’d prefer a warranty longer than a year.
What Other Reviewers Say
Since it’s so affordable, hunters consider owning this boot dryer a better option than buying multiple boots to alternate.
The Verdict
The Manledio Electric Portable Boot Dryer has a modular design, which allows it to accommodate boots of all sizes, lengths, and weight.
It’s far more portable than the Kendal (the most versatile option on this list), and far more versatile than the DryGuy (the most portable), making it the perfect happy medium for hunters and outdoorsmen who need a balance of both qualities.
The most important features for hunting boot dryers are portability and flexibility, and the Manledio Portable Electric Boot Dryer offers both in spades. It has a modular design, which allows it to accommodate boots of all sizes, lengths, and weight.
Things to Consider When Buying a Boot Dryer
Capacity: Can it dry two boots or four boots? Is it for you or for a household? As we’ve seen in this roundup, two-port boot dryers take up less room, but four-port boot dryers are more dynamic and can simultaneously dry off your gloves.
Noise Level: Since they don’t use too much power, no boot dryer is offensively noisy. However, if white noise bothers you, there are plenty of perfectly silent, fanless boot dryers.
Port Capabilities: If your boots are longer, you’ll want longer ports or ports that extend. Ports that can be raised and lowered more easily accommodate different weights of items.
Portability: Will you be taking your boot dryer on trips? Most boot dryers don’t take up too much room, but models that were made for portability typically won’t have a base.
Price: How much are you willing to shell out? You do get what you pay for, but our budget option on this list is pretty efficient if you don’t want to break the bank.
Types of Boot Dryers
Forced Air Boot Dryer: A forced air boot dryer uses a fan to dry your shoes, as its name suggests. This is the faster, be it noisier, option.
Convection Boot Dryer: Convection systems take longer, but are also more gentle. Since they don’t use a fan motor, they’re noticeably quieter, often perfectly silent.
Combination: Combination systems often place a fan at the front of the dryer to draw air over the heating elements. Many portable boot dryers employ this system.
How does a boot dryer work?
Most boot dryers force air through the boot using an electric fan. Because the air draws moisture away from the inside of the shoe, they’re able to dry much faster than without any forced air. Dryer leather boots with heat can cause damage to the leather, but drying with forced air allows the leather to contract without cracking or damaging.
Stay Dry Out There
If you use work boots every day or plan on an upcoming outdoor excursion, we highly recommend investing in a boot dryer. With the price variety we gave on this list, it doesn’t even have to be that much of an investment.
The PEET Original 2-Shoe and Boot Dryer is the easiest, most reliable, and most hands-off dryer we've found. You just pop your boots on the dry ports at the end of the day and forget about them until they’re ready. It doesn’t use a lot of electricity, so you don’t have to worry about unplugging it when it’s done, and it’s completely silent.
The PEET Original is the easiest option and my preferred everyday boot dryer, but the Dr. Dry is equally as simple and costs much less.
Looking to hit the slopes, or just live in a snowy terrain? The Kendal and the PEET Advantage are fast drying and truly versatile.
Whether you’re a hunter or firefighter, make sure you aren’t splashing around inside of your boots all day.
FAQs
Are boot dryers bad for boots?
Boot dryers ensure your boots’ longevity by gradually drying them when they’re wet, and by killing bacteria, fungus, mold, and mildew.
Do boot dryers really work?
Boot dryers effectively and gently dry wet boots, which is less damaging than simply putting them by the fire or letting them air dry.
Can you leave a boot dryer on all night?
Each dryer is different, so make sure to read the product description or manual. The PEET Original is meant to be left on all night since it uses slightly warmed air that naturally rises, while the Manledio Electric Boot Dryer is meant to dry quickly, comes with a timer, and isn’t meant to be left on for long periods of time.
Can you dry boots in the dryer?
Stick to boot dryers. Certain durable boots can withstand the heat and tumbling of a clothes dryer occasionally. However, this isn’t the case with all footwear. Moreover, you don’t want to put dirty boots in the same place you put newly washed clothes.
