How to Keep Feet Dry in Work Boots

If you work on your feet most of the day, you know there are few things worse than having wet feet. Not only is it incredibly uncomfortable, but wet feet can lead to issues such as calluses, athlete’s feet, and other fungal infections that can cause health issues.

While some degree of wet feet may be unavoidable if you consistently work in wet environments, there are some easy tips to follow that will limit the amount of moisture that soaks through your boots and socks and makes it to your feet. Aside from working in wet environments, another common cause of wet feet is excessive sweating.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to keep your feet dry in work boots so you can avoid the discomfort and pain associated with prolonged exposure to wet feet.

Tips to Keep Your Feet Dry During the Work Day

Fortunately, there are many tips to help keep your feet dry during the work day, including:

Choosing a Breathable Work Boot

Let’s face it, no matter what you do, you’re likely going to experience some sweating during the work day, especially if you’re working in hot conditions outside during the summer. That’s perfectly normal.

But you can limit the amount of sweat by finding a breathable work boot that’s suitable to the conditions you’re working in. Consider owning two pairs of work boots – one for winter use and another pair for the summer.

Although wearing a pair of well-insulated and waterproof work boots may seem like the ideal solution to keep your feet dry, your feet may become too insulated, causing your feet to sweat excessively in hot conditions. Well-insulated boots are best utilized during the cold winter months or for working in wet conditions.

During the summer – if your workplace conditions allow for it – consider wearing a pair of breathable work boots to keep your feet comfortable and prevent excess sweating. High-quality breathable work boots come with a mesh lining that wicks away excess moisture and sweat to allow your feet to breathe and remain dry and comfortable.

Wearing Absorbent Socks

When you choose a pair of work socks, it also makes sense to find a pair that’s suitable for the weather and your working conditions. The right pair of work socks will insulate your feet and prevent them from becoming too cold or hot depending on the season.

During the winter months, consider wearing cotton or wool socks to keep your feet warm and dry. If you work long hours and your feet often become hot, though, you may want to avoid wearing cotton socks, and, instead, choose a lighter, thinner pair of socks.

Cotton socks are good insulators, but they can cause feet to sweat during hot conditions, or if you wear work boots throughout the day. Some of the best sock materials for wicking moisture include polyester, nylon, merino wool, or another type of material that is proven to prevent moisture build-up.

Cleaning Your Feet

When it comes to keeping your feet dry in work boots, much of the attention is focused on the type of boots and socks you wear. And for good reason.

However, did you know that regularly cleaning your feet can also prevent your feet from sweating? It’s true. Over time, dirt and oil can build up on your feet, leading to dry, dead skin which can increase the amount of moisture buildup in your boots.

Using a mild soap, warm water, and a foot scrubber on your feet can clean dry, dead skin, especially between the toes. This will not only prevent the risk of fungal and bacterial infections, but it will also reduce the amount of sweat that builds up in your work boots.

If you work a demanding job and are on your feet throughout the day, thoroughly wash your feet daily, preferably when you return home from work. It’s also important to wear a fresh pair of socks each day to prevent exposure to bacteria which can cause odors and wetness.

Use Antiperspirants or Foot Powders

Antiperspirants and foot powders are incredibly effective at reducing odors and sweat. They’re also extremely easy to find, as most grocery and pharmacy stores sell them. They are effective at keeping feet dry by absorbing excess moisture and preventing sweating.

Although antiperspirants and foot powders essentially do the same thing, some people prefer one over the other. You can try both to see which one works best for your feet.

Using Insoles

A shoe insert or insole is a cost-effective way to keep your feet dry during the day. Insoles are effective at absorbing moisture and keeping your feet dry. There are many different types of insoles available, but we recommend finding one with antimicrobial properties, which can reduce fungus and odor-causing bacteria from developing in your boots.

Wearing Ankle Gaiters

Ankle gaiters are fabric guards used to cover the gap between your boots and trousers to prevent water, snow, or ice from entering the boot and causing your feet to get wet. They are also commonly used by hikers to protect their feet and legs from thorns and branches. Ankle gaiters are recommended to wear with your work boots if you spend a lot of time working outdoors or in wet conditions.

How to Dry Out Wet or Sweaty Work Boots Overnight Fast

If you come home from a long day of work and find that your work boots are soaked with sweat, water, or both, it’s important to dry them out. This will extend the life of your work boots and ensure they’re nice and dry when you’re ready to wear them the next day.

Here are some of the most effective ways of drying out wet and sweaty work boots:

The sun - Taking advantage of the sun’s heat is free and convenient. If it’s a sunny day, simply place your work boots in a spot that is exposed to the sun. The sun’s rays will evaporate moisture in your boots and prevent bacterial growth. It’s important to note that you may not want to dry your boots in the sun every time, as it can cause damage to the leather. Regularly moisturize your work boots with a leather conditioner to prevent damage to the leather such as cracking.
A boot dryer - Boot dryers are a safe and effective way to dry out your wet work boots. Boot dryers work by using thermal convection. During this process, the room temperature air is sucked through the vents and warmed up to eliminate water or moisture inside of the boots. This will keep your work boots dry and comfortable while eliminating the potential of bacteria or mold growing inside the boots.
A fan - You can use a small house fan directed at your boots for a quick and effective way of drying them out. For the most effective results, remove the insoles and dry them separately.
Newspapers or towels - Both newspapers and towels are ideal for drying out extremely wet boots, whether from working outside in the rain all day or from walking in water. Simply insert the towel or newspaper into the boot and then cover the outside of the boot with the towel and newspaper, as well. You may need to switch out the towel or newspapers every few hours, depending on how wet the work boots are.

How Effective Are Waterproof Work Boots from Stopping Water?

If you work primarily outdoors as a logger, lineman, construction worker, or rancher, it’s a good idea to have a pair of waterproof work boots to help keep your feet dry and comfortable. But are waterproof work boots 100% effective at stopping water from entering? The answer is that no work boots are 100% waterproof.

Imagine standing in a stream or river for several minutes. At some point, water is going to penetrate the boots and get your socks and feet wet.

That said, the best waterproof work boots on the market can keep your feet dry for hours at a time when you work in the rain or other wet conditions.

Conclusion

If you work outside, there’s a good chance you will be exposed to the elements at some point, whether it be rain, sleet, or snow. If you have sub-par work boots and socks that aren’t suited for the conditions, it can cause severe comfort issues for your feet and lead to blisters, calluses, athlete’s feet, and other fungal or bacterial infections. Following some of the tips we outlined in this article, we’ll keep your feet dry so you can work comfortably all day long.