While a person can eliminate foot odour with the right hygiene products, that’s only half of the problem, as our footwear can soon take on undesirable smells too. So, to save you having to replace your trainers, boots or work shoes all the time – although that might sound more fun – you could opt for a trusty shoe deodorant.
These sprays, powders and pouches are made to both neutralise and banish stinky odours and work with a wide range of shoe materials from leather to canvas. When used regularly, they’ll keep your feet and your footwear fresh. All that’s left to do is find the perfect one for you and your kicks! So, why not have a read of our guide before checking out our recommendations?
There are various styles and features to think about when looking for a shoe deodoriser. In this section, we’ll look at the differences and consider which are best suited to different situations and their advantages and disadvantages.
The first place to start is the types of shoe deodoriser available. Generally, there are four styles: spray, ball pouch and powder. We’ll take a quick look at each individually to understand them better.
The very same nostalgic product used at the bowling alley, sprays are by far the most popular way to stay on top of foot odour as they get to work instantly. As with other deodorants, you mist the area, wait for it to dry and you’re good to go. Often, these are also a solid option if you’re shopping on a budget.
Furthermore, they come in both scented and unscented options should you prefer one or the other. The downside to a spray is that they’re a little bit wasteful because the nature of spraying means some will be lost to the air, meaning you’ll likely need to re-stock more frequently.
Balls are arguably even easier to use than sprays. All you need to do is twist them open, pop them in the shoes and leave them there. They’ll have an open and close function, which means that they have a longer life span, and there’s no mess or wetness meaning there’s no chance of harming or discolouring your shoes.
The issue with ball shoe deodorisers is, due to them requiring more expensive materials to make, they’re more expensive to buy. And, although they last for longer periods, topping them up every couple of months could soon add up.
Pouch shoe deodorisers are similar to balls in that they’re mess-free and simple to use. However, they're bigger, sometimes even spanning the whole length of the shoe for freshness from heel to toe. They’re also the most likely to use natural ingredients, such as charcoal, which is a good idea if you have sensitive skin on your feet.
These are another long-lasting option, with some companies claiming their pouches can work effectively for up to a year. They’re also a little more versatile, as they can be thrown in gym bags, gloves and other sports equipment. Again, though, they can be on the expensive side owing to this.
Finally, you have powders. These are typically very affordable and they often double up as deodorising foot powders, too. As you’d imagine, to use them, you sprinkle the powder onto the insole and it'll begin to neutralise and eliminate any unwanted smells.
The problem with powders is twofold. Firstly, as they're applied directly onto the shoe, they can discolour footwear over time, so if you’re trying to keep them fresh in every sense of the word, this might not be for you. Secondly, they can be a tad messy and it's often tricky to control how much you use.
Next, consider whether you want a scented or unscented product. Of course, this is down to personal preference, but each does have a couple of points worth considering.
In terms of scented, you don’t have the vast number of options that you would have for a regular deodorant, but there are still various choices, with the classic 'fresh' being the most popular. Others include mint, lemon or different citrus fruits.
When you opt for unscented, the deodoriser will tackle and eliminate the nasty odours. However, once they have done this, they will leave the shoe smelling natural, without any fabricated smell. Therefore, if you prefer a more natural smell, a fragrance-free formula will work best.
When picking up a shoe deodoriser, consider that some might be able to used to combat odour in other garments and accessories. For example, boxing or goalkeeper gloves pick up a sweaty smell that can transfer to your hands. Therefore, opting for a product that can work with both can be hugely beneficial.
Generally speaking, the most versatile products are pouches and balls. This is because they don’t create a mess and are easy to place in other objects. Plus, they’re unlikely to discolour any of the materials, which will be appreciated if you’d like to use them to deodorise something like a gym bag.
Lastly, if you are prone to ailments such as sensitive skin or athlete’s foot, then it would be wise to avoid adding any fuel to the fire, so to speak. The best way of doing this is by looking for natural products.
With regards to the products available, from our research, it seems that pouches are the most likely to have natural ingredients as they’re often made from absorbent clay or charcoal. However, if you’re not one for pouches, then you can look out for natural-based powders and sprays, although these are a little less common.
