Boot Dryers

[Bobonli]

Looking for the Vsalon good housekeeping seal of approval! What are people using for boot dryers?

Every year I promise to replace my ancient, noisy boot dryer that doesn't actually dry anything. Then, next thing I know it's Spring, and I don't really need one anymore (for ski and hiking boots, cycling shoes).

Looks like there are three basic designs:
1. Base unit that gently warms ambient air and passively circulates it into tubes
2. Base unit with warmer, fan of some sort and timer to make things go quicker
3. Heating elements (look like small shoe trees) that insert into the boots.

Who has experience and can share it? It doesn't have to be portable. It will live in my garage or basement.
Thanks

[J_B]

Didn’t even know there was such a thing. My system employs wads of newspaper followed by socks filled with baking soda.

[72gmc]

I have version 1, passive warm air thru tubes. It’s great. Shoes dry overnight, no smell, shoes last longer. Only change I’d make is to go back in time and purchase the 4-boot version.

[j44ke]

I have NYC apartment heating. So I guess that's version one. But no gentle to it. Brute force.

[Shoogs]

version one. don't overthink this... unless you're thinking about 2 pairs vs 1.

Mine is maybe ten years old and I've used it for running shoes, snowboard boots, cycling shoes, leather shoes, hiking boots ...

[caleb]

#1 . I think mine is a Peets brand, and it came with glove drier attachments. I would also get the four-boot version.

[Ras72]

I simply use the clothes dryer. Low heat.
Although mine came with a handy-dandy rack.
Like this stock photo:
Attachment 113484

[Bobonli]

#1 . I think mine is a Peets brand, and it came with glove drier attachments. I would also get the four-boot version.

Would you get the model with the fan, if you had to do over?
I was looking at the 2 pairs model and saw that one version now has a fan, but some people say it’s awfully noisy with no significant advantage to the original.

[ides1056]

I never use anything more than a fan. No heat ever. Ever.

[Bobqzz]

#2 . Have 2, one at home and one at work (I bike commute)

Have one pair of shoes I've been using for close to 10 years and they are still going strong after being used with and w/o heat on the dryer.

[caleb]

Would you get the model with the fan, if you had to do over?
I was looking at the 2 pairs model and saw that one version now has a fan, but some people say it’s awfully noisy with no significant advantage to the original.

I've never felt like the fan was necessary, but I haven't tried it.

The heat-only version is silent and dries the soggiest boots overnight.

[Powerfibers]

I have one like this, and I have used it for hockey skates and gloves before using it for cycling shoes. Works great for drying out sweaty shoes and also shoes that have been power washed after a cyclocross race. I never use the heating element for fear it will promote more funk. Just air.

[Bobonli]

Okie doke. Seems like a basic Peet’s model without the jet fan blades will do the trick.

[NorTX-Dave]

I've got this one...Peet brand sold by Cabela's. Had it for years to dry all types of shoes including cycling shoes and sweaty snake boots down here in Texas.download.png

[72gmc]

^^^ that's what I have, without the Cabela's sticker. Makes me feel smart every rainy day. Cancels out at least one dumb purchase (I'm still way behind on that count)

[thollandpe]

The boiler room is where wet shoes go. Wet shoes go in, dry shoes come out.

[giordana93]

great. once again I find something on VSalon that I have lived without for decades but now am not sure I can live without....

[watchcwgo]

I have had the ambient air one ( like the cabelas above) for 10 years or so and it’s awesome. When I lived in NJ, I used it all the time. We don’t get nearly as much rain in Colorado but I’m always pleased with how well it works.

I chose this type because of how much glue a lot of cycling shoes have, I didn’t want to compromise the bond with forced heat.

[Colinmclelland]

great. once again I find something on VSalon that I have lived without for decades but now am not sure I can live without....

I don't have a boiler room either...

[rwsaunders]

I turn the boots and gloves upside down on the floor grilles of our forced air HVAC system, especially the night before a cold Winter ride...Mrs. RW doesn't care for my cycling shoes in the dining room though. Those dryers look slick.