How to Fix Wet Boots Overnight: Tips for British Hunters

Updated 3 November 2026

To dry wet boots overnight, take out the insoles and laces, clean off the mud, stuff the boots loosely with newspaper and leave them in a dry, airy room, with a fan if you have one. Moving air dries boots safely. Heat dries them fast and ruins them.

Very wet boots may still be damp in the morning. Aim for comfortable, not perfect, and dry the insoles separately.

Why do boots stay wet overnight?

Water soaks into the linings, padding and seams, and especially under the insole, where air cannot reach it. Cold air slows drying and still air almost stops it. That is why boots left in an unheated porch, garage or shed often feel just as damp in the morning. Even waterproof boots get wet inside from long grass and sweat.

Boots that feel dry outside can stay damp inside for days if nothing draws the moisture out.

What should you do as soon as wet boots come off?

Take out the insoles first, because they trap water underneath and block air. Loosen or remove the laces and open the tongue so air reaches the toe. Then clean off mud and grit, which hold water against the leather and can stain it. Do this straight away, not an hour later, and lay the insoles out separately.

Drying the insoles on their own often makes more difference than any other single step.

Why should you never dry boots on a radiator or by a fire?

Heat dries the outside quickly while the inside stays wet, and it damages the boot as it goes. Leather dries too fast, stiffens and cracks. The glue between the sole and upper softens and weakens. Waterproof membranes can lose their seal. Many boots that fail after one season were worn out by evenings next to the fire.

Room temperature is warm enough. Patience is what saves the boots.

Does newspaper really dry boots?

Yes. Loosely balled newspaper soaks up water from the inside, leaves air pockets so air can still move, and helps the boot keep its shape. Change it when it gets damp, once in the evening and again before bed for soaked boots. It is slow but steady, and for overnight drying it beats most quick fixes.

Do not pack it tight. Air has to move through it.

Where is the best place to dry boots overnight?

The best place is a dry, well-ventilated room at room temperature, even if it feels cool. Unheated porches, sheds and garages in Britain are often damp, so boots can dry more slowly there than indoors. Avoid sealed cupboards and steamy rooms such as bathrooms. Moisture needs dry, moving air to escape into.

In an old house or a shooting lodge, a dehumidifier in the room makes the biggest difference.

How do the ways to dry boots compare?

A low-temperature boot dryer and a fan are the fastest safe methods. A dehumidifier helps a lot in damp rooms. Newspaper is cheap and reliable. Rice or cat litter in a sock works when there is no newspaper. Radiators, fires, heaters and hair dryers are fast but damage the boots. The table compares them.

Two pairs used in turn beat every method. Each pair gets 24 to 48 hours to dry fully.

Do leather and fabric boots dry differently?

Yes. Leather boots need slow drying and should be treated with a conditioner once fully dry, to replace the oils they lose. Fabric and synthetic boots let water out faster but are just as easily damaged by heat. Whatever the material, keep the boots away from direct heat and let them dry at room temperature.

Treat leather before the next outing, not while it is still wet.

How can you stop boots getting so wet in the first place?

Wear moisture-wicking wool socks, not cotton. Keep trousers outside your boots or use gaiters, because trousers tucked loosely over the boot top can funnel water straight in. Keep leather clean and treated so it sheds water. Rotate two pairs if you are out often, and change socks at lunchtime on very wet days.

Damp boots also breed bacteria and fungus. Drying them properly protects your feet as well as the boots.

Which Hillman boots and socks suit wet British ground?

The DryHunt 2.0 (£399) is Hillman's uninsulated waterproof boot: full-grain Italian leather, a DryHunt membrane and a Vibram MegaGrip sole, in UK sizes 5 to 13 and wide EE fit from 7 EE to 13 EE. The Ultrawarm merino hunting socks (£49), made of Australian merino wool, come in three sizes from UK 5.5 to 13.5.

Prices and sizes as listed on hillmanhunting.co.uk on 31 October 2026. Check the product page and the size guide before you order.

Frequently asked questions

How long do wet boots take to dry?

Overnight for damp boots; a full day or more for soaked leather. Two pairs in turn solve the problem.

Can I use a hair dryer on wet boots?

Only on the cool setting. Hot air damages leather, glue and membranes.

Is it safe to put boots in the tumble dryer?

No. The heat and tumbling damage the sole bond, the leather and the membrane.

How do I stop wet boots smelling?

Dry them fully with the insoles out, wear clean wool socks and rotate two pairs.