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