Antibacterial Shoe Technology – Polygiene in Shoes

Foot and footwear odor is a significant issue for many people. As the soles of our feet are home to around 250,000 sweat glands (NHS), they tend to sweat a great deal more than other parts of the body. This can result in strong bacterial-related odors. Fortunately, there are anti-smell shoe technologies that can help resolve the problem. Here, we explore the benefits of anti-odor shoe technology and examine how our own market-leading solution, Polygiene® StayFresh, is employed.

What is anti-odor shoe technology?

Anti-odor shoes, sometimes known as antibacterial shoes, are a footwear product designed to tackle one of the main causes of bad foot smells – bacteria. Thriving in warm, damp environments, such as those found in shoes and socks, bacteria produce smelly byproducts as they metabolize sweat and skin cells and proliferate. To prevent bad smells, we need to stop the spread of bacteria. Enter Polygiene StayFresh, our antibacterial odor control solution. Capable of being integrated into almost any textile, this advanced additive technology is one of the most effective anti-odor shoe technologies on the market.

Key benefits of anti-odor shoe technology

1. Keep your feet fresher for longer

The principal benefit associated with anti-odor shoe technology is that it helps manage odor and keeps your feet and footwear smelling fresher for longer. As feet are generally renowned as one of the smelliest parts of the body, this is a big deal. Many people suffer from foot-related odor issues, and integrated antibacterial protection is one of the most effective means of tackