Can Hiking Boots Go in the Dryer?

Hiking boots can be a great investment when you’re out on the trail, but they can also get quite dirty and wet when you’re finished. The question then becomes: can hiking boots go in the dryer?

The short answer is no, you should never put your hiking boots in the dryer. While it might seem like a quick and easy way to get your boots dry and clean, putting them in the dryer could significantly reduce their lifespan.

The heat of the dryer could damage the materials used to make your boots, as well as any straps or laces. Additionally, some of the waterproofing treatments that are applied to hiking boots may not react too well to the high heats of a dryer.

What Should You Do Instead?

A better approach would be to air-dry your hiking boots at room temperature. You should also stuff them with newspaper or a towel before you leave them out to air-dry.

This will help absorb any excess moisture and keep them from becoming misshapen while drying. If possible, try to leave your boots out in direct sunlight for a few hours – this will help kill any bacteria that may have built up inside your shoes while you were out on your hike.

Cleaning Hiking Boots

When it comes to actually cleaning your hiking boots, there are several products available that are specifically designed for cleaning and conditioning leather and suede footwear. However, these products should be used sparingly – too much of it can potentially damage your boot’s material over time. And if you’ve got synthetic or mesh materials on your boot, make sure you use a cleaner specifically designed for those materials as well – otherwise you could end up damaging them too!

Conclusion:

In conclusion, even though it might be tempting to just throw your hiking boots in the dryer after a long day on the trail, it’s best not to do this – as it could potentially damage both their material and any waterproofing treatments they may have had applied to them. A better approach is to air-dry them at room temperature while stuffing them with newspaper or a towel and leaving them out in direct sunlight for a few hours if possible – this will help get rid of any bacteria that might have built up inside them during use.

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Jennifer Watson