Hot feet in closed shoes

Short answer: In a closed shoe, moisture cannot escape, and the foot becomes warm and clammy. The answer is a sock that absorbs and moves moisture, plus time for the shoe to dry.

The shoe traps the moisture

Leather and rubber let little or no moisture out. The moisture your foot gives off during the day stays in the shoe and the sock. The longer the day, the more builds up, until the foot feels both warm and clammy. The sock therefore has to do the work. See the styles in bamboo socks.

Why the foot gets warm

Feet have many sweat glands and sweat even when you sit still. In an open shoe the moisture evaporates, and that cools the foot. In a closed shoe this does not happen, so the moisture stays against the skin. The result is a foot that feels warm and damp. It is more about moisture than about temperature.

A thin sock rather than a thick one

A thick sock fills the shoe and squeezes the foot, which makes it warmer. A thin style leaves room, so a little air can move around the foot as you walk. It also dries faster if you change during the day. See the thin styles in bamboo socks for men and women.

A fabric that moves moisture

The sock material matters a lot in a closed shoe. A fabric that absorbs moisture and moves it away from the skin keeps the foot drier for longer. Bamboo viscose is smooth and thin and feels cool against the skin. Synthetic socks, which neither absorb nor release moisture, usually make the foot more clammy.

Change at midday

After five to six hours, the sock is saturated and cannot take up any more. A dry pair makes the rest of the day noticeably better, and changing takes only a moment. Keep a spare pair in your bag or in a drawer at work. See the styles in bamboo socks for men.

Breaks without shoes

If you have the chance, take your shoes off during breaks. Just ten minutes with your feet in the air removes much of the moisture, and the shoe gets a little time to air out as well. Many people who work in safety shoes or leather boots find it makes a clear difference by the end of the day.

Look after the shoe

The shoe is half the solution. Take out the insole and air the shoe after each use, so it has time to dry before the next day. Rotate two pairs if you wear closed shoes every day. Avoid drying shoes on a hot radiator, as it can damage the leather. Put them somewhere airy instead.

Washing the socks

Socks worn in closed shoes should be washed after every use. Wash them inside out at a low temperature and without fabric softener, which can coat the fibres and make them worse at absorbing moisture. Let them air dry. That way they keep their softness and their ability to move moisture.

Frequently asked questions

Does taking your shoes off during breaks help

Yes, noticeably. Ten minutes with your feet in the air removes a lot of moisture and gives the shoe time to air out.

Are bare feet in shoes cooler

No. Without a sock, the moisture collects in the shoe instead, and the foot soon feels more clammy than with a thin sock.

Can you do anything about the shoe

Take the insole out and air the shoe after each use. It is the single biggest step, and it costs nothing.