How To Keep Feet Dry In Shoes and Boots

There is nothing worse than soggy, wet or sweaty feet. It makes you feel uncomfortable and can cause foot odor and fungal infections. Knowing how to keep feet dry in shoes and boots is therefore important if you want to avoid discomfort and stop that soggy feet feeling.

Let’s talk about how you can solve the problem and address the issue from two different perspectives.

Firstly how to keep your feet dry on a wet day when you are walking in the rain and secondly how to stop sweaty feet from making your life a misery in the hot weather.

Both situations cause moisture but the reasons why it is happening differ. Here’s what you need to know to stop both problems and keep your feet dry and comfortable

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How To Keep Feet Dry In The Rain

If you want dry feet then what happens when you are caught in a major downpour? You see for most people ordinary shoes and boots work fine in drizzle or light rain. The problems start when you are stuck in the pouring rain or in a wet environment for prolonged periods and you discover that your shoes start to become saturated.

That moisture in the shoes doesn’t take long to seep through your socks and before you know it your feet are wet and cold.

In winter this is a bigger problem especially in cold weather as cold feet at the extremities can start to impact your body temperature.

So how can you keep your feet dry in shoes and boots and prevent the problem from happening in the first place?

How to Keep Your Feet Dry in Boots

If you want to keep feet dry in shoes and boots then you need to choose the right ones to wear in the first place. The fact is that sweaty feet plus damp wet feet from the pouring rain can usually be avoided with the right footwear.

When you have the right footwear for your particular needs it can help you to avoid the worst situations which might cause wet feet.

As a rough rule if you are going to be spending lots of time outdoors in wet weather then you need waterproof shoes and boots to stop moisture seeping through to your feet.

If you have sweaty feet then you need to keep your feet dry by buying breathable shoes or boots to allow airflow which enables moisture to escape.

If you have sweaty feet and work outdoors then any waterproof boots or shoes should be breathable as well.

Great Waterproof and Breathable Work Boots

Carhartt Men’s 6″ Rugged Flex Waterproof Breathable Composite Toe Leather Work Boot

These Carhartt boots are great breathable work boots that are also waterproof as well. These are designed to keep your feet dry not only from wet weather but from sweaty feet as well.

They have a breathable membrane that helps with that much-needed airflow and they have a lining that can wick away moisture.

These even have a safety toe which means that you can be confident that they will protect your feet in the workplace.

Waterproof and Breathable Hiking Shoes

If you are only using your boots for walking outside then you probably don’t want something quite as heavy-duty as the Carhartt breathable work boots.

This is when it makes sense to buy a pair of walking or hiking shoes that prevent moisture from the rain and also allow your feet to breathe.

There are plenty of products on the market that can help you to keep your feet dry in both circumstances so that you avoid excessive sweating or wet feet from the weather.

Foxelli Women’s Breathable Waterproof Hiking Boots

These Foxelli boots are an example of great walking boots that keep your feet comfortable.

These have a membrane that helps you to keep your feet dry in bad weather but also breathable mesh to allow air circulation.

Wearing boots like these is going to help keep your feet dry and stop many of the problems that you might have if you wore ordinary footwear.

Shoes That Keep Your Feet Dry

There are also a number of shoes and sneakers on the market that are also breathable and waterproof. These should stop the problem of sweaty feet and help in wet weather.

Just note that shoes don’t tend shelter your ankle area. This means that if it is lashing down rain there is more chance of water seeping into your shoe from that vulnerable spot.

There are some ways that you can combat this which I’ll go on to talk about but take that into account when you are deciding what footwear to buy or wear on your feet.

Sorel Women’s Out ‘N About III Low Waterproof Shoe

These Sorel shoes/sneakers are great for casual wear. They will keep your feet comfortable and look great with most casual outfits.

Don’t be fooled however as these have great technology that allows you to wear them in the rain without your feet getting soaked.

They are also breathable which means that if you use them for sport or in warm weather your feet should feel cool and dry.

Don’t Forget Rain Boots

It might seem an obvious answer but rain boots are of course the number one way that an average person will manage wet weather.

Rain boots can be bought in ankle, calf, and knee lengths and they are the perfect boots for walking the dog or strolling in muddy wet conditions.

They are practical and do a great job of keeping feet dry even when it is pouring.

There is just one problem and that is most of the cheaper rain boots are not particularly breathable. This means that if you are prone to excessive sweating that moisture has nowhere to go.

Muck Boot Women’s Mmm-500a Muckmaster Mid

More expensive rain boots however have better materials and technology in their construction.

As an example, these Muckmaster Muck Boots have a breathable lining allowing air to circulate so that sweat doesn’t build up in your boot.

Having boots that are moisture-wicking is absolutely the best solution and worth paying extra for as that excessive perspiration can cause other problems such as athlete’s foot and skin irritation.

