Eliminating shoe odour – at a glance
- Shoe odour is caused by bacteria breaking down sweat, not sweat itself.
- Moisture control is the most effective way to prevent smells developing.
- Drying, sock choice and routine hygiene make a noticeable difference.
- Footwear materials and design can help reduce the conditions that allow odour to build up.
Why do safety shoes sometimes have a “new shoe” smell?
Shoes can have their own odour when new due to the materials used during manufacture, and this can be more noticeable when those materials come into contact with adhesives.
If shoes are stored in a shoebox for long periods, the smell can become stronger, but it typically fades after a day or two out of the box.
How uvex helps minimise manufacturing-related odour
At uvex, material selection is aimed at keeping safety shoes as odour-neutral as possible, including avoiding unnecessary use of adhesives and keeping them to a minimum. For many work shoes, uvex uses a direct soling process that can remove the need for adhesive when attaching the outsole. During production, the polyurethane outsole is foamed directly onto the upper, helping to make uvex safety shoes largely odourless from the start.
Our direct soling process allows us to completely do away with the need for adhesive when attaching the outsole.
What causes shoe odour?
Most shoe odour develops during wear. Over the course of a working day, footwear has to absorb significant quantities of sweat — during an 8–10 hour day, the human foot can produce up to 200 ml of sweat.
Your footwear must handle this moisture in multiple ways:
- Some moisture is converted to vapour and released through the upper materials
- Some is retained inside the shoe components (lining, upper, insole and footbed)
Sweat doesn’t smell — bacteria do
Sweat itself is odourless. Unpleasant odours arise when sweat comes into contact with bacteria. Once shoes become sweaty, the warm and humid environment inside the shoe supports the growth of bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms break down sweat and create by-products (including fatty acids), which cause the smell.
During a working day, the human foot can product up to 200ml of sweat
How can I prevent unpleasant shoe odour?
The most effective approach is to reduce moisture build-up and limit the conditions that bacteria prefer. Use the checklist below as a practical daily routine.
Shoe odour prevention checklist
✓ Choose work shoes with the right ventilation for your workplace.
✓ Give shoes enough time to dry out completely between uses.
✓ Always wear safety shoes with socks/stockings with good moisture-wicking properties.
✓ Change socks every day (and consider a spare pair for long shifts).
✓ Rotate between two pairs of shoes, where possible, to allow full drying time.
✓ Consider a second pair of original insoles to alternate while the other pair dries.
✓ Wash insoles by hand at 30°C if they’re very dirty.
✓ Replace insoles regularly, as they can retain moisture and bacteria over time.
uvex safety footwear solutions
In addition to good foot care and drying routines, footwear design can help reduce odour by limiting moisture build-up and improving climate control inside the shoe.
Breathable materials can help moisture escape
Breathable linings and upper materials can allow water vapour to permeate through the material. Closed shoes prevent sweat from dissipating, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive and generate odours.
Insoles can support comfort and hygiene
Insoles can absorb moisture, helping to remove it from the skin’s surface and improving comfort — while also reducing the damp conditions bacteria prefer.
Perforated, breathable uppers
uvex offers safety shoes that use perforated, breathable microvelour uppers, designed to help heat and moisture evaporate more easily and keep feet cooler and more comfortable.
Conclusion
Shoe odour is not caused by sweat alone, but by the bacteria that develop when moisture is trapped inside footwear. For people wearing safety shoes all day - especially in warm, active or enclosed environments - managing moisture and hygiene is essential.
By allowing footwear to dry fully between uses, maintaining good foot hygiene, and choosing safety shoes designed to support breathability and moisture control, unpleasant odours can be significantly reduced - improving comfort, confidence and day-to-day wearability at work.
FAQ's
Shoe odour is primarily caused by bacteria. Feet naturally sweat, and when moisture is trapped inside footwear, it creates the ideal warm environment for bacteria to grow. As bacteria break down sweat, they release unpleasant-smelling by-products.
Safety shoes are typically worn for long periods and in demanding environments. Increased sweating, limited ventilation, and exposure to heat or moisture can all contribute to higher bacterial growth, leading to stronger odours if shoes are not properly cared for.
Sweat itself is odourless. The smell develops when sweat comes into contact with bacteria on the skin and inside the shoe. Without moisture, bacteria cannot thrive, which is why keeping feet and footwear dry is so important.
Good hygiene and regular shoe care are key. Wearing breathable socks, allowing shoes to fully dry between uses, cleaning insoles regularly and choosing safety footwear with moisture‑wicking linings can all help prevent odour before it starts.
Yes. Wearing the same pair every day doesn’t give shoes enough time to dry out completely. Rotating between two pairs allows moisture to evaporate fully, helping to reduce bacterial growth and extend the life of the footwear.
They can. Removable insoles make it easier to air out shoes and keep them clean. Some insoles are designed with moisture‑absorbing or antibacterial properties, which can further help control odour.
In many cases, yes — but it requires consistent care. Regular drying, cleaning, and good foot hygiene can significantly reduce or eliminate odour. However, if bacteria have deeply penetrated worn materials, replacing insoles or shoes may be the most effective solution.
Not necessarily, but persistent odour can indicate excessive moisture and bacterial build‑up, which may affect comfort and hygiene over time. Proper care helps maintain both comfort and the performance of your safety footwear.