For years and years I've worn cheap $35 - $50 athletic shoes. Due to having back pain, last June I broke down and paid $135 for a pair of Brooks and within 2 weeks I was convinced that I'd never wear anything else. My back was SOOO much better! But within about a month, I noticed that they smelled SO BAD! I've never had a problem with my feet stinking, so I was sure I must have a fungus of some sort and treated my feet and the shoes, but it didn't help. So, I bought a pair of cheap shoes again, just to wear when I had to take my shoes off, (friends houses, chiropractor, etc.) and I had no problems at all with any smells. I thought for sure, I had it cleared up, and the Brooks were just ruined. I bought a new pair of Brooks last week and they already smell bad! UGH! Has anyone ever had this problem with a certain brand of shoes? Any suggestions on what to do to stop the problem and save my brand new shoes?
It's the materials, I think.
Why on earth would you have gone & paid for the same thing again?
I'd have looked for a comfortable alternative from New Balance or Clark's or Merrell before I spent ANOTHER +$100 on something I knew stunk a few weeks ago!
If you can get a second pair and alternate the two pairs. This gives the shoes a chance to dry out from wear. Yes our feet perspire the most. Also do wear white cotton socks.
If they are washable try washing them to remove the odor.
Good luck to you. I know embarrassing the foot odor can be.
the other S.
Wash them. If they are leather sit them in a warm place to dry. I put my leather athletic shoes upside down on the central heater vent and they dry overnight.
Leather is washable...so are fabric shoes.
just put some baking soda in them.
:)
Did you try washing the shoes? The Brooks website says:
"Remove the internal liner and hand wash the shoes in warm water with mild soap. Washing machines are too aggressive, and may cause shoes to stretch or warp.
Stuff your shoes with newsprint (plain if you have it) and allow them to air dry. When they are all dried out, you can reinsert the liner and hit the road again."
If that fails, go ahead and machine wash in warm or hot water, because you have nothing left to lose.
I'm assuming that you're always wearing socks too. Preferably cotton. I know synthetic sports socks are made for low friction running, but stinky-foot people do better with cotton.
It might be the insoles of th shoes that are causing the problem. Try taking them out and replacing them with insoles from the drugstore and see if that helps.
Are you wearing the shoes every day? Shoes should be worn once every couple days so that they have time to dry out between wearings.
Unfortunately, baking soda does not always help stinky shoes. My daughter had a pair of boots that were just horrible. You would think something died in them. It was only the boots and not her gym shoes or Converse that she wears to school. I looked on line to see if there was anything for Brooks and stinky and there are a few people that say thier Brooks stink. It could be the material does not match with your body odor--kind of like some perfumes rank on some people but are great for others.
