Boot Drying

Discussion in 'All Discussions' started by DosXX, Dec 17, 2013.

  1. DosXX

    DosXX Well-Known Member

    Mar 2, 2013
    Has anyone tried this or a similar product to dry wet surf boots? I had been considering rigging something up with PVC pipe and a blow dryer at air temp.

    http://www.amazon.com/PEET-M97-FSB-...F8&qid=1387339845&sr=1-2&keywords=boot+driers

    Also, any recommendations on reducing or controlling boot odor? - like cleaning with with anti- bacterial soap, rinsing and drying thoroughly. I recall some discussion on this in the past but couldn't locate it on the Forum.

    In the past I had used thinner boots with no soles and could easily turn them inside out to dry. Can't do this with my 7mm soled boots
     
  2. GreenFlash35

    GreenFlash35 Well-Known Member

    159
    Jan 5, 2011
    Just got some Mirazyme haven't tried it yet. The boot dryer is going swimmingly on its second year. Boot Dryer 005.jpg
     

  3. DosXX

    DosXX Well-Known Member

    Mar 2, 2013
    Anyway, Santa will be bringing me a boot drier. I'll let you know if it's any good. Otherwise wife will want smelly boots and gloves kept in the garage. If nothing else, can use on wet running shoes.
     
  4. wave1rider65

    wave1rider65 Well-Known Member

    405
    Aug 31, 2009
    I have one just like GreenFlash on it's third year and still works great. Once your stuff is dry just spray the insides with Lysol and that will take care of the smell.
     
  5. surfincatdoc

    surfincatdoc Well-Known Member

    83
    Jul 23, 2010
    I have been using the DryGuy for 3+ years now. Dries my gloves and boots in less than 3 hrs. Got mine online but thought I saw them sold in ****s Sporting Goods in the hunting section. Works great!
     
  6. Whitiedred

    Whitiedred Member

    21
    Aug 20, 2008
    I've got the same one and it dries my boots and gloves in less than 4 hours on the heated setting, and they are bone dry and not melted. I was skeptical about its worth for the price before buying, but now I'm planning to buy another for the wife. Love it. It's a no brainer. My boots were already smelly before using this so they haven't gotten better but I can imagine a new pair would not get smelly using this. I never tried cleaning the boots though. Good luck.
     
  7. Scbe

    Scbe Well-Known Member

    140
    Jul 15, 2011
    Stopping boot odor is like keeping squirels out of the bird feeder. There are many products and theories but none ever really work. Forget it. Booties will always stink - period. Go low tech -keep them outside.
     
  8. edgar

    edgar Member

    10
    Jan 24, 2013
    Let your booties air dry and then store them with dryer sheets (bounce) stuffed in them, I do 1 sheet in each bootie and that pretty much takes care of the funky odors.. poor man solution but works pretty well...
     
  9. KillaKiel

    KillaKiel Well-Known Member

    840
    Feb 21, 2012
    Wear them to bed. The human body produces a lot of heat. Recyle Reuse Reduce
     
  10. Roar

    Roar Well-Known Member

    46
    Sep 17, 2012
    I always take my boots/gloves into the shower with me after surfing, and put a little drop of bodywash in them and rinse them out. It works to keep them not smelling.
     
  11. rvb

    rvb Well-Known Member

    237
    Mar 2, 2011
    i recently made this DIY boot/glove dryer and it works amazing. had extra PVC from sump pump project so figured go for it. i used a cheap $10 hairdryer that has a cold setting instead of removing the heating element (took a hairdryer apart and said no thanks - too many wires). no joke boots and gloves are dry in under 3 hours. only real modifications that i made was first - cut the PVC for the boots a little longer then the PVC for the gloves, and second - drilled strategic holes in the PVC to let air better circulate into boots/gloves.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KpKG6B6kdA
     
  12. RIsurfer

    RIsurfer Well-Known Member

    997
    Dec 5, 2012
    I've tried one of those and it just dry rotted the rubber seams.
     
  13. LBCrew

    LBCrew Well-Known Member

    Aug 12, 2009
    I made two cylinders out of green vinyl coated wire mesh they sell at HD to hold my 3mm boots, and all thicknesses of gloves, open to dry normally, without blowers or heaters. Work good enough...

    Keeping boots and gloves clean and well rinsed is the key to keeping the stink to a minimum. Keep them clean and you won't have to obsess over drying them.
     
  14. beaner

    beaner Well-Known Member

    309
    Jun 4, 2006
    There is a DIY solution on surfline that involves a bit of listerine some woolite and warm water. I've done it a few times to my booties and it has removed the funk. Need to dry them inside out as well to get proper air flow over the boot.
     
  15. DosXX

    DosXX Well-Known Member

    Mar 2, 2013
    Thanks for the input. That's what I had in mind. Do you use heat or the just the blower and room temp air?

    Santa left me under the tree the unit I mentioned in my OP. I've tried it twice so far, and it dries out the boots in a few hours, gloves in less than that. But I first hang up the boots and gloves until they stop dripping, then I use the drier. If there's already an odor, that must be dealt with separately. Before I buy any of the products others have mentioned, I'll try a 50% vinegar solution. It's worked in the past for other household cleaning.
     
  16. surfingwasteland

    surfingwasteland Well-Known Member

    337
    Jul 24, 2011
    I feel like running a hair dryer all afternoon to dry your boots is not only a ridiculous fire hazard but noisier than hell. That **** would be so annoying, just put your wet boots back on
     
  17. hinmo24t

    hinmo24t Well-Known Member

    412
    Jan 16, 2012
    lol, roar: i bring all my gear into the shower at my apartment after i surf...rinse it out and once in a while run a little bit of soap through the pile. i hang the suit on heavy-duty hanger in shower and let the booties and mittens drain/dry over the edge of the tub. after a day or two i relocate the gear. this process seems to keep the gear in good condition and clean smelling, from what I can tell.
     
  18. chicharronne

    chicharronne Well-Known Member

    Jun 22, 2006
    Bounce is an amazing product. If you're camping or on the beach on the OBX hang the original Oley Ander scented in or under your shelter. It a bug repugnant. We'd put them in out tent at frisco and on our flip flops, shirts, and trunks while out and the deer flies don't bite, they don't even lite.
     
  19. rvb

    rvb Well-Known Member

    237
    Mar 2, 2011
    you 100% have to use the cold setting on the hair dryer or remove the heating element. if you were to use heat, you would probably ruin your gear and yes that creates a serious fire hazard. i use this DIY setup in my basement on the concrete slab floor. that way noise is not a factor. nice thing about a most blowdryers is that if they overheat, they shut down (in-line fuse trips). but when heating element is not in use or removed, its really just a fan..

    also, living in a one bathroom house this gets my gear out of the bathroom and that makes wifey happy.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2013
  20. momentsurf

    momentsurf Member

    5
    Dec 28, 2013
    fill them up with mouth wash and water. let them sit in the shower for a few mins. then rinse and dry. kills all bacteria/smell