How to get rid of the stench in your climbing shoes
Climbing shoes, we all love them. Although we only wear them specifically for climbing a couple of times a week they can smell like something had died in there.
The foul stench from your shoes comes from the sweat and dirt from your feet and keeping them stuffed in your gym bag does help. There are a number of methods to getting rid of this foul stench. Here are 8 ways to get rid of the smell in your climbing shoes.
1. Fabreze spray
Fabreze Spray. Good for clothes, bedsheets, and your climbing shoes. If the advertising is to be believed it kills 99.9% of Flu virus and germs. They also come in a variety of fragrances. Fabreze is good when you want an instant quick fix to get rid of the foul smell from your climbing shoes. However, it does not last long especially if the inside of your shoes is moist and dirty. Using a chemical spray is a quick and hassle-free way to mask the stench of your shoes.
2. Newspaper
You can stuff newspaper into your climbing shoes after climbing to absorb the foul stench left behind by your feet. Stuffing a generous amount of newspaper into your shoes will help to absorb moisture and those disgusting foul odours. But do remember to change out the newspaper often.
3. Tea bags
Place a couple of tea bags in your climbing shoes as soon as you are done with your gym session. The tea bags will absorb moisture and odour from your shoes.
4. Brewed coffee powder
Keep the coffee powder after you’ve brewed your coffee. Spread out the coffee powder to dry. Once the coffee powder is dried put it filter bag and place it in your shoes.
5. Orange peel
After you’re done peeling your orange keep the peels. Throw a few pieces into your climbing shoes and keep them there for a couple of days. The peel will absorb the moisture and leave a mild lingering citrus scent.
6. Bar of dry soap
Placing a bar soap in your climbing shoes can also absorb foul odour and leave a lingering scent in your shoes.
7. Airing
Climbing shoes stink because too often we forget to take them out of our bag to air them. Simply take your shoes out of the gym bag and put them at the window. This will help to dry the shoes faster and clear the stench from inside your climbing shoes.
8. Washing


Good old fashion soap and water. The stinkiest part of the shoe to wash is the inside of the shoes specifically the toe box area. So put a little elbow grease and give the inside of the shoes a good scrab. Warm water and mild fragrance soap will do just fine. Allow the shoe to drip dry, a couple of hours in the sun and boom stench-free shoes.