How to keep your feet dry in work boots? This is a question we get asked a lot. Whether it is because the boot is letting through water, your feet are sweaty or there is another cause for this problem, nobody wants wet feet while wearing their work boots.
It can be hard to find the exact problem that is causing wet feet. Therefore, we wrote this guide to help you prevent the problem and keep your feet dry in work boots.
Causes of wet feet while wearing work boots
First of all, we need to determine what is causing your feet to get wet inside your work boots. Often people just assume the waterproof coating of their work boot is gone and will get a new pair. However, more likely there is a cheaper/easier alternative.
These are the possible causes of wet feet while wearing work boots:
- Too much insulation
- Too less breathability
- Worn out waterproof impregnation
- Leaking work boot
How to prevent sweaty feet in work boots
Get an extra pair of work boots for summer
When you are wearing boots that are insulated during summer it is a guarantee that your feet will not stay dry inside these work boots. If you are doing a lot of work in a hot climate and you notice your feet get wet and sweaty in no time, it is likely the insulation that is causing this problem.
The best solution to tackle this problem is to get a second pair of work boots for summer. You should get a pair of work boots that are best for you.
Use the appropriate socks for your work boot
The right pair of work socks can make a huge difference in the amount of sweat you produce while wearing work boots. In summer you should opt for a light breathable pair of work socks. During the winter we recommend a pair of high-quality merino wool socks to keep your feet warm and dry.
How to keep feet dry in work boots
If the problem is water coming into your work boots from rain or puddles it could be caused by two reasons: Your work boots have a hole in them, or the waterproof coating on them has worn out.
How to patch a hole in your work boot
If you’ve come to the conclusion that a hole in your boots is causing water to come there is a quick solution for you. Here is a simple guide on how to patch a hole in your work boot:
- Determine the size of the hole. To be realistic, a small hole in a work boot can be fixed. However, when the tear or hole is too severe you are likely better of buying a new pair of work boots.
- Use threat to stitch the hole. When the tear is too big to fix with only glue you could use a stitch to help you patch it. We recommend you use a simple ladder stitch to close the tear. After that continue to step 3.
- Use shoe goo or glue to patch the hole. Our absolute favorite product to patch holes in work boots is shoe goo. It is cheap and will bond to any material very well. Use a royal amount of it to get the best result. You can do multiple passes of shoe goo to ensure a waterproof seal.
How to Re-apply waterproof coating on your work boot
If you notice that the material of your work boot is soaking up a lot of water it is likely because the waterproof coating has worn out. Waterproofing your work boots is easy. Here is a guide on how to apply a new waterproof coating to your work boots:
- Wash your boots. Wash your boots in the washing machine. Check the label on the inside for instructions on how to do this. Usually, a temperature of 30°C is recommended. We recommend using Nikwash washing detergent. Their washing detergent is specifically made for outdoor clothes.
- Impregnate your boots with a new waterproof coating. When your work boots are clean it is time to apply a new waterproof coating. Again Nikwash has a waterproofing detergent that can be applied using your washing machine.
- Set the waterproof layer on your boot. Some waterproofing techniques require you to put your boot in the dryer. Others like Nikwash do not require setting the waterproof layer using the dryer.
The quickest way to dry your work boots
Did your work boots get wet and now you need to dry them? Here are some tips on the best way to dry your work boots.
Use newspapers inside to dry work boots quicker
Newspapers will suck up the water inside your boots. Turn the newspaper into a ball and cram them inside your work boot. Especially make sure that the newspapers make contact with every bit of the inside boot. This will make sure your work boots dry quickly and efficiently.
Dry work boots in a warm place, not hot!
To speed up the time to dry your work boots you can put them in a warm place. In front of a fireplace or radiator are great examples of spots to dry your boots.
Be careful not to put your work boots somewhere too hot! Heat will melt the glue that keeps the sole attached to your boot.
Put your boots upside down to dry
Gravity will pull the water down. Therefore, you want your boots to dry upside down. The bottom of your work boot is the most waterproof and water will stay there the longest. Keep in mind to let the bottom open and be able to breathe. This way you will prevent your boots from developing mold and other bacteria on the inside.
Use a hairdryer to dry your boots
Are you in a hurry? The quickest and most efficient way to dry your work boots is using a hairdryer. To get the best result you should put the hairdryer at the highest temperature possible. Spot dry and don’t heat one area for too long as this could melt the glue of the boot.
How to get rid of odor in work boots
To keep your work boots from stinking it is important to keep them dry. We recommend putting them in front of a heat source every week. It is also important to wash your boots every now and then to keep the smell out.
