The Pros and Cons of Boot Dryers
Dec 13 , 2021
Tags - Pros and Cons of Boot Dryers
If you regularly wear boots, you’re probably very familiar with how unpleasant wearing wet boots can feel, and sometimes it can seem like forever to completely dry them out, regardless of what material it’s made from.
For some people, boot dryers may seem like a silly accessory and a waste of money considering there are cheaper methods to drying boots at home.
However, for those who spend a lot of time in cold, wet climates, be it hiking or working in the construction industry, these devices can be extremely useful.
Simply, a boot dryer is a machine that works by blowing air inside the shoes, and this warm airflow helps shoes to dry faster.
Generally speaking, boot dryers work well at removing moisture from boots, which overall helps to prevent foul smells, mold and bacteria growth.
However, they do have some downsides too, especially if your boots are made from leather.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of boot dryers so you can decide if it’s worth the investment for you.
Pros
Boot dryers have some fantastic features that save you time from manually drying out your boots - all you have to do is get rid of any excess dirt and place them on the dryer.
That said, here are some pros:
1. Removes Excess Moisture
Typically, boot dryers will get rid of any excess moisture in your boots: that’s what they’re made for.
When it comes to leather, this is a very porous material so it’s important to keep these dry at all times to ensure that the boots last a long time.
So if you’re constantly in wet environments, these devices will work a dream at quickly drying your boots ready for when you have to wear them next.
2. Removes Foul Smells
As boot dryers remove excess moisture, this helps to eliminate any foul smells from inside your shoes too.
The way it works is that the heat and airflow that gets pumped into the shoes gets rid of odor molecules and prevents them from being re-released back into the air when you put on your boots again.
3. Uses Low Heat
If you’ve done some research into how to dry boots, you’ve probably read numerous times to not apply direct heat as this can cause some damage.
As such, a great feature of boot dryers is that they use extremely low heat, which means you don’t have to worry about the fabric melting or shrinking from high temperatures.
In other words, boot dryers will safely dry your boots without causing any damage to the material or glue that holds the shoe together.
4. Have Timers
Boot dryers have timers, which means you can set it to 30 minute time periods then give your boots a rest without worrying that too much heat is being trapped inside the material of your boots.
On the other hand, this also helps you to determine how long it will take for your boots to dry so you don’t have to sit around for hours waiting, wondering when you can wear them again; they generally have heat detectors that can sense when the boot is dry.
Furthermore, if you need to head out for some shopping for example, you can set the boot dryer on a time limit without worrying that the dryer itself will overheat, which could be a serious fire hazard - you don’t have to leave it constantly switched on.
5. Prevents Mold & Bacteria
As boot dryers get rid of extra moisture, this helps to prevent any mold and bacteria that can grow in damp conditions.
And, the last thing you want is to develop fungal infections, like Athlete’s foot, because you’ve worn shoes that are wet.
Not only that, but removing mold and bacteria will also help to remove foul smells; no one wants stinky feet, after all!
Cons
Here are a few downsides to boot dryers:
1. Price
Boot dryers can be expensive, especially if you compare them to other drying methods.
For example, newspapers and towels can be effective at drying shoes overnight, or you can leave them out in the sun.
2. Space
Boot dryers are not small, compact or very portable, which means it could be difficult to pack them away in your car to take away or even store away when not in use.
And because they’re quite bulky, they require some space in your home, so you’ll need to figure out where you want to place it and keep it there.
3. Damage Overtime
As boot dryers work to remove excess moisture, overtime this could damage the leather surface as the heat will evaporate the natural oils in the material.
Plus, when heat, no matter how little, is applied to leather, it can eventually dry the leather out and cause them to crack or tear, speeding up the deterioration process.
4. Requires Electricity
A final downside to boot dryers is that they require electricity, which means they’re not ideal for outdoor excursions where you may need them the most, i.e. camping.
Rounding Up
All in all, the choice is yours.
But, if you are wearing wet boots a lot, these could be a huge game changer when it comes to drying your shoes.
When you’re shopping around, make sure you check what materials the boot dryer will work for and look for devices with the right tube heights to accommodate your footwear.
If you’d like to know more, please contact us today.
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