Dry boots by morning.
In short: an electric shoe dryer comes in five types. A warm-air boot dryer with tubes is the quickest and takes gloves too. Insert dryers are small, silent and slower. UV or ozone models are ordinary dryers with an extra function. USB dryers travel well but have little power. 12 V dryers work in the car. Whichever you choose: use gentle warmth and check the label first.
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Gløde does not sell shoe dryers or glove dryers (yet). This article compares types on how they work and on what manufacturers state. It is not a test and we did not try the products.
The types compared
| Type | How it dries | Speed | Power | Noise | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-air boot dryer with tubes | A fan blows mildly warm air up through tubes into the boot | The quickest type | Mains | A fan hum | Ski boots, walking boots, wellies and gloves; several pairs at once |
| Insert dryers | Two small heated inserts sit in the toe of each shoe | Slow; usually overnight | Mains, sometimes USB | Silent | Everyday shoes and trainers, small flats |
| UV or ozone models | An insert or tube dryer with a UV lamp or ozone function added | As the dryer it is built on | Mains | Depends on the base type | Buyers who want the extra function and read the manual |
| USB or portable dryers | Small inserts on a USB port or power bank | The slowest electric type | USB | Silent | Travel, ski trips, the office |
| 12 V car dryers | Inserts or a small blower on the car's 12 V socket | Slow to medium | Car socket | Varies | Between two days out: anglers, campers, road trips |
What to look for
Gentle warmth, not heat
A good dryer works with moving air that is only mildly warm. High heat is what harms shoes: leather dries out, glue softens and foam liners can lose their shape. Prefer a model with a low setting or an air-only mode.
Tubes, height and glove holders
Tall tubes suit ski boots and wellies; short ones suit shoes. For a glove dryer, look for tubes or attachments that hold the glove open with the fingers up. Four tubes dry two pairs at once.
Noise
A fan dryer hums. In a hallway nobody notices; in a studio flat or hotel room you will. Inserts without a fan are silent. A timer is handy on either type.
Type by type
Warm-air boot dryer with tubes
The classic boot dryer: a base with a fan and two or four upright tubes. You hang boots or gloves upside down over them, and air flows through to the toe. The downsides: it takes up space, it hums, and simple models have only one heat setting.
Insert dryers
Two small heated elements on a cable, one for each shoe. They are simple, silent and easy to store. Without a fan the moist air has to find its own way out, so they are slow. Loosen the laces and pull the tongue forward.
UV or ozone models
Some dryers add a UV lamp or an ozone function. Manufacturers present these extras as a way to keep shoes fresh. We cannot verify what they add, so we make no claims about them. Judge such a model as the dryer it is built on, and follow the manual closely, including what it says about airing the room.
USB and portable dryers
Small inserts that run on a USB port or a power bank. They fit in a suitcase, but a USB port supplies little energy, so drying is slow. Fine for damp shoes after a wet commute, less so for soaked ski boots.
12 V dryers for the car
These plug into the car's 12 V socket and dry boots on the drive home. Check your car's manual: in many cars the socket only works with the ignition on, and a dryer left running draws on the car battery.
Interested? We'll let you know.
Gløde is considering adding a boot and glove dryer. Leave your email and we'll send you one message if we launch it. No newsletter unless you ask for it.
We only use your email to send you one message about this. More in our privacy policy.
Rules that protect your shoes and gloves
- Check the label first. The manufacturer of your shoes or gloves decides. Some should only dry in the air.
- Leather and glued soles dislike high heat. Use the lowest setting and stop as soon as they are dry.
- Take out insoles and removable liners. Dry them separately.
- Not on a radiator or by the fire. That heat is too fierce.
Drying heated gloves, socks and insoles
Anything with a battery needs one extra step: take the batteries out first. Then dry at a low temperature or simply in the air. Batteries never go on a dryer.
That is also how to care for our own Øven heated gloves. Wash them without the batteries at a maximum of 30 °C, on a gentle cycle, in a wash bag. Then let them air-dry, and keep them out of the tumble dryer. Always follow the care label. Our full guide: how to wash heated clothing.
Still choosing how to keep your feet warm? Read heated socks, insoles or shoes.
Which type for which situation?
- Family ski holiday: a warm-air dryer with four tubes, for boots and gloves. More in heated clothing for skiing.
- Daily dog walk or commute: insert dryers by the front door.
- Leather walking boots: air only, or newspaper and patience.
- Fishing, camping, road trips: a 12 V dryer in the car.
What Gløde offers today
We do not make dryers. We do make gloves that keep your hands warm, and the spare batteries that go with them.
See all our heated gloves, or read our guide to the best heated gloves.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best type of electric shoe dryer?
For most households, a warm-air boot dryer with tubes: it is the quickest and takes boots and gloves. For everyday shoes in a small flat, silent insert dryers are enough.
How long does a boot dryer take?
That depends on the type and on how wet the boots are. Warm-air dryers with a fan are the quickest. Inserts without a fan usually run overnight. Check the manufacturer's figures.
Can an electric shoe dryer harm my shoes?
High heat can. Leather dries out, and glued soles and foam liners dislike heat. Check the label of your shoes first, use the lowest setting or air only, and take the shoes off the dryer as soon as they are dry.
Can you dry gloves on a boot dryer?
Yes, if the tubes or attachments hold the glove open with the fingers up, so air reaches the fingertips. Use a gentle setting for leather gloves and check the label first.
How do you dry heated gloves?
Take the batteries out first. Then let the gloves dry in the air, or on a dryer at a low temperature. No tumble dryer and no radiator. For Gløde Øven gloves: air-dry and always follow the care label.
Does Gløde sell a boot dryer or glove dryer?
No, not at the moment. Leave your email in the form on this page and we will send you one message if we launch one.
Interested? We'll let you know.
Gløde is considering adding a boot and glove dryer. Leave your email and we'll send you one message if we launch it. No newsletter unless you ask for it.
We only use your email to send you one message about this. More in our privacy policy.
All our heated clothing comparisons →
Gløde — warm the person, not the room.
