How to Stop Smelly Feet – Prevent Foot and Shoe Odor
Do you have a child who suffers from sweaty and smelly feet? Sweaty feet is an issue that spans all age groups, but if your child’s feet are sweating excessively then there are certain steps that you can take to reduce the sweat and the smell. Children’s feet sweat a lot. Did you know that a child’s foot sweats about 2-3 times more than an adult’s foot? I am going to show you how to stop smelly feet based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
I decided to create an article describing how to stop smelly feet because a lot of parents have asked me this exact same question at the children’s shoe store that I work for.
Moisture on your kids’ feet can create several problems, such as blisters, the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and fungus, such as athlete’s foot. I will show you what steps to take if your child is suffering from sweaty and smelly feet, and the most effective way to get rid of it.
What Causes Children’s Feet to Perspire More Than Others?
It is normal for the feet of some children and adults to perspire more than others. The issues come when excessive foot perspiration is in place since it can create foot and shoe discomfort. Wearing footwear with no breathability, tight-fitting shoes, and wearing the wrong type of socks are three main causes of this excessive foot perspiration.
Parents should avoid buying low-quality shoes made out of plastic, rubber or polyurethane. Investing in a good quality pair of shoes with breathable materials such as leather, cloth, canvas or newer mesh materials is highly recommended.
Children with sweaty feet wear out their shoes faster than expected, since the constant sweat will wear on the soft leather lining on the inside of the shoe. To significantly reduce or fully eliminate your kids’ smelly feet, we need to find shoes that are breathable and machine washable.
I am a firm believer that the type of shoes and socks that you choose for your children have a direct impact on how much your kids’ feet sweat and how bad they smell. It is important to choose shoes with breathable materials for your kids’ feet to breathe properly. Wearing the correct type of socks and shoes is the best way to significantly reduce or fully eliminate foot odor.
All of the shoes that I describe below are breathable, machine washable, and some of the models come with insoles that are infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals). Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
What Are the Best Shoes for Kids with Sweaty Feet?
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out if it can accommodate your child’s foot shape (medium, wide).
- Order the shoe style 3537 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Saylor by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop closure for easy on off
- Lightweight, water-friendly open mesh upper with rubberized overlays
- Oversized openings for easy-on
- Removable EVA sockliner with mesh overlay
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Saylor by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop closure for easy on off
- Lightweight, water-friendly open mesh upper with rubberized overlays
- Oversized openings for easy-on
- Removable EVA sockliner with mesh overlay
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Wader 21 by Geox on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Unique microporous membrane that absorbs and expels sweat while keeping water out
- Lightweight and flexible with padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Sprintye 16 by Geox on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- Lightweight and flexible with padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Buller by Geox on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop closure for easy on off
- Unique microporous membrane that absorbs and expels sweat while keeping water out
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Artin 2.0 by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- OrthoLite® memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 3570 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Heel Stabilizer – Long heel counter provides stability
- Velcro closure
- Machine washable
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style 3584 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Velocity by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style 1521 KAZ by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style M2P Player by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- OrthoLite® memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Check your kids’ feet and socks regularly to make sure that they don’t feel damp. You should always switch your children’s shoes and socks if they get wet as soon as possible. Avoid providing your child with synthetic socks since they don’t absorb or repel any moisture, and they don’t allow the foot to breathe properly.
What Socks Work Best for Children with Sweaty Feet?
Socks act as a barrier against irritation and infection, and they play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy. If your child is dealing with sweaty and smelly feet —check if the socks feel damp after your kids come home from school— start by taking a look at the fabric content of the sock. Breathable socks can make a world of difference.
Make sure the socks are made out of high-quality materials, such as wool and merino. These fabrics wick away the moisture and allow the feet to breathe. The fibers that absorb and repel the most moisture are wool and merino.
Is Your Child Already Wearing Breathable Shoes and Socks?
Now, some children might be wearing the correct pair of breathable shoes with the correct type of socks. If this is the case with your child, then I will show you a product that has proven to reduce, and in some cases completely eliminate foot odor and smelly feet.
There is a Natural Shoe Deodorizer that we sell at the store that has worked wonders for parents and children that have smelly feet. The deodorant fights foot odor and deodorizes shoes by eliminating bad odor caused by sweat and bacteria. It works in all types of sports shoes and sneakers.
The Best Product to Stop Smelly Feet
The product is made of essential oils of mint, eucalyptus, tea tree and thyme. We have carried many different products that fight foot and shoe odors and none of them have come even close to the success of this product. This foot spray is the best solution for your kids’ sweaty, smelly feet.
- Order the foot and shoe deodorizer spray by Rocket Pure Store on Amazon.
- This extra strength formula removes and prevents bad odors, leaving your child’s shoes smelling great.
- Simply spray directly onto your child’s shoes or feet for instant odor elimination. The formula dries quickly, so there’s no need to wait for it to absorb.