Keeping Your Feet Dry In Wet Weather

Whilst choosing the right footwear is a good part of the battle it isn’t the whole story. If you have ever been stuck in a really heavy downpour you know that sometimes you don’t always have the right footwear on.

This means that water can seep through the shoe’s material, saturate your socks and soak your feet. Plus water can find its way into the top of some shoes and boots depending on their design.

There are however some things that you can do to help solve the problem.

Wearing Waterproof Socks

If you know that there is a chance of rain then wearing some waterproof socks might make the difference between a soggy foot or a dry one.

LEAKDRY Waterproof Socks are a great example of moisture-wicking socks that have three layers to keep you dry. They are also breathable so the sweat problem is reduced as well.

These are perfect for wearing when you are running, cycling, walking or doing any activity that might mean your feet get wet.

Carrying Gaiters and Galoshes

Gaiters, galoshes, and shoe covers are a way of keeping your feet and ankles dry when it is pouring rain.

These are probably seen as an old-fashioned method now that there are so many waterproof shoes available but there is still a market for them because they are easy to carry around.

Galoshes tend to be rubber devices that can be slipped on over your shoes to stop them from getting wet. Gaiters are usually made from waterproof nylon and attached to your legs to protect them and your feet from the water. They are usually worn by people who are into hunting or hiking.

Using Plastic Bags in an Emergency

Professional products obviously always work best but if you are caught in the rain and haven’t got anything else to use plastic bags will do the trick. Just pop them on over your footwear and wait until the rain passes.

Whilst you can really walk properly with slippy plastic bags over your feet they are a way of protecting you from the worst downpours which should save your shoes or boots from becoming saturated.

How to Keep Feet Dry in Waterproof Boots

If you want to know how to keep feet dry in shoes or waterproof boots that aren’t breathable then you need to understand what you can do to mitigate sweaty feet.

Summer is the usual time when people find their feet sweat excessively but certain foot conditions can cause it year-round. Here are some of the things that you can do to keep your feet cool and dry to avoid the problem.

Pay Attention To Foot Hygiene

If you want to prevent sweaty feet then your foot hygiene is just as important as your footwear.

Washing your feet and drying them well twice a day can help to not only keep your feet clean but sweat-free as well.

Good foot hygiene will help to keep your sweaty feet under control and help to remove odor-producing bacteria before they soak into your shoes and insoles.

Using Carpe Anti-Perspirant Foot Lotion

Whilst foot hygiene helps it can’t always help with excessive sweating caused by medical conditions. This is where you need some extra products to help you take care of the sweat.

My absolute favorite product that I rave about is Carpe Antiperspirant foot lotion.

This product has rave reviews from its users and by using a small pea-sized amount in the morning and in the evening you can virtually eliminate sweaty feet completely.

Wear Moisture Wicking Socks

The socks you wear on your feet can make a big difference when it comes to dry feet. It always makes sense to wear a pair of moisture-wicking socks rather than ordinary ones to help absorb sweat.

There are so many absorbent socks on the market you can choose from that are great at helping you keep sweaty feet under control.

When you combine good footwear, with foot hygiene and the right socks it can make a massive difference to how sweaty your feet will get.

Carry Spare Socks and Change Your Insoles

Don’t forget that it is perfectly ok to change your socks if you need to halfway through the day to keep your feet dry.

Carry a fresh pair with you in the car or in your bag and put on a new pair halfway through the day especially if you working or walking in hot weather.

You can also slip in a pair of Odor Eating insoles into your footwear. Whilst this won’t stop the moisture it will help combat smelly feet caused by the bacteria that thrive on sweat.

For more methods to prevent your boots from smelling take a look at my handy tips to help you combat odor.

Use Powder To Keep Your Feet Dry

If you want to know how to keep feet dry in shoes then think about wearing foot powder as well to help absorb moisture.

When you sprinkle foot powder on your feet it can help to reduce any sweat and also keep your feet smelling fresh. You can also, if you want, sprinkle some on the inside of your shoes and boots as well.

Wear Shoes on Alternate Days

People often forget that if you have got sweaty feet and there is moisture in your shoes then it can take some time for your shoes to dry out properly.

If you put your shoes on the next day before they have been given a chance to dry then you are already putting your feet into soggy shoes and the problem will get worse as you sweat throughout the day.

Alternating shoes or boots is often the best solution to the problem as it will allow your shoes to air dry properly between uses.

If you want to know how to dry leather boots fast then take a look at my article that gives you some other methods you can use to dry out footwear.

Use a Shoe Dryer

If you don’t have two pairs of shoes then invest in a boot or shoe dryer that can help to dry your shoes in a few hours.

These are great devices not just if you have sweaty feet but also to dry out shoes that have got wet in winter.

They don’t tend to cost the earth and are a great way of helping your shoes stay dry even when you need them.