There’s nothing quite like the squish of soaked sneakers after a day slogging through mud. I learned the hard way on the Camino de Santiago, thinking my runners were a lost cause until a fellow walker shared the newspaper hack with me. I would have tried anything, including waving my shoes around like a lunatic. Spoiler: the newspaper worked wonders! Let me walk you through what happened, what I learned, and why I’ll never stare at an old newspaper the same way again.
Highlights:
- Newspaper trick: Stuff wet shoes with newspaper overnight to soak up moisture works fast without heat damage.
- Avoid heat: Don’t use hairdryers or radiators they can ruin your shoes.
- Easy fix: Newspaper is cheap, simple, and great for drying shoes on the go.
- Other methods: Fans help but take longer; rice or silica gel can work too.
- Best tip: Clean mud off first, then stuff with paper for drier shoes by morning.
How to Dry Shoes Fast with Newspaper (Overnight Method)
While on my journey on the Camino Frances, I remembered a classic Camino trick to dry wet shoes quickly: stuffing them with newspaper.
I packed as much newspaper as I could inside my runners and left them overnight. By morning, my shoes weren’t totally dry, but they were only a little damp instead of sopping wet. The newspaper had absorbed most of the moisture, making them wearable again for the next day’s trek.
A cool hack that I learned, we went through a massive mud area, and my sneakers, my runners completely got destroyed.
If you ever need to dry wet running shoes in a pinch, don’t forget the newspaper trick it’s a lifesaver when you’re short on time and resources.
Step-by-Step: How to Dry Shoes Fast with Newspaper
After my sneakers got absolutely wrecked trekking through mud, I stumbled onto the classic stuff newspaper inside shoes trick. Here’s how it works:
- Remove insoles and laces (if possible) to let air flow.
- Ball up newspaper and stuff it deep into your wet shoes. Pack it in tight, especially in the toe box.
- Let them sit overnight (about 8-12 hours). If your shoes are super soaked, replace newspaper regularly once or twice during the night helps speed things up.
- By morning, your shoes should be way less soggy. Mine went from “super wet” to just “a little bit moist.”
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Why Newspaper Absorbs Moisture So Well
Newspaper is made to soak up ink, so it’s naturally absorbent. When you stuff it inside your shoes, it draws out moisture fast way faster than just leaving them out to air dry.
Plus, it’s gentle on your shoes, unlike hairdryers or radiators, which can warp or crack the material.
- No heat damage: Newspaper doesn’t risk melting glue or shrinking fabric.
- Easy to find: Newspapers are everywhere, especially on trails like the Camino.
- Low effort, big results: Just stuff, wait, and smile at your almost-dry shoes.
So the newspaper absorbed most of the moisture. They were a teeny bit wet the next morning, but not wet. They were, like, a little bit moist compared to the wet wet the day before.
| Before | After (Overnight) | Process Duration | Newspaper Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super wet | Just a little bit moist | 8-12 hours | Once if very wet |
Why Wet Shoes Are Bad (And How to Fix Them Fast)
If you’ve ever hiked through a muddy trail or got caught in a surprise downpour, you know the pain of squishy, soaked sneakers.
On my journey, I learned this the hard way.“A cool hack that I learned, we went through a massive mud area, and my sneakers, my runners, completely got destroyed.”
When I finally reached El Perga, my shoes were super wet, full of mud, and honestly, I thought they were done for.
Why Letting Sneakers Air Dry Isn’t Enough
After a mud-heavy hike, your first instinct might be to just let your shoes dry out. But if you don’t clean muddy sneakers before drying, you risk locking in that grime and damaging the fabric.
The Challenge of Drying Shoes While Traveling
The problem is, when you’re traveling and only have one night in a place, you don’t always have the luxury of a full wash and dry cycle.
Traditional cleaning methods just don’t cut it when you’re on the move. I tried to knock off as much mud as I could, but with limited time and resources, my options were slim.
Wet shoes after hiking are a common hassle for outdoor adventurers, and walking in soggy sneakers can seriously ruin your journey or at least squelch your mood.
Other Ways to Dry Shoes
When it comes to air dry shoes after a muddy trek, I’ve tried just about everything and heard even wilder stories from fellow travelers. Here’s what I’ve learned about how to dry shoes without damaging them, and what to absolutely avoid.
