Even if you normally don't have to worry about your feet getting smelly, traveling can cause foot odor. Sitting in a train or airplane for hours can make your feet sweaty and smelly. Lots of walking, especially if it’s raining can also cause your feet to stink. 

Here are some tips on how to keep your feet smelling fresh when you are traveling. 

What Causes Foot Odor? 

To deal with foot odor, it’s important to understand what causes it in the first place. 

Bacteria is usually to blame for stinky feet. When you sweat, bacteria feed on fatty compounds in the sweat and produce odorous compounds. 

The problem is often not the sweating, but your shoes and socks holding onto the sweat. So if you wear shoes that are not breathable, it can lead to a build up of sweat when you are traveling. Socks that don't wick away sweat can also cause foot odor.

Here are several factors that can make your foot odor worse.

• If you sweat more than usual, a condition called hyperhidrosis. For some people, the stress and anxiety of traveling can trigger hyperhidrosis, leading to smelly feet and shoes. 
• If you are walking in the rain, the extra moisture in your shoes can cause a stronger odor. High humidity can also cause foot odor especially if your socks and shoes are not breathable. .  
• Existing infections like Athlete’s foot can worsen foot odor. 

5 Tips to Prevent Foot Odor When Traveling 

1. Wear Breathable Shoes and Socks

Your feet are inevitably going to sweat. They have more sweat glands than any other part of the body, and sitting down for hours in a cramped space doesn't help. The trick is to stop the sweat from building up in your shoes and socks.  

That’s why breathable shoes and socks are important. They allow sweat to evaporate and they keep your feet cool, which reduces sweating. In addition make sure you wear sweat-wicking and quick drying socks made from materials like wool. 

2. Get Antibacterial Socks

Another way to deal with foot odor is by attacking the smell-causing bacteria. Cleaning your feet with alcohol, vinegar or antibacterial wipes kills bacteria and reduces odor. 

For a longer lasting effect, we recommend antibacterial socks like the Hercleon HercSocks. They are infused with antibacterial components that keep the socks and your feet odor-free. You can even wear them multiple times without washing them and they’ll still smell fresh. 

3. Pack a Second Pair of Socks

If you tend to sweat a lot when traveling, we recommend packing a second pair of socks in your carry on. Putting on a fresh pair of socks can help prevent foot odor. 

4. Use Antiperspirant or Deodorant

Antiperspirants and deodorants are not just for your armpits. There are antiperspirant and deodorant sprays, powders and lotions formulated specifically for application on feet. 

Antiperspirants work by reducing how much you sweat. They are helpful if you expect the weather to be hot or if you have hyperhidrosis. 

Deodorants work by killing the bacteria that causes smell. For a stronger effect, you can use both antiperspirant and deodorant on your feet. 

5. Apply Foot Powder

Foot powders work by absorbing excess sweat to reduce foot odor. For a stronger effect, get a foot powder that also contains a deodorant or antiperspirant. 

You can also make your own foot powder at home by mixing cornstarch with baking soda and a bit of essential oil. Cornstarch absorbs moisture while baking soda is a natural deodorant. 

Additional Tips 

• Whenever it is appropriate, take off your shoes and socks to allow your feet to breathe. On long flights or train rides, it’s a good idea to pack a pair of sandals you can change into instead of wearing shoes the entire time. 
• Keep your feet clean. It helps prevent bacteria and fungus that can cause odor. 
• Exfoliating your feet also reduces foot odor. Smell-causing bacteria feed on dead skin cells, causing them to thrive and make your feet smellier.    
• Wear clean socks and shoes when you travel.