Already have an account?
Get back to the
Health

Say Goodbye to Funky Foot Odor With These 11 Products

First For Women has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!

We’ve all experienced those those extra-hot days where we’ve taken our shoes off only to gasp at the odor. For many people, smelly feet — medically known as bromodosis — is a more regular inconvenience. In fact, a 2012 study of men and women aged 21 and up by the Institute for Preventative Foot Health showed that 16 percent (roughly 36 million people), suffer from the malodorous condition.

But stinky tootsies shouldn’t get to a point where it causes you embarrassment or keeps you from enjoying your life! There are dozens of products on the market that can curb foot and shoe odor so you can get back to more important things.

What causes feet to stink?

Everyone sweats — some more than others — but it only starts to smell when the moisture becomes trapped in your socks and shoes, leading to an overgrowth growth of bacteria or fungus. These bacteria eat your dead skin cells and digest your sweat before releasing a foul-smelling gas —the culprit behind your foot odor.

How to Get Rid of Smelly Feet

Now that you know what’s behind that foul smell, it’s time to get rid of it. There are several measures you can take to minimize the stench, beginning with prevention. Wearing moisture-wicking fabrics that allow your sweat to evaporate is a great first step you can take toward thwarting foot funk. Another is to opt for breathable shoes, which perform the same function.

You can also wash your feet with a good antibacterial soap ($14.95, Amazon) can help you put your best sweat-free foot forward. 

To ensure you have a stink-free spring — and summer! — we’ve rounded up the best products for foot odor, from antiperspirant wipes to foot soaks, that will prevent you from ever having to plug your nose post shoe removal again.

Keep scrolling to shop FIRST for Women’s picks for the best products for smelly feet!

Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items. Use right arrow key to move into submenus. Use escape to exit the menu. Use up and down arrow keys to explore. Use left arrow key to move back to the parent list.