Fans & Air Drying
Letting your shoes air dry is the safest bet for avoiding heat damage to shoes. Just set them in a well-ventilated spot and let nature do its thing. If you want to speed things up, a fan is your best friend. Fans can reduce drying time by up to 30% compared to just air drying alone. Still, it can take 24 hours or more, especially if your runners are soaked through.
Direct Heat
Avoid drying shoes on direct heat sources like radiators, ovens, or microwaves as they can warp soles, melt glue, or cause fires.
Seriously, don’t risk it. I’ve seen people try to dry their sneakers on a radiator or in an oven, and the results are never good. Direct heat can totally ruin the shape of your shoes, melt the adhesive, and even start a fire. The risk is just too high.
Over-drying can be just as bad as staying wet think cracked soles and stiff uppers. The newspaper trick strikes the perfect balance, gently pulling out moisture and letting your shoes breathe.
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Quirky Alternatives: Rice, Silica Gel, and More
Some hikers swear by stuffing shoes with rice or silica gel packets. I’ve even heard of people using kitty litter! While these can help, nothing beats the classic newspaper trick. Newspaper is cheap, easy to find, and absorbs moisture like a champ.
| Method | Drying Time | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Air Drying | 24+ hours | Low |
| Fan + Air Dry | ~17 hours | Low |
| Direct Heat | Fast | High (warping, melting, fire) |
Conclusion
If my sneakers could talk, I’m pretty sure they’d have a lot to say about my shoe drying techniques especially after that muddy disaster on the Camino. Picture this: my poor runners, soaked to the core, covered in mud, and silently screaming, “Please, not the microwave again!” (Let’s be honest, nobody wants crispy, shrunken shoes.)
TL;DR: If your shoes end up muddy and soaked, forget fancy gadgets just grab some newspaper. Stuff it in, wait overnight, and you’ll almost certainly wake up to dry (or much drier) kicks.
FAQs
Technically, yes, but it’s risky. Most dryers blast heat that can warp shoes, melt glue, or even shrink materials. If you’re desperate, use the lowest heat setting and stuff your shoes with towels to absorb moisture but air drying is always safer. Some pilgrims swear by hanging shoes near a fan or radiator instead, which avoids the tumbling action that can wreck your footwear.
Do Waterproof Shoes Dry Faster?
Nope! Ironically, waterproof shoes (like Gore-Tex) often take longer to dry because the membrane traps moisture inside. Once water sneaks in through the top or seams it has nowhere to go. Many seasoned hikers prefer quick-drying trail runners because they breathe better and shed water faster, even if your feet get wet initially.
A newspaper is like a moisture-hungry sponge, it soaks up water fast and holds it without falling apart. Towels, on the other hand, can get soggy and stop absorbing after a while. Crumple the pages loosely to create air pockets, stuff them tight into your shoes, and swap them out every few hours.
No fan? No problem. Stuff them with newspaper (see above), then place them near any heat source like a radiator or even under your bunk if the room’s warm. Another sneaky trick? Slide them into your sleeping bag’s footbox overnight.
Wet shoes can turn into a science experiment for funk. After drying, sprinkle baking soda inside or toss in a few silica gel packets (the kind you find in shoeboxes) to kill odors. Some pilgrims rub a dab of antibacterial cream on the insoles.
They can, but it’s like using a flamethrower to light a candle overkill. High heat cracks leather, weakens glue, and can even warp synthetic materials. If you’re in a pinch, use the cool setting and keep the dryer moving. But honestly? A fan or newspaper is way safer. Your future blisters will thank you.
Once waterproof shoes get wet inside (and they will, especially in all-day rain), they stay wet. Non-waterproof shoes drain and dry faster, which means less squelching by lunchtime. Plus, they’re lighter and cheaper.
Rice isn’t just for hungry pilgrims it’s a decent moisture absorber. Fill your shoes with dry rice (uncooked, obviously) and let it sit overnight. It won’t work as fast as newspaper, but it’ll help in a pinch. Bonus: Rice also neutralizes odors
Combine tricks for max speed: Stuff with newspaper, hang near a fan, and remove the insoles to let air circulate. If you’re near a café, ask for extra napkins to stuff inside they’re basically skinny newspaper.
Last Updated on September 14, 2025
