How do I get the nasty smell out of my old shoes?

You Are Here:

Home >> Gear >> How do I get the nasty smell out of my old shoes?

View the entire 300-plus collection of must-have gear items tailor-made for your adventurous lifestyle. PLUS: A special section on womens gear.

Today's Question
What happened to external-frame backpacks? answer

What pack should I use for a multi-day ski touring trip in Patagonia? answer

Today's Question
What are the best lightweight, warm-weather hiking boots? answer

Can you recommend clothing with insect repellent in the fabric? answer

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

November 28, 2002

How do I get the nasty smell out of my old shoes?

How do I get the nasty smell out of my old footwear? I like to buy quality boots and shoes that will last a long time, but inevitably, long before they are worn out, they start to stink (my feet tend to sweat a lot). Any suggestions as to removing the offensive odors and bringing these old friends back into service?

— Bill
Charlottesville, Virginia

Got your own gear question?

There are multiple ways to attack this odoriferous problem. Start with the feet. Wear absorbent socks—socks with wool in them are good—so that the sweat doesn't leach into the shoes. If you really sweat, you can always spray your feet with anti-perspirant. It works, really!

Then, smell-proof the shoes. Charcoal insoles such as Odor Eaters ($3 each) go a long way toward vacuuming up bad smells, thanks to the charcoal (an odor neutralizer) and baking soda (which absorbs odors). Use one for a few weeks, then replace.

The shoes themselves can be handled several ways. There are odor-killing sprays that are extremely effective—Febreeze is an excellent one. Spray a little in each shoe, and the odor literally goes away. In most cases, it's also OK to rinse the shoes out (especially hiking boots) with a little warm water. This will help cut the sweat smells, and also prolong the shoes' lives by washing out the acid that sweat contains. I wouldn't recommend this for dress shoes, but most footwear can take it. I wash tennis-type shoes in the washing machine, and they come out fine.

So there you go. Good luck, and I hope never to run into your shoes. Anywhere.

RECENT QUESTIONS

What happened to external-frame backpacks?

What pack should I use for a multi-day ski touring trip in Patagonia?

What should I wear while backpacking in the Grand Canyon?

Know of a watch with both a pedometer and an altimeter?

Is the Marin Kentfield FS a good beginner bike?

GEAR GUY FEATURES

Check out the bio of Douglas Gantenbein, aka the Gear Guy.

Readers' Mailbag: The Gear Guy digs into some of your more bizarre, obscure (and let�s face it, downright weird) posts from years gone by to see if he can make sense of it all, or if it�s just time to run up the white flag. Previous column: Beat the Cost of Gear.

The Gear Guy reports from the 2005 Outdoor Retailer summer trade fair, with his rundown of ten products to watch in 2006, plus the inside scoop on what shook down at the bi-annual gearapalooza.

MORE GEAR

The Outside Gear Blog

2005 Buyer's Guide

State of the Art: 2005 Bikes

Many of the items reviewed by the Gear Guy can be found at REI.com. Click here to find the internet's biggest selection of outdoor gear and apparel.