Wet shoes are an inevitable part of life. Whether you've been caught in an unexpected downpour while walking through the city center, stepped in a puddle during your morning dog walk, or trudged through snow in Winter Park, dealing with soaked footwear is a common challenge. The way you dry your shoes can mean the difference between preserving them for years or ruining them in a single afternoon.
Even the best waterproof shoes aren't completely immune to getting wet inside. Sweat, prolonged exposure to heavy rain, or water entering through the top of the boot can leave you with damp footwear that needs proper drying. At THEESE, our Flow State and Purpose collections are engineered with water resistance in mind, but we know that proper care—especially proper drying techniques—is essential to maintaining their performance and longevity.
Why Drying Method Matters More Than You Think
The average person underestimates how much damage improper drying can cause to shoes. When you rush the drying process or use heat sources that seem convenient, you risk compromising every component of your footwear—from the leather upper to the waterproofing membrane, from the adhesives holding the sole to the structural integrity of the boot itself.
Different shoe materials react differently to moisture and heat. Leather shoes can crack, shrink, or become stiff when dried improperly. Suede shoes lose their distinctive texture and can develop water stains that become permanent. Even synthetic waterproof materials can delaminate or lose their protective properties when exposed to excessive heat.
The stakes are particularly high during winter months when people are most likely to come home with wet boots and want them dry quickly for the next day. This urgency often leads to the most common and damaging mistake: placing shoes near a heater or radiator.
Common Drying Mistakes That Ruin Shoes
The Heater Disaster: Placing wet shoes directly next to or on top of radiators, space heaters, or heating vents is the number one way people destroy footwear. The concentrated heat causes leather to crack, synthetic materials to warp, glue to fail, and waterproof membranes to delaminate. Many residents have learned this lesson the hard way, watching a favorite pair of boots curl up and become unwearable after just one drying session near a heat source.
The Dryer Debacle: Throwing shoes into a clothes dryer might seem efficient, but it's equally destructive. The tumbling damages shoe structure, the heat causes the same problems as radiators, and it's simply too harsh for quality footwear. Some athletic shoes might survive a dryer on very low heat, but waterproof boots, leather shoes, suede shoes, and cowboy boots should never see the inside of a dryer.
The Sunlight Mistake: Direct sunlight seems gentler than a heater, but UV rays damage leather and cause fading over time. While a sunny windowsill might dry shoes eventually, it's slowly compromising the material quality. This can lead to skin damage on leather surfaces that becomes irreversible.
The Newspaper Method: Your Best Friend
One of the most effective and safest ways to dry wet shoes involves materials you probably already have: newspaper. This method has been trusted for generations because it works, it's gentle, and it's virtually free.
Remove laces and insoles from your wet shoes immediately. This allows all components to dry separately and more thoroughly. Crumple sheets of newspaper into loose balls—not too tight, as you want air pockets that increase surface area for absorption. Stuff the shoes completely with newspaper, filling them to their normal shape. This maintains the shoe's form while drying and prevents creasing or warping.
Replace the newspaper every few hours. The first few changes will show dramatically wet newspaper, which gradually becomes less saturated. Place the shoes in a well-ventilated area at room temperature. Continue replacing newspaper until it comes out dry, typically requiring 24 to 48 hours for thoroughly soaked shoes.
This method is safe for all shoe types—leather shoes, suede shoes, waterproof boots, cowboy boots, and dress shoes all respond well to the newspaper technique. It maintains shoe shape, costs virtually nothing, and can't cause heat damage.
The Air Circulation Method: Harnessing Natural Drying
Moving air is nature's best drying agent. Position a standard household fan to blow across your wet shoes—not directly into them, but across them. This creates constant airflow that carries away moisture-laden air and replaces it with drier air.
