The Skunkies team just sent me over a batch of their latest updated product a few weeks back – and I am loving the upgrades they have made.

For those of you that have not heard of Skunkies, they are a scented insert you place inside your soccer cleats or bag that are designed to eliminate odor and absorb moisture, which helps prevent bacteria. Basically, they are the ideal solution if your bag or soccer cleats stink!

We first tested the Skunkies in October of 2009 when the product had just been launched. I have consistently used them since that time in my soccer bag and I regard them as one of the best solutions if you suffer from smelly shoes/cleats. The best thing about this new version is that they smell fantastic! I’m not sure how the Skunkies team came up with the scent but I love it. Add to that some new designs and they are a product worth considering. I recommend ordering a pair (for $5.99) when you buy a new pair soccer cleats – they will keep your boots smelling good and for the price that can be well worth it!

Giveaway
Of course, we made sure we got a few extra pairs sent over to giveaway to readers – so I have 4 pairs up for grabs right now. If you are interested in getting your name in the running to win, all you need to do leave a comment below answering the following question:

Do you soccer cleats smell? If so, what do they smell like? (keep it clean!!)

I will pick 5 winners on Friday (Jan 28th), normal rules apply and open to US residents only.

Over the past few months, we have been searching for different solutions to the very unsavory problem of smelly soccer cleats.

• Shaped like feet, and slip into your cleats.
• Dual Wick Fabric has a two layer patent technology that absorbs moisture.
• Comes in 3 colors (Black, Red and Blue) and 4 sizes (small, medium, large, XL).
• Filled with Eastern Red Cedar.
• Outer cover is removable for washing.
• Work as a ‘prevention’ for smelly soccer cleats.

Scent
Have you ever spent some time outside chopping wood, or been in a forest where some tree’s have recently been felled? Well, that smell is exactly what you get from these guys. The Eastern Red Cedar is a very refreshing smell, and works in eliminating odors in your cleats before they start. One fear I had initially, was that the smell was going to overtake my whole soccer bag and car. But, I am glad to report this is not so. Even though the smell seems strong (when you bring the Stuffitt to your nose the scent is very powerful) it is not overwhelming when left exposed, and you really can’t smell it from arms length away. Over the past few weeks that I have had the Stuffitts, they smell as new as they did the day I opened them….always a good sign!

Size
I used the large size inserts in my US 9 soccer cleats and they fitted nicely. They are shaped just like a foot, with the main area being tightly compacted. The toe area is more loose and has less filling. This is beneficial as it means you are not forcing the insert in, and if your cleats are a half size smaller the toe area has some leeway to bunch up a little.

Technology
The outer cover is made of a dual wick fabric, which has a patent technology that helps absorb moisture. This in turn means that the opportunity for bacteria to grow is substantially reduced. Another cool aspect is the fact that you can take this cover off and wash it. This means it is easily reused in other/new cleats. There is something substantially profound about the red cedar bark used other than the fact that it is rot resistant and holds its scent for long periods! It in fact is extremely absorbent and helps draw moisture from the cleat into the core of the Stuffitt, and this is one of the key attributes of the product. After testing, the Stuffitt has been proven to be 8x more effective in drying shoes than air drying. That is a huge difference!

Price
This in my opinion is the down point of the Stuffitts. To get yourself a pair it is going to cost $24.99. The average price of a pair of cleats is $100, so you are investing 25% to keep them from smelling. For some people (and their parents) this is a worthwhile investment, but for the average player it might be a little above budget. But one thing you should bear in mind is what you are getting when you buy a pair and that is quality that lasts! Since they are reusable, I reckon that the two pairs I have will cover the cleats I review until next summer!

Summary
Overall, I have to say that the Stuffitts work as described. My feeling is that they are best used as a preventative measure, rather than a solution to already smelly cleats. They smell uniquely different, and definitely help to dry out cleats after playing. If you play regularly in wet conditions these would be absolutely ideal to help dry out your cleats, meaning they are ready for the next practice or game. When you buy a pair, they come with a removable strap that means you can keep them together and not loose them. I found the strap to be particularly useful when I was drying them out (hanging them over a clothes line). You are sure to see more about Stuffitts in 2010, and I have a feeling they will be a big competitor in the market-space. To find out more, or to get yourself a pair, head directly over to their website www.stuffitts.com.

Skunkies Eliminate Odor

A few weeks back, we put together a post titled ‘Smelly Soccer Cleats: Whats the Solution?‘. In writing that post, I came across a new product called Skunkies, and suggested that they might be worth trying if you have a smelly cleats problem. Well, the inventors of the Skunkies, Jill Levin and Annemarie McCartney, saw the post and decided to send over a few pairs for the SoccerCleats101 team to review.

Since I do have a few pair of cleats that stink up my car, I was more than willing to test them out! After about 2 weeks of using them, I thought I would give an update/review on how they have been fairing.

Simply put, Skunkies are designed to eliminate odor and absorb moisture, which in turn prevents bacteria. Preventing bacteria means that the smell is, essentially, eliminated. Skunkies have been created using products that make them environmentally friendly and non-toxic! They come in three different scents. The ones we got were ‘Extreme Sport’, makes sense! My biggest problem is that after soccer practice, I tend to just throw my cleats in the trunk of my car. After leaving them there for a day or two, things start to stink! So, I have had a set of Skunkies tucked in my cleats in the back of my car. Thankfully, they actually work, and my car has been smell free. They don’t create a flowery scent in your car, instead they simply neutralize the smell, leaving your car smelling like a normal car. When you buy Skunkies, they come in a set of two…so one for each cleat.

And great news, rumor has it they will be listed over at soccer.com in the next month or two, meaning they will be really easy to order along with your new cleats! This will help ensure that from day 1, you are helping to prevent a problem before it starts! Another great thing about the Skunkies is that they can be used for all sports, and not just in cleats…but also in lockers or anywhere you need a fresh scent!

Skunkies sell for less than $5 a pair, well worth ordering with your next purchase.

Yeah, we have all experienced it, the horrible stench of smelly soccer cleats that have been stuck in a bag for a week!

First off, I never encourage anyone to leave their cleats in a boot bag. After a game, the best thing you can do is stuff them with some newspaper and leave them outside to air dry. Not in direct sunlight, as this process would just overdry the material. Just leave them outside in a shaddy area. Doing this will make a huge difference! To get the most out of your cleats, they need to be treated properly. The best thing to do is see them as an investment! If you can keep them dry, smell should not be an issue unless you are not washing your socks. My best advice is to get into a routine of leaving them outside after practice or games. Here are some key tips:

• Be consistent! Clean your cleats, and air dry them after every practice and every game.
• Stuff your cleats with newspaper, it helps soak up any excess water that lies in your cleats.
• Keep a Bounce sheet in your bag! This is something I advise 100%. After a session, I place a Bounce sheet inside my cleats. Even though it doesn’t fully remove the smell, it still helps!
• Use some Lysol. Lysol helps neutralize odor by killing bacteria. I can tell you from experience that it doesn’t solve the problem, but it can be a temporary solution!
• When buying cleats, choose K-leather rather than synthetic materials. Leather breathes more easily, so the odor does not stay trapped.
• And finally, try out ‘Skunkies‘. This a new product created by a couple soccer moms, after they got tired of their kids’ smelly cleats! They eliminate odor and absorb moisture, which prevents bacteria, leaving cleats smelling a little better!

I found out about Skunkies after reading an article over at philly.com. Their low-tech solution is a sachet filled with “proprietary” powder, meant to draw out moisture and deodorize. I think this is a great idea, and if they actually do work, they will help parents all over he US deal with their smelly cleat issues! You can check out the Skunkies at www.skunkies.net.

So, is there an actual solution? My answer would be no. The key is to work on prevention, and maintain cleats from the first time you wear them. If they are stinking up your space, chances are that it is the right time to invest in a brand spanking new pair. This will solve the smell issue, and also give you a fresh start. This time around, make sure you get it right! If you have any tips for solving the problem of smelly soccer cleats please share with us!

Also Check out:
Taking care of your cleats
Why clean your cleats?