Almost anyone who has put in a hard day of manual labor will have experienced the unfortunate scent created by confining sweating feet to a shoe for a full workday. You might be wondering why your work boots smell so bad at the end of the day – sure your feet are sweating but your footwear smells so much worse than your other clothing. You may also be wondering if there is a solution to prevent your shoes from smelling. Wouldn’t it be nice to kick your boots off at the end of the day and have them not stink up your car or mudroom?
Let’s start with why your work boots smell so bad in the first place.
Sweating is a normal and natural bodily function that occurs when it’s hot or you’re participating in strenuous activity. The soles of your feet actually have a greater concentration of sweat glands than any other part of the body. It is no wonder then that when we have to confine our feet to closed-toe work boots all day long that it creates the perfect warm and moist environment for the bacteria that cause the bad odor to thrive.
So are smelly work boots unavoidable? No, and we’ve assembled a list of things you can do to prevent your work boots from smelling.
Removable insoles – The most important thing you can do to prevent your work boots from smelling bad is to purchase work boots with removable insoles. Insoles are usually made of polyurethane and BUCKS® work boots are no exception. We use removable polyurethane insoles because it is the best material for foot comfort and durability. It is also a highly permeable material meaning it absorbs moisture to help keep your feet dry. But because it absorbs your foot’s sweat this is where the greatest concentration of bacterial growth will occur. That is why it is important to regularly wash your insoles by putting them in the washing machine for a cycle or soaking them in a baking soda and water mixture. If you don’t want to wash them between every single shift, you can at least remove the insoles while you’re not wearing your work boots so they have a chance to dry out between wears.
Moisture wicking lining – A moisture wicking lining like the Dri-Brelle® lining in BUCKS® footwear is another great defense against smelly work boots. The fabric is a one-way permeable lining that allows moisture from inside the boot (your sweat) to exit the boot while preventing water from outside the boot from coming in.
Sock material –You’ll want to avoid wearing socks made out of materials like cotton that will absorb sweat and stay wet. Wool is the best option because it can absorb sweat and stay feeling dry while also having great antibacterial properties essentially preventing bacteria growth right at the source. Another option is polyester blend synthetic fabrics intended for strenuous activity that use modern moisture-wicking technology.
Proper storage – Where your work boots stay between work shifts can have a significant impact on your efforts to keep them from smelling bad. You’ll want to keep them in a well-ventilated and dry area such as your air-conditioned home, as opposed to leaving them in your vehicle where the air does not circulate or on a porch where the humidity in the outdoor air can prevent them from drying out properly.
Baking soda – If you need a little extra help keeping your work boots smell-free it can also helpful to leave a cloth bag or sock with a scoop of baking soda or similar odor-absorbing powder like baby powder, cornstarch or talcum powder, in your work boot between work shifts.
Regular cleaning – A simple wipe inside your shoes with a damp, soapy cloth can kill the bacteria present preventing further growth resulting in less smelly work boots. Simple and effective and easy to do between work shifts. Just be sure they don’t get too wet and make sure they have time to fully dry before you need them next.