Stinky bike shoes

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kcovert1

2009-06-25 7:54 AM

Extreme Veteran

535

Central New York

Subject: Stinky bike shoes

My bike shoes stink!! Not just a little stink...I mean, they reek!! How can I get rid of the stink??

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IndoIronYanti

2009-06-25 7:55 AM

in reply to: #2241824

Melon Presser

52116

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

kcovert1 - 2009-06-25 8:54 PM

My bike shoes stink!! Not just a little stink...I mean, they reek!! How can I get rid of the stink??

I've peed in my bike shoes and that's some smell to get out ...

First, take out the insole and anything else in it, open them up wide, and stuff full of newspaper to get any sweat/moisture out. Then leave 'em open, out in the sun, for a few hours to sterilize. Finally, seal in a big baggie with several dryer sheets and leave at least overnight if not for a day or two.

That worked for me. Others may have better suggestions.

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kat_astrophe

2009-06-25 7:57 AM

in reply to: #2241824

Extreme Veteran

418

Pittsburgh

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

What I like to do when my sneakers stink is to first dry them really well with a hair dryer set to low, or something similar, just to get all the moisture out. Then I tie them up in a plastic bag and put them in my freezer overnight. It seems to kill enough of the stinky foot germs to significantly cut back on the stench.

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KathyG

2009-06-25 7:59 AM

in reply to: #2241824

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

Take the insoles out, place the shoes in the top of your dishwasher with them as open as possible sans dishes and wash them but do not dry them. If you are fortunate and have a winter boat/shoe drier (about $20 on Amazon...best little gift for triathlete works on running shoes too) put newspapers or towels in to get most of the water out then dry them on shoe drier.

I pee when I race so my shoes get nasty. I wash them in the dishwasher a few times a year and they are clean, fresh smelling and much nicer.

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Tyrell

2009-06-25 8:11 AM

in reply to: #2241824

Extreme Veteran

569

Austin, TX

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

My bike shoes often stink to high-heaven as well. To combat this, I wash them in a washing machine. Easy enough. Just remove the insoles and place the shoes such that they are on opposite sides of the agitator, like @ 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. I will usually throw in another pair of shoes (running shoes) @ 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock to help even the load a bit more and keep the shoes from moving around too much. Don't put anything else in the washer, just the shoes. Run a cycle and then remove the shoes. Stuff them with newspaper as previously mentioned and place them outside in a sunny area to dry. Replace newspaper as necessary until they are dry and stink-free.

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BikerGrrrl

2009-06-25 8:24 AM

in reply to: #2241863

Champion

10020

, Minnesota

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

Wow, I wouldn't have thought of the dishwasher or washing machine! Cool. I was going to say that you should not leave them in the sun, because it seems to "bake" in the smell. But if it works for TriAya I may be wrong on that. I give them a good rinse with the hose and leave them in a shady spot on my deck to dry out. I think some shoes are just worse than others. I finally had to throw away a pair that I couldn't tolerate (Lake brand) and now have a pair of Adidas tri shoes (who knew? they were on sale) and they are great.

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cthoops

2009-06-25 8:38 AM

in reply to: #2241824

Extreme Veteran

386

West Hartford, CT

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

I've been spraying Lysol in them to try to stay on top of it. Some days are more pleasant than others, but I haven't had to relegate them to the garage yet!

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moondawg14

2009-06-25 8:43 AM

in reply to: #2241901

Master

2380

Beijing

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

BikerGrrrl - 2009-06-24 9:24 AM

I was going to say that you should not leave them in the sun, because it seems to "bake" in the smell.

Many microorganisms are susceptible to UV light. For the ones that aren't, you'll need other techniques.

I got tired of stinky shoes as well. Being a triathlete, I HTFU'ed and just attached my Look Cleats to the balls of my feet with lag screws. Wa-la, no more stinky shoes.

PS, you'll want some Aquaphor between the cleat and the bottom of your feet to prevent chafing.

