Climbing shoe smell is mostly a moisture problem, so the fix is mostly drying: start with clean, dry feet, take your shoes out of the bag as soon as you're home, and let them dry fully before the next session. If you've ever unzipped your gym bag in a warm car and regretted it, you're in good company. The good news is that stinky shoes are not an inevitability.
This article is part of our climber's hand, hair and body care guide. One thing up front: we make bars for washing people, not shoes, and we make no odour claims for them. The facts here come from sources, listed at the end of the article.
Why do climbing shoes smell so much?
Because sweat, bacteria and a shoe that never quite dries are a perfect match. The main causes of smelly feet are a build-up of sweat and bacteria, and fungal infections such as athlete's foot. Bacteria thrive where it's moist and feed on sweat and dead skin cells, and the unpleasant odour comes from moisture.
Now think about a climbing shoe: snug all round, usually on a bare foot. The standard health advice for smelly feet is to avoid tight shoes and not to wear the same pair two days in a row. A climbing shoe breaks both rules by design. Picture Tuesday's shoes, zipped into a bag in the hallway, still damp on Thursday.
How do you stop climbing shoe smell before it starts?
Start with your feet, because they're easier to clean than your shoes. That's the advice from climbing shoe makers, who suggest bringing a rag or small towel. Climbing gyms give the same tip: wash or wipe your feet before your session.
Think about your day. You've been in work shoes since eight, and now those feet go straight into the tightest footwear you own. The standard health advice is to wash your feet at least once a day (with an antibacterial soap if you can), and dermatologists say to dry them completely afterwards. Give the gaps between your toes ten extra seconds.
As the founder of a brand that sells bars, I'll be honest: no bar of ours is going to fix a smelly shoe, and we don't make antibacterial or odour claims for them. For an antibacterial soap, ask a pharmacist. What a solid bar does do is travel well in a gym bag. Ours is one 3-in-1 bar for hair, body and face, with no cap to pop open next to your shoes and chalk.
Shampoo, body and face wash, all in one bar. Cooling, refreshing and designed for those always on the go.
Whatever you wash your feet with, the second habit is free: take your shoes off between attempts. You don't need them on while you stare at the problem.
How should you dry and store climbing shoes?
Out of the bag, opened up, somewhere cool and airy. The key is to minimise the moisture your shoes hold when you're not using them: air them after each session and don't leave them wrapped in a plastic bag or in a locker. Climbing gyms also say to undo the laces or velcro as soon as you've finished, and to hang the shoes somewhere cool and dry.
General foot health advice agrees: let shoes dry out before you wear them again. If you climb on back-to-back days, that's the argument for a second pair. Not everyone wants to buy two, we know, so at least clip them to the outside of your bag for the ride home.
What about speeding things up with heat? Don't. Hot temperatures can deform rubber, melt glue and delaminate rands, and shoe makers warn that shoes die in hot cars. We'd read that as a no to the radiator too. The gentler option is scrunched newspaper inside.
The gym bag is where it goes wrong: damp towel, damp shoes, and a shower gel bottle that picked today to leak. A solid bar can't leak. It does need to dry, though, just like your shoes, so keep it in a ventilated tin or mesh pouch. More in how to store a soap bar.
Shampoo, body and face wash, all in one bar. Keep your hair and skin healthy on the go. Monoï-infused scent with a touch of vanilla. Designed for those always on the go.
Same rule for everything in that bag: whatever went in wet comes out when you get home.
Can you wash climbing shoes?
Yes, by hand, in lukewarm water. On washing machines, the sources disagree. Here's how three care guides compare.
| Care guide from | Washing machine? | How to wash | How to dry |
|---|---|---|---|
| A climbing centre | Usually fine on a gentle, low temperature cycle; check with the manufacturer | If in doubt, by hand in lukewarm water with mild soap | Thoroughly but gently, then air |
| A climbing shoe maker | Not mentioned | Water and a soft brush inside, no soap, until the water runs clear | Air dry in the shade |
| A climbing gym | Never | Water, a soft brush and mild soap, inside and out | Out of the sun; 12 to 24 hours |
So hand washing is the one method nobody argues with. Check your shoe maker's instructions before anything bolder, and do it before a rest day.
Should you wear socks in climbing shoes?
In rental shoes, yes. In your own, it's up to you. Some climbing halls in the Netherlands state in their house rules that socks in rented climbing shoes are mandatory. We cover shared kit in bouldering hygiene.
For your own shoes, we couldn't find a study on whether socks reduce smell, so we won't claim they do. If you like a thin sock, dermatologists recommend fabrics that dry quickly or wick moisture away, changed whenever they get wet. So: a fresh pair, not the one you wore to work.
It all gets harder on a trip. A week in Fontainebleau means the same pair every day, so the evening routine matters: shoes out of the bag, opened up, in the shade, and (that hot car warning again) never left in a hot van if you're climbing by van. Trips are also where bag space gets tight, and where a 3-in-1 bar earns its place on format alone: one solid bar for hair, body and face, and it's not a liquid at airport security. Our climbing trip packing list has the rest, and can you take soap on a plane? covers flying.
Shampoo, body and face wash, all in one bar. Cooling, refreshing and designed for those always on the go.
Back to the shoes, because sometimes drying isn't the whole answer.
When is it more than smelly shoes?
When your feet itch, flake or crack, or when the smell just won't shift. Athlete's foot shows up as itchy white patches between the toes, or sore and flaky patches on the feet. It's unlikely to get better on its own, and pharmacy treatments take a few weeks to work. It's why we suggest flip-flops in climbing gym showers and changing rooms.
For smell on its own, a pharmacist can suggest foot deodorants, powders and medicated insoles, and the standard health advice is to see a GP if things haven't improved after treating them yourself. We're a bar brand, not doctors, so please do ask.
Summary
Climbing shoe smell comes from sweat, bacteria and moisture. What helps: clean, dry feet before you climb, shoes out of the bag straight after, no heat, and a gentle hand wash now and then. If your feet are itchy or flaky, talk to a pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Why do climbing shoes smell worse than other shoes?
Smelly feet are mainly caused by a build-up of sweat and bacteria, and the standard health advice is to avoid tight shoes. Climbing shoes are tight and often worn again before they've dried.
How do you get the smell out of climbing shoes?
Mostly by drying them, because the smell is mostly a moisture problem. Start with clean, dry feet, take your shoes out of the bag as soon as you're home, and let them dry fully before the next session. A gentle hand wash now and then helps too.
Should I wash my feet before climbing?
Yes, if you can. Climbing shoe makers and climbing gyms both suggest washing or wiping your feet before a session, because feet are easier to clean than shoes. Dry them completely afterwards, including the gaps between your toes.
Could smelly feet be athlete's foot?
They can be. Fungal infections such as athlete's foot are one of the main causes of smelly feet. Itchy white patches between the toes are a sign. A pharmacist can recommend a treatment.
Can I put climbing shoes in the washing machine?
Sources disagree. One care guide says shoes can usually withstand a gentle, low temperature cycle if the manufacturer agrees. Another says never. Hand washing is the safe middle.
How long do climbing shoes take to dry after washing?
One care guide gives 12 to 24 hours, out of the sun. That's why it makes sense to wash them before a rest day.
Can I dry climbing shoes on a radiator or in the sun?
We wouldn't. Heat can deform rubber and melt glue, and shoe makers say to air dry in the shade.
Do deodorising inserts and sprays help with climbing shoe smell?
One climbing centre's care guide says a moisture-absorbing insert or an occasional antibacterial spray can be worthwhile. Treat them as an extra on top of drying.
Do you have to wear socks in rental climbing shoes?
In some climbing halls, yes: their house rules make socks in rented climbing shoes mandatory. In your own shoes, it's up to you.
Do socks stop climbing shoes from smelling?
We couldn't find a study on whether socks reduce smell, so we won't claim they do. If you like a thin sock, pick a fabric that dries quickly or wicks moisture away, and change it whenever it gets wet.
Sources
The facts in this article are based on the sources below, checked in October 2026.
- Smelly feet. NHS, 2025.
- How To Get Rid of Smelly Feet: 8 Home Remedies That Work. Cleveland Clinic, 2025.
- Athlete's foot. NHS, 2024.
- How to prevent athlete's foot. American Academy of Dermatology, accessed 2026.
- Shoe care and maintenance. The Castle Climbing Centre, accessed 2026.
- Summer Rock Shoe Care. SCARPA UK, accessed 2026.
- How to Care for Your Climbing Shoes. Movement Gyms, 2026.
- House rules. Climbing Network, accessed 2026.
