Foot funk? Insoles claim to keep shoes stink-free
Posted: Thursday, June 25, 2009 1:15 PM
by Diane Mapes, contributing writer
What it is: Summer Soles Fragrant Footings, $15 for two pairs at http://www.summersoles.com.
What it claims to do: According to the Web site, Summer Soles cure sweaty feet by providing a “soft, dry barrier between feet and the beds of shoes.” The trim-to-fit one-size-fits-all insoles, made of absorbent fabric that “captures perspiration from sweaty feet as pressure is applied while walking,” can be inserted into sandals, pumps, mules or flats, but not spongy flip-flops or fabric-soled shoes like Birkenstocks (the sticky insoles can’t grip fabric).
The insoles are said to be especially effective for people with plantar hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty feet). Summer Soles also claims their product will help make shoes “instantly comfy” and the Fragrant Footings style offers the added bonus of keeping your feet sweat- and stink-free by releasing “microscopic bursts of the finest dry, natural aromas” as you walk.
Our experience: Like most people, I look forward to summer for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that I can finally haul out the sandals that have been hiding in the closet all year. Unfortunately, after about three days, some of the more senior sandals begin to squish and squeak. Or worse, emit a certain je ne sais funk. Normally, I’d just buy a new pair of shoes (and suffer through the painful break-in stage), but with money tight, I decided to make do. I used superglue to reattach the broken leather thingamajig on my favorite thong-style platforms (accidentally gluing my fingers together in the process, but that’s another story). And I tucked a pair of Summer Soles Fragrant Footings into the bottom of the shoes to see if the “Bare Shoulder Smolder Jasmine” scent might put a little “spring” in my stinky summer step.
Trimming the insoles to fit into my shoes was a snap; I even tailored mine so they’d work for thong-style sandals (the company now offers insoles specifically designed for thongs – they’re a little wider and come with a pre-cut slit). My Summer Soles were black, but depending on the style you select (they come in Ultra-Absorbent, Softness of Suede or Fragrant Footings), you can get an array of colors or even zebra, leopard or a couple of fun flowery prints. Black worked for me for a couple of reasons. First, it matched the leather uppers and platform base of the shoe, and second – and most importantly – it effectively covered the grimy black footprint now embedded in each light taupe insole. I loved that shoe but, yes, it had a dirty sole, a sole that left me ashamed each time I wore my shoes out of the house (or worse, was forced to doff them in someone’s presence). Once the peel-and-stick insoles were in place, though, I no longer felt like I was scuffing around town in sinfully dirty sandals. Between the superglued strap and the cushy black pads, I felt like I had a brand new pair of summer kicks.
As promised, the new soles were both cushy and comfy. Walking around (both in and out of the house), I could immediately tell the difference. Moreover, I could smell the difference. My shoes no longer carried around a trace of summer funk. Instead, they smelled sweet and powdery, and truth be told, a bit like a car air freshener. Thankfully, the air freshener smell soon faded away and I was left with a pair of comfortable, broken-in black-soled sandals that didn’t stink nor cause me shame whenever I went to one of those homes where they force you to leave your shoes at the door.
What the experts say: According to Brooklyn podiatrist Dr. Howard Dinowitz, the average foot contains approximately 250,000 sweat glands, a disproportionately high number when compared to the rest of the body. So by nature, feet are designed to sweat. Keeping feet swathed in socks that are tucked into shoes can up your chances of foot odor, since a hot, wet and dark environment can be the “perfect incubator for smell.” Synthetic fabrics also contribute to funky feet. “Unnatural fibers like vinyl or plastic or nylon will cause your feet to sweat more and, subsequently, smell more,” he says. “Breathable material on the sole will help with sweating and smell.”
Summer Soles, which have either a suede or wool insole, sound like they can curb foot sweating and foot odor, Dinowitz says, but “the operative word is curb.” In other words, don’t expect your insoles to work miracles, even the ones that emit pretty scents. Speaking of which, Dinowitz advises people with allergies or sensitivities to be careful with scent-infused insoles (the Summer Soles Web site also tells people with lemon, mint or jasmine flower allergies to avoid their Fragrant Footings product). In a nutshell, the doctor says Summer Soles “seem like a great simple idea. I recommend cushions for my patients all the time and if one smells nice, all the better” As for helping people with hyperhidrosis, Dinowitz says he thinks the product could be beneficial but that if the problem persists without relief they should seek professional help from a podiatrist.
Bottom line: I wore my black Fragrant Footings on a near daily basis for three weeks and have to say, the insoles have held up fairly well. There’s been some wrinkling, but since they’re peel-and-stick, I just pulled them up, stretched them out, and tamped them back down. There’s also been some wear-and-tear and shedding; I’ve found a few pieces of black felt-like lint around the house (and between my toes). My guess is I can keep these in for another couple of weeks of steady wear before I have to switch them out (if your feet sweat more than average or you suffer from hyperhidrosis, you’ll probably have to change them more often). Speaking of sweat, my feet have stayed nice and dry (no weird squeaking or squishing as I walk down the street) and the shoes still have that powdery fresh scent (a little too air-fresheneresque for my taste, but there you go). The real boon, though, has been that extra bit of cushion under my foot (who knew it could make such a difference) and the fact I was able to gussy up my sorry sandals for one last season. In this economy, that’s reason to kick up your heels, indeed.
