How do I stop my feet from sweating so much in my work boots?
- Get a high quality pair of Merino wool socks like the Camel City Mill Lightweight.
- Get a breathable work boot that doesn’t have a polyester or nylon lining.Â
- Trade out your boot insoles.
- Buy different boots for cold weather.
Do you struggle with sweaty feet in your work boots?
Having damp, wet socks in the middle of the day is terrible, plus it can lead to moldy boots and stinky feet.
Here are a few hacks you can use to keep your feet dry in your work boots all day.
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Do Your Feet Sweat In Work Boots?: What You’ll Need to Deal with It
In addition to getting a pair of comfortable, well-ventilated boots (Methods 1 and 3), you’ll need the following items depending on which strategies you opt for:
- Merino wool socks (my favorite work boot socks are the Camel City Mill Lightweight)
- Breathable work boots
- Shoe Inserts
- Cold weather boots and warm weather boots
Before you stock up on any of these, read on and figure out what the main cause of your sweating is. Do you simply run hot? Does your job stress you out? There’s a lot of different reasons for sweaty feet, but I’ll help you out in any case.
How to Keep Feet From Sweating in Work Boots: 7 Proven Methods
1. Wear Sweat Wicking Merino Wool Socks
Rule number one: avoid cotton, polyester, and nylon socks when wearing work boots.
Merino wool is the best naturally sweat-wicking material there is—it’s 35% better at wicking sweat compared to polyester, and 20% better compared to cotton. That comes as a surprise to a lot of people.
For most guys, investing in a high quality pair of Merino wool work socks is all they needed to solve their foot sweat issues.
My favorite socks are the Camel City Mill Lightweight because they’re breathable, moisture-wicking, and they have a 10-year durability guarantee on them. Plus, they’re USA-made, which is a nice bonus.
Made in the USA from Merino wool, these work socks really are something else in terms of quality. They feature compression through the arch and calf which helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and help reduce foot sweat.
I once stepped in a deep puddle on a hunting trip while wearing these socks. I paired them with my Timberland White Ledges, which aren’t as waterproof as advertised, and some water definitely got in. My feet were dry again in literally 15 minutes.
2. Buy Breathable Work Boots
With sweaty feet, public enemy number one is moisture retention, so you want boots with maximum airflow. But I know not everyone can drop $500 on a pair of fancy work boots that have it all.
The worst thing you can do is get work boots with a synthetic lining. That’s like wearing a trash bag on your feet. Stick with a leather lined boot, or no lining at all. That’ll ensure you don’t have fabric that traps heat in.
Also, if you have a pair of waterproof boots, you may want to ditch those. Because they’re entirely lined with some sort of plastic (which is how they stay fully waterproof) you’re certainly making your boots hotter than you need to.
Most people don’t need truly waterproof boots. If you’re working on a boat or on a farm in lots of mud, then just get a pair of rubber boots.
Otherwise, any Goodyear welted or stitchdown constructed boot is going to offer enough water resistance that your feet will stay dry in some mud and some downpours.
3. Use Foot Antiperspirants
I personally prefer a powder format because you can really pile it on, and you can visually see how much you’re using. Take your clean and perfectly dry feet, and powder them up. Powder the inside of the boot, then slip your feet in. You can powder your socks too.
Naturally, the sweatier you get, the more powder you’ll need. I used to use regular old talcum powder, and it works just fine. I suggest going for actual foot powders though, since many of them have antifungal and antimicrobial properties. These days, I use Micro-Guard Powder, which also treats fungal inspections.
Powder deodorant isn’t the neatest option though. That award goes to either roll-on deodorants or sprays. Sprays are also the easiest to reapply.
Roll-on antiperspirants aren’t my favorite format for feet because I don’t like the slick feel, and they’re awkward to roll onto the boot interior. But if you’re only moderately sweaty, they’re a quick, easy, and non-messy option. It’s all about preference.
Just don’t combine deodorants. You never know how the active ingredients (or inactive ingredients) will interact with each other.
