Hedgehog GO Review: Does This 2-in-1 Boot and Hair Dryer Actually Work?

There is a specific kind of misery reserved for the morning after an epic powder day. You wake up, the stoke is high, you grab your boots—and they’re cold, damp, and smelling like a locker room that hasn't seen a cleaning crew since the late 90s. We’ve all been there, stuffing hotel towels into boot liners or trying to balance a heavy snowboard boot on a flimsy wall-mounted hair dryer that inevitably overheats and dies.

Enter the Hedgehog GO. This isn't just another gadget destined for the "junk drawer" of outdoor gear. It’s a compact, high-velocity 2-in-1 tool designed to bridge the gap between a high-speed boot dryer and a travel-friendly hair dryer. But does a device that tries to do two things actually do either of them well? After taking it on a week-long expedition through the backcountry, I’ve got the answers.

What is the Hedgehog GO? In short, it’s a portable drying station. It utilizes a 700W brushless motor and a system of interchangeable attachments—flexible hoses for your gear and a concentrated nozzle for your hair. It’s built to move air fast, getting your boots toasty in about 10 minutes, all while being small enough to disappear into your carry-on.

The Post-Ski Struggle: Why Dry Gear Matters

When you’re logging 20-mile days or deep-carving through waist-deep snow, your gear takes a beating. Moisture is the enemy of performance. Wet liners lead to blisters, cold toes, and a bacterial party that creates that infamous "rank" boot smell. For years, I’ve lugged around those bulky, orange "octopus" dryers, but they are a nightmare to pack.

The Hedgehog GO was born out of this specific frustration. It’s designed by a Norwegian company that clearly understands what it's like to live in a climate where nothing ever stays dry. By focusing on air pressure rather than just high heat, it aims to evaporate moisture from the deepest corners of a snowboard boot without melting the custom molding of your high-end liners.

Quick Specs: The Tech Behind the Air

Before we get into the field results, let’s look at the "under the hood" metrics. This isn't your standard $20 drugstore dryer.

• Motor: 700W brushless motor (designed for longevity and high static pressure).
• Heat Settings: Four distinct levels—Room Temperature, 98°F (37°C), 113°F (45°C), and 140°F (60°C).
• Noise Levels: It clocks in at 88 decibels on the highest setting. To put that in perspective, it’s roughly equivalent to a standard hair dryer or a loud kitchen blender.
• Build Quality: It feels rugged. The plastic is thick, the buttons have a satisfying "click," and the hoses are reinforced to prevent kinking.

The real magic is in the twist-and-connect system. You can switch from the hair dryer nozzle to the dual-hose attachment in about three seconds. It’s intuitive, which is exactly what you want when you’re caffeinating and trying to get out the door for first chair.

Field Test 1: The Gear Drying Powerhouse

I put the Hedgehog GO to work on a pair of soaked Burton Ion boots and a set of heavy-duty Gore-Tex mittens.

The 10-Minute Claim: The brand claims it can dry or warm up gear in 10 minutes. In my testing, 10 minutes on the 140°F setting took "chilly and slightly damp" boots to "warm and bone-dry." However, if your boots are truly soaked—like you stepped into a slushy stream—you're looking at a 20-to-30-minute cycle.

The flexible hoses are the MVP here. You can snake them all the way down into the toe box of a size 12 boot. Standard dryers often just blow air at the ankle, leaving the toes damp. The Hedgehog GO forces air into the extremities, which is where the moisture (and the smell) usually hides.

Marcus’s Pro-Tip: Don’t just use this at the end of the day. If you’re heading out for a sunrise hike, run the GO on the 140°F setting for 5 minutes while you drink your coffee. Putting your feet into pre-warmed boots is a total game-changer for circulation and early-morning comfort.

Field Test 2: Can It Actually Dry Your Hair?

This is where things get interesting. Most dedicated hair dryers operate between 1,200W and 1,800W. The Hedgehog GO sits at 700W. On paper, that looks like a massive disadvantage.

