How do you dry out your boots?

[aorams]

Hi Forum,

I'm trying to figure out how to dry my boots when they get wet in the backcountry.  I have goretex boots, wear wool socks and use gaiters but inevitably my boots get wet if it is raining hard or there is snow on the ground.  We sleep in a Seek Outside LBO and am considering getting a stove for it but I'm not sure if this is a good way to get it done.  Any input?

Thanks!

[Jonathan_S]

I am bad about this.  I just wear them wet 

I've always found that if I can dry my socks out and sleep with dry feet...it's fine.  Not necessarily recommending it, just saying what I've done for 2-5 day stretches.

I am curious to see what others say.

[EmeraldBullet]

I like using my conditioned leather Ariat boots. They simply wont let moisture through unless you're walking in deep snow and it goes in over the top. I feel like for leather footwear you might not want to use a campstove to dry them.

Heh, this is an outside the box idea but what about putting your footwear in a concealed bag. Then also place in that bag 'one of those devices' (sorry can't remember what they are called) that is meant to prevent condensation inside a boat cabin. These portable devices are very small and light weight, they have little white balls (silica maybe) that absorb moisture from the air and might in a concealed environment with your footwear take the moisture right out of the shoes.

[EmeraldBullet]

I feel like I didn't describe this well enough. It's desiccant in a container that drains down to a lower chamber (the desiccant absorbs the moisture out of the atmosphere and it drains into a dish you can just empty the next day).

[Jonathan_S]

That sort of system might work great for a base camp or for at home but wouldn't be near practical for a backcountry hunt.

[JimmyHoffa]

If you get a fire going, you can heat up rocks and keep drying socks and stuffing them in the boots.

[EmeraldBullet]

I am having trouble finding the ones I think would work online but I am sure you could find one in a boating store. They have really cheap disposable ones that are very small and light weight and could be easily added into a backpack. If it can work on the open ocean I think it could work in the back country. You just would need to really make sure the bag was sealed properly. It would really help if I could find a link to the specific device I have in mind. I'll keep looking.

[Jonathan_S]

I am having trouble finding the ones I think would work online but I am sure you could find one in a boating store. They have really cheap disposable ones that are very small and light weight and could be easily added into a backpack. If it can work on the open ocean I think it could work in the back country. You just would need to really make sure the bag was sealed properly. It would really help if I could find a link to the specific device I have in mind. I'll keep looking.

Cool    I look forward to hearing more about it.

[fair-chase]

Step #1 - Get rid of GoreTex.

Step #2 - Enjoy dry boots.

 



In all seriousness, if you can get by with non-insulated boots, you will be much better off. Non-insulated boots will not hold moisture as long and will also be less likely to foster bacteria.


For backcountry hunts, substitute the contents of Windicator (liquid smoke) with unscented baby powder. This serves multiple purposes as it works well as a wind indicator, can be used to control chaffing, and will also absorb moisture from boots. Allow the boots to dry as much as possible before application. Adding powder to drenched boots will just result in the powder becoming saturated before all of the moisture is drawn out.

[Magnum_Willys]

A) anti-perspirant on the feet in the morning to prevent sweating in the boots.
B) Use the best boots you can find
c) Change socks mid-day.
d) put boots in the bottom of my sleeping bag at night.

dry by campfire if thats an option of course.

[whacker1]

tag

[crabcreekhunter]

Always dry mine by a fire but be very careful to not get them to hot.. When done hunting at the end of the day switch out your wool/liner socks and put on the heaviest cotton socks you can find, throw your boots back on and the cotton will absorb a ton of water!

[Alpine Mojo]

Get rid of GoreTex.

+1

[WapitiTalk1]

Paper towels.

[kentrek]

Wool & Lots of time to air out your feet

A forgetfull memory of having damp feet helps too

[Limhangerslayer]

If you're spending a lot of time glassing that is a good tone to let your feet air out also.  Something to wear at camp besides your boots at night is another good idea.   The boots i have suggest  newspapers lightly stuffed inside to help dry. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

I feel like I didn't describe this well enough. It's desiccant in a container that drains down to a lower chamber (the desiccant absorbs the moisture out of the atmosphere and it drains into a dish you can just empty the next day).

http://www.drizair.com/index.html

[Todd_ID]

I just use newspaper stuffed in them. Let the newspaper dry through the day and use again the next night.

[pd]

I just use newspaper stuffed in them. Let the newspaper dry through the day and use again the next night.

I also do this.  Carry a newspaper in a gallon Ziplock bag, throw it into my back pack.  Firestarter of course.  Reusable boot drier as well.  Newspaper can be reused several times.

If you wear your boots for a long time (18 hours in a day, for example), they will get wet from the inside, even with moisture wicking socks.  This can't be helped.  If you don't have access to a fire at nighttime (most of us don't burn a fire on a backcountry hunt), your only choice is to let the boots air dry over night in the wind, with newspaper inside.

[7mag.]

I just use newspaper stuffed in them. Let the newspaper dry through the day and use again the next night.

I also do this.  Carry a newspaper in a gallon Ziplock bag, throw it into my back pack.  Firestarter of course.  Reusable boot drier as well.  Newspaper can be reused several times.

If you wear your boots for a long time (18 hours in a day, for example), they will get wet from the inside, even with moisture wicking socks.  This can't be helped.  If you don't have access to a fire at nighttime (most of us don't burn a fire on a backcountry hunt), your only choice is to let the boots air dry over night in the wind, with newspaper inside.

This is what I was going to suggest as well. I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.

