In short: To make your Hey Dudes smell better, wear moisture-wicking no-show socks. Avoid wearing the same pair of Hey Dude shoes two days in a row so that they can dry properly.
Whether you’re looking to wear Hey Dudes for a business casual event or wear them to Disney world, there are plenty of hacks you can do to make them smell better.
How to make Hey Dudes not smell (6 methods)
Hey Dudes are popular for being lightweight, comfortable, and breathable. The Wally shoes, for example, are made with a weaved-polyester material for extra breathability and airflow.
However, there’s a chance that your Hey Dude shoes will develop some sort of odor after a while. Don’t worry, that’s normal. Here are things you can do to make Hey Dudes not stink:
1. Avoid wearing Hey Dudes two days in a row
The simplest thing you can do to make your Hey Dudes not stink is to avoid wearing them two days in a row. Experts agree that shoes can quickly get musty and start to stink.
According to Business Insider, your shoes won’t have ample time to dry and won’t maintain their shape if you wear them every day. Worse, they can produce that dreaded funky smell.
If you have the means, invest in another pair of Hey Dude shoes so you can alternate between the two. Consider breathable pairs of shoes like the Wally (for men) and Wendy (for women).
By investing in another pair, your original pair will last much longer and smell better, while you will have another pair to mix and match with new outfits. It’s an automatic win-win.
2. Wear socks with Hey Dudes
Although Hey Dude shoes are already breathable, to begin with, there’s no downside to wearing socks with them. In fact, you can gain plenty of benefits from wearing socks with Hey Dudes.
Your feet will inevitably sweat throughout the day, so wearing socks can protect Hey Dude shoes from damage (friction from the inside) and keep them from smelling like a wet dog.
Don’t worry, you won’t look foolish wearing socks with Hey Dudes. If you have trouble deciding what to wear, here are some of the best socks to wear with Hey Dude shoes.
Remember, wearing breathable socks can help wick moisture away and keep your feet dry from the inside. This keeps the odor-causing bacteria in check and makes your Hey Dudes not stink.
3. Wash your feet daily
Washing your feet is not a precaution, it is basic hygiene. Aim to wash your feet every day, especially after you have been out and about wearing shoes for the whole day.
You should be washing the tops, bottoms, and sides of your feet with mild soap and water daily, at the bare minimum. After washing, be sure to pat your feet dry to retain moisture.
Experts agree that washing your feet helps to remove the dirt, sweat, grime, and bacteria that build-up, which can lead to foot odor. That said, washing your feet alone might not be enough.
4. Apply probiotic foot spray
Washing your feet may not be enough if you are someone who suffers from chronic foot odor. Instead, try to combat this issue using probiotic foot spray that eliminates the bacteria.
This particular foot spray is designed to restore the skin’s healthy microbiome with probiotics, keeping your foot healthy and odor-free. Many people have used it and found success.
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.
5. Apply sweat-absorbing foot powder
If you don’t like foot sprays and prefer powder instead, use foot powder designed to absorb sweat. One product that has been successful is this one (I’ve used more than 10 foot powders).
For best results, I recommend adding the powder to your Hey Dude shoes before you put them on. Yes, it does go through the socks but it is much better than having some smelly feet!
Every time I wear my Hey Dude shoes, my feet get hot and sweaty, especially during warmer months. The powder eliminates the stink and doesn’t feel like your feet are minty hot.
6. Install scented shoe trees
A unique way to make Hey Dude shoes not stink and smell better is to install scented shoe trees. These products do two jobs: reduce moisture and maintain the shape of the shoes.
These shoe trees are made from solid pine wood with an original wood smell. They keep my Hey Dude shoes in good shape while reducing the odor from the inside effectively.
One piece of the shoe tree has 5 breathable grooves to help keep moisture out, plus it has flexible steel to keep the shoe in its original shape. Install two for your pair of shoes.
Bottom line
Now you know how to make Hey Dudes not stink and smell better. Hey Dude shoes are breathable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything to make them not stink.
Related articles:
- Do Hey Dudes stretch out?
- Why do Hey Dudes come with extra laces?
- How to tighten Hey Dudes
