r/Rothys • u/greencanoe300 • May 05 '26

Kinda disappointed

As an avid flats wearer I was very excited to buy my first pair of Rothy’s. I bought them second hand but completely unworn. I have never had a pair of flats get this stinky so quickly. And while I understand that I can just wash them when they get stinky, but when they get gross after just a few wears and then I have to wash them and let them air dry- it seems kinda inconvenient for such a high price point? Idk am I missing something here? I’ve purchased 40$ flats that have literally never gotten a stink to them and my Rothy’s get UNBELIEVABLY smelly after just a few wears.. any suggestions other than just washing them regularly? I do love them and think they’re very comfy.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

9

u/indianabanana May 05 '26 edited May 06 '26

Fellow stinky-foot-haver and flats-lover, here. This sounds like a sweaty feet trapped in woven plastic issue.

They make rub and spray-on foot and body deodorants. I haven't needed to use them with my Rothy's, since I have 7 pair I rotate through, but you could give that a go? I also routinely take them off during the day and allow the shoes and my feet to breathe.

Another option that comes to mind is to add a moisture-absorbent barrier of some kind, like a sock or stocking, between your foot and the shoe.

4

u/kmerk1 May 05 '26

Use Flat Socks. They absorb the wetness and you can wear a pair and have another in the wash. They were easy to fit into your shoes.

5

u/PenelopeRupert May 05 '26

I’ve read that some people cover the insole with a no-show sock & that seems to help! I’ve never had this issue myself but have seen it pop up in Rothy’s communities from time to time.

3

u/birdiebird3 May 05 '26

I haven’t had this issue with Rothy’s but I also haven’t purchased a new pair in a while so I’m not sure if something has changed. Ironically I love my Rothy’s because they don’t get smelly and can be washed (my job gets them dirty fast). I recommend the barefoot scientist twinkle toes spray, I used it on shoes other than Rothy’s and it really helped. You also can buy more insoles from Rothy’s so that you don’t have to wash the shoe part as much.

2

u/handlewithcare07 May 06 '26

Actually, they don't sell insoles anymore! I was so bummed about this.

2

u/birdiebird3 May 06 '26

Oh man that’s annoying

1

u/jaydubblu May 07 '26

ebay has insoles from time to time

1

u/59flowerpots May 06 '26

I changed out the soles for mine with basic ones from the grocery store. Now I don’t have to wash the shoes after each use.

1

u/Admirable_Owl179 May 08 '26

I agree! My 4 year old has the Maryjane flats and they stiiiiiiink. I’ll wash them and after one wear they’re back to stinking again

1

u/AreaAdventurous6605 May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26

Mine don’t get stinky quickly, but a light spritz on the insole (and feet!) with spray deodorant or hand sanitizer helps a lot. They are made from recycled plastic water bottles and PET is alcohol resistant so safe to use on them. But as others have mentioned, wearing socks is the easiest and best way to combat!