Let’s face it: you work hard. And at the end of the day, you have the damp feet and drenched socks to prove it. But when your job literally keeps you on your feet all day, you might feel like there’s no way around the sweat and moisture that comes from all that exertion.

Fortunately, with a few pointers, you can keep your feet dry and avoid the soggy socks and foul odors that come from persistently sweaty feet. What’s more, keeping your feet dry while you work can also help reduce your risk of related health conditions, like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.

If you’re looking to learn how to keep feet dry in work boots, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five simple steps you can take to minimize excess moisture and keep your feet dry.

#1 Choose The Right Boot

Keeping your feet dry inside your work boots starts with choosing the right boots for the job. A range of factors, from how they fit to what they’re made of, can play a part in how dry a pair of boots keep your feet.

When you’re shopping for breathable work boots, always choose a pair that’s appropriate for the type of work you do. For example, waterproof work boots with extra lining and thick, outer soles from Caterpillar boots men’s collection can keep your feet dry if you work in an environment where you could step in standing water, puddles, spills, or leaks.

But if you work a job where waterproof work boots aren’t a top priority, all that extra lining can transform your boots into mini microwaves that heat up your feet and cause them to sweat more. For that reason, if you don’t need waterproof boots, look for boots made from materials that are:

• Lightweight
• Breathable

#2 Wear Moisture Wicking Socks

Your damp feet could have more to do with the material of the socks you’re wearing than your boots. As such, applying the same criteria for choosing your comfortable work boots to choosing moisture wicking socks is a wise idea—in other words, go for lightweight fabrics with good wicking properties, so your socks don’t remain damp throughout the day.

In general, steer clear from cotton socks, as they don’t vent well. Instead, opt for wool or other moisture-wicking fabrics.1 These types of socks are made with unique microfibers that draw moisture away from the skin. The moisture is then absorbed into the sock, keeping your feet dry—a must-have as our feet produce half a pint of foot sweat a day!2

#3 Use An Antiperspirant Spray

When you want to minimize excessive sweat under your arms, you use deodorant. Why should your feet be any different?
That doesn’t mean you should go smearing your Speed Stick on your feet. But it does mean you can consider an antiperspirant spray that’s designed with sweaty feet in mind.3 They’re made with special, sweat-resistant materials that clog your sweat ducts, stopping excessive sweat at the source.

#4 Use Essential Oils

For a natural anti-sweat remedy, consider essential oils. Many oils have naturally water-resistant properties that make them an ideal sweat-wicking solution.

Massaging essential oils into your feet every morning can decrease the amount of sweat your body produces and, in some cases, reduce the size of your pores and sweat glands.

Essentials oils that are known to dispel sweaty feet include:

• Bergamot oil
• Cypress oil
• Rosemary oil
• Sage oil

#5 Keep Your Boots Dry

Unless you work in the desert, there’s always the chance that your boots could get wet. And even if they aren’t exposed to moisture from the outside, the perspiration from your feet can leave your work boots damp and soggy. When wet feet are the problem, wearing wet boots never helps.

If you’ve ever wondered how long work boots should last, part of the secret to longevity is to always make sure your boots are dry. If they do get wet during the workday or you’ve cleaned them, you need to dry them ASAP.

Wondering how to dry work boots? Here are a few tips for drying your work boots:

• Dry the outside – You can use a sturdy fan, to provide room temperature air flow, to dry the outside of your boots. If you have the time, mount them on a boot dryer and let them air-dry overnight.
• Dry the inside – You have to get a bit clever to dry the insides of your work boots. One way is to stuff them with newspaper, paper towels, or bathroom tissue overnight. If they’re severely waterlogged, try sealing them in a plastic bin or tub with a few inches of rice.

Most work boots are made with some combination of leather and if they are astm safety standard rated boots, they will have soles made of non-conductive materials. As such, these types of boots must be elevated and air-dried at room temperature, outside of direct sunlight or heat. Depending on the ambient humidity, level of wetness of your work boots, and the thickness of the leather and bindings, it can take up to 15 hours for your work boots to dry completely.

That being said, it’s recommended that you have multiple pairs of work boots in your closet to switch between, to allow for drying time in between uses and increase the longevity of your boots.

Stay Dry With Boot World

Looking to bolster your arsenal of workday boots or curious about if Doc Martens are good work boots?

When you shop at Boot World, you get access to the best boots in the business. From men’s work boots to women’s work boots and all your favorite brands, from Timberlands to Dr. Martens, Boot World is your one-stop destination for all your professional footwear needs.

Explore our collection today.

Sources:

• 1 The Health Board. What are Moisture Wicking Socks? https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-moisture-wicking-socks.htm
• 2 UC San Diego Health. Shoeless Glow. https://health.ucsd.edu/news/features/pages/2017-02-24-listicle-feet-facts.aspx
• 3 The Lovely Feet. Top 10 Tips on How to Keep My Feet Dry in Work Boots. https://thelovelyfeet.com/how-to-keep-my-feet-dry-in-work-boots/
• 4 Palm Beach Naturals. How to Apply Foot Powder the Right Way. https://palmbeachnaturals.com/blogs/news/how-to-apply-foot-powder-the-right-way
• 5 Foot Files. Essential Oils: The Best Oils to Use for Happy, Healthy Feet. https://www.footfiles.com/wellness/naturopathy/article/essential-oils-the-best-oils-to-use-on-your-feet#

Reviewed By:

Ed Stone brings over 45 years of footwear knowledge and passion to his role as President of Boot World, a family-owned company and an industry leader in safety and occupational footwear. A second generation "shoe dog” Ed's footwear knowledge is unparalleled, serving as an informal advisor for some of the worlds largest footwear brands including Wolverine, Timberland PRO, and Reebok Works.

A lifelong Southern California resident, and ardent conservationist, Ed enjoys hiking and open water swimming.