How to Make Sperrys Not Smell (Smell Better)

In short: To make your Sperrys smell better, wear moisture-wicking no-show socks. To fight against foot odor, use probiotic foot spray or sweat-absorbing foot powder.

Sperry boat shoes are often worn without socks. They look nautical and leisurely, but after a long, hot summer, boat shoes produce their signature “Sperry Stink.”

The good news is, there are many simple hacks you can do to get rid of stinky feet and keep your Sperry boat shoes looking and smelling fresh throughout the seasons.

How to make Sperrys, not smell (7 methods)

Foot odor is caused when sweat and dead skin cells are broken down by naturally occurring bacteria. While sweat has no odor on its own, the bacteria that feed on it produce a bad odor.

Here are 7 methods you can use to keep your Sperrys from smelling like Satan’s butthole. You can combine each method with one another. Or better yet, use them all together.

1. Wear socks

Did you know that each foot has approximately 125,000 sweat glands? Indeed, the soles contain more glands per square centimeter than any other part of the body.

Bacteria live off the sweat your feet secrete and produce odor-causing acids as a result. Luckily, wearing the right socks whenever you’re wearing Sperry boat shoes can make all the difference.

While it’s true that Sperry boat shoes look best when you wear them without socks, there are moisture-wicking no-show socks that provide airflow to keep your feet cool and dry.

Remember, wearing the right socks can help wick moisture away while letting your feet breathe. This keeps the odor-causing bacteria in check and keeps your feet feeling fresh.

2. Wash your feet after each wear

Do not neglect the importance of washing your feet. In fact, wash your feet every day. This prevents the dreaded “Sperry Stink” and is just good hygiene practice if nothing else.

At the bare minimum, you should be washing the tops, bottoms, and sides of your feet with mild soap and water daily, remembering to pat your feet dry to retain moisture.

Washing your feet thoroughly helps to remove the dirt, sweat, grime, and bacteria that build-up, which can lead to foot odor. However, washing your feet alone might not be enough.

3. Apply probiotic foot spray

If you experience foot odor frequently, washing your feet might not be enough. What you need is probiotic foot spray. It is designed to eliminate even the worst odors, immediately.

With regular use, probiotic foot spray prevents odors while naturally restoring the skin’s healthy microbiome with probiotics that rebalance the bacterial environment on the feet.

I had a friend who had a foot odor problem. He said that the probiotic foot spray worked like a miracle. If you experience foot odor often, you may want to give this product a try.

4. Apply sweat-absorbing foot powder

If you prefer powder, then try the sweat-absorbing foot powder instead. I’ve used a plethora of different foot powders, but the one that provided me with the best results is this one.

For best results, I recommend adding the powder to your Sperry boat shoes before you put them on. Yes, it does go through the socks but it is much better than having some stinky feet!

Every time I wear my Sperry boat shoes, my feet get hot and sweaty, especially during warmer months. The powder eliminates the smell and doesn’t feel like your feet are minty hot.

5. Swap the insoles for odor-fighting insoles

To add another weapon to your odor-fighting arsenal, swap the insoles of your Sperry boat shoes with odor-fighting insoles. These insoles, in particular, work like a charm.

Thanks to the super-activated charcoal, baking soda, zinc oxide, and two powerful odor blockers, the odor-fighting insoles draw in perspiration so your feet stay drier and feel more comfortable.

I think these insoles are convenient because they can be cut into any size. The material also provides the right amount of support for both of your feet, especially when wearing boat shoes.

6. Insert deodorizer balls when storing Sperrys

Inserting deodorizer balls is an effortless way to make your Sperrys smell better. 

When you are not wearing your Sperry boat shoes, insert deodorizer balls. They are filled with odor-eliminating tea polyphenols and essential oil clean burst fresh scent.

Deodorizer balls are easy to use. Just twist the ball to activate the fresh scent and close when not in use, each lasts up to 30 days. And the best part is, they’re super cheap.

7. Buy a second pair and alternate

Last but not least, you can always buy a second pair and alternate. The goal is to provide your boat shoes enough time to stay dry once they have been worn for a few days.

To ensure your Sperry boat shoes do not smell, give them time to air out after each wear. Don’t wear them for too many consecutive days. Two days in a row at most.

Leather is quite resistant to bacterial growth as long as it doesn’t stay damp for too long. Once it’s damp for several days, the shoes are colonized and they are going to stink.

Generally, you should wear them and then let them sit for at least twice as long as you had them on. This means you usually can’t wear your boat shoes two days in a row. 

Key takeaways

Now you know how to make Sperrys not smell. In fact, you can actually make them smell better. By applying the tips above, your boat shoes won’t be smelling like cat pee.

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