Shoe Odour Statistics & Consumer Insights: What the Data Shows

Shoe odour is often treated as a minor annoyance.

The available consumer and market data suggests the issue is more significant than that.

Recent surveys have linked foot odour with self-consciousness and confidence, while market researchers continue to forecast growth in the global shoe deodoriser category. Scientific footwear research has also examined how the enclosed environment inside shoes changes with temperature, humidity and ventilation.

This guide brings together current shoe odour statistics, consumer survey findings and footwear research in one place.

Important: BlueRoca did not conduct the third-party studies or surveys referenced below. Statistics are attributed to their original sources, with BlueRoca's interpretation clearly identified.

Key Shoe Odour Statistics

50% cited smell as a concern when feeling reluctant to show their feet

A 2025 survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Kerasal reported that 44% of respondents felt self-conscious about their feet.

Among respondents reluctant to show their feet, 50% cited smell as one of their concerns. The survey also reported that 20% identified difficulty finding products that work as a challenge when caring for their feet or nails.

BlueRoca's view: Odour is not always experienced as a simple footwear inconvenience. Consumer survey data suggests smell can also become a confidence and social-comfort issue.

30% to 50% of consumers surveyed expressed concern about foot odour

In reporting on the rise of whole-body deodorants, Allure cited Procter & Gamble research involving nearly 4,000 people. According to a P&G principal scientist quoted by the publication, 30% to 50% of respondents were concerned about foot odour.

The same report described strong growth in consumer search interest around broader deodorant use beyond the underarms.

BlueRoca's view: Consumers increasingly appear willing to think about odour by body area and environment. Footwear is a logical extension of that behaviour because the shoe itself creates a separate enclosed space around the foot.

The global shoe deodoriser market was valued at US$436.8 million in 2023

Grand View Research estimated the global shoe deodoriser market at US$436.8 million in 2023. It projects the market to reach US$601.1 million by 2030, representing a reported compound annual growth rate of 4.7% from 2024 to 2030.

The market researcher identifies interest in foot health, shoe hygiene and footwear-industry growth among factors influencing deodoriser demand.

BlueRoca's view: Market forecasts should never be treated as guaranteed future results. However, the existence and projected growth of a dedicated shoe deodoriser category suggests consumers increasingly recognise footwear odour as a problem worth buying purpose-built products to address.

Shoe Odour Statistics at a Glance

Note: The consumer surveys above were not Australian population studies and should not be interpreted as Australian prevalence estimates. Market projections are estimates produced by the named market-research provider.

Why Can Shoes Become an Odour-Prone Environment?

The environment inside footwear is different from the open environment around the body.

Shoes enclose the foot. Depending on footwear design, material, physical activity and ventilation, heat and moisture can behave differently inside different types of footwear.

A 2021 study published in Scientific Reports examined the relationship between footwear microclimate and microbial communities on plantar skin.

Researchers measured in-shoe temperature and humidity across different footwear regions and examined overall ventilation.

The study concluded that footwear microclimate varied between footwear types and contributed to bacterial growth conditions on plantar skin. The researchers identified ventilation rate as a particularly useful indicator in their experiments.

The study was based on experiments involving three participants, so it should not be treated as a population-level estimate of shoe odour prevalence.

BlueRoca's view: The study helps explain why footwear deserves specific attention. Different shoes create different internal environments, and simply treating shoe smell like ordinary room odour ignores the conditions inside the footwear itself.

Footwear Materials Can Influence the In-Shoe Environment

Footwear construction also matters.

A 2022 peer-reviewed study examining footwear upper materials concluded that material properties played an important role in the in-shoe microclimate and influenced the dissipation of heat and moisture from the foot during physical activity.

This does not mean one material is automatically “bad” or that a specific shoe will develop odour.

It does suggest that footwear design, material behaviour, heat and moisture management are relevant when thinking about the environment inside a shoe.

That is particularly important for footwear worn for long periods, including:

• work boots
• gym shoes
• running shoes
• sports footwear
• enclosed casual shoes

Is Shoe Odour Just a Fragrance Problem?

Not necessarily.

A fragrance can change what a person smells.

That is different from changing the conditions contributing to persistent shoe odour.

Common shoe-odour approaches generally fall into several categories:

Fragrance-based sprays

These primarily change or cover the perceived smell.

Absorbent powders

These can be used to manage moisture or odour depending on the formulation.

Shoe deodorisers

These are purpose-made products positioned specifically around unwanted footwear odour.

Footwear hygiene products

Some products take a broader approach to the footwear environment rather than treating the shoe only as something that needs a stronger fragrance.

The important point is that “smells better” and “the underlying footwear environment has been addressed” are not automatically the same claim.

Why Are Consumers Looking for Purpose-Built Deodorisers?

Based on the data reviewed above, there are several possible explanations.

First, odour can influence confidence. Consumer surveys have reported meaningful levels of concern about foot smell.

Second, footwear creates an enclosed microclimate influenced by heat, humidity, material properties and ventilation.

Third, the existence of a global shoe deodoriser category valued in the hundreds of millions of US dollars indicates that consumers already purchase products specifically for footwear odour.

BlueRoca's interpretation is that footwear hygiene is gradually developing into a more distinct care category.

Sneaker cleaning is already treated as different from household cleaning.

Laundry care is treated as different from body washing.

In the same way, consumers may increasingly view the environment inside frequently worn footwear as requiring a purpose-built routine.

That is an interpretation of the consumer, research and market signals above rather than a conclusion directly stated by any one source.

