How to make work boots not stink. While dogs are often considered man's best friend, work boots should be close by! You wear them all day, every day and they help you get through all conditions in comfort.
After a tiring day at work, it's no wonder your boots don't smell fresh. However, there are some simple best practices you can follow to minimize "odor" and prevent your boots from developing serious odors.
This article discusses 6 ideas you can use to stop (or at least slow down) your bad shoe smell.
1. Choose the right boots
The most important (and obvious) best method for keeping your boots fresh is to buy the right work
boots in the first place. While modern work boots have offered a whole new level of protection and comfort thanks to features such as insulated liners and safety hoods, these features have also reduced the boots' breathability.
This means that your feet are likely to sweat more and sweat faster during your daily work. Some factors to consider before purchasing your next pair of boots include:
Composite toe caps do not conduct heat like steel toe caps and reduce the amount of sweat on your feet. Read the pros and cons of the two types here.
If you need insulated boots at work (for example, if you're working in a cold room), side-zip boots allow you to partially open the zipper if your feet overheat to allow for ventilation.
Leather is less breathable than synthetic mesh/fabric, so your feet will sweat more. If you need the benefits that leather boots offer, such as superior durability, make sure the tongue is some sort of synthetic mesh so that your feet are not completely blocked from the airflow.
Cheap synthetic leather is less breathable than natural leather, so generally not a good choice!
2. Keep your feet clean
Obviously, the main reason boots smell comes from perspiration on the feet. As sweat and moisture seep into the boot material, bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, humid conditions. Washing your feet regularly with antibacterial soap kills bacteria and the associated odor.
3. Change socks regularly and do not wear cotton socks.
Just like keeping your feet clean, changing your socks regularly for a fresh pair will reduce the build-up of foul-smelling bacteria. When choosing your work socks, avoid cotton if you can, as it will absorb moisture (including sweat) instead of wicking it away from the skin.
This makes them smell faster and makes your feet wet and uncomfortable. Wool or bamboo socks are the best for wicking away moisture, which is why soldiers generally opt for merino socks.
4. Alternative boots
In a previous post, we discussed how having a pair of boots and wearing them every other day will make your boots last longer by giving them a chance to dry properly after each wear.
Another benefit of this exercise, if your budget allows, is that moisture and sweat get a chance to evaporate, bacteria don't build up as quickly and your boots stay smelling fresh for longer.
5. Keep your boots in a bright and ventilated place
After each use, store your boots in a place where they can be well ventilated and dried. Bacteria thrive in dark, damp places, such as outdoor cabinets. To speed up the drying of your boots, you can stuff them with newspaper or socks filled with baking soda. There are a few more boot drying tips in this post.