No offence, but your running shoes probably stink. And FYI, that's nothing to be ashamed of — in fact, it signifies a lot of hard work, so congrats. But to save your (and your partner's/housemate's/family's) nostrils, it might be high time (and the polite thing to do) to invest in a shoe deodoriser.
Thanks to the sweaty feet/bacteria cocktail you cook up every time you train (mmm), odour is an inevitability when it comes to running shoes. But that's not to say you have to live with it.
From sprays, powders, smell-busting sachets and even fabric bananas (yes, really), there are myriad solutions to smelly trainers. The even better news? We put a bunch of them to the test to find those worthy of your favourite, if rather worn, footwear.
The best shoe deodorisers to shop now
1
Best for a fresh scent
Lemon Sole Natural Shoe Freshener & Deodoriser
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2
Best powder shoe deodoriser
Shoe Rescue Sport Foot and Shoe Powder
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3
Best pouch shoe deodorisers
Boot Bananas Original Shoe Deodorisers
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4
5
6
Best for sweaty shoes
SmellWell Odour Eliminating Air Purifying Bags (2 Pack)
Read more
7
8
Best for versatility
Granger's Odour Eliminator 100ml
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How do shoe deodorisers work?
Time for a quick science lesson: when your feet sweat, the moisture transfers from your running socks to the soft interior of your shoes, creating a petri-dish ideal for odour-causing bacteria. Ideally, you want to get rid of both the smell and the source of the smell — the bacteria.
Shoe deodorisers use active ingredients like charcoal, essential oils and sodium bicarbonate to neutralise nasty smells, rather than just mask with perfume. That's not to say plenty won't smell nice, as essential oils like lemon, tea tree and mint are also naturally anti-bacterial as well as odour-fighting. Some deodorisers use biocides, which are chemicals designed to control unwanted organisms such as bacteria, and some absorb the moisture bacteria needs to breed, effectively neutralising it.
Some ingredients, such as activated charcoal and bicarbonate of soda, absorb odour molecules, while anti-bacterial agents effectively kill and reduce the source of the problem. This fights the initial stench and, with regular use, limits the further build-up of bacteria.
The types of shoe deodoriser
There are a few different types of shoe deodoriser on the market, and the best one for you will depend on your needs. We've highlighted the main benefits and drawbacks below.
Sprays
Best for: Pungent shoes in need of some real TLC.
Pros
- Quick and easy to use
- Often fast-drying
- Tend to kill odour-causing bacteria rather than absorb or mask smell
- Budget-friendly
- Scented and non-scented options available
Cons
- Can be wasteful
- You'll need to re-stock more regularly
How to use: Spray inside the offending shoe, wait for it to dry, then be on your merry way.
Powders
Best for: Shoes soaking up sweat on the reg.
Pros
- Some kill bacteria as well as eliminate odour
- Affordable and cost-effective
- Often moonlight as foot powders too
- Can soak up small amounts of moisture
- Usually natural formulas
Cons
- Can be messy
- May discolour footwear over time
How to use: Sprinkle inside dry shoes then shake or tap gently to distribute.
Pouches
Best for: Preemptive measures: place in new shoes to stave off stink.
Pros
- Couldn't be easier to use
- Mess-free
- Often large and span the whole length of the shoe
- Absorb smells effectively (but may not kill bacteria)
- Some can draw out moisture
- More likely to employ natural ingredients like charcoal
- Long-lasting and versatile
Cons
- Need to give your shoes enough time between uses to deodorise
- Critical cases will need something with more oomph
How to use: Place inside shoes and leave to work their magic — usually at least overnight, ideally until their next wear.
Ball deodorisers
Best for: Long-term odour management and versatility.
Pros
- Long-lasting thanks to an open and close mechanism
- No mess or discolouration
- Great for chucking in gym bags
- Small enough to reach into nooks and crannies
- Versatile and easy to use
Cons
- Generally better for maintenance rather than tackling intense odours
- Re-stocking might get expensive
How to use: These usually have a twist mechanism to open and close the product. Simply twist open to activate and leave to do their thing, then twist close when you're done, ready for their next use.
How to get rid of smelly shoes
The best thing you can do is pop shoe deodorising pouches or balls in new footwear to give yourself the best chance of staying stench-free long-term. Then apply sprays or powders after sweaty sessions, and make sure at least one product you use has anti-bacterial properties.
When applying shoe deodorisers, remove any insoles and treat them separately, on both sides. And whatever you do, don't chuck your running shoes in the washing machine, use bleach or apply any household cleaners on them.
It's also worth remembering that no matter how much you stave off the stink, no running shoes will last forever. While taking care of them will secure you a little more wear, you should be replacing your running shoes every 300-500 miles.
How we tested shoe deodorisers
Being the RW team, we get through quite a few pairs of running shoes and we don't think it's rude to say our editors' feet aren't exactly daisy-fresh, given the sheer amount of marathons they run. Over months of use we trialled the shoe deodorisers below, using them in well-loved (but frankly fairly gross) runners, as well as fresh trainers to test how long they could hold off stench.
