Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Feb 2008
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
cleaning boots

how do you guys clean your boots? i been wearing my motocross boots on a few trips now in sun/rain etc and they're starting to smell BADLY! they are now to be kept in the garage or so i'm told anyhow! anyone tried them in machine? but i'm worried about damaging the machine!
any ideas??:confused1:
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Feb 2008
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinhancock750 View Post
how do you guys clean your boots?
I don't understand the question.

When they fall to pieces it's time to buy some new ones. If you're having an odour problem stick some cotton wool up your hooter.
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
To my knowledge everyone who's boots stink so bad they're walking by themselves have to do the decent thing and bin them. There is no cure, Satan has them in his clutches.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Feb 2008
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
4 months old!

they're only 4 months old! i was in morocco october sweating in them! back to britain where they've been soaked and been off road where they've been soaked with smelly water! now they smell a bit and i dont want to change them as they're in goog knick but the interior fabric/spongey bit smells.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
Try e-mailing the makers and see what they have to say. The smell is usually from bacteria living in there, I'd try to kill that off before I put my feet back anywhere near them.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
I wash my MX boots inside by just putting some detergent inside and filling them up with water.

Leave them a while, jet-wash the outside. Shake the water out (like washing a bottle) fill them up again a few times to rinse them.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Use baking soda regularly to ward off the smell, and talkum powder to keep your feet dry when you ride.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
Here on the farm I find that if I get enough cow shit on them , the lingering foot type odour goes away completely .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Ron View Post
talkum powder to keep your feet dry when you ride.
I'm afraid that doesn't quite work when you're fording a waist deep river
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 21 Feb 2008
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
It is bacteria’s that makes them smell.

Put a couple of Micropure (or similar) in each boot and fill them with water for a few hours. If they leak to much you have to do it several times.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 137
BYT mentioned already - every now and then, put detergent and water in them, shake them around and empty the dirty water. Do it a few times just like he said.

I use dish soap 'cause that is what I usually have, laundry detergent is probably better.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Buckley North Wales UK
Posts: 31
Or freeze them..

Might sounds like a crazy idea and always check with the better half first lol.. but chuck smelly boots and gloves in a freezer inside a plastic bag of course.. and leave for at least 48 hours..

Detergent etc will kill and remove the skin cells and sweat secretions that are the food for the bacteria that eat them and cause the smell, but can damage some types of boots.

Freezing them will destroy the bacteria if frozen for sufficiently, but be careful to remove any plastic armamanets/buckles etc you can and don't try flexing them till they have warmed up again or you will get brittle fractures.

A mate has to do this regularly with his kidds cubbley toys as she is majorly alergic to dust mites and asthmatic.

If your boots are ultra smelly, then a possibley a swill out as above and then total dry out and then a freezing might help. I don't recommend trying to freeze them unless you dried them out as water expansion will damage the boots.

Hope that helps..
John
PS works on smelly gloves a treat..
__________________
safe riding and hope to see you out on the road. .. John..
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 24 Feb 2008
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
thanks

thanks for your replies.
i was thinking of swilling them out with a soap/detergent but sometimes there are some great easy tips on here that you just dont think about! obviously i'm not the only one with smelly boots looking at the number of views this thread has had! but the only one brave enough to admit it!!!!
YOU WIMPS thanks guys
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24 Feb 2008
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Thumbs up Bleach

Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinhancock750 View Post
thanks for your replies.
i was thinking of swilling them out with a soap/detergent but sometimes there are some great easy tips on here that you just dont think about!
Same as when your clothes get smelly on the road, no matter that you wash them regularly... make up a weak bleach solution and fill yer boots with that. That'll kill them pesky bacteria.

John
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 24 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Portalegre,Alentejo,Portugal
Posts: 71
After washing them inside get a pair of old tights from the missus, tie a knot half way down each leg and fill them with kitty litter. Dangle the legs into the boots and leave overnight. It dries and deoderises the boots a treat.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Gaerne SG10 boots - worth the $? Nomadic1 Equipment Reviews 5 21 Jul 2009 04:37
Enduro or Trials/Motocross Boots Wanted Martynbiker Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 6 15 Jan 2008 19:33
Gaerne Balanced Oiled Boots ..Initial report goodwoodweirdo Camping Equipment and all Clothing 1 25 May 2007 13:40
Motorcycle boots Karma Equipment Reviews 76 21 Jun 2006 05:54
Articulated MX Boots LuckyStriker Camping Equipment and all Clothing 8 2 Aug 2005 00:57

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:27.