We are through the first block of CX season and it’s been hot hot hot. If you went to Charm like me, you also enjoyed the triple whammy of mud, humidity and heat. A trifecta that creates a perfect breeding ground for odorous bacteria to stink up any CX shoes. 

After slogging through cleaning my bike on Sunday evening, two days later I finally tackled my CX shoes which were still a little damp (oops), caked with mud, and smelled…..well as rancid as you might expect given the title of the article.  

A quick aside, this endeavor to clean my CX shoes was a rescue mission. As with anything, regular maintenance is the best way to make sure your shoes don’t develop an irredeemable stink.

Clean Your Shoes

Get that debris and gunk off your shoes. Wash with warm water, dish soap, and a hard bristle brush. Now’s the time to remove your insoles and laces (if you have them) and throw them in the washing machine. If there is a ton of dirt on my shoes, I’ll let them dry first, so I can crack the mud off before I wash with dish soap. In addition to getting mud off, washing your shoes will help wash away some of the odor causing bacteria.

Dry Your Shoes

Moisture is the enemy (and the essence of wetness). Do not shove your damp shoes in a bag or you will get that mildew smell (like when you forget to move your wash to the dryer). A boot dryer works fantastic in these scenarios. If you don’t own a boot dryer, or have the space to accommodate another piece of equipment in your already cramped apartment, stick some newspaper in your shoes and place them outside (in the sun if there’s sun). The fresh air will help dry them as well. 

Throw Your Shoes in the Freezer

Stay with me on this one. Bacteria thrives in damp and warm conditions. By placing your shoes in the freezer, they become inhospitable for bacteria. If you opt for this route, make sure (i) your shoes are completely dry before putting them in the freezer (ii) place your shoes in a bag to avoid cross contamination (iii) you have adequate time to thaw your shoes before use. For this trick to work you want to leave your shoes in the freezer for a few hours (I typically leave them in the freezer overnight).

Deodorize

There are a number of store bought products which have a combination of drying agents (like cornstarch), odor absorbing agents (like activated charcoal or baking soda) and anti-microbial agents (like tea tree oil). Keep in mind that if you purchase a product that only uses odor absorbing agents, you will mitigate the smell of your shoes for a while but not eliminate it. Below are a few that I’ve liked:

• Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Foot Powder

• Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Foot Odor Probiotic Extract Spray

• Sneaker Balls - these are great to keep in your shoes whenever they are not on your feet and are easy to travel with.

You can also get by nicely with some common household products:

• Distilled White Vinegar - has a high concentration of acetic acid which has anti-bacterial properties and neutralizes odors. Mix vinegar with water and lightly douse your shoes.

• Baking Soda - because sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline product, when it interacts with the smelly odors (which are acidic) it neutralizes them

Keep an Extra Pair of Shoes

Lastly, if you happen to have an old pair of cycling shoes that still have some life, it might be helpful to keep them around so you can rotate your shoes (allowing a pair to fully dry before using again). I was very jealous of the folks who brought extra shoes to Charm as I squished my feet back into my damp shoes on day 2.

Even with the best cleaning protocols, at one point or another permastink comes for us all.