Smelly Metcons? Kill CrossFit Shoe Odor in 60 Seconds (Safe)

Evan Chymboryk Founder • B.S. Exercise Science

You know that specific "CrossFit smell." It’s not just sweat; it’s the scent of a dozen AMRAPs and heavy lifting sessions trapped inside a synthetic cage. You finish your workout, toss your Metcons or Nanos into your gym bag, and by the time you get home, it smells like something died in there. If you’ve ever been "that person" in the gym—the one whose shoes announce their arrival before they even hit the whiteboard—you know how embarrassing it can be.

The problem is that CrossFit isn't like a casual stroll. It’s high-intensity. Your feet generate a massive amount of heat, and that heat has nowhere to go but into the padding of your expensive trainers. Most of us just ignore it until the smell becomes unbearable, but by then, the odor is so deep in the fibers that a simple "airing out" won't fix it. You need a strategy that actually works without ruining the grip you need for those heavy cleans.

Why Do CrossFit Shoes Smell So Bad So Quickly?

CrossFit shoes smell quickly because the high-intensity nature of the workouts causes excessive sweating, while the synthetic materials and rubber overlays in the shoes trap heat and moisture. This creates a perfect environment for odor-causing buildup to thrive within the fabric and foam.

It’s physics, really. When you’re doing box jumps or double-unders, your feet are working overtime. According to the National Library of Medicine, the feet are among the most sweat-prone parts of the human body. In a synthetic shoe designed for stability, that sweat gets absorbed by the inner lining and the foam midsole. Unlike leather boots that might breathe a little, the plastic and TPU components in many CrossFit shoes act like a greenhouse for stink.

And here’s the kicker: most of us leave those shoes in a dark, cramped gym bag. That’s like giving the odor a Five-Star hotel to grow in. Before you know it, the smell isn't just on the surface; it’s part of the shoe’s DNA. You’ve probably noticed that even after they "dry," the smell lingers. That’s because the moisture is gone, but the odor-producing particles are still tucked deep inside the mesh. If you want to keep your gym shoes fresh, you have to address the moisture the second you take them off.

If you're tired of holding your breath every time you open your gym bag, you don't need a miracle. You just need a spray that's actually strong enough to handle athlete-level stink. This is what we use after every session:

Can You Wash CrossFit Shoes in the Washing Machine?

You should avoid putting CrossFit shoes in the washing machine because the heat and agitation can break down the specialized adhesives and high-density foam used for lifting stability. This often leads to the rubber outsole peeling away or the shoe losing its structural integrity.

I get the temptation. It seems so easy to just toss them in with the towels and hope for the best. But CrossFit shoes are precision tools. That flat, stable sole is what keeps you from tipping over during a squat. The high-heat cycle of a washing machine can melt the glue that holds that sole to the upper. I’ve seen shoes come out looking clean but feeling "mushy"—and in a workout, mushy is dangerous.

Instead of a full soak, here’s a better way to handle the grime. First, take a microfiber cloth and wipe down the exterior rubber and the "rope wrap" area. This removes the chalk and dirt without soaking the internals. If they are truly soaked from a rainy outdoor WOD, stuff them with newspaper. The paper pulls the moisture out of the foam much faster than air-drying alone. Just don't put them in front of a heater, or you'll end up with cracked rubber and a weird fit.

What Is the Best Way to Deodorize CrossFit Training Shoes?

The best way to deodorize CrossFit shoes is to spray them with a natural, high-strength essential oil deodorizer immediately after every workout while the shoes are still warm. This allows the oils to penetrate the mesh and neutralize odors before they set into the fabric.

Timing is everything. If you wait until the shoes are bone-dry and the smell is "caked in," you’re fighting an uphill battle. Here is the 60-second routine that actually works:

1. Pull out the insoles. This is the most important step that most people skip.
2. Give each shoe two or three sprays of Extra Strength Shoe Deodorizer Spray, making sure to hit the toe box.
3. Wipe the excess sweat off the insoles with your cloth and give them a quick spray too.
4. Let them air dry in a well-ventilated spot—never in your bag.

This method doesn't just mask the smell with a "fake flower" scent; it actually clears out the source. Because the spray uses lemon and eucalyptus oils, it cuts through the heavy, musky scent of gym sweat. It’s a similar logic to how people fix the reek in vegan leather boots—you have to use something that breaks down the odor on a molecular level without damaging the synthetic materials.

I tested our natural spray against the big-brand aerosols you find at the grocery store. The difference isn't just in the smell—it's in the chemistry of how it handles high-performance gear.

How Do You Stop Gym Bag Odor from Spreading?

To prevent gym bag odor, use a dedicated mesh laundry bag for your shoes to allow airflow and place a natural deodorizer spray or sachet inside the bag to neutralize lingering smells. Always remove damp clothes and shoes immediately after returning home to prevent cross-contamination.

Your gym bag is essentially a petri dish. If you throw your sweaty knee sleeves, your damp shirt, and your stinky Metcons all in one main compartment, the smell will "share" across everything. Soon, even your clean gym clothes will have a faint whiff of old socks. This is why a mesh laundry bag is a lifesaver. It keeps your shoes separate from your gear but still lets them "breathe" while you’re driving home.

Once you get home, don't just leave the bag by the door. Open it up. If the bag itself starts to smell, you can use the Lavender Vanilla Room Spray to freshen up the fabric. It’s much better than those heavy chemical sprays because it doesn't leave a sticky residue on your gear. A quick mist inside the bag once a week keeps the "locker room funk" from taking over your closet.

Are Natural Shoe Deodorizers Actually Effective?

Natural shoe deodorizers are highly effective because they use concentrated essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and peppermint, which possess natural properties that neutralize odor at the source. Unlike synthetic sprays, they do not rely on "fragrance" to simply cover up the smell.

A lot of people think "natural" means "weak." But think about it: plants have had to develop ways to protect themselves for millions of years. Tea tree and eucalyptus are powerhouses when it comes to keeping things fresh. When you use a product like the Extra Strength Shoe Deodorizer Spray, you’re getting a professional-grade solution that’s safe to have around your kids and pets. You aren't breathing in butane or propane propellant every time you spray your shoes.

We’ve had parents tell us this is the only thing that saved their teenager's cleats, and athletes who swear by it for their daily trainers. One customer, Sarah, shared: "I was about to throw away my Metcons. They smelled so bad I could smell them while I was driving. Two days of using the Extra Strength spray and they actually smell like nothing. Not 'lemon-covered-stink,' just nothing. It's a lifesaver."

Is the natural route perfect? Mostly, but it does require consistency. You can't spray once and expect a year of neglect to vanish. Here’s the honest breakdown:

If you're dealing with a whole house full of active people—maybe a partner in construction and kids in soccer—the The Variety Bundle | 3-Pack (Lemon Eucalyptus, Citrus, Lavender) is usually the smartest move. It lets you keep the heavy-duty stuff in the gym bag and the lighter Natural Citrus Tea Tree Shoe Deodorizer Spray for everyday sneakers or school shoes. Plus, you’ll never find yourself staring at an empty bottle when the stink hits.

At the end of the day, your CrossFit shoes are an investment. You spent the money for the performance; don't let a preventable smell ruin them. Take sixty seconds after your next WOD to spray them down. Your nose (and your gym partners) will thank you.

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