How to dry wet shoes fast

The first five minutes

Laces out, insoles out. Wipe off mud while it is still wet, because dried mud is twice the work. Tip out whatever water is sloshing about inside. Gross, but necessary.

Paper does the heavy lifting

Crumpled plain paper packed into the toe and body pulls water out from the inside. We swap it after an hour or two when it is soggy. Newspaper works in a pinch, but on light linings the ink can come off on them.

Air that moves

Put the shoes in front of a fan, angled so the air blows into the opening. Moving air does far more than heat ever will. For most sneakers, a ceiling fan overnight is enough. A table fan pointed straight in is better.

So why not the sun, or a hair dryer?

Because heat softens the glue that holds the sole on. It shrinks and cracks leather. It can warp foam. And on white shoes it leaves yellow marks. Slow wins here, every time.

How long, roughly

Mesh sneakers, overnight. Canvas, about a day. Leather, a day or two with paper or shoe trees holding the shape. Suede, similar, then a brush. Still smelling damp after that? Then the inside needs a proper clean, not more drying.