We also tested them on sweaty gym trainers and plasticky football boots (arguably the stinkiest sports shoe going), as well as chucking pouches inside gym bags, misting bike helmets and even spraying down home gym equipment. The products below are the ones that made the cut (and gave our noses a much-needed break).
8 best shoe deodorisers to buy in 2024
Pros
- Antifungal and antibacterial
- Small and portable
- Refreshing scent
- Quick-drying
- Aluminium bottle is fully recyclable
Cons
- Small size not ideal if you're treating a lot of shoes
It's hard to find fault with this zesty spray and it's easily the one we reach for most. Six essential oils (lemongrass, tea tree, orange, bergamot, geranium and lemon eucalyptus) combine to make a powerful antibacterial and antifungal deodoriser that smells amazing too.
The lemony scent is quite strong — which we liked — and lasts fairly well but is by no means overpowering. One spray offers good distribution and is all you need per shoe, so use sparingly. It also works instantly, nixing odours in seconds and drying fast. We gave it five minutes just to be safe but on a hot day it would take no time at all.
There are no chemically fumes, and as it's a basic spray rather than a pressurised aerosol you don't feel like you're wasting any product. Despite the small size (60ml) it lasts an impressive 18 months if using it weekly — though as we've taken to spritzing it in all the shoes we can find, we're not sure it will make it.
Type | Shoe spray |
---|---|
Scent | Lemongrass |
Time needed to eliminate odour | It's almost instant — just let the spray dry |
Lifespan | 340 sprays / 18 months (when used weekly on one pair of shoes) |
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Pros
- No lasting scent
- Fast-acting
- Works on feet too
- Antibacterial properties
- Natural formula
Cons
- It's a bit messy — apply outdoors if you can
This nifty powder uses a combo of clay, sodium bicarb, arrowroot and essential oils to control bacteria and soak up excess moisture. Developed by a podiatrist, it's sensitive skin safe and as such can be used on feet too.
To use, place half to one level spoon in each shoe (there's a small spoon included), tap the heel and toe of the shoe against the floor to distribute, and voilà! You can use it immediately before and after wearing your shoes, as well as in-between for general maintenance. Just don't apply to sopping wet shoes.
The powder has a pleasant, clean tea tree scent which doesn't linger, and in just a few minutes after applying our shoes didn't smell of anything at all. Being powder it is messy to apply, particularly as the spoon comes embedded deep in the tub — but as the formula is all-natural this isn't a worry.
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Scent | Tea tree |
Time needed to eliminate odour | 1-2 days — for best results apply daily for one week then as needed |
Lifespan | Up to 6 months |
Pros
- Moisture indicator
- Neutralise and prevent odour
- Antimicrobial properties
- Moisture-absorbent
- Cotton outer skin is biodegradable
Cons
- A tad heavy (600g) so not ideal for gym bags
Were we initially drawn to these purely because of how ridiculous they look? Sure. But luckily these don't just look the part — and no, they don't smell of banana.
These were the most perfumed of the shoe deodorisers we tried, but that's not to say they're cloying — just a light reminder of the scent lingers in any shoes you treat.
While the fragrance (lightly floral but still fresh) may not be for everyone, the stink-busting prowess of these babies will be. We were seriously impressed by their abilities to neutralise odour in some pretty fruity footwear — no mean feat for pouch-style deodorisers. After leaving overnight there was no trace of odour whatsoever.
A carabiner hook keeps your bananas in a pair, but the standout feature is their gradual colour change over time. Just like real bananas, these slowly turn brown — but only as they're exposed to excess sweat, so you know how often you're using them with damp footwear. Don't worry, they still work when they're brown and only need to be replaced once you notice they're no longer deodorising.
Also available as a lighter option, ideal for travel/your gym bag.
Type | Pouch inserts |
---|---|
Scent | Lavender, lemon, patchouli and tea tree |
Time needed to eliminate odour | They work fast, but for best results leave in until your next wear |
Lifespan | 6-12 months |
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Pros
- Quick-drying
- 24-hour odour control
- Doubles as a foot anti-perspirant
- Great for critical cases
- Effective against sweat, odour and bacteria
Cons
- Shorter lifespan than most
This is basically one of those prescription-strength deodorants but for your shoes. It means serious business and gets the job done. In just half an hour this worked previously unknown levels of magic on some some truly foul football boots, but is also a brilliant maintenance spray for any footwear.
Effective against sweat, odour and bacteria, this can be used on both feet and shoes pre- and post-activity to ensure freshness mile after mile. As such it's ideal for those who sweat a lot or for long-distance events. Just spray inside shoes 2-3 seconds before and after wear.
The scent is faintly tea tree-ish but for the most part it just smells clean and leaves shoes that way too. The aerosol does feel a bit wasteful but you also get great coverage with this kind of spray.
Be careful where and how close you apply (aim for around 20cm), as you might end up with a white cast on your shoe's collar otherwise — if this does occur simply wipe it off.
Type | Foot and shoe aerosol spray |
---|---|
Scent | Neutral/tea tree |
Time needed to eliminate odour | Use pre-exercise for 24-hour odour control |
Lifespan | Should last a couple of months |
Pros
- Charcoal absorbs odour
- Unscented for a neutral result
- Can be composted once they've stopped working
- Span the full length of the shoe
- Can be recharged! Simply leave them in the sun
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy odours
These charcoal-based shoe deodorising pouches absorb moisture to leave your shoes smelling of absolutely nothing — the dream. The inserts themselves don't smell of anything either, so these are ideal for those with sensitive noses, plus they're nice and long so can extend the length of the sole.
That said, they didn't do much for a particularly stinky pair of football boots, but they took light odour out of some new-ish running shoes and kept them stink-free for the rest of their days (an impressive feat). Plus the beads inside aren't packed in, so you can mould the pouches to fit exactly where you want inside your shoes.
For best results leave them in shoes overnight or simply when you're not using them — it will help footwear retain its shape too — and recharge the pouches in the sun every couple of months to keep them fighting fit. And once they've stopped working you can compost them!
And if that wasn't enough, the brand have tossed in a free pair of nail clippers with every purchase so you can keep your foot health game strong.
Type | Charcoal pouch |
---|---|
Scent | Unscented |
Time needed to eliminate odour | Leave them overnight |
Lifespan | Up to a year |
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Pros
- Moisture-absorbing
- A range of designs
- Natural formula
- Will last longer if you recharge them in the sun
- Versatile — chuck in gym bags, gloves, the car...
Cons
- Not as large as other pouches
We've long looked to SmellWell's handy little pouches for taking the funk out of gym bags, and they're ideal for sweaty shoes too. Naturally antibacterial and moisture-absorbing ingredients such as bamboo charcoal and specially selected minerals essentially eliminate the environment bacteria needs to thrive — clever stuff.
The scent is described as neutral but we thought it was more along clean, 'cotton fresh' lines — no issues there — but for the most part odour is simply absorbed and little scent lingers once you remove the pouches.
We used these in slightly damp shoes and while they probably would have dried naturally overnight anyway, these guaranteed we didn't get a whiff of that wet dog smell the next morning.
They are smaller than the Shoe Ninjas or Boot Bananas so if you want more coverage in your shoe you're probably better off going for those — that said, they do the job very well and the scent is quite pungent and clearly travels. Plus they're available in a range of other designs.
Type | Charcoal pouch |
---|---|
Scent | Neutral/cotton fresh |
Time needed to eliminate odour | Leave overnight — severe cases may need a couple of days |
Lifespan | 6 months (or up to two years if you recharge them) |
Pros
- Three odour-fighting levels to choose from
- Kills bacteria
- Moisture-absorbing
- Compact and portable
- Twist close to preserve freshness
Cons
- The scent may not appeal to everyone
If you're among the whiter-than-white trainers tribe, you're likely familiar with Crep Protect. The brand's cult shoe protector spray keeps liquids, dirt and grime from building up on your footwear for an always-fresh look. But did you know they also make a brilliant shoe deodoriser?
These pleasingly-shaped 'pills' are a take on the ball deodoriser, but because of that extra length, the brand has been able to fit in a clever three-tier system, so you can activate the level of odour-control you require on any given day.
Sold in pairs, the Refresher Pills are quite small — about 8.5cm long — and expand as you unscrew them. You simply twist once, twice or three times, depending on what level of odour-busting you're in need of, then twist closed once you're done to preserve their freshness. There's even a fragrance indicator so you know how much life they have left.
The scent, described as 'fresh cotton,' is more reminiscent of factory-fresh trainers — a slightly artificial clean smell. It's not unpleasant, but unlike more natural, essential-oil based products.
Given the slightly gimmicky packaging we were sceptical of these, but they really surprised us; they brought several pairs of previously thought lost causes back to life, absorb moisture well and replace pong with the aforementioned 'box fresh' scent. We'd stick to sprays for truly stinky shoes, but these are great for middling cases and maintenance.
Type | Ball deodoriser |
---|---|
Scent | Fresh cotton |
Time needed to eliminate odour | Dependent on the level you select, but we'd recommend leaving overnight |
Lifespan | Up to 2 years |
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Pros
- Can be used on a range of gear
- Neutralises odours
- Suitable for breathable and water-repellent uppers
- 100% recycled and recyclable bottle
- Manufactured to Bluesign environmental standards
Cons
- Takes a while to dry
If you're after a do-all product you can chuck in with your adventure gear, this it it. Use it on shoes, helmets, gloves, shin pads, sleeping bags and even clothing between washes to keep things fresh when mother nature may not be on your side.
The instructions are fairly scant but we sprayed into shoes from around 10cm away and left them to dry — which did take a bit longer than with some other products. Results-wise we couldn't fault the effectiveness — all odours were untraceable by the next day and only a slight artificial scent lingered, but it's not like the smell will reach your nostrils anyway.
The formula is safe for both breathable membranes and water-repellent finishes so ideal for trail runners or outdoorsy folk in general. Also available in a larger 275ml size.
Type | Spray |
---|---|
Scent | Neutral |
Time needed to eliminate odour | Wait until fully dry for best results |
Lifespan | 100ml should last a couple of months |