How to Dry Wetsuit Boots
Lauren Collison February 4th, 2019 Posted In: How-To
How to Dry Wetsuit Boots
Wetsuit boots can accumulate smell, dirt, and basically all things unpleasant. Just like a wetsuit, wetsuit boots need washed and dried. The washing part is simple, but drying can be tricky. Wet wetsuit boots can breed bacteria and not-so-enjoyable smells, especially if not rinsed and dried properly. That also takes a toll on the longevity and quality of the boots. But no need to worry, we’re here to help you learn how to dry wetsuit boots!
First things first, always rinse your wetsuit boots in fresh water before starting the drying process. Don’t use harsh soaps or detergents – fresh water is all you need! Obviously air drying is what you need to do. Never, ever put your wetsuit or wetsuit gloves/boots/etc. in a washer and dryer. Also, keep them out of direct sunlight. The UV rays degrade neoprene and cause premature breakdown.
Keep in mind that many of the places that are convenient to have dripping water – like the bathroom or garage – are generally not great for drying. Bathrooms are usually humid and garages are generally susceptible to outside elements, like humidity from rain or cold temperatures. With that being said, they are great places to get the initial dripping phase of drying out of the way.
You’ll also want to wring out the boots using a dry towel which will force out as much residual water as possible. You want to start the drying process with the boots as dry as you can get them.
Now with the basics out of the way, here’s how to dry wetsuit boots:
Once the boots are slightly damp to the touch (after using the dry towel to wring out extra water), move them to a dry and warm area. If you have a broom or brooms, you can place the boots upside down on top of the broom handle(s). If your wetsuit boots have a pull tab or zipper, you can hang them from a peg hook or something similar.
Stuffing the slightly damp boots with newspaper can also help speed the drying process. But don’t commit to this if the boots are slightly more than damp – no one wants dissolved newspaper in their boots.
We also recommend positioning the boots near a fan, if that’s possible.
If you really want to go above and beyond, you could always build a kick-a** drying device like the guy in this forum.
To sum it all up on drying wetsuit boots, here’s what you need to know:
1. Use a dry towel to wring out extra water.
2. Keep the wetsuit boots in a warm and dry area (a.k.a. no humidity or cold temps), and if you’ve got a fan, put the boots near the running fan.
3. If you’ve got a broom or brooms, place the boots upside down on top of the handles. If your wetsuit boots have a pull tab or zipper, hang ‘um from a hook or something along those lines.
4. Got newspaper laying around? Stuff your slightly damp boots with some newspaper.
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- Use a towel to wring out water.
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- Place boots on broom handle.
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- Or stuff slightly damp boots with newspaper.
And there you have it – all the information you need on how to dry wetsuit boots! Have another method? Let us know in the comments! And check out the video below to show you how to dry wetsuit boots!
