Quick answer: Take out the insoles and loosen the laces, wipe off dirt, stuff each shoe with newspaper or paper towels, and leave them at room temperature in a spot with good airflow. Replace the paper after an hour or two. Most shoes are dry in 8 to 24 hours. Avoid putting them directly on a heater, radiator or in a hot dryer, which can warp soles and weaken glue.
Step-by-step: the paper-stuffing method
- Remove insoles and loosen laces. This opens the shoe so air can reach the inside, and lets the insoles dry separately.
- Rinse or wipe off mud and salt. Road salt and mud leave stains once they dry, so wipe the outside with a damp cloth first.
- Stuff the shoes with paper. Crumpled newspaper or paper towels soak up moisture from the inside and help the shoe hold its shape.
- Swap the paper. Replace wet paper after 1 to 2 hours, then again before bed.
- Let them air-dry. Stand the shoes on their side or heel, near a fan or in a well-ventilated room, not pressed against a heat source.
Faster options that are still safe
- Use a fan. Moving air is the safest way to speed up drying. Point a fan at the openings of the shoes.
- Use a boot dryer on low. Low-heat boot dryers designed for footwear are a good investment if you walk through snow often.
- Use rice or silica gel for small items. Placing insoles in a sealed container with silica packets can help draw out moisture overnight.
What to avoid
- Direct heat: radiators, space heaters, ovens and hair dryers on high heat can soften glue, shrink leather and warp rubber soles.
- Hot tumble dryers: unless the care label says otherwise, the heat and tumbling are hard on shoes.
- Direct strong sunlight for long periods: it can fade colors and dry out leather and suede.
- Wearing them still damp: damp shoes make your feet cold and can develop odors. See our tips on keeping your feet warm in winter.
Drying tips by material
Mesh and knit sneakers
Mesh and woven uppers dry quickly. Stuff them with paper and use a fan. If they are muddy, rinse the upper under cool water, blot with a towel, then dry as above. Walking shoes like our breathable walking shoes are usually dry overnight.
Suede and nubuck
Blot excess water gently with a towel, stuff the shoes, and let them dry slowly at room temperature. Once dry, brush the nap with a suede brush to restore the texture.
Leather
Dry slowly, away from heat. When completely dry, apply a leather conditioner to keep the leather from cracking.
Fleece-lined and plush-lined winter shoes
The lining holds more water than the upper, so give these shoes the most time. Change the paper often, keep the opening wide, and use a fan. Pressing a dry towel inside the shoe helps pull moisture out of the lining. If you wear winter shoes every day, rotating between two pairs gives each one a full day to dry. Browse our fleece-lined winter casual shoes and winter boots.
How to prevent soaked shoes
- Choose winter shoes with a thick rubber sole and an ankle-high upper for slushy days.
- Wipe off road salt as soon as you get home.
- Keep a spare pair of socks in your bag in wet weather.
- Rotate two pairs of shoes during the wettest weeks.
FAQ
How long do wet shoes take to dry?
With paper stuffing and good airflow, most sneakers dry in 8 to 12 hours. Fleece-lined or leather shoes can take up to 24 hours or more.
Can I put shoes in the dryer?
Only if the care label says so. Heat and tumbling can damage glue, soles and uppers. Air-drying is the safer choice.
How do I get rid of the smell after shoes get wet?
Make sure the shoes are fully dry, let the insoles dry separately, and sprinkle a little baking soda inside overnight, then shake it out.