4. Go for Comfort
Discomfort will cause your feet to sweat. On the safety front, the last thing you want is to be distracted by your shoes while you’re operating a chainsaw.
It’s essential that you do the following:
- Get the right size.
- Choose a comfortable lining and footbed.
Different shoe brands have different sizing, especially for boots. To add more complexity, different shoe lines within brands can vary in sizing too. Timberland boots, for example, have a reputation for running big. Most of their lines do, with a few exceptions.
Do your do-diligence and make sure you know how to approach each specific boot’s sizing. If your boots don’t fit well, not only will you sweat, but the extra rubbing and chafing is a recipe for disaster. Blisters and cracks will make any shoes you wear feel uncomfortable.
As far as construction goes, go for boots with EVA footbeds that are designed to mold to your exact foot. An ergonomically designed outsole will add more comfort while keeping your feet secure.
For you outdoor workers, water resistance is critical for comfort. Remember that moisture is our nemesis here. Not only will dirty outside water impede the sweat evaporating process of your feet, but it can plant a bacteria garden in your shoes too.
5. Try Shoe Insoles
Speaking of comfort, sometimes staving off sweaty feet is as simple as throwing some insoles in your work boots.
If you’re on a budget, and it’s simply discomfort making you sweat, shoe insoles are a good cheat code. Even the highest-end inserts won’t cost as much as an expensive pair of boots.
If you have flatter feet, opt for structured insoles with low or medium arch heights and deep cups for stabilization.
The Ramble is my favorite insole that I've tried from Tread Labs. It offers plenty of cushion for the ball of my foot, and the extra flex in the mid-foot boosts the stability of my boot without affecting my arch too much.
If you’ve got high arches, choose insoles that will relieve pressure on the balls and heels of your feet.
Regardless of your arch, your best bet is going to be on moisture-absorbing and antimicrobial inserts.
6. Buy Two Different Boots for Hot and Cold Weather
Don’t feel bad if this sounds like obvious advice and it never occurred to you. My first ever grown-up hunting trip was during pheasant season in South Dakota in the middle of January. I bought a pair of Kamik Goliath Boots, which are made from rubber and ridiculously insulated.
They ended up being my go-to boots for hunting trips all year long. It took me a good two years before I realized that it was more than just the spring-time sun making my feet sweat during turkey season in May.
Get well-ventilated boots for the summer and well-lined insulated boots for winter.
7. It Might Not Be Heat
If your sweat is excessive, it could be due to a medical condition like hyperhidrosis. One of the big issues with sweaty feet is that it can lead to Athlete’s Foot or even heat rashes.
There are several factors to consider, but it’s never a bad idea to check in with your doctor if you think you might sweat more than a person should, or if your feet are particularly itchy, as that can mean something more serious.
So Fresh and So Clean
To avoid bacteria formation and fungal infections, make sure you aren’t letting your feet get too sweaty in your work boots.
The two big things you can change to reduce your foot sweat are:
- Get a great pair of Merino wool socks (I love the Camel City Mill Lightweight)
- Get a breathable pair of work boots (here’s a list of my top picks)
Made in the USA from Merino wool, these work socks really are something else in terms of quality. They feature compression through the arch and calf which helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and help reduce foot sweat.
If you find that boots with all of these qualities are too expensive, figure out what’s causing your feet to sweat so much. You can at least make sure your boots feature the qualities that answer to your specific concerns.
And finally, if you think there’s a chance your sweat is excessive, it never hurts to see a doctor.
FAQs
Is it normal to sweat in boots?
You shouldn’t be experiencing a lot of foot sweat in your boots. If you’re wearing cotton or synthetic socks, switch to Merino wool—something like the Camel City Mill Lightweight sock helps a lot reducing foot sweat. Make sure your boots don’t have a synthetic lining. Choose either no lining, or a leather lining for your work boots.
Why are my feet sweating but are cold?
It could be due to stress, discomfort, or simply because you’re exerting energy. Even if you go out for a run on a cold day, you’ll still sweat due to friction.
