Would like to know your tips/tricks/hacks on reducing odors in skates.
On the bright side, you know you're working hard when your skates start to stink.
Never skate barefoot. Always skate in at least a tight/stocking/thin pair of breathable socks.
Do not leave them in your bag for long periods of time. I always have mine out with the laces very loose and the tongue pulled out to let them air out, sometimes even turn them upside down to dry (after the blade and sole is dry, that is).
I've been known to sprinkle a bit of baking soda inside mine to neutralize and cut down on moisture inside of them after I skated.
You can also look into something like this: https://shoprainbo.com/boys-men/ska.../deoderizor-cinnamon-stinkeez-boot-skate.html
You probably hit on one big reason for my stinky skates. I leave my skates in my locker at the rink. Of course, I've dried them off and pulled the tongue out, etc., but they do they end up sitting in an enclosed space the entire time in between each skating session.
I never skate barefoot, I wear skating tights and Mondor knee highs. The thing is, nylon is actually not breathable. I also recently started using bunga ankle sleeves which get sweaty, but I rub those down with hand sanitizer every once in a while.
I'll try your baking soda idea---I'll start with the least expensive solutions first. Some questions: do you apply the baking soda in powdered form directly to the interior surface of the boot? Do you do it before or after skating? Does it "get everywhere", or leave residues?
For the Stinkeez, how long do they last before you have to change them?
Many thanks.
First of all, I wasn't referring to nylons which are not breathable, I was referring to specialized skating tights.
Mondor knee-highs ARE specialized skating tights. Specialized skating tights aren't any more breathable than specialized dance tights or other tights made out of nylon/lycra/spandex. Feet are bound to stink.
I know well enough what knee highs are and mondor quite well. I also know what wicks as far as tights and so on in my years in figure skating at the elite levels and now pro. So, please relax.
OK, now I'm confused. Are Mondor knee highs "specialized skating tights" or not? They are 85% nylon 15% lycra, and I'm under the impression that they are specialized for skating. Yet you seem to imply that specialized skating tights are not made of nylon, which means that Mondor knee highs are not specialized skating tights?
Otherwise, what specialized skating tights do you wear?
My nephew won a science fair award for inventing a product he calls Smell Squares to remove smells from his soccer equipment: pouches made out of dryer sheets with kitty litter inside.
I haven't had a chance yet to try them in my skates, but my sister says they do work.
One trick I heard about is to put those silica gel packets (that they have in lots of shipping boxes or new items that say “do not eat” on them) and use those in your skates when you’re not wearing them. They pull moisture from the air to help keep your skates dry and thus reduce the chances for smelly bacteria to grow.
<<Emphasis added.>> Various posts on the Amazon reviews indicate that it's an acetone-based spray. If so, I would shy away from it. Acetone is a VOC (volatile organic compound) solvent, commonly found, e.g., in nail polish remover, model-airplane glue, paint thinner, and industrial cleaners. It is highly flammable, and attacks leather, many plastics, and many finishes (e.g., dyes, paints, and waxes). I also wouldn't want to breathe in vaporized acetone.I've tried just about every method, but at the end of the day the only thing that I've ever found that ACTUALLY worked was this...
https://www.amazon.com/Sof-Sole-Fog...8&qid=1520061265&sr=8-1&keywords=fresh+fogger
And, this...
https://www.amazon.com/LiveFine-Boo...ID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=boot+dryer&psc=1
I dry my boots EVERY TIME after I wear them. I spray them about once a week. It's some sort of acetone type spray, and it's the only thing that really works. My boots don't smell anymore!!! Even my old ones!!! Yay!
<<Emphasis added.>> Various posts on the Amazon reviews indicate that it's an acetone-based spray. If so, I would shy away from it. Acetone is a VOC (volatile organic compound) solvent, commonly found, e.g., in nail polish remover, model-airplane glue, paint thinner, and industrial cleaners. It is highly flammable, and attacks leather, many plastics, and many finishes (e.g., dyes, paints, and waxes). I also wouldn't want to breathe in vaporized acetone.