J-McKech

I have a pair of Sidi Genius 4's and I ride with no socks. How in the hell can I get the funk out? I have tried odor eatters but it doesn't seem to help, just kind of mixes with the funk smell. Ya'll know any home-grown techniques?

Patriot

Sounds like you may have some athletes foot that is depositting some fungus or bacteria into the shoe. If that is the case, you would need to sanitize it to kill the bacteria and fungus. Soaking them for a while in a strong cleaning solution would help. Plain shoe powder won't do it. You'll need something pretty strong.
I had athletes foot for almost a year once, and never even realized it. It doesn't always itch, but will have sort of a soft skin effect between your toes.

Personally, I recommend wearing socks with your shoes, as it is much cleaner and you have less chance of developing problems like this. if you race alot and like to race without them, then you can just train with socks, and remove them, or have a seperate pair of shoes just for racing.

spazegun2213

I'll agree with Patriot, ride with socks, they are worth it. And my college point of view if fabreez does not get it out... then soak them in some cleaning sloution if you dare.

good luck getting the funk out.

55/Rad

Lysol - like they use on the rentals at the bowling alley.

55/Rad

HigherGround

When I need to get the funk out, I usually opt for James Brown. "Get Up Offa That Thing" works particularly well for climbing hills, or for winding up my 2 year old nephew before giving him back to my sister.

superstator

That's totally what I though this thread was going to be when I clicked on it. Good God!


When I've seriously polluted a pair of shoes like that, the only thing I've found that worked was a combination of some antibacterial powder like Desinex (sp?) followed by lots of baking soda to dry it out and abosrb the stench. You could try dusting them with some powdered bleach maybe, or seeing if the local nuclear plant would irradiate them for you...

g8000

You obviously ride with no socks for the look; you should consider "no-show" socks. They're shorter than the shoe line

J-McKech

I don't ride for the "no-show" look. Thats the most ******** thing I have ever read. Don't post unless you have something of value to contribute.

Thanks guys, I don't think its athletes' foot but always could. I think superstators' idea seems to be the best bet. I'll throw some of the strongest antibacterial powder in there. See what happens.

timhines

When I worked for a rafting company at the end of the day we would dip all the life jackets into a bucket of water mixed with Clorox. My boss, a Vietnam Vet, sometimes would take his shoes off and dip his feet in. Said it always took care of athletes foot.

ALthough I have no idea why i posted that, I don't rec. you putting your shoes in clorox. My vote goes with Lysol, if its good enough for the CDC, then it's good enough for me.

Bolo Grubb

I keep a dyer sheet in each shoe when not wearing them. I read a tip somewhere that suggested putting a dyer sheet under the seat of your car to keep it smelling better. Seems to work.

I also spray my shoes with lysol sometimes after a long hot ride

skunkty14

I used to put baking soda in the bottom of my running shoes and soccer cleats. It cuts down on funk and helps absorb some of the moisture in there. I'd leave it in sometime afterwards or just dump it out. Might be a problem if you're going bare foot in your shoes, unless the powder is fine enough if doesn't bother your feet while riding.

forum*rider

take a piece of charcoal and break it in half. Take those pieces and put it in a piece of cloth(old rag, t-shirt, pantyhose whatever) and stick it in the toe of each shoe.

The charcoal absorbs the stench and sucks up moisture too. I do this with my tackle box so everything doesn't stink like powerbait.

webist

That was certainly friendly and an excellent example of withholding posts unless something of value was said.

soda

LOL I agree. I actually think one of the more ******** things I have ever read is that someone in this post said something about riding withOUT socks. WTF??? Why anyone would want to ride without socks is beyone me. Wear socks.

*please stay tuned to this thread for more hostility from HH--it just might make you smile*

ed073

wear socks.

HigherGround

Yeah, sorry for indulging in the obvious joke. But the "Good God" was a nice touch! For better or worse, I haven't had problems with my cycling shoes stinking. My every day work shoes, on the other hand... let's just say I don't take them off in the company of others!

boze

ride with no socks???

man- i didn't read this whole thread but i've never understood how men can not wear socks with anything more substantial than sandles. yick...

Mojo GoGo

I've never tried it on my shoes (as my feet don't smell ) but you could try one of the many enzymatic solutions such as Nature's Miracle that are available at grocery and pet stores for removing pet "accident" odors. I figure if it can hide marking smells from a cat or dog it's probably strong enough to kill your foot odor. If nothing else it's worth a try...

J-McKech

Maybe I was a little out of line when I responded to his comment about wearing no-show socks and I apologize for that. If you haven't ever ridden with no socks then you don't know what your missing. I do most of my sports related activities sockless. Football sockless, baseball sockless. You don't wear underwear under your cycling shorts now do you?

forum*rider

HammerTheHill, socks are you'r friend. They keep you'r feet warm and they soak up sweat so you'r shoes don't smeel like old cheese.


Anyway, if they still stink after trying the stuff we posted I would recommend burning the current pair and then burying the ashes. Then buy yourself some new shoes and wear socks

J-McKech

I have socks which I love very much, sometimes I just don't see the point in wearing them all the time. but hey! if it gets the funk out I'll wear them. I don't think I could force myself to burn my sidi's

Drayko

To get the smell out you need to just take care of your shoes. After you ride be sure to keep them in a warm, well aired area to dry. Keeping them opened up and out in the sun will do. And then try not to store them in a closet or at the bottom of a gym bag. I always follow this with my climbing shoes (worn with no socks and are much tighter than any cycling shoes I've worn) and this keeps them okay. Hoever just wearing the shoes with no socks will make them smell more than with socks simply because the shoe is absorbing all the sweat from your feet instead of a sock which is changed (hopefully ) and cleaned often.

ed073

Climbing shoes?? Now I've heard everything.....oh hang on....you mean shoes for rock-climbing?? I thought you had different shoes depending on the parcours.....lol.

cale

I would suggest just the opposite. Keep them in plastic bags. Preferably zip lock bags. Store them out of doors. Someplace where they can't be found. If these shoes are as stinky as you suggest, then nobody should be subjected to their stench.