The Hidden Dangers Inside Your Climbing Shoes (And How to Prevent Them)
Climbing shoes are incredible pieces of gear; precision tools that help us stand on tiny footholds, smear confidently on volumes, and trust our feet on moves that shouldn’t be possible. But inside those tight, sweaty, unventilated shoes lurks something far less glamorous: fungi, bacteria, odour, and skin problems just waiting to flare up.
If you’ve ever pulled your shoes out of your bag and recoiled at the smell… or noticed itching between your toes after a long session… or spotted flaky patches of skin, you’re definitely not alone. Climbing shoes quietly create the perfect environment for foot issues to develop.
In this guide, we’ll look at why these problems happen, how to prevent them, and how ClimbCare Foot Balm — a powerful natural formula designed specifically for active feet — can help support healthier, happier skin!
Why Climbing Shoes Become Hotspots for Bacteria and Fungal Issues
Climbing shoes create a warm, dark, sweaty environment with almost no airflow — essentially, the ideal breeding ground for microbes. After every climb, your feet leave behind moisture, salts, oils, and dead skin that get trapped inside the lining of the shoe.
Common contributors include:
- Tight fit – restricts airflow and increases sweating.
- Absorbent materials – hold onto moisture for hours.
- Barefoot climbing – adds oils and sweat directly into the shoe.
- Dark storage – especially in climbing bags, keeps shoes damp.
- Skin shedding – feeds bacteria and fungi.
Even with good hygiene, this build-up can quickly lead to skin irritation, fungal infections, and strong odour.
Athlete’s Foot: The Most Common Climber Foot Problem
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) thrives in warm, damp settings — exactly what climbing shoes provide. It often starts between the toes, causing itching, redness, burning, peeling or flaky skin. A musty smell can also be an early sign.
Why climbers are prone to it:
Sweaty feet, friction, enclosed footwear, and barefoot contact on gym floors all contribute. Small cracks in the skin created by pressure or rubbing allow fungal spores to settle in.
Prevention tips:
Air out your shoes after every session, avoid sealed bags, wash and dry your feet properly, and support the skin with antifungal natural products.
How ClimbCare Helps:
Our foot balm contains a targeted blend of antimicrobial and antifungal ingredients including tea tree, oregano, neem and tamanu oils. These help reduce fungal activity while soothing irritation — without over-softening the skin, which climbers need to stay durable.
Fungal Nails: The Problem No One Talks About
Fungal nail infections typically start subtly — slight thickening, discolouration or chalkiness — but they’re stubborn once established. Tight climbing shoes repeatedly press on the nail, creating micro-cracks where fungi enter.
Why climbers are at risk: Constant pressure, trapped sweat, and exposure to shared mat areas make nails more vulnerable.
Prevention: Trim nails regularly, rotate shoes so they dry between sessions, keep footwear clean, and avoid barefoot areas in the gym.
How ClimbCare Supports Nail Health: Applying the foot balm to nails and cuticles helps inhibit fungal growth and supports a healthier nail bed thanks to ingredients like neem, tamanu and tea tree oil.
Shoe Odour: The Warning Sign You Shouldn’t Ignore
Strong shoe odour is more than unpleasant — it’s a sign that bacteria and fungi are thriving. These microbes break down sweat, salts and dead skin, releasing strong-smelling compounds.
Quick fixes: Take your shoes off between attempts, let them air out properly, wipe your feet before climbing, or stuff shoes with newspaper overnight.
Long-term fixes: Rotate pairs, disinfect shoes weekly, avoid cotton socks, and keep the skin healthy to reduce microbial food sources.
Air out your shoes: After every session, take them out of your bag and let them breathe. Fresh airflow slows down bacterial and fungal growth immediately.
How ClimbCare Helps: The balm’s antimicrobial ingredients support healthier skin and reduce bacteria on the feet, which naturally helps keep shoes fresher over time.
Keep Your Climbing Shoes Clean and Safe: Partner Spotlight: Shoe Chalk
Keeping your climbing shoes clean doesn’t have to be complicated — just consistent. Clean shoes mean healthier feet, less odour, reduced fungal risk, and longer-lasting footwear.
To help climbers keep their shoes clean and hygienic, I’ve teamed up with Shoe Chalk — a UK brand creating eco-friendly shoe-cleaning blocks designed specifically for climbing shoes. These blocks dissolve in water and make cleaning quick, gentle and effective. A clean shoe = healthier feet.
Properly clean your shoes with Shoe Chalk
Shoe Chalk removes the sweat, chalk dust, bacteria and odour that build up over time — all without damaging the rubber or fabric of your shoes.
A regular Shoe Chalk clean, combined with good foot care, massively reduces the risk of irritation, fungal nails and athlete’s foot.
To use them:
- Dissolve a Shoe Chalk block in warm water
- Gently scrub your shoes (inside and out)
- Rinse thoroughly
- Air dry
ClimbCare Foot Balm - Not Just for Climbers
Although ClimbCare Foot Balm was crafted with climbers in mind, the formula is incredibly effective for anyone whose feet spend long hours in warm, sweaty or enclosed footwear.
This includes:
- Ultra & trail runners — constant sweating + impact
- Hikers & mountaineers — heavy boots trap heat
- Cyclists — very tight shoes with no ventilation
- Gym-goers — shared floors and damp trainers
- Workers on their feet all day — chefs, medics, warehouse staff
The balm’s antifungal, antimicrobial and repairing properties make it ideal for any active lifestyle.
Final Thoughts From Me
Healthy feet help you climb — and live — more comfortably. By understanding what’s happening inside your shoes and adopting simple habits, you can prevent athlete’s foot, fungal nails and persistent odour. Combined with ClimbCare Foot Balm and proper shoe cleaning with Shoe Chalk, you’ll give your feet the best chance of staying strong and problem-free.