Climbing Gear
Boot Bananas: How to Use Them for Climbing Shoes and Odor Control
Boot Bananas are shoe deodorizers often used by climbers to reduce the smell of climbing shoes between sessions. They are simple, portable and easy to throw into a gym bag, but they work best when they are part of a real shoe-care routine rather than a last-minute fix for shoes that stay damp all week.
Quick answer: are Boot Bananas useful for climbing shoes?
Yes, Boot Bananas can be useful for climbing shoes because they help absorb moisture and reduce odor inside tight footwear. They are especially helpful if you put them in your shoes right after climbing and let the shoes air out instead of leaving everything sealed inside a backpack.
They are not magic. If your shoes are soaked after every session, stored wet and never aired out, no deodorizer will fully solve the problem. The real win is combining Boot Bananas with better drying, storage and foot hygiene habits.
Why climbing shoes smell so bad
Climbing shoes are almost designed to smell. They are tight, warm, low-volume and often worn without socks. Your feet sweat during a session, that moisture gets trapped inside the shoe, and the shoe may then sit in a dark gym bag for hours.
The smell is not only about sweat itself. It is the combination of moisture, warmth, bacteria and poor airflow. The longer shoes stay damp, the more odor builds. This is why climbers who train often can notice a big difference between shoes that are aired out after every session and shoes that stay buried in a closed bag.
Odor control starts with one principle: dry the shoe faster. Boot Bananas can help, but airflow matters just as much.
What are Boot Bananas?
Boot Bananas are banana-shaped shoe deodorizers that go inside footwear after use. Climbers often use them for climbing shoes, approach shoes, gym shoes and training shoes. Their purpose is simple: help absorb moisture and leave shoes smelling fresher between sessions.
For climbing shoes, the shape is convenient because each deodorizer can slide into a shoe and stay there while the shoes sit in your bag, on a shelf or near your home training setup. They are not a cleaning product in the deep-wash sense. Think of them as a maintenance tool.
If you climb once a month, you may not need much more than airing your shoes. If you climb several times a week, a deodorizer can become part of your regular kit, just like chalk, tape and a brush.
How to use Boot Bananas after climbing
The best routine is simple. Use them immediately after the session, while the shoe is still fresh from climbing.
1. Open the shoes first
Loosen the closure, open the tongue and give the inside of the shoe as much airflow as the design allows.
2. Place one Boot Banana in each shoe
Slide the deodorizer into the shoe so it sits where moisture builds up. Do this right after climbing rather than waiting until the next day.
3. Do not seal everything in a bag
A deodorizer helps, but a closed, damp gym bag slows drying. Let the shoes breathe when you get home.
4. Store the shoes somewhere dry
Choose a ventilated place away from direct heat. Avoid radiators, hot car trunks and intense sun that may affect glue or rubber.
Boot Bananas vs airing your shoes out
Airing your shoes out is the foundation. Boot Bananas are the add-on. If you had to choose only one habit, airing the shoes after every session would be the bigger priority.
That does not make Boot Bananas useless. They are useful because they are easy to use consistently. You finish climbing, put them in your shoes, and you have already improved the storage environment. For climbers who forget to take care of shoes, that simple ritual can make a difference.
The best routine is both: deodorizer inside the shoe, shoe outside the closed bag, airflow around the shoe.
A complete climbing shoe odor routine
Use this simple routine if your shoes already smell, or if you want to prevent the problem before it starts.
- Before climbing: make sure your feet are reasonably clean and dry.
- During the session: take shoes off between attempts if possible, especially during long bouldering sessions.
- After climbing: open the shoes and insert Boot Bananas or another deodorizer.
- When you get home: remove the shoes from the gym bag and let them air out.
- Between sessions: store shoes in a dry, ventilated area.
- Long term: rotate shoes if you climb frequently, so one pair can dry fully before the next use.
Can Boot Bananas save shoes that already smell terrible?
They can help, but expectations matter. If a pair of shoes has been damp for months and smells intense, a deodorizer may reduce odor over time, but it may not fully reset the shoe. Prevention is much easier than rescue.
For shoes that are already bad, combine several steps: air them out thoroughly, use deodorizers, avoid sealed storage, and consider whether the shoes are near the end of their useful life. If the shoe structure, rubber or fit is still good, a better care routine may extend their usable time.
If the shoes no longer fit your climbing style or performance needs, read our guide on how to choose climbing shoes.
Common mistakes with climbing shoe deodorizers
- Using them too late: put them in the shoes after climbing, not after the smell has already built for days.
- Leaving shoes in a sealed bag: airflow is still necessary.
- Expecting fragrance to replace drying: odor control starts with moisture control.
- Using high heat to dry shoes: heat can damage materials, glue or rubber.
- Never replacing the deodorizer: any deodorizer has a practical lifespan and should be replaced when it stops working well.
- Ignoring foot hygiene: clean, dry feet make every shoe-care tool more effective.
Boot Bananas for gym climbers vs outdoor climbers
Gym climbers often deal with frequent short sessions, warm indoor air and shoes that live in a backpack. For them, Boot Bananas are convenient because the problem is repetitive: climb, sweat, pack shoes, repeat.
Outdoor climbers may have different issues. Shoes can get dusty, damp from conditions, or packed in with approach gear. If you climb outside, make sure shoes are dry before long storage, especially after humid days or trips where gear sits in the car.
For boulderers building a home setup, a small shoe-care area near the wall can help. Our bouldering wall guide covers training-space planning, and shoe storage fits naturally into that setup.
Training support
Where Unlevel Edge fits into your climbing kit
Boot Bananas help with shoe care. Unlevel Edge supports the training side. It is a custom-made hangboard designed around individual finger lengths, with the goal of placing the joints in a stronger and more ergonomic position during warm-ups and controlled finger strength work.
A good climbing kit is not only about buying more gear. It is about making training easier to repeat. Shoes that are dry and ready, chalk that is packed, a simple warm-up routine and a fingerboard that matches your hand all reduce friction before a session.
You can learn how the product works on Unlevel Edge for climbing, or prepare your setup with the finger measuring guide.
Boot Bananas FAQ
Do Boot Bananas work for climbing shoes?
They can help reduce odor and moisture, especially when used immediately after climbing and paired with proper airing. They work best as prevention and maintenance.
Should I leave Boot Bananas in my shoes all the time?
You can leave them in between sessions, but the shoes should still be stored somewhere dry and ventilated. Do not rely on deodorizers while keeping shoes sealed in a damp bag.
How do I stop climbing shoes from smelling?
Air them after every session, dry them away from high heat, use deodorizers, avoid sealed storage, take shoes off between attempts and keep feet clean before climbing.
Are Boot Bananas better than washing climbing shoes?
They serve a different purpose. Boot Bananas are for routine moisture and odor control. Washing is a deeper intervention and should be done carefully because aggressive cleaning or heat can affect shoe materials.
Build a cleaner, smarter climbing setup
Pair better shoe care with better finger training
Keep your shoes fresher, your kit organized and your training more repeatable. Unlevel Edge is designed around your individual finger lengths to support more ergonomic warm-ups and strength sessions.
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