How to Dry Your Snowboarding Gear After a Day on the Slopes

There’s nothing quite like carving fresh lines all day—until you get back to the lodge and realize your gear is soaked. Wet gear isn’t just uncomfortable; it can shorten your equipment’s lifespan and make tomorrow’s session a chilly slog. I’ve learned that proper post-ride care is as important as the ride itself. Here’s my tried-and-true guide to drying your snowboarding gear effectively, so it stays durable and ready for the next adventure.

The Golden Rule: Never Apply Direct Heat

First, the biggest mistake: throwing your gear over a blazing heater or fireplace. Direct heat is the enemy. It can melt adhesives, delaminate layers, shrink fabrics, and damage waterproof membranes. Stick with gentle airflow and moderate warmth.

Step-by-Step Drying Strategy

1. Shake It Off, Wipe It Down

As soon as you’re inside, brush off surface snow and slush. Use a dry towel to blot your jacket, pants, and gloves. Pay attention to zippers, Velcro, and cuffs. This stops excess moisture from seeping deeper as it melts.

2. Dismantle and Hang

• Outerwear: Turn your jacket and pants inside out if the liner is wet. Hang them on wide, padded hangers in a well-ventilated room. A gear closet, bathroom with an exhaust fan, or mudroom works great.
• Gloves/Mittens: Never lay them flat on a heater. Use a dedicated glove dryer that blows room-temperature air, or hang them by the cuff with a clothespin. For thicker gloves, stuff the fingers with crumpled, dry paper towels to absorb moisture from the inside.
• Base Layers & Socks: Launder per care labels (gentle cold cycle) and air-dry or tumble-dry on low. Skip fabric softener—it clogs technical fabrics.
• Helmet: Remove liners and ear pads per manufacturer instructions. Hand-wash and air-dry them. Wipe the hard shell and interior with a dry cloth and let everything air out separately.
• Goggles: Wipe the lens with a microfiber cloth. Remove foam face padding if possible and let frame and padding air dry separately. Never put goggles on a heat source—it ruins the lens coating and distorts the frame.

3. Optimize Your Drying Environment

• Airflow is King: Create cross-ventilation by opening a window slightly or using a ceiling fan on low. A simple oscillating fan works wonders.
• Dehumidifiers are Secret Weapons: Run a dehumidifier in the room where your gear is drying. It pulls moisture from the air and fabrics, speeding things up—a game-changer in humid climates or small spaces.
• The Bathtub Shower Rod Trick: No dedicated space? A shower rod over a bathtub makes an excellent drying line. Turn on the bathroom exhaust fan for added airflow.

4. For Boots: A Special Protocol

Wet boots breed odors and bacteria. After wiping the outside:

1. Remove Liners: Take out the inner boot liners. Non-negotiable for thorough drying.
2. Dry Separately: Place liners in a well-ventilated area. Specialized boot dryers using gentle, circulated air are worth their weight in gold. Never put boots or liners in a clothes dryer.
3. Stuff the Shells: Loosely stuff empty boot shells with crumpled newspaper or paper towels to absorb moisture. Replace paper every few hours until dry.

5. The Overnight Test

Before you call it a night, check your gear. If outerwear still feels damp—especially in padding or seams—leave the fan or dehumidifier running overnight. Better to dry slowly and completely than pack away hidden moisture.

Prevention & Maintenance

We believe gear should be enduring and easy to use, freeing you to focus on the experience. Proper drying is maintenance. It preserves waterproofing, insulation loft, and fabric integrity. Once your gear is bone-dry, store it in a cool, dry place—not crammed in a stuff sack or a damp corner of your car.

The goal is to wake up to gear that’s as fresh and eager as you are for another day chasing that feeling—the one you only get when you disconnect and reconnect with the mountains. A little thoughtful care after the last chairlift ride ensures you and your gear are always ready for what's next.