Now that you're a little more familiar with the various types of shoe deodorisers and some of the qualities to look out for, let's take a look at our recommendations. From powders to pouches, we have a style and a scent for everyone.
£9.99
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented - tea tree, mint, eucalyptus |
Other Uses | Feet, shoes, other sports gear |
Natural-Based | Yes |
£5.95
Type | Balls |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented - fresh |
Other Uses | All sports gear |
Natural-Based | No |
£14.00
Type | Pouch |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented - lavender, lemon, patchouli, tea tree |
Other Uses | Hanging |
Natural-Based | Yes |
£3.69
Type | Spray |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented - fresh |
Other Uses | No |
Natural-Based | No |
£6.46
Type | Pouch |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented, fresh |
Other Uses | All sports gear, lockers, cupboards, cars |
Natural-Based | Yes |
£4.28
Type | Spray |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented - fresh |
Other Uses | Feet and shoes |
Natural-Based | No |
£12.99
Type | Ball |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented - ocean fresh |
Other Uses | All sports gear, lockers, cupboards cars |
Natural-Based | No |
£9.90
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Unscented |
Other Uses | Feet and shoes |
Natural-Based | Yes |
£9.95
Type | Spray |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Scented - lemon |
Other Uses | No |
Natural-Based | Yes |
£7.99
Type | Pouch |
---|---|
Scented/ Unscented | Unscented |
Other Uses | All sports gear, lockers, cupboards cars |
Natural-Based | Yes |
Image | 1 ![]() Ellis Harper Store | 2 ![]() Lemon Sole | 3 ![]() Shoe Rescue | 4 ![]() Eco-Fused | 5 ![]() Odor-Eaters | 6 ![]() SmellWell | 7 ![]() Kiwi | 8 ![]() Boot Bananas | 9 ![]() Sneakerballs | 10 ![]() Eco Whiff |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Shoe Ninja | Natural Shoe Freshener | Foot and Shoe Powder | Deodorizing Balls | 24 Hour Antiperspirant Foot and Shoe Spray | Odour Eliminating Air Purifying Bags | Shoe Deodorizer Spray | Original Shoe Deodorisers | Shoe Freshener | Foot and Shoe Powder |
Features | Kick the Stink Out for an Entire Year | Kind to Your Feet, Earth and Animals | Invented by a Registered Podiatrist | A Large Multipack for a Shared Freshness | Ideal for Those Who Like to Work up a Sweat | Eliminate the Smell in Style | A Dual-Nozzle Spray to Zap From Heel to Toe | Fantastic Ingredients and a Lush Fragrance | Small Enough to Fit Wherever You Need Them | Freshen Up With a Natural Clay-Based Powder |
Price | £7.99 | £9.95 | £9.90 | £12.99 | £4.28 | £6.46 | £3.69 | £14.00 | £5.95 | £9.99 |
Type | Pouch | Spray | Powder | Ball | Spray | Pouch | Spray | Pouch | Balls | Powder |
Scented/ Unscented | Unscented | Scented - lemon | Unscented | Scented - ocean fresh | Scented - fresh | Scented, fresh | Scented - fresh | Scented - lavender, lemon, patchouli, tea tree | Scented - fresh | Scented - tea tree, mint, eucalyptus |
Other Uses | All sports gear, lockers, cupboards cars | No | Feet and shoes | All sports gear, lockers, cupboards cars | Feet and shoes | All sports gear, lockers, cupboards, cars | No | Hanging | All sports gear | Feet, shoes, other sports gear |
Natural-Based | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Link |
The only things more hard-working than our feet are the shoes we slip them into! Treat yourself to a freshening foot mask and comfortable insoles with our suggestions below. We've also ranked the best shoe polishes so you can give your favourite shoes a bit of love too.
A good deodoriser won't only keep your trainers, shoes and heels in top condition, but it will also help you avoid any embarrassing smelly feet situations if you keep on top of it. Therefore, we hope that after reading the buying guide and getting a little bit of knowledge, you're ready to take the plunge and keep your paws smelling fresh.
Author: Lewis Clark
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