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Drying wet Nike running shoes the right way

A sudden downpour along Sydney's coastal headlands, an unexpected splash through a Melbourne winter puddle, or an early-morning coastal run cut short by a Brisbane storm — wet Nike running shoes are an unavoidable reality for Australian runners. The temptation after a soggy session is to crank up the heater, toss them near the ducted heating, or leave them baking in the back garden in the sun. Unfortunately, those shortcuts cause far more damage than the rain itself ever did, warping midsoles, shrinking uppers, and cracking adhesives long before the shoes reach the end of their natural life.

Whether you wear a pair of Nike Free runners for tempo work, an Air Max for daily mileage, or a Lunarglide for recovery jogs by the Yarra, the right drying routine preserves cushioning, breathability, and shape. The steps below explain how to rescue soggy footwear, restore performance, and keep your trainers fresh from the Pacific shore to the Perth hills.

Why direct heat breaks down running shoe materials

Running shoes are built from layers of engineered foam, mesh, glue, and synthetic overlays, none of which respond kindly to high temperatures. The EVA foam used in midsoles like those in the Lunar Eclipse range begins to deform well below the boiling point of water. Exposure to radiator heat, clothes dryer cycles, or a blast from a hair dryer held too close can permanently compress the cushioning, leaving the shoe flat and lifeless. Heat also softens the adhesive bonding the outsole to the upper, eventually causing it to peel away from the midsole.

In Australian households, the risk is amplified because winter often coincides with the rainiest months in the southern states. Ducted gas heating, electric column heaters, and open fireplaces all produce enough ambient warmth to dry shoes quickly but enough concentrated heat to ruin them. The same goes for leaving shoes on a sunny back porch in Darwin or Cairns — tropical UV and surface temperatures exceeding 60°C can bleach colour and weaken stitching within a single afternoon.

A safer approach is patient air-drying at room temperature, ideally between 18°C and 22°C, which is typical of most climate-controlled Australian homes for the bulk of the year. Treating heat as the enemy keeps the foam cells intact, preserves the bounce, and extends the working life of the shoe.

Removing surface water before you start drying

Before any drying method begins, the goal is to get rid of as much surface moisture as possible. Skipping this step means the air-drying phase takes far longer, raising the chance of mildew and unpleasant smells developing inside the shoe.

Detach the laces and pull out the insoles. This opens up the tongue, the toe box, and the heel collar so air can circulate through the core of the shoe. Gently tap the soles together to dislodge pooled water from the midsole cavities, then wipe the upper with a clean microfibre cloth. For muddy shoes after a trail run through the Blue Mountains or a wet parkrun lap in Adelaide, rinse the soles under a slow tap to prevent grit from drying into the outsole grooves and abrading the foam.

Stuffing the shoes with absorbent material accelerates the next stage significantly. Crumpled newspaper works well because it draws moisture out through capillary action, and it is cheap enough to replace every few hours. In dry inland climates such as Canberra during spring, a few sheets of paper towel or a couple of dry tea towels can perform the same role. Avoid coloured newsprint on light-coloured uppers, as ink can transfer onto engineered mesh.

Air-drying methods suited to Australian conditions

Once excess water has been absorbed, the shoes need steady airflow in a well-ventilated space. Australian homes vary widely — from beachside fibro shacks with cross-breezes to Perth apartments with reverse-cycle air-conditioning and to Tasmanian cottages prone to damp. The method should suit the room rather than force the shoes into an unsuitable environment.

A simple, effective setup is a small clothes horse or a wire cooling rack placed near an open window. Position the shoes upside down or on their sides so gravity helps water drain from the toe box toward the heel opening. A desktop or floor fan aimed at the shoes shortens drying time significantly and is particularly useful during humid summers in Brisbane or Townsville, where still air alone can leave shoes damp for two days or more.

