{"id":136077,"date":"2026-08-18T15:03:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T13:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/smelly-shoes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T15:32:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T13:32:07","slug":"smelly-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/smelly-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"Help! My Shoes Stink: A Practical Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve all been there: you take off your running shoes or hiking boots and suddenly their presence becomes impossible to ignore. In other words, your shoes stink. But where does that smell actually come from? And what can you do about smelly shoes? I\u2019ve taken a closer look at the issue and put together some practical tips and tricks to help you get rid of unpleasant shoe odours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Shoe Odours Develop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before looking at how to prevent smelly trainers, it helps to understand where the smell comes from in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when we\u2019re not noticeably sweating<\/a>, our bodies constantly release moisture. In closed, waterproof or insulated footwear, some of that sweat remains inside the shoe, especially when worn for long periods. On its own, this isn\u2019t a problem because sweat itself doesn\u2019t smell. <\/strong>Odours only develop when bacteria<\/strong>, many of which naturally live on our skin, find their way into the shoe and begin breaking down the sweat. This happens to everyone and is usually unrelated to poor hygiene or disease. <\/strong>If you want to eliminate shoe odours effectively, you need to tackle the bacteria responsible for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Stop Shoes Smelling: Three Simple Measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The easiest way to deal with shoe odour is to stop it developing in the first place. That may be easier said than done, but these simple habits can help keep smells at bay for longer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Don\u2019t wear shoes barefoot.<\/strong> This may not apply to sandals, but in general you should always wear socks. Most of the bacteria are absorbed into the fabric of the socks, which can then be washed easily and effectively in the washing machine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Dry your shoes properly.<\/strong> The faster you dry your footwear after use, the less opportunity bacteria have to multiply. Never store freshly worn shoes in a plastic bag or airtight shoe sack. On particularly wet or cold days, shoe dryers can help, or you can simply stuff your shoes with newspaper to absorb moisture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Let in fresh air and sunshine.<\/strong> Drying and airing go hand in hand. Ideally, leave your shoes outside to air out. If possible, remove the insoles and place them in direct sunlight for a short time. UV rays can help reduce bacterial growth.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n
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    \"Barefoot<\/a>
    Avoid wearing shoes barefoot whenever possible.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Washing Smelly Shoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Sometimes prevention isn\u2019t enough, and your footwear develops an unpleasant smell. In that case, the most straightforward solution is simple: wash them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Shoes are best washed by hand<\/strong> using lukewarm water and soap. Here are a few useful tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n