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sesh

2009-06-25 8:54 AM

in reply to: #2241829

Champion

5117

Brandon, MS

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

TriAya - 2009-06-25 7:55 AM

I've peed in my bike shoes and that's some smell to get out ...

I love how peeing on stuff is always an option for ya, yanti

I keep mine hanging after a ride. Either on the pedals or on two hooks off a shelf in my garage. Guess the airing out seems to keep em stinkless enough. If I was going to wash my cycling shoes, I definitely would NOT put them in the washing machine. They would beat the drum to hell even if I did take the cleats off. I'd just take the soles out, and those can be run through the wash on cold then air dryed. Take the shoes, clean them in a bucket of soapy water, hose rinse, the air dry. I'd also be worried about the temps of the water in the dish washer. Maybe it's not an issue, but I definitely would turn the heated dry function off.

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chrisbowers

2009-06-25 11:18 AM

in reply to: #2241839

Extreme Veteran

402

Bartlett, TN

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

KathyG - 2009-06-25 7:59 AM If you are fortunate and have a winter boat/shoe drier (about $20 on Amazon...best little gift for triathlete works on running shoes too) put newspapers or towels in to get most of the water out then dry them on shoe drier. QUOTE]

x2 on the shoe drier (made by PEET, I think). I use mine for bike shoes, running shoes, hunting boots, etc.... If I put them on right after I use them I typically and it keeps them from smelling. Haven't peed in them so can't comment to that.

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kcovert1

2009-06-25 3:21 PM

in reply to: #2241839

Extreme Veteran

535

Central New York

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

KathyG - 2009-06-25 8:59 AM Take the insoles out, place the shoes in the top of your dishwasher with them as open as possible sans dishes and wash them but do not dry them. If you are fortunate and have a winter boat/shoe drier (about $20 on Amazon...best little gift for triathlete works on running shoes too) put newspapers or towels in to get most of the water out then dry them on shoe drier.

I pee when I race so my shoes get nasty. I wash them in the dishwasher a few times a year and they are clean, fresh smelling and much nicer.

Do you use detergent or just hot water?

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KathyG

2009-06-25 4:08 PM

in reply to: #2243383

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

kcovert1 - 2009-06-25 4:21 PM

Do you use detergent or just hot water?

Detergent yes

I've washed my current pair atleast 6-8 times in the dishwasher. Put cleat side up and open them the best you can.

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sdugs

2009-06-25 9:29 PM

in reply to: #2241824

Member

Jacksonville, Fl

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

ok i give up why do you pee on your shoes?????? Sorry if its a dumb question but my wife has had to go on some runs or hikes but nevr on here shoes.

sesh

2009-06-26 8:38 AM

in reply to: #2244097

Champion

5117

Brandon, MS

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

sdugs - 2009-06-25 9:29 PM ok i give up why do you pee on your shoes?????? Sorry if its a dumb question but my wife has had to go on some runs or hikes but nevr on here shoes.

Haha... don't pee on your shoes. It's sort of a running joke. We pee in our wetsuits, pee on the bike, etc. So, just pee on it seems to be an answer to everything

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KathyG

2009-06-26 8:45 AM

in reply to: #2244097

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Stinky bike shoes

sdugs - 2009-06-25 10:29 PM ok i give up why do you pee on your shoes?????? Sorry if its a dumb question but my wife has had to go on some runs or hikes but nevr on here shoes.

I did a HIM that has 58.4 mile bike and there are no port a potties on the course. Where am I supposed to go? Someones front yard and drop my tri shorts. For women it is more modest to go on your bike in a race. Now in training I stop and find someplace.

Also bike shoes get stinky without peeing in them as we do tris and our feet are wet from the swim when we go on the bike, feet sweat and so they can get stinking just from riding and racing w/o peeing in them.

In longer races I pee while running too just cause often no port a potties or they are incredibly gorss and I have to go. My running shoes I wash in the washing machine though not the dish washer.

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em73

2009-06-26 8:48 AM

in reply to: #2241824