by If you are constantly worrying about smelly shoes because of your sweaty feet, you might be eager to try anything to keep the smell at bay. Your first and best defense, say the folk at ShoeFresh, should be a good shoe deodorant which will work to eliminate bad odors for up to three months at a time. But are there any specific shoes that are better for those with particularly smelly feet? Furthermore, is there anything else you can do to prevent your feet from smelling a bit funky?
Which Shoes are Best for Those with Smelly Feet?
We need to clear something up here. People do not have naturally smelly feet. What they might have are feet that sweat more than others do. You might be surprised to know that, per square inch, the feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body. And some people tend to sweat more than others for a variety of reasons. It could be due to hormonal reasons, being overweight, having a job in which they are on their feet all day, or because they have a medical condition that causes excess sweating (known as hyperhidrosis).
Whatever the reason, when feet get hot inside a pair of shoes, they can become very sweaty. It is in this warm and moist environment that bacteria grow. The bacteria thrive in this warm setting and will then begin to release an odor that can be quite unpleasant. Some shoes can make the conditions even worse.
For example, shoes made from a non-breathable fabric such as patent or plastic can trap sweat inside the feet and prevent air from flowing. Obviously, open shoes like sandals and flip-flops are good because the feet are allowed to breathe. Let’s face it though, these shoes are not always appropriate.
If you have particularly sweaty feet and want to avoid foot odor, you will need to look for shoes that allow your feet to breath. As an example, when buying sneakers, look for those that are made from a breathable mesh fabric as these allow air to flow and keep your feet cool. Canvas and leather are also good choices for shoes. But there are other things you can do too to keep smells at bay.
How to Prevent Foot Odor
As mentioned above, spraying a clean pair of shoes with a good deodorizer spray can keep odors at bay for a few months. You can also take other preventative measures, such as wearing special moisture-wicking socks and alternating your shoes so that bacteria do not have that warm, moist atmosphere in which they thrive.
Take your shoes off when you get home. Remove your socks and then give your feet a quick wash. Make sure your feet are fully dry before you pop on a new pair. Never wear your shoes in the house for any length of time. If it is not too cold, get into the habit of wearing sandals, sliders, or open-toe slippers when at home. The more your feet are allowed to breathe, the less sweaty and smelly they are likely to be.
When out and about in hot weather, be sure to stay hydrated as dehydration can make it more likely that you will become sweaty. Drinking a lot of water allows your body to regulate its temperature better, and it reduces the chances of sweating.
Conclusion
There is not much you can do to prevent your feet from sweating, but you can inhibit bacteria from accumulating and giving off a bad smell by wearing the right shoes and spraying them with a good deodorizer.
