How to Stop Climbing Shoes Smelling Without Ruining Them

Climbing shoes are designed to fit close, move precisely and spend an entire session collecting heat and sweat.

Then they are usually thrown into a backpack, left in the car or zipped inside a gear bag until the next climb.

That is how a high-performance pair of climbing shoes gradually becomes the pair nobody wants opened indoors.

The answer is not drowning them in fragrance or washing them after every session. A better routine protects the shoe while stopping moisture and odour from becoming permanent climbing partners.

Why climbing shoes develop odour so quickly

Climbing shoes create almost ideal conditions for lingering odour:

• They fit tightly with limited airflow.
• Many climbers wear them without socks.
• They are repeatedly removed and put back on during sessions.
• Sweat remains trapped inside technical linings.
• Damp shoes are often stored in enclosed backpacks.
• Indoor climbing sessions can last several hours.

Expensive climbing shoes are not immune. Models from La Sportiva, SCARPA, Tenaya, Evolv and other specialist brands still need time to air and dry between sessions.

The problem is usually not the quality of the shoe. It is what happens after the final problem or route.

The post-climb habit doing the most damage

Leaving climbing shoes inside your backpack is convenient, but it gives moisture nowhere to escape.

Even if the outside feels dry, the lining and footbed may still be holding sweat from the session. Zipping the shoes away simply preserves that environment until the next time you climb.

La Sportiva’s climbing-shoe care guidance recommends allowing climbing shoes to air-dry after use rather than immediately placing them back inside a rucksack.

The simplest improvement is therefore also the most important: take your climbing shoes out of the bag when you get home.

A simple climbing-shoe recovery routine

1. Open the shoes immediately

Remove your climbing shoes from your backpack as soon as practical.

Open any straps or laces and position the shoes somewhere shaded with natural airflow. Do not leave them sitting inside a hot car or closed locker.

Your gear bag should transport your shoes—not become their permanent storage space.

2. Let them dry naturally

Avoid radiators, hair dryers and strong direct sunlight.

Excessive heat can be rough on leather, synthetic uppers, adhesives and the carefully shaped construction of technical climbing shoes.

SCARPA’s climbing-shoe care guide recommends air-drying climbing shoes away from sources of heat and direct light.

Place them in a ventilated area at room temperature and give them enough time to dry completely before the next session.

3. Refresh them between deeper cleans

Climbing shoes do not need to be fully washed after every gym visit.

Between deeper cleans, use a light, footwear-focused refresh to support a more consistent post-session routine.

A purpose-built shoe deodoriser and disinfectant spray can be applied according to its directions before the shoes are left to dry.

Avoid oversaturating the lining. More liquid does not automatically mean better shoe care.

Blueroca Shoe Defence was developed specifically for footwear, making it a practical addition to a climbing bag or gear-care shelf without turning every session into a cleaning project.

4. Keep the gear bag open too

Your shoes are not the only items holding moisture.

Socks, tape, chalk bags, towels and training clothes can all leave a climbing backpack feeling stale. Empty the bag after demanding sessions and allow it to air before repacking.

Putting freshly aired shoes back into a damp bag defeats the purpose.

5. Rotate shoes when possible

Climbers often own different shoes for training, bouldering, lead climbing or outdoor projects.

Use that rotation to give each pair more recovery time. Avoid choosing the same damp pair simply because it is already sitting at the top of the bag.

The shoe that fits the next session should also be completely dry.

Should climbing shoes be washed?

Occasionally—but carefully.

Climbing shoes may need a deeper clean when visible dirt, chalk or persistent odour remains despite regular airing and refreshing.

K2 Base Camp’s Australian climbing-shoe guide begins with airing shoes and recommends considering the particular materials before cleaning them.

For a deeper clean:

• Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your model.
• Remove loose dirt with a soft brush.
• Use water and mild soap only when appropriate.
• Brush gently rather than scrubbing aggressively.
• Allow the shoes to air-dry naturally.
• Keep them away from dryers and strong heat.

Leather and synthetic climbing shoes may respond differently to water and cleaning. If you are unsure, follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer rather than relying on a universal online hack.

Avoid these popular shortcuts

The washing machine

A washing machine can be unnecessarily aggressive for technical climbing shoes. Repeated soaking and movement may affect their shape, materials or bonded construction.

Hand-cleaning gives you far more control.

Heavy perfume

Covering the smell does not solve the damp environment that allowed it to develop. Strong fragrance mixed with old shoe odour is rarely the improvement people imagine.

Prioritise airing, drying and regular footwear care.

Direct sunlight or heaters

Trying to accelerate the drying process with intense heat can be a bad trade for expensive technical footwear.

Allow enough time for natural drying instead.

Leaving them permanently inside the car

Australian cars can become extremely hot. A boot or back seat is not a suitable long-term storage area for shaped performance footwear.

Store climbing shoes somewhere cool, dry and ventilated.

What about wearing socks with climbing shoes?

This comes down to fit, preference and climbing style.

Thin socks can absorb some sweat and may make shared or rental climbing shoes feel more comfortable. However, many climbers prefer direct contact with their shoes for sensitivity and fit.

If you climb without socks, the post-session drying routine becomes even more important.

Whatever you choose, never put damp socks back into the same compartment as shoes you have just aired.

Build the routine around the session

Good shoe care should take less time than brushing chalk from your hands.

After every session: Remove the shoes from your backpack, open them and leave them somewhere ventilated.

After a particularly sweaty session: Refresh them according to the product directions and allow them to dry completely.

Once a week: Check the lining, closures, upper and rubber for moisture, dirt or wear.

When visibly dirty: Follow the manufacturer’s material-specific cleaning advice.

Before an outdoor trip: Make sure the shoes and gear bag are dry before packing them together.

Climb hard. Open the bag afterwards.

Your climbing shoes are supposed to show signs of use. That is different from allowing every session to remain trapped inside them.

A simple recovery routine can make the difference:

Take them out. Open them up. Let them breathe. Refresh them when needed. Pack them again only when dry.

Your climbing partners will notice—even if they never mention it.

Learn more about Blueroca’s footwear-focused formulation and independent testing through the science behind Blueroca Shoe Defence.

Blueroca is not affiliated with or endorsed by La Sportiva, SCARPA, K2 Base Camp or any other climbing brand mentioned. External care guides are linked for general reference. Always follow the instructions supplied with your footwear and shoe-care products.