Q: Treating Stinky Boots?

[enduro]

Hi all,

I bought a new pair of Salomon COMET 3D GTX about 2 years ago. This is my third Salomon of very similar style and I can highly recommend them.

Anyway, a few months after wearing them I went on a hike where it rained for several day and my new boots now have a special stink to them every time I wear them. You know, that smell that you get when you leave clothes wet for a while in the heat - only a lot more memorable. My regular shoes don't smell, my feet a clean. It's just the history behind this pair of boots that has started it off.

I'd like to restore my boots for an upcoming trip. I don't want to be the most unpopular person in the cabin (note to evil self: if I leave them as is I might just have the cabin all to myself)

What you recommended tips for removing any bacteria or potentially fungi from the boots that are causing the malodour?

I'm thinking an overnight soak in Canasten or similar.

[Strider]

Try a laundry sanitiser (e.g benzalkonium chloride).

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[Violet_Femme]

Generous dusting inside my runners with talcum powder with a bit of tea tree essential oil has worked in the past. Leave the powder for a week or at least a few days and let it absorb the stinkiness and then shake the powder out to discard. If it still smelt, I would repeat the same process. Remember to discard the powder as it stinks (pun intended) to get it all over socks and clothes.

Though this is just for the smell, I doubt this would get rid of fungi in a shoe.

[Scottyk]

Tea tree oil is good advice.
Soak them in a diluted solution with tea tree oil

[GBW]

Would soaking in a salt solution help?

[enduro]

I will try the Canasten which has the active ingredient mentioned above.

Once test is complete I will be sure to post the outcome here so as others are able to use the technique.

Can't stand incomplete threads!

[photohiker]

Caneston (Clotrimazole) is an anti fungal preparation.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clotrimazole

It may help knock out fungus in your boots, but moisture and sweat are the main cause of smelly boots.

Do you have a fungal infection on your feet?

[enduro]

Caneston (Clotrimazole) is an anti fungal preparation.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clotrimazole

It may help knock out fungus in your boots, but moisture and sweat are the main cause of smelly boots.

Do you have a fungal infection on your feet?

No foot fungal infection on my feet and they are very clean.

I recall the hike was very wet for several days and I think I recall getting river water in them too which would bring with it bacteria etc. Wet things kept warm for several days will develop an ecosystem inside of them (ever left your bathers and towel in a plastic bag just that bit too long?). They end up stinking.

A soak in antibacterial and antifungal will be the best start to tidying them up as will a gentle scrub on the inside.

[Neo]

I was looking up seam sealer to see if I picked up a suitable version and noticed McNett offer an odour treatment

https://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/mirazyme#description

Talc powder will go gluggy, I was once told Canasten is a topical treatment that may treat the symptoms but doesn't solve the cause (on the body)

[andrewa]

I find that soaking my boots in a solution of bleach or Milton's solution in cold water eradicates any smell. Much of the smell results from bacteria producing various substances like ammonia, and eradicating the bacteria then eradicates the smell.

A

[Franco]

Baking soda can do the job.
Good for many remedies on the trail.