When your feet sweat, the moisture trapped in your socks presses flush against the interior of your shoes, which creates the ideal environment for odor-causing bacteria to thrive. The situation is exacerbated if you’re running in rain or over dewy grass, soaking your shoes and turning them into petri dishes. Odor ensues. What’s more, that rancid smell is actually more than just an odor.
If you don’t address it, that bacteria could lead to an infection over time. To deodorize your shoes, first allow them to dry completely. Then, remove the insoles, stuff the shoes with some newspaper, and let them hang out overnight in a well-ventilated area. Next, start using odor-reducing and germ-killing sprays or inserts regularly.
Shoe deodorizing products tend to come in one of five forms: sprays, pods, balls, pouches, or powders. Any and all of these can do the job pretty well, though pods, balls, and pouches tend to lean into merely absorbing the smell while sprays and powders are usually the best choice for killing the bacteria that causes odor in the first place.
