Smelly football boots are dealt with by drying them: take the insole out, let the boots air and put on clean, dry socks after every session. The smell comes from bacteria, which break sweat down in a warm, damp boot.
The methods below are rules of thumb and not research. We found no scientific evidence for any individual method, so we say so where that matters.
Why do football boots smell?
Sweat itself does not smell. Bacteria break the sweat down into odour compounds. Warm, damp boots are a good breeding ground for that, and dead skin and dirt add to it.
A boot that stays wet gives bacteria the best chance. That is why a bag left zipped up in the boot room or the car boot after a rainy training session is where the problem starts.
What can you do about smelly football boots?
- Take the insole and laces out after every session.
- Let the boots dry in an airy place, not in a closed kit bag.
- Stuff them with newspaper or a dry cloth and replace it as it gets damp. We found no research that backs this up, but it is common practice and it is on our page about washing and drying football boots.
- Change into clean, dry socks. Cotton socks are mentioned in some sources, but we found no evidence that they are better.
- Clean the insole with a damp cloth and soap, and let it dry fully.
Do not use a hairdryer, a radiator or a tumble dryer, because heat can damage the glue.
How do you get the smell out of football boots?
Many people use bicarbonate of soda: leave it in the boot overnight. Vinegar also comes up in sources. It remains practical advice and is not clinically proven.
A night in the freezer is also mentioned, but that is unproven.
Can you wash smelly football boots?
Better not in the washing machine. Some brands say never to machine wash their boots, because glue and attachments can be damaged. No brand advises the tumble dryer.
For how to clean them properly, see our page on washing and drying football boots. Leather and synthetic react differently to water and cleaning, as our guide to leather or synthetic football boots explains.
What helps if the smell keeps coming back?
The smell may also sit in the insole or in your socks. Those are practical things to check. If the problem stays, or you have complaints about your feet such as blisters that keep coming back, see your GP or a podiatrist. Our page on preventing blisters in football boots covers the friction side.
Can a better fit help against smelly boots?
Possibly, though we cannot prove it. A boot that fits badly rubs and can make your feet sweat in the same spots. Choose your next boot with a model that suits your foot, see how football boots should fit. The football boot adviser can help you narrow that down.
A routine for after every match or training session
Keep it simple and do it every time. Take the boots out of your kit bag as soon as you get home, pull out the insole, loosen the laces and open the tongue. Knock off loose mud, and leave the boots in a room that is dry and not hot. Put your socks in the wash. The next day the insole goes back in, once it is properly dry.
This routine takes a couple of minutes and is the one thing that is consistent across the sources. If you play several times a week, having a second pair to alternate between gives each pair longer to dry.