blaine

So I need some advice as to how to get the stench out of my shoes.

Pair of Bont Vapor S ...went for a long ride in the rain so the shoes got soaked.

I pulled the insoles and put the shoes away and thought they would dry. 3 days later they were still pretty wet...and rather smelly.

Any ideas?

thanks in advance

Sy Reene

Well, you now know how they got their model name.
Stuff them with newspaper next time they're soaked

Lazyass

I have a spray bottle filled with Downy laundry scent beads mixed with water. It's like a high powered fabric freshener. It will get the smell out of your shoes or anything else.

San Pedro

Sitting in the sun helps my shoes when they get stinky after getting wet like that. Sometimes it takesa couple sessions to work well.

noodle soup

Don’t put your nose in there

MoAlpha

seau grateau

Try baking soda or foot powder to get rid of the smell. Take out the insoles and wash them if possible.

2manybikes

Time will let them dry completely. Maybe a fan will seed things up. Don't get them wet and dry with heat, over time that ruins the leather.

blaine

too late

I mean I am worried about the guy or woman behind me...

Flip Flop Rider

boot dryer. dry shoes after each ride. they will be warm the next time you wear them

Paul Barnard

This right here. I used to throw away shoes because I couldn't get rid of the odor. Baking soda works. Sprinkle about a teaspoon in each shoe and shake it all about.

noodle soup

Maybe they won't wheelsuck as much now.

mcours2006

You gotta dry your shoes after each ride, thoroughly. Baking soda might do the trick, either that or lots of Febreze.

jasrub

colnago62

MagicHour

I spend most of my time on the trainer so my shoes get gnarly fast from sweat, these tips have all helped get rid of the funk:

• Periodically remove insoles and wash, I use oxyclean + mild detergent
• Similarly the entire shoe can be similarly washed as above
• Regular sprays of lysol into shoes
• Stuff newspapers in sweaty/wet shoes to help dry them out
• And last but not least.. prior to riding you can use a footspray, if you have access to EOs I use a homebrew recipe similar to this (Don't laugh it works and minimizes the need to do any of the above!)

Toytruckmike

In my experience, once you let your shoes get stinky, you are never able to fully get rid of it. I had those vibram 5 finger shoes several years back and they got HORRIBLE odor, I finally was told to put some gold bond medicated foot powder (blue bottle) in them after each use, and that has made the difference. As long as I used it each time, no odor.
Cheers!

gl98115

+1

This is the answer. The stink is due to bacteria, and removing the moisture kills it. All of my athletic shoes and boots (climbing, hiking, skiing, gym, cycling) go straight onto the dryer after use. Also great for drying out regular shoes as well.

Paul Barnard

Some of you go through a lot of trouble to avoid the simple solution. Baking soda. At 79 cents a box and 20 seconds of your time, if it fails, and I have never encountered anyone that it didn't work for, what do you stand to lose?

JohnJ80

To be clear, you nose smells, your shoes stink.

J.

Seattle Forrest

Boot bananas.

profjmb

First of all, I'm glad you finally noticed.

Second, I hope baking soda will work, but it might not. In that case, I recommend a diluted solution of bleach (25% bleach 75% water). Spray into your shoes and then leave them somewhere to dry. If you really want to be sure, do it again.

realyfishy

Moisture is like crack to bacteria. Dry them out as soon as possible. I pull out the footbed, sprinkle a couple pinches of baking soda & leave them on the floor next to the A/C intake. Never an issue.

B. Carfree

One way to get rid of the odor is to soak the shoes in white vinegar. Yes, they will be wet again, but the bacteria that caused the problem will be dead and much of the offensive smelling stuff they made will also be gone. While you're at it, give them a gentle scrubbing. Then dry them properly. During our wet season, I use a dehumidifier in my house, so it's easy to dry shoes. You may have to use a fan or two and then pick up the last of the moisture with baking soda and/or get a shoe drier.

Carbonfiberboy 

I throw our Sidis in the washing machine along with the removed insoles, gentle cycle, with the rest of our bike clothes. Dry at room temperature, out in the open, not in a closet. Been doing that for many years. I use Atsko Sport Wash for all my athletic gear.

There's also Smells Begone: https://www.smellsbegone.com/product...ree-spray-12oz Works in your helmet, too.