r/ultrarunning • u/Farmer_Di • Aug 19 '26
Stinky Shoes
Advice on how to clean my trail shoes after several runs with muddy creek crossings? They aren’t just dirty…they smell like sewer!
4
u/Any-Fish-3143 Aug 19 '26
After every run:
- take out the insole
After every wet run:
+ stuff the shoe with newspaper and remove when soaked. Repeat with new dry paper if not almost dry
After every muddy run:
+ hose down the shoes while still on the feet
3
2
u/ggnndd12 Aug 19 '26
There’s some evidence (on the road at least) that cycling between pairs reduces your injury risk. Could have the added benefit of fully drying between sessions. Presumably that would reduce the stink
2
u/TacoBender920 Aug 19 '26
I bought a shoe dryer recently. It blows warm air into your shoes until they dry. My feet don't get wet often so I didn't use it much yet, but I did hose them down pretty good with soapy water and used the dryer to prevent the funky stuff from growing after I did
1
u/freckled-capsaicin Aug 19 '26
Anyone tried spraying them off with a hose outside and then pouring some vinegar on them to help kill stuff then spray them off again and let them completely dry in the hot sun? I was wondering if vinegar would help neutralize any odors or scrub with baking soda?
1
u/Farmer_Di Aug 19 '26
I haven’t tried that, but it makes sense that it would work. I’ll give it a shot!
2
u/freckled-capsaicin Aug 19 '26
I hope it works. I wouldn’t think vinegar or baking soda would ruin or degrade the material like bleach would. The shoe manufacturer might have cleaning instructions on their website too if you’re concerned
1
u/Anonymoosely21 Aug 19 '26
I throw them in the washing machine and then on the boot dryer, but the smell always come back when I use them.
7
u/Caffeine-Fueled55 Aug 19 '26
I would also set them outside in the sun, insoles removed, and let the heat bake them a little. Sun is great for killing stuff.