Over the years I’ve come to realize that if the weather report says “chance of showers”, chances are those showers are going to find me when I’m running. If anyone knows how to dry wet running shoes it’s me.
Not surprisingly, a couple of weeks ago while on our 10 mile training run, Erin and I got caught in the rain. Actually, that’s an understatement. It started as a sprinkle––which actually felt quite nice after 45 minutes of running––but that sprinkle gradually turned into a shower, and then a steady rain, and before we knew it we were running in the middle of a torrential downpour. Thankfully it didn’t last long––just long enough to soak us head to toe and make those 5 miles back extremely squishy and feel twice as long.
Now, when it comes to newspapers my husband knows I usually prefer the digital version but the paper kind is actually quite handy when you get stuck running in the rain. I learned this trick from my cross-country coach way back in high school and shared it with dozens of friends over the years. After letting Erin in on this little secret a couple of weeks ago I realized this might be the single most helpful yet unknown tip for all of you runners.
To dry wet running shoes, simply yank out the insoles, crumple up a few sheets of your daily news and stuff away. You’ll be shocked at the amount of water just a couple of sheets of paper in each shoe will pull out. If your shoes are really soaked, swapping out the paper after several hours and putting them in the sun will speed the drying process along. Obviously, if you’re in a super rush to get those shoes back on your feet the dryer will do in a pinch if you can tolerate the noise, but if you have the time they should be good to go in less than a day or so with just a little newspaper.
Be sure to to hang on to a section or two of the Sunday paper this weekend for the next time you get caught in the rain!
Did you know about the newspaper trick? How do you typically dry your running shoes when you get caught in the rain?
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I think sunlight can dry your shoes better then anything.
Thanks a lot
It totally works
The newspaper was totally wet
Though my shoe’s insole was attached it still worked.
Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing your review .This same problem aim also facing. I will try this
I learned this trick after an event I participated in involved a creek crossing on day one. I only brought one pair of shoes for a 3 day event! Someone told me about the newspaper trick. I proceeded to the nearest place with “free” ad flyers. Worked like a charm. It was also 90 degrees all three days, they dried in time for the second day’s event. Then, we got stuck in a downpour/thunderstorm on day two. Thankfully I had enough of those flyers to take care of that. Lesson learned…always take at least 2 pairs of shoes for a multi-day running event!
This didn’t work for me AT ALL . The inside of a shoe is very closed and the bottom is rubber so no breathing going on there. I sat in the blazing sun, blow dried, a dampness still lingered and a SMELL grew after a day. I put them in the freezer for the night for the smell now. Nope. Washed them again with vinegar in the water and stomp-dried well with a towel, then the dryer.
What gym trainers shoes can sustain some water and rain? Any fabric in particular?
your article was really helpful. thank you
Your post looks great and helpful for me I will try it. Thank you.
Sorry, Jeff, this didn’t work for me AT ALL. The inside of a shoe is very closed and the bottom is rubber so no breathing going on there. I sat in the blazing sun, blow-dried, dampness still lingered and a SMELL grew after a day. I put them in the freezer for the night for the smell now. Nope. Washed them again with vinegar in the water and stomp-dried well with a towel, then the dryer. Finally.
Wow Nice post, very helpful. Thanks
Is it okay to put the shoes on direct sunlight? Or it will damage them?
Do you walk only in the shade ??
Great advice. Thanks for sharing :)
Is it okay to put the shoes on direct sunlight? Or it will damage them?
I don’t think direct sunlight would damage them at all.
Next week I will buy shoes for running and try my first marathon. Hope it will be easy, cuz I’m a crossfitter:) Honestly it is cool combo running+crossfit! Thanks for sharing Elle!
Hey – this is a classic tip – doesn’t dry your shoes out too fast making them stiff, and works every time.
John
Its getting to be the rainy Spring in Milwaukee. So glad I found this. Thank you for sharing.
Hello,
It’s really Awesome advice!
And also really helpful me(:
I knew this trick already it is really helpful. I have camp tomorrow, are so you telling me that I have to bring like five sheets of newspaper to camp? (My camp is 5 days long)
I knew this trick already it is really helpful. I have camp tomorrow, are you telling me that I have to bring like five sheets of newspaper to camp? (My camp is 5 days long)
Never knew it was that easy to dry the shoes. I always had this problem when I moved out for the morning walk and it started to rain.
Thank you very much Elle. I’ve never known about this tip until i read your article. Saved it for rainy days.
Hi Elle,
We tried the newspaper and it worked overnight. Awesome advice!
Thanks for the good tip Elle :) My daughter often gives lame reason to quit from running. I have got another great idea through this post. :D
My shoes are soaked from a race on a 3.1 mile slip n’ slide. Going to give this a try since I need them for practice tomorrow.
It’s rainy season where I live right now and this tip is super helpful! Thanks!
Thank
that was so helpful.
Thank you that was so helpful.
How come I am not using this trick?
I am dumb
The best way is to have sex
We did this in my family since the 1960s that I remember.
I feel dumb for not knowing this… thanks for enlightening me :)
The ink doesn’t bleed into the shoes?
The ink will not bleed and if it does, it will be on the inside of the shoe.
Awesome tip, I would’ve never thought to use newspaper!
Really? Hey, Thanks! This will come to good use during marathon training :)
Good to know! I did not know this trick and it will come in handy when my kids come inside with their muddy/wet shoes :)
I did know this tip, but I *never* seem to have newspaper handy when my sneaks get soaked!
What a great tip! I never thought to do this before.
Haha my dad taught me this trick back when I used to go to camp and it always seemed to rain at least one day! It is a life saver!
Great advice, Elle. Thank you for sharing. I didn’t know about the newspaper trick before. When I ran the 10 mile two weeks ago, I was afraid it was going to rain and I didn’t know how to dry off my shoes after if it had rained.
I did know this trick and have used it before. It’s not that easy to find newspapers laying around anymore these days though. :)
Awesome tip! Thanks for sharing!
Great advice. I found myself under a storm yesterday, and my running shoes didn’t survive!
Love, Gap.
http://www.gaptoothedgirl.com
this is a good tip!
It might rain on my run tonight-so this is VERY helpful. Thanks so much for sharing this! :)
Thank you for sharing this – it will be EXTREMELY helpful in rainy London :)