Shoe trees, particularly those made from cedar, serve two purposes. They hold the upper in its original shape so the heel counter does not collapse inward as the foam contracts, and they absorb a small amount of residual moisture. For runners without dedicated trees, wadded paper towels or even rolled-up pool noodles can be cut to size and used as a temporary insert overnight. Replacing the paper every four to six hours keeps absorption active.

In regions where humidity stays high, running a dehumidifier in the drying room accelerates moisture removal without heat. This approach works well in tropical Queensland wet seasons and in older Melbourne terraces that trap summer humidity.

Tackling odour and bacteria after a soaking

Wet synthetic mesh is the perfect environment for the bacteria that cause shoe odour. Airing alone will not always eliminate the smell, particularly if shoes have been sitting damp for longer than twenty-four hours. Once the shoes are mostly dry, an antibacterial treatment is worth the effort.

Baking soda, sprinkled liberally inside each shoe and left overnight, neutralises acidic odour compounds. Vacuum or shake out the residue the next morning. For more stubborn smells, a light misting of white vinegar and water, mixed roughly one-to-one, kills bacteria without leaving a long-lasting vinegar scent once the shoes fully dry. Essential oils such as tea tree, which is widely available in Australian chemists and supermarkets, add a fresh fragrance and have mild antimicrobial properties.

Sunlight is a powerful natural sanitiser, and a brief period in the early morning or late afternoon sun — when UV levels are lower — helps kill remaining bacteria. Direct midday Australian sun, however, can yellow white midsoles and degrade glue, so keep sun exposure short. Always rotate the shoes halfway through to expose both sides evenly.

Under Australian Consumer Law, retailers must guarantee that products are of acceptable quality and durable. While everyday wear and water damage are generally considered user-related, premature breakdown caused by faulty adhesives or materials can justify a refund or replacement, so keep receipts for any trainer purchase.

Restoring cushioning and shape after drying

Even with careful drying, EVA foam loses a small amount of rebound after being fully saturated. A few simple steps help bring back the springy feel runners expect from a fresh pair.

Walk around the house in the shoes once they feel almost dry. The gentle flexing encourages the midsole foam to expand back into its original cell structure, much like rotating a sponge after it has been wrung out. Repeat this for a short outdoor walk before resuming normal training, since cold, damp foam feels stiffer than usual and needs a gradual warm-up.

Check the insoles. Many Nike trainers use removable sockliners that compress faster than the midsole itself. If they show visible creasing or no longer spring back, replacing them through a local sports retailer such as The Athletes Foot or Rebel Sport is far cheaper than replacing the whole shoe. Inspecting the outsole for trapped pebbles and re-lacing with even pressure across the eyestays also brings the fit back to its proper feel.

If the heel counter has warped during drying, a day spent with a shoe tree or firmly packed paper will usually push it back into shape. Persistent deformation, on the other hand, may signal that the structural overlay has failed and the shoe is ready for retirement.

Preventing future soaking on local trails

The best drying routine is the one you rarely need. A few preventive habits keep feet drier and reduce the work required after each run.

Check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast before heading out for early-morning sessions along the Yarra, the Tan, or the coastal paths of the Gold Coast. Summer storms in the Top End and humid afternoon showers across the inland can arrive with little warning, and a quick radar glance saves both shoes and socks. Running earlier in the day also helps avoid the worst of summer heat, which can be just as damaging to foam as a sudden storm.

Waterproofing sprays designed for athletic mesh add a hydrophobic layer that causes water to bead and run off rather than soak in. Reapply every few weeks during the wet season. Pairing the treatment with a merino or synthetic quick-dry sock reduces internal moisture, keeping feet warmer and lowering the time shoes spend saturated.

For runners who commute to work or train regularly through unpredictable weather, rotating two pairs of Nike shoes gives each pair at least twenty-four hours to dry and recover between sessions. This single habit often doubles the functional lifespan of running shoes and keeps the rotation feeling fresh for everything from a casual City2Surf training build-up to a Saturday parkrun in your neighbourhood.

Smart habits for runners who train in wet weather