Toss a pair of Hey Dudes into the dryer once and you will hear the answer before the timer hits ten minutes — a rhythmic thump that means trouble. Can Hey Dudes go in the dryer is one of the most-searched questions about the brand, and the short version is no, they really should not. Heat warps the EVA outsole, shrinks the cotton or polyester upper, and softens the glue holding the entire shoe together. Knowing why, and what to do instead, keeps a $60 pair looking good for the full life the brand advertises.
Why the Dryer Damages Hey Dudes
Hey Dudes are built around lightweight materials that prioritize comfort over heat tolerance. The outsole is an EVA foam, similar to flip-flop foam, that softens noticeably above 130°F. A standard household dryer runs the drum between 125°F on low and 150°F on high, which puts the outsole right at the deformation threshold for the entire cycle.
The uppers are even more vulnerable. The Wally style uses a stretch-canvas blend that includes a small percentage of spandex for the slip-on flex. Heat breaks down that spandex first, and once the recovery is gone the shoe goes from snug to loose around the heel. Customers report a full size of stretch loss after just one dryer cycle on medium heat.
The Glue Joint Is the Weak Point
Open up a damaged pair of Hey Dudes and you will see how the brand keeps the price down — the outsole is glued to the upper, not stitched through the welt. The adhesive is a water-based contact cement chosen for flexibility, not heat resistance. Sustained exposure above 140°F starts to release the bond around the toe and heel, and once it lets go the shoe never seats back the same.
You may not see the failure on day one. The glue softens, the shoe flexes through a few wear cycles, and three weeks later the sole peels away on a curb. By then the warranty period for that “drying mistake” is long gone.
The Right Way to Dry Hey Dudes
Air drying is the only safe option. Done right, a soaked pair will be ready to wear in 12 to 18 hours, faster if you use the steps below.
- Pull out the insoles. They dry separately and let air reach the inside of the upper.
- Pop the laces out of the slip-on eyelets. This helps the tongue area dry evenly.
- Stuff each shoe with crumpled newspaper or a microfiber towel. This wicks moisture from the toe box.
- Set them on a wire rack near a fan, indoors. Direct sun yellows the white midsoles.
- Swap the newspaper after 4 hours, then again at 8 hours.
A box fan on low speed cuts the dry time roughly in half compared to still air. Skip the radiator, the dashboard of a hot car, or any forced-air vent. All of those exceed the safe temperature for the EVA foam.
Can You Wash Them Before Drying?
Yes, and machine washing is actually approved by Hey Dudes. Use cold water, a delicate cycle, and a mild detergent like Tide Free and Gentle. Pull out the insoles first and tie the shoes inside a mesh laundry bag with a couple of bath towels to cushion the drum. The towels also balance the load so the spin cycle does not bang the shoes against the drum.
The hard rule is the temperature. Cold water keeps the glue line stable. Hot water plus a dryer compounds the damage and is the most common reason returns get denied.
Speed Drying Tricks That Actually Work
If you need a soaked pair ready in under six hours, two tricks help. First, the rice method. Fill two gallon ziplock bags with dry white rice, push each shoe into the rice, and seal the bag. The rice pulls water out faster than newspaper and reaches the bonded layers under the insole.
Second, the boot dryer. A PEET or DryGuy boot dryer running on the no-heat setting moves room-temperature air through the shoe at high volume. Most models cap out around 105°F on their warm setting, which is safe for EVA. Total cost is around $40 to $60 and the device pays for itself across a winter of wet sneakers.
What to Do If You Already Used the Dryer
Damage from a dryer cycle is not always visible right away. Check the heel seat first — if it feels loose or you can flex the upper independently from the outsole, the glue has separated. A small bottle of Shoe Goo and a strip of painters tape lets you press the bond back together for another month or two of wear, but the shoes will not return to full integrity.
For deeper damage, like an outsole curl or visible warp, the shoes are essentially done as everyday wear. Move them to yard-work duty and order a fresh pair using the wash-and-air-dry method going forward.
Final Word on Drying Etiquette
Hey Dudes are designed for comfort and a quick price point, not for industrial-grade laundry abuse. Treat them like a leather sneaker or a pair of canvas Vans. Wash cold, dry slow, and skip every shortcut that involves heat. A $60 pair of Wallys will go 18 months or longer with that simple routine, which is double what most owners get when they cut corners on drying.
