Smelly Feet

What do you do to curb or eliminate the nasty smells generated by climbing shoes, especially synthetic shoes. The more natural the cure the better.

Phenomenal array of information, thanks, I'll try some of them and let you know.

I found that shaking shoe powder (one with zinc and chloride compounds) inot your shoes works great.

Also, maybe it's just me but, if I eat aged cheese, it REALLY makes my feet stink.

The other thing that works is to liberally apply stick deoderant to your feet before leaving the house (I use a natural brand such as Tom's).

Wearing a thin pair of sock liners also makes a big diference. Recently, I discovered (actually, my wife discovered them...I never would have considered them) bamboo socks. So far, it seems like it is impossible to get smelly feet with bamboo socks!

I like the bamboo socks, I'm going to get some. The deodorant makes sense I'll try that also, thanks Kevin.

Always a popular topic...

All good suggestions above...foot powders, etc.

A couple more...

1. Be sure to allow your climbing shoes to thoroughly dry. DO NOT stuff them (sweaty and damp) into a pack, which is the perfect place to cultivate the wretched bacterial stink. Hang them on your pack and let them air-dry/ventilate naturally.

2. Buy a couple "Odor Eater" insoles (charcoal...) and slip them inside the shoes when they're not in use. I do this with my Five Ten Anasazis (synth leather) and find it helps keep the stink at bay.

very simple, and cheap...

get a small spray bottle and fill it with water and add several drops of tea tree oil.

spray in shoes after climbing.

i believe this the same mixture that yoga studios use to spray down there yoga mats. it works likes a champ

Sweet suggestions Dave and Daniel. Thanks.

I wash my shoes regularly. I have Fiveten Galileos (synthetic) and La Sportiva Tradmasters (lined leather), and I just throw them in the washing machine (gentle cycle with regular detergent) every few weeks. Allow them to air dry, and I'm all set for stank-free climbing. I've been doing this for past couple of years and I've had great success in front loader as well as top loading machines. My shoes are still in great shape!

A note on the spray powders: they work great _if_ you use them from the start. They won't do a thing on your old smelly shoes. And don't use too much else you get a slimy layer in there. Just a little spray in each post climbing seems to prolong the funk long enough that I'm usually done with the shoes by the time they really start barking.

Ok so here's the down low on this. If your shoes are Evolve just spray them with fabreeze(I like target brand cuz it's cheaper and does the same to cover smell) and stick some dryer sheets in them(yes you can reuse them). By the next climbing sesh they should not destroy your nose, but they will again if you don't keep doing this. It's not a cure, but better than things I've seen people do(spray with perfume, use oust) which don't work. If you've got Evolve's and you spray with Lysol they will smell worse than had you never done it(all it takes is once too).

As far as other synthetic shoes like Mad Rock, 5.10 I don't know, but I'm sure this will work. I've ran a few of my evolve's through the faucet in my bathtub for like 5 minutes and my god the stuff that comes out. Clearing that debris will help too if you don't mind the small shrinkage when they dry. Not having that grime is a plus, with or without the smell.

1. Start washing your feet with an antibacterial soap and scrub them thoroughly for a minute each with thick lather before rinsing every day.
2. Buy all new shoes (climbing & normal wear ones) and throw away your old ones
3. Buy all new socks and throw away your old ones
4. Always air dry your shoes after wearing them – don’t stuff them into a pack or leave them in your car. I take mine home and place them in front of a fan when i can.
5. Don’t walk around the gym barefoot and then stuff your feet into your shoes without washing them first.
6. No more stinky shoes.

Your Mileage may vary, however I haven’t had any stinky shoes while sticking to this over the past few years. Throwing away all of your shoes may not be financially practical, but keep in mind that if you wear your stinky approach shoes and then stuff your feet into your new bacteria free climbing shoes – the little guys spread if you don’t wash feet first – and who is going to do that? Good luck. Great suggestions.

Justin Cantrall wrote:Technically, what causes the odor is the bacteria that thrive on the sweat that is excreted by the numerous glands on your foot.

Actually, It's usually the glue they use inside the shoe that combines with everything you just said. I've been sponsored by most everyone(back in the day) and some shoes just don't reek as bad. I was told by a not to be named shoe company that it's the glue, along with the feet.

One time we were driving back from Rifle and the driver kept thinking people were farting, but it was the shoes. Ahhhhhh, good times.....

I found this stuff years ago when I did long-term remote field-work where body washing occurred about three times a month... lushusa.com/shop/products/b…
I carry a plastic bag around with this stuff in it and just douche my feet around a bit inside to coat them before lacing up.

And for a total soft-man solution...
lushusa.com/shop/products/b…
...yeah yeah, if you read the application you're probably asking yourself WTF?!!! But seriously, this stuff KILLS foot fungi and keeps it dead for a while. Plus it phuqing FEELS awesome. Yeah, yeah, snicker snarf and all that, but for what it's worth I can actually get a foot-rub off the wife once I use this stuff.

Hippies.

Justin Cantrall wrote: Hmm. Why is it then that a moccasin (not a climbing moccasin) that I've owned--no glues, stitches and fabric only--still eventually wound up stinking?

Maybe you should shower once in a while, feet included. But yeah, Moccasyms are the stinkiest shoe I have ever owned and no glue. The glue theory is what Charles Cole told me one time at the Phoenix Bouldering Comp.

I just throw my in a safeway bag and freeze em'. I just make sure to take them out before I leave so they have time to warm up. It kills the bacteria that create smells. It's a bit of a temporary fix, but it's cheap, easy, relatively effective and the only issue is sometimes you forget your shoes!

I like these, keep 'em comin'. I may write a Foot n Shoe Guide for climbers.

Does your Ice Cream end up tasting like feet? That would suck. When I was noob some guy at the gym told me piss in my shoes after climbing. Said the enzymes in the urine will digest the bacteria. Anyone tried this, sober? Video would help for proper instruction, a plus.

mmmm...spumoni!!! So far so good on the freezer smell. I wrap em up so my roommates won't complain.

I'm definitely going to check out the bamboo socks and tea tree oil, but I've found washing them in the machine and air drying them to be the easiest most time efficient method. .....Use a toothbrush to scrub some liquid detergent on the inside of the shoes , then throw them in.