[EmeraldBullet]

I feel like I didn't describe this well enough. It's desiccant in a container that drains down to a lower chamber (the desiccant absorbs the moisture out of the atmosphere and it drains into a dish you can just empty the next day).

http://www.drizair.com/index.html

Yes! That classic design is the one I had in mind. I might get one and do a test run just to see if it works or not and post the results (don't want anyone to find out the hard way when it's not necessary to do it that way)

[aorams]

I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.
[/quote]

Tell me more!  How did it improve your experience.  Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent?  I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.

[7mmfan]

I saw a video once where a guy strung his boots up into the top of his tent off his center pole and put a thermometer up there to show how hot it was. What was a comfortable 70+ down near the ground was about 95+ in the top of the tent. His boots were dry asap just hanging up there. He commented that if you get to camp, string them up and go about making dinner and doing your evening routine, by the time you go to bed they should be mostly dry.

[PacificNWhunter]

It won't dry them completely but I've placed hand warmers in each boot then stacked them together (slide one boot opening inside the other so the soles are facing opposite directions) also keeps the bugs out.

[7mag.]

I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.

Tell me more!  How did it improve your experience.  Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent?  I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.
[/quote]

Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.

[actionshooter]

It won't dry them completely but I've placed hand warmers in each boot then stacked them together (slide one boot opening inside the other so the soles are facing opposite directions) also keeps the bugs out.

wow, can't believe someone else uses this one. I but a hand warmer in each boot and then lay the socks on top, works pretty darn good.

[PacificNWhunter]

It won't dry them completely but I've placed hand warmers in each boot then stacked them together (slide one boot opening inside the other so the soles are facing opposite directions) also keeps the bugs out.

wow, can't believe someone else uses this one. I but a hand warmer in each boot and then lay the socks on top, works pretty darn good.

Nice!

[Magnum_Willys]

Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.

 

[mtn muley madness]

get 2 sticks and stick them in the ground inside the tent/shelter if it's floor-less or somewhere close by where it's sure to be dry and hang your boots upside down on the sticks as if they were on a boot dryer. Just being upside down and off the ground will help tremendously as opposed to the soles being on the cold ground not getting any air flow. If they are super wet I'll wad up newspaper with a hand warmer inside it all and put on 'boot dryer.' After a few days ill use a pair of wool socks to substitute for the newspaper because I'll start conserving the print fire starter just because and I'm usually ready for a fresh pair on the feet anyways. But if it's just a little moisture and not soaked, just hanging upside down usually in itself is enough...unless its really cold out then i'll wad up some newspaper or used wool socks with a hand warmer inside and stick it in the toe/shoe part of the boot and hang on 'boot dryer!' Heat rises and when there's no way for it to escape up and the downward exit is wadded up the heat stays in there nicely. Enjoy your red neck boot dryer! Hope this helps...wet feet in the woods is the anti....shoot wet feet in the face! Pew Pew

[coachcw]

Just take three  or four pairs of boots !

[aorams]

Get rid of GoreTex.

+1

What do you use as an alternative?

[aorams]

I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.

Tell me more!  How did it improve your experience.  Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent?  I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.

Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.
[/quote]

I think that's gonna be my next purchase!

[Utah]

If its raining or snowing and crossing creeks wear Gators.  A fire is never a bad thing in wet weather.  If you really get screwed wear your boots in your sleeping bag at night. I'm thinking back country backpacking so I doubt I'll be packing any news paper or cotton socks. etc etc.. 

[fillthefreezer]

man, i know alot of guys really dig the little stoves but i just cant get behind it.
for me, its an ounce of prevention. i wear gaiters, always. too many times, ive waited too long to put them on. dealing with sweaty damp boots isnt too bad. put my daily damp socks in my pockets while i sleep in the dry socks to keep my feet from getting soft. take insoles out. if glassing, lay boots into the wind and socks and insoles in the sun.
now sometimes its inevitable and boots get wet. if it looks like this will be the case before leaving, ill bring a 3rd pair of socks and run a 3pr rotation, keeping one dry, drying one, and the other pair helps to dry the boots.
i like some of these ideas with the handwarmers though, and will probably give that a try.

[JimmyHoffa]

I tried the handwarmers before and didn't work out all that great for me.  If you leave the boot open, they get warm and the reaction would go too quickly and the warmer would be used up before drying.  If you stuff a sock in the top, enough oxygen is blocked that the warmers slowed down and weren't really warm enough to dry (but would last through the night).  In the morning, after pulling the warmer out it would heat up real fast again.  Probably some method of stuffing the sock just right that could do a better job.

[Magnum_Willys]

What kind of handwarmers work? The lil shake a pouch ones?

[passing-thru]

I just use newspaper stuffed in them. Let the newspaper dry through the day and use again the next night.

Yeah that 
My grandma taught me that many moons ago..have done my whole life

[mazama]

I would be very careful using drizair,i spilled it in my camper on the floor the carpet kept absorbing water,and I had to paint over it to stop it,is also very corrosive,i now put my containers in 2gallon buckets.

[swisski]

I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.

Tell me more!  How did it improve your experience.  Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent?  I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.

Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.

I think that's gonna be my next purchase!
[/quote]

I think you will be happy with the stove setup! Since you already have the LBO, get one of their stoves as well. I use their 8 man tipi with the XL stove. You would probably be fine with their medium or large, depending on how often you want to stoke the stove. As one person suggested, planting 2 sticks in the ground and using them to dry your boots upside down (like a boot dryer) in conjunction with the stove does wonders. Worked well in the torrential couple days we hunted over on the peninsula.

[aorams]

Thank you... I'll probably order the medium!

[dreamingbig]

I don't leave the trailhead without a pair of goretex socks for those days when the boots get really soaked by dew/rain/wet grass.


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