Whether your shoes get soaked during a rainy weather run, covered in mud on a trail run or simply a periodic cleaning, you’ll want to dry them completely before you get on the road or hit the trails again.
Wet shoes (and socks) aren’t just uncomfortably squishy—they’re also more likely to cause blisters and they create the perfect environment for mold to grow. If you don’t have 3 or four pairs of shoes you don’t have time to wait around for your running shoes to dry.
If you’re ready to resume your training, here’s how you can get your shoes to dry faster, without damaging them or altering their fit.
WARNING…
- Throwing your shoes in the dryer
- Putting your shoes on top of a radiator
- Putting your shoes on top of an Aga
- Putting your shoes in an oven or microwave
… will damage their construction causing them to shrink or simply fall apart.
If you regularly need to dry wet running shoes, make sure you keep some newspapers around. Newspaper, which is made from recycled materials and wood pulp, soaks up water and is easy to maneuver into the corners of your shoes.
- Make sure your shoes are clean: if your shoes are covered in dirt or mud, you’ll want to give them a good cleaning before you dry them. Knock off any excessive mud and wash with a mild detergent solution in lukewarm water and use a dry brush to gently scrub away debris.
- Remove the insoles: you can air-dry these separately or place them near a fan for a faster drying time.
- Remove or loosen the laces: open up the shoe so it can breathe.
- Stuff the shoes: crumple up the newspaper. Make sure you stuff the newspaper all the way into the toe of the shoe.
- Place in a dry area: keep your shoes indoors, away from direct sunlight, in an area that is dry and well ventilated. You may also place them under a radiator dry them faster, but never on top of a radiator.
- Replace the newspaper as needed: if your shoes are soaking wet, you may need to replace the newspapers a few times. Periodically check the wetness level and replace newspaper for more absorption as needed.
- Wait about 8 hours: depending on the level of moisture, it may take more or less time for your shoes to dry.