In practice, the GO makes up for some of that wattage through air velocity. Because the motor is designed to push air through long hoses, it has a lot of "punch." When using the hair dryer attachment, the air stream is concentrated and powerful.

The Reality Check:

• For short to medium hair: You won't notice much of a difference. It’s fast and effective.
• For thick or long hair: This is where the 700W limit shows. In our real-world testing, it took approximately 6 minutes longer to dry a full head of thick hair compared to a standard home dryer.

Is that a dealbreaker? For a solo expedition or a weekend ski trip, absolutely not. For someone who needs a salon-quality blowout before a gala... maybe. But as an outdoor editor, my priority is "dry and functional," and the GO hits that mark perfectly.

Comparison: Gear Dryer vs. Hair Dryer Mode

Feature	Gear Dryer Mode	Hair Dryer Mode
Attachment	Dual Flexible Hoses	Concentrated Nozzle
Best For	Boots, Gloves, Helmets	Short to Medium Hair, Travel
Performance	Elite; outperforms most hotel units	Functional; slower than home units
Pros	Reaches deep into toe boxes	Extremely compact; one less cord to pack
Cons	Can be loud in small rooms	700W takes longer for thick hair

Portability: The Ultimate Travel Companion?

As someone who lives out of a 45L backpack half the year, I’m ruthless about what makes the cut. The Hedgehog GO is about the size of a large grapefruit when the hoses are detached.

The 6-foot power cord is a subtle but vital feature. Hotel outlets are notoriously poorly placed—often hidden behind a heavy dresser or nowhere near a vanity. That extra length means I can set the dryer on the floor to work on my boots while I’m across the room.

Compared to a traditional boot dryer, which is usually a rigid T-shape that takes up half a suitcase, the GO is a dream. It’s the first time I’ve actually felt justified bringing a boot dryer on a flight rather than just hoping the Airbnb has a decent radiator.

The Verdict: Is It Worth $170?

Let’s be honest: $170 is a steep price point for a dryer. You can buy a cheap hair dryer for $20 and a basic boot warmer for $40. So why spend the extra cash?

The value lies in the versatility and the motor technology. If you are a dedicated weekend warrior, a ski traveler, or someone who lives for "off-the-beaten-path" adventures, the Hedgehog GO pays for itself in gear longevity and comfort. It prevents that "damp boot" funk from setting in, and it saves you the hassle of packing two different electronic devices.

Pros:

• Extreme Portability: Fits in any carry-on or gear duffel.
• Fast Gear Warming: 10 minutes to "toasty" status.
• High-End Build: Brushless motor is built to last.
• Versatile Heat: Safe for heat-moldable liners.

Cons:

• Noise: 88dB is loud enough to wake up a sleeping roommate.
• Power Gap: Slower hair drying for those with very thick hair.
• Price: It’s a premium investment for a specific niche.

Who is this for? It’s for the snowboarder who’s tired of cold feet at 7:00 AM. It’s for the hiker who needs to dry out trail runners in a tent. It’s for the traveler who values space-saving gear that actually works.

If you take your outdoor pursuits seriously, the Hedgehog GO is a piece of kit that will quickly move from "luxury" to "essential" after your first dry, warm morning on the mountain.

FAQ

Q: Is the Hedgehog GO safe for custom-molded boot liners? A: Yes. The 113°F (45°C) setting is generally considered safe for most heat-moldable liners, but always check your manufacturer’s recommendations. Avoid the 140°F setting for extended periods on custom-molded gear.

Q: Can I use it on international trips? A: Most Hedgehog GO models are voltage-specific. If you’re traveling from the US to Europe, you’ll need to ensure you have the correct version or a high-wattage voltage converter (though a simple plug adapter is usually not enough for heating elements).

Q: How loud is 88 decibels? A: It’s roughly the same volume as a high-end hair dryer. You wouldn't want to run it while someone is trying to watch a movie in the same room, but it’s perfectly fine for a mudroom or bathroom.