Place shoes on a mesh rack, wire shelf, or even a milk crate to ensure air can circulate underneath as well as around the shoes. Remove insoles and laces, laying them flat near the airflow so they dry completely. Loosely stuff shoes with newspaper or paper towels to maintain shape and absorb initial moisture, but leave the top open to allow air circulation inside.
The moving air increases the evaporation rate significantly compared to still air, but without the damaging effects of heat. In a typical home environment, a fan can dry shoes in 12 to 24 hours. During winter when indoor heating reduces humidity, the process can be even faster.
Material-Specific Care While Drying
Leather Shoes and Boots: Full-grain leather needs to dry slowly and evenly. Never rush leather drying. After leather shoes are completely dry, conditioning becomes essential—the wetting and drying process strips natural oils that must be replaced. Quality shoe polish and leather conditioner restore these oils and maintain the leather's water resistance.
Suede Shoes: Suede presents unique challenges. The napped surface can mat down when wet, and improper drying can leave permanent water marks. For suede shoes, absorb as much moisture as possible with towels, then stuff loosely with paper to maintain shape. Allow to dry completely at room temperature, which may take 48 hours or more. Once dry, use a suede brush to restore the nap and apply suede protector spray.
Waterproof Boots: The THEESE Flow State and Purpose collections feature advanced waterproof construction that requires careful drying. Remove insoles immediately—the removable footbed often traps moisture. Use the newspaper or fan method, ensuring thorough drying of all layers. Never use heat, as waterproof membranes are particularly vulnerable to heat damage. After drying, applying waterproof spray to the exterior maintains water resistance.
Quick Tips for Everyday Wet Shoe Emergencies
When you're short on time but need to address wet shoes properly, prioritize these steps: Remove insoles immediately and dry them separately. Wipe down the exterior to prevent water from sitting on surfaces. Stuff shoes with newspaper or paper towels right away. Position shoes in a well-ventilated area away from any heat source. Even if you can only manage these basics, you'll prevent the worst damage.
For people who regularly deal with wet shoes—whether walking your dog in Winter Springs, commuting through the city, or spending time outdoors in any weather—keeping a shoe care station at home makes the process automatic. A designated drying area with a fan, a stack of newspaper, and shoe trees ready to go ensures you can properly care for wet footwear without scrambling for supplies.
The THEESE Advantage
At THEESE, our Flow State and Purpose collections are designed with real life in mind. We understand that shoes get wet, and we've engineered our products to handle it. Our waterproof shoes feature construction that maintains integrity even after multiple wetting and drying cycles—when you follow proper drying techniques.
The quality materials in THEESE shoes respond well to correct care. Whether you're wearing our boots through miles of winter weather or relying on them for your daily commute, knowing how to dry them properly ensures they'll serve you reliably for years.
Ready to invest in waterproof shoes that combine style, comfort, and durability? Visit weartheese.com to explore our Flow State and Purpose collections. And remember—the way you care for your shoes is just as important as the quality you start with. Treat them right, dry them properly, and they'll keep your feet comfortable and dry through countless adventures.
Don't let wet shoes become ruined shoes. With these proven drying methods and quality footwear from THEESE, you're equipped to handle whatever weather comes your way.
FAQs
Q1: How long should waterproof shoes take to dry?
Typically, 12–24 hours depending on humidity and airflow. Using the fan or rice method can cut this time in half.
Q2: Can I put waterproof shoes in the dryer?
No. The high heat can damage the materials, warp the soles, and ruin the waterproof coating. Always air-dry them.
Q3: How can I prevent odor after my shoes get wet?
Remove insoles, air them separately, and sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes overnight to neutralize odor.
Q4: Do I need to reapply waterproofing spray after drying?
If your shoes have been heavily soaked, yes. A light reapplication helps restore THEESE’s signature waterproof protection and surface repellency.
Q5: How can I dry waterproof shoes faster while traveling?
Remove insoles, stuff them with microfiber cloths, and place them near gentle airflow (like a fan or open window). Avoid placing them on radiators or in sunlight.