Boot dryer recommendations?

[ski diva]

My boot dryer just gave up the ghost. The one that I had was so ancient they don't even sell it anymore. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Lilywhite]

I think I'd be doing the 2 birds 1 stone thing and be getting a hot gear bag instead?

 

[ski diva]

Thanks, but no -- I'm just interested in a dryer.

 

[geargrrl]

I've been eying some of these portable ones. This isnt' the exact one but it's close
https://www.cabelas.com/5x-points-peet-peet-portable-boot-dryer.shtml

 

[Pequenita]

I got these (DryGuy) for xmas, but I haven't tried them yet. I plan to this weekend, but I also expect TSA to look at me funny when I go through security screening.

 

[ski diva]

I'd be concerned about any dryer that actually warms the inside of the boot. I've heard that these can cause problems with custom foot beds. Hot stick type dryers, for example, are not good ideas. So are either of these that you've recommended, geargrrl and Pequenita, non-heat producing? Or am I wrong about this?

 

[Serafina]

I swear by my Thermanator. It warms the boots but it's not really hot. I've picked mine up by the prongs when it's been on and haven't burned myself at all.

I'd been using mine for 3 months when I had my bootfitter check my boots just in case - he said there wasn't any issue with the linings or shell warping. I like that it doesn't make any noise, it doesn't blow air, and I can put both of my boots and my ski gloves on it and have them dry and warmed up within 6 hours. Not the kind of thing I'd take on a plane, but I have no trouble loading it in the car with the bags when we go off on a ski trip.

 

[ride_ski]

We have a really good, industrial sized one. But I can't remember the brand right now . I'll get it for you when I get to Vt. It is rather large, blows cold air only, auto shuts off after 8 or 12 hours, has hoses that you stick in your boots and has more hose outlets on the top that you can use for gloves, etc. We can do both pairs of boots at the same time. It was fairly expensive, but I think it will last pretty much forever. We don't plan on buying another one.

 

[ski diva]

Thanks, but I'm actually looking for something fairly portable. I need something I can take on my upcoming Ski Safari!

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

I have this one (mine is several years old, so not sure if they have made any changes): Snapdry boot dryer made by Hotronic
https://www.hotronic.com/products/sd/index.html
It doesn't really warm the inside of the boot; it blows really luke warm air. The air is basically just a bit warmer than room temp, so while the boot ends up slightly warmer than if I hadn't used it, it does not actually get "warm". It definitely does not heat up my foot beds and I would say it would fine for a moldable liner as well.
It's snaps together or apart quickly and I bring it on all my trips.

 

[Pequenita]

I'd be concerned about any dryer that actually warms the inside of the boot. I've heard that these can cause problems with custom foot beds. Hot stick type dryers, for example, are not good ideas. So are either of these that you've recommended, geargrrl and Pequenita, non-heat producing? Or am I wrong about this?

I dunno. I don't have custom footbeds, so I guess it won't be an issue for me if they do warm the insides.

 

[contesstant]

I'd be concerned about any dryer that actually warms the inside of the boot. I've heard that these can cause problems with custom foot beds. Hot stick type dryers, for example, are not good ideas. So are either of these that you've recommended, geargrrl and Pequenita, non-heat producing? Or am I wrong about this?

The Dry Guy one produces warm-ish air that circulates. I just got the $40 version and used it at Mammoth. I love that I can plug it into the adapter in the car on the way to the hill, just enough to keep them soft and not cold. I got the OK to use them with my ZipFits from the guys who sold me the Zipfits. They produce very little heat.

Hubby and I shared it at night. He would plug it into his boots for about 3 hours, then I'd put it in for a couple more, then again in the morning.

 

[mahgnillig]

I picked up one from Costco for $40 ish a few weeks ago... it's pretty lightweight, can dry 2 pairs of boots at a time, and has a setting for heat or no heat. This is my first boot dryer, bought on the recommendation of my bootfitter. It works as it should

 

[Jilly]

Sounds like I' m using the same thing, different name.

Doesn't get hot enough to warp anything and I had 2 kinds of custom footbeds. I do remove the liner from the boots to dry faster.

They now make them with little fans to dry faster.

 

[naskis]

We have an older version of this guy:
https://dryguy.net/DG1.html
Works amazingly well for everything from boots to gloves to hats

 

[sorcamc]

I have naskis and LOVE it. It has heat/no heat option. Best investment!

 

[contesstant]

This is the one I have:
https://dryguy.net/DG00301.html

 

[Liquid Yellow]

I've just bought these, as I'm fed up with damp boots and cold feet! Hope they work:

https://www.ellis-brigham.com/products/drywarmer/5617

 

[Olesya Chornoguz]

I have same ones as Pequenita. I like them, they don't get hot and are pretty portable, just about body temp or slightly higher. They do take long time to dry the boots, you would want to leave it on overnight at least.

 

[Mom of Redheads]

I have the same DryGuy that Naskis has... in fact, we have two of them. I like the heat/no heat option because you can use it when you want (kids wet gloves, cheap rental boots etc) and turn it off for DH's boots for example. Between 5 pair boots and 5 pair gloves, we keep both running pretty much from apres ski until bedtime. I like the 3-hour maximum timer as well because you can put it on and head to dinner and it will turn off as necessary.

It's not all that portable, IMO, for air travel. But when we drive somewhere on the East Coast, they both come with us. We put them in the reusable grocery bags and add in clothes or chips or videos and they're not a problem...