- Made of natural ingredients.
The Problem with Excessive Sweating – Let’s Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy!
Did you know that excessive sweating can create serious problems for your kids’ feet? When kids’ feet sweat excessively it can lead to secondary infections and several skin problems to their feet.
Some of these complications include:
- The constant moisture in their feet makes them more vulnerable to developing foot issues since the skin might become wrinkled and cracked, which can cause the feet to become tender and painful.
- The feet become itchy which is often caused by athlete’s foot.
- Blisters might start appearing since sore skin leads to blisters.
- Fungal infections.
- Social and emotional effects such as stress. Sweaty, smelly feet can easily cause embarrassing situations for your child.
Here are some guidelines on how to prevent sweaty feet:
- Provide your child with high-quality socks that absorb moisture such as wool and merino socks.
- Provide your child with quality footwear with breathable materials such as leather, cloth, canvas or newer mesh materials.
- Provide your child with machine-washable shoes and antibacterial insoles.
- Provide your child with the right shoe size and avoid tight-fitting shoes.
- Wash and dry your kids’ feet everyday.
- Change your kids’ socks as soon as they start feeling wet.
Children’s feet are always on the move and bacteria thrive because of it. That’s why proper foot odor control starts with helping your children wash their feet thoroughly. Make an effort to keep your little one’s feet as dry and clean as possible. Switch your kids’ socks twice a day if they are damp. Buy properly fitted shoes with breathable materials to provide proper air circulation to avoid bacteria to grow.
Is your child suffering from sweaty, smelly feet? Have you found a particular shoe style or product to get rid of the problem? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
Hi there, any advice on how to prevent my daughter’s shoes insoles from getting so smelly? They are specially made for her flat feet so i dont want to ruin them by over washing but her feet are really starting to smell probably because the insoles are absorbing sweat etc. Should she wear socks with insoles and shoes all together?
Tara,
She must wear socks with her everyday shoes. Socks act as a barrier between our feet and the shoes, and prevent the development of bacteria inside the shoes. Socks also help against irritation and infection. The reason why your child’s insoles are smelling so much is probably because your daughter is not wearing socks with her shoes, but also make sure the shoes she is wearing are breathable.
Take a look at a post I wrote where I describe the best socks for kids with sweaty feet:
The Best Socks for Kids with Sweaty Feet – PREVENT Your Kids’ Feet from Smelling!
I hope this helps!
I can see where I’m going to have to change some of my habits for footwear, first thing is buying good quality shoes and also buying moisture absorbing sock like merino or wool, I always thought heavy socks would be worse. Like they say you learn something new every day.
Wayne,
I am glad you learned something new. You have the right concept, good quality shoes and moisture absorbing socks will definitely reduce most of the odor. However, if after trying that the smell persists, I would advise you try the shoe deodorizer.
Great post. There are a couple of culprits in our house with smelly feet so the Natural Shoe Deodorizer is going to be perfect for us. I don’t normally suffer from smelly feet myself but I do have an old pair of slippers that I am really fond of that are starting to smell. Any idea how I might prolong the life of these without having to throw them out?
It will really depend on what type of slippers you have, and the material they are made of in order to know if they are machine washable. I use the shoe deodorizer in most footwear and it has done wonders. I would advise you to try it, and if you do, get backat me telling me how it worked.
Hey, I tell you something that has worked quite well for me to reduce foot odour. I have started using that natural crystal deodorant directly on my feet. I have been using it on my armpits for years, but only a few months ago did I think to put it on my feet. So what I do is after I have had my shower and got dressed, I wet the end of the crystal deodorant stick and then sit down and wipe it all around my feet. Then I put my socks on and go about my day. My feet are far less smelly when I do that. Have you tried it?
Marcus,
Great advise that hopefully a lot of people will benefit from. I have not tried your method, since once I started using the Natural Shoe Deodorizer it has freshen my feet and eliminated bad odors caused by sweat and bacteria. I was very excited to find this product, it really works!
My girlfriend constantly complain about the smell of my shoes… to be completly honest… I just doesn´t smell it LOL
But this tips will help me a lot to at least stop her complaining, haha.
Let me ask you something… do you know about some brands to buy good socks to prevent smell?
Kevin,
It has happened to me as well, but it wasn’t my girlfriend who warned me, it was my mother. If you are looking for a pair of seamless socks for women you should take a look at this resource: Best Seamless Socks for Women — Seamless, Breathable, and Durable!
haha this is such a good idea. I remember one of my friends came over and when he took off his shoes, I couldn’t breathe at all!!!! lol but the thing is I couldn’t tell him that he smelt so bad haha
maybe i should give it to him as his brithday gift
Hayden,
This product sounds like the perfect birthday gift for your friend. Smelly feet can be embarrassing to some people and hopefully he will find a way to prevent it or reduce it.