Mold in cycling shoes??

[buffybike]

For the past month, my shoes have been smelling worse and worse, so I decided to soak them in Woolite and then air dry them thinking that would take care of it. Upon removing the sole, I noticed that the footbed which is made of some squishy foamy stuff (and it's glued to the bottom) is covered in black spots. Soaking and drying didn't help at all. I also put them in the freezer for 24 hours. No change. Vinegar did not work. Lysol did not work. I wouldn't care except that they REALLY REEK. I mean, they stink up a room. Are they done for? Or is there some way to get rid of the mold (or at least the smell)

[indysteel]

When you say footbed, do you mean the removable insole or the shoe itself? If it's the insole, just buy some replacements. There are several brands out there. I have the Sole Slim Sport Moldable insole.

[buffybike]

it's underneath the insole in the actual foam bed of the shoe

[Irulan]

Ew. I'd toss them.

[indysteel]

Ick. What brand and where did you buy them? I'd contact their customer service and complain. I've never had a pair of shoes grow mold.

[kjay]

Think I'd set 'em on fire. ;-)

[miamibiker]

For the past month, my shoes have been smelling worse and worse, so I decided to soak them in Woolite and then air dry them thinking that would take care of it. Upon removing the sole, I noticed that the footbed which is made of some squishy foamy stuff (and it's glued to the bottom) is covered in black spots. Soaking and drying didn't help at all. I also put them in the freezer for 24 hours. No change. Vinegar did not work. Lysol did not work. I wouldn't care except that they REALLY REEK. I mean, they stink up a room. Are they done for? Or is there some way to get rid of the mold (or at least the smell)

It's a Florida sweat thing. We have problems in Miami with sweat eating the clearcoat finish off bikes, rusting out bottom brackets & ruining shoes in a matter of months. My husband is a serious sweater and this is the only thing that helps us keep his shoes "mildly offensive".

Determine where the sweat is coming from--for us it is running down our legs into shoes. Wearing higher socks also allows more of the sweat to dissipate before it gets to your shoes. For some their feet actually sweat more. Try spray-on antiperspirant made for feet.

As soon as we get home we remove the insoles and wash with soap and water & let dry in the sun. Then the shoes get wiped with a damp sponge on the outside just to remove dirt/sweat. They get stuffed with newspaper & set outside for a few hours in the sun. Then I replace the newspaper with cedar from stuffitts.com & I put them in an airtight box with a container of "Damp Rid" that removes the moisture in the container. They sit in that box for a few days until the next use. We rotate between three pairs of shoes to give each a chance to thoroughly dry. I do spray then w/ Lysol occassionally. They still only last 9 mos or so but we ride 250 miles a week so each pair is worn 1x per week.