stinky climbing shoe fix

I found a way to get rid of the nasty, smelly climbing shoe problem. First, I threw them in the washing machine with no luck. They came out maybe 10% better than before but still smelled gross. Determined, I poured VINEGAR into each my shoes and let them sit for about a half hour. After I felt like they'd soaked long enough I rinsed and poured a little detergent and fabric softener in each shoe and let them marinate again. Put them in for one last cycle through the washing machine and the smell was pretty much gone. A little vinegar smell was still there but WAY better than the foot stank. It worked for me, I hope it works for you.

I put a small amount of baking soda in each shoe every couple times I use them then shake out before use. Has gone from unbearable too no smell.

If the smell bothers you, store your shoes with dryer sheets in them. Each dryer sheet will last a few months before you'll need to replace it.

climbing friend,

do not be putting the powders in your shoes for the climbing rocks. you may think yourself quite clever, but the powders will create a foul layer of slime, powder, and dead skin cells which may be growing more bacteria and bad smell for your nostrils, most unpleasant.

I used to have those five finger shoes, and they got FUNKY. My climbing shoes have faired a little better b

Best anti odor trick I used - denture wash. Soak them in a tub with a few of those effervescent tabs for an hour or so, and boom. Completely odor free, and sometimes minty fresh.

My $0.02

All those vinegar, mouthwash, disinfecting spray etc "solutions" fight to a symptom of a problem.

The real life solutions always fight to the cause. Take away all nutrient solution from your shoes and there will be no bacteria.

Wash your shoes *before* they begin to stink and they will never stink.

Really, you wash your underpants and socks on a regular basis, you do not wait they to become stinky to solve "stinky underpants problem" with some vinegar, right?

Raul P wrote:I used to have those five finger shoes, and they got FUNKY. My climbing shoes have faired a little better b Best anti odor trick I used - denture wash. Soak them in a tub with a few of those effervescent tabs for an hour or so, and boom. Completely odor free, and sometimes minty fresh.

Climbing friend master P,

I do the liking of your idea for use of denture cleaning tablets for shoes, most effervescent! The only problem would be perhaps if you do not have an elderly person near you to steal the denture tablets from. What would you be doing in this situation?

How can you befriend an elderly person and convince them to give you denture washing tablets?

Would this perhaps be an excellent way to freshen your breath after a long day of making bold flash and eating of the fishheads and cheesesteaks?

One solution

these shoes fit my feet excellent,climbing friend, and make me feel like soaring eagle with downturned large talons, but I do believe they are the most overpriced shoes available anywhere, so i do believe I will search for another brand next time buying.

Here's the real solution:

#1 Don't put previously stinky feet into climbing shoes.
#2 Allow your feet to dry after your approach and before putting them into your climbing shoes. If you're going to wear socks, bring new socks and start fresh.
#3 Never put your climbing shoes into your pack or a bag or some other airtight enclosure after wearing them. Let them dry out thoroughly after you wear them each time. I always walk to my climb with shoes in bag and walk back to car with them clipped to the outside.
#4 if they're getting funky regardless, put them outside directly in the morning sun before the sun's so hot it melts the glue.

I embrace my inner gumby* and wear socks with my climbing shoes. I have never had any funk.

• perhaps I am just an all around gumby after all. Cheers!

powhound84 wrote:embrace the stink

yep

Try This.

Stuff shoes with newspaper in between climbing sessions...done.

Just purell your darn feet before stuffing them in the shoes... Not that hard!

Just climb barefoot, problem solved.

It's funny, I had this discussion with my climbing buddy who's feet really stink. We sat down and wrote a few tips to help other people out.
Hope it helps you : radclimbers.blogspot.ca/201…

My shoes smell like butt. Previous pair didn't. Difference? New pair are a synthetic and old pair were leather. Question: does material have an affect on smell? I claim it does, which is why I not wear polyester base layers - they are stink factories.

Going to try vinegar. I've done most of the other things. Worst is when your on a backcountry climbing trip and the stink from the shoes sticks to your feet and the oozes out of the sleeping bag, eventually making the entire tent smell like your climbing shoes. Just doesn't wash off!

Lysol disinfectant spray, just spray them out like the gyms do with rentals. Works, and if you don't believe me, smell my Shamans, they smell just fine and don't have that terrible stink evolv's are known for.

I've two pairs of shoes have lasted 10+ times each in the washing machine without issue. Smell like new afterwards.

Rubber comes out more sticky too, I'm guessing all the grease gets washed off.

I imagine for some people they're going to take off their slightly nasty regular shoes, with slightly nasty feet, and put on their nice and clean climbing shoes and rapidly repopulate them with bacteria, fungi and sweat and end up with really nasty climbing shoes again after a while.

Trying to keep all your feet and all your footwear non-nasty, is the most work, but addresses the root cause. I've had really good success with some foot powders on that front, resolving the problem for years after a week long treatment. Others have worked while I kept using them, but as soon as I stopped I found myself with issues again.

sharyl wrote:Stuff shoes with newspaper in between climbing sessions...done.

works for my stink and help keep the toe box stretched out