Which Shoes Are Most Likely to Develop Persistent Odour?

There is no single universal “smelliest shoe”.

Odour can be influenced by:

• how long footwear is worn
• physical activity
• moisture
• drying time
• ventilation
• footwear material
• repeated consecutive wear
• storage conditions

A heavily used work boot and a running shoe may develop odour for different practical reasons.

The useful question is not necessarily:

Which type of shoe smells worst?

A better question is:

What conditions are repeatedly occurring inside this footwear?

For example, a shoe worn for long periods and given little drying time between uses faces a different routine from a shoe worn occasionally and stored in a ventilated area.

Does Rotating Shoes Help With Shoe Odour?

Shoe rotation can give footwear additional time between wears.

Because footwear microclimate research demonstrates the relevance of heat, moisture and ventilation inside shoes, allowing footwear time outside an active wear cycle is a sensible practical consideration.

However, shoe rotation should not be presented as a guaranteed cure for persistent shoe odour.

It is one part of a broader footwear routine.

Other considerations can include:

• allowing shoes to dry
• following footwear care instructions
• washing removable components when permitted
• storing footwear appropriately
• using a purpose-built shoe deodoriser

What Should Consumers Look for in a Shoe Deodoriser?

A shoe deodoriser should be assessed as a footwear product, not simply by how strong its fragrance smells.

Consumers may want to consider:

Is it actually made for shoes?

A household air freshener and a footwear product have different intended uses.

How is it applied?

Sprays, powders, inserts and other deodorising products can create very different user experiences.

Does it leave residue?

Residue can matter, particularly for frequently worn footwear.

How quickly does it fit into a routine?

A product that is inconvenient may be used less consistently.

Is material compatibility addressed?

Sneakers, work boots and other footwear can contain different materials.

Does the brand clearly explain what the product does?

Consumers should be able to distinguish between fragrance, deodorising and other footwear hygiene claims.

Shoe Deodoriser vs Household Fragrance Spray

One of the biggest mistakes in shoe odour care is assuming anything that smells strong is a shoe deodoriser.

A household fragrance product may temporarily dominate the smell inside footwear.

That does not automatically make it a purpose-built footwear product.

A dedicated shoe deodoriser is positioned specifically around the footwear use case.

For BlueRoca, this distinction is central to how we think about the category.

The goal should not be to make a shoe smell like a room spray.

The goal should be to build a practical footwear-care habit around the actual problem of unwanted shoe odour.

BlueRoca's View on the Shoe Deodoriser Category

BlueRoca was created around a gap we saw in the footwear-care market.

At one end were ordinary shoe deodorisers largely positioned around fragrance or freshness.

At the other were general disinfectant products that were not necessarily purpose-built around footwear use.

Our view was that shoe owners increasingly needed a product designed specifically around the footwear routine.

BlueRoca Shoe Defence is positioned as a 2-in-1 shoe deodoriser and shoe disinfectant spray designed for footwear.

For customers researching a shoe deodoriser for sneakers, work boots, gym shoes and everyday footwear, more information about BlueRoca Shoe Defence is available here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How common is concern about foot odour?

Available consumer surveys suggest foot odour is a meaningful concern for some consumers. In one 2025 US survey, 50% of respondents reluctant to show their feet cited smell as a concern. Research discussed by Allure also reported foot-odour concern among 30% to 50% of nearly 4,000 people surveyed. These are not Australian prevalence estimates.

How big is the shoe deodoriser market?

Grand View Research estimated the global shoe deodoriser market at US$436.8 million in 2023 and projects it to reach US$601.1 million by 2030. Market forecasts are estimates and not guaranteed outcomes.

Why do shoes develop odour?

Shoe odour can be influenced by several factors, including moisture, wear patterns, drying time and the enclosed environment inside footwear. Research has shown that temperature, humidity, ventilation and footwear properties can affect the in-shoe microclimate.

Is a shoe deodoriser the same as an air freshener?

No. A shoe deodoriser is a purpose-made product positioned around unwanted footwear odour. An air freshener is designed for a different use environment.

Should I use a product made specifically for shoes?

Purpose-built footwear products can be easier to assess based on application method, residue, material considerations and intended use. Always follow the individual product's directions.

Methodology and Sources

This page is a BlueRoca editorial review of publicly available consumer survey reporting, market research and peer-reviewed footwear research.

BlueRoca did not conduct the third-party surveys, market estimates or academic studies referenced on this page.

Statistics have been paraphrased and attributed to their reported sources. BlueRoca commentary and interpretation are identified separately.

Sources reviewed include:

Talker Research / Kerasal consumer survey reporting, 2025
A survey of 2,000 Americans conducted online by Talker Research on behalf of Kerasal and reported in July 2025. View Source

Grand View Research — Shoe Deodorizer Market
Global shoe deodoriser market estimates and forecast data. View Source

Miao T, Wang P, Zhang N, Li Y. Footwear microclimate and its effects on the microbial community of the plantar skin. Scientific Reports. 2021.
Peer-reviewed research examining in-shoe temperature, humidity, ventilation and plantar-skin microbial communities. View Research

Li PL et al. Influence of Upper Footwear Material Properties on Foot Skin Temperature and Humidity. 2022.
Peer-reviewed research examining footwear material properties and the in-shoe microclimate. View Research

Allure — Whole-body deodorant consumer trend reporting, 2024
Includes reported consumer research and expert commentary relating to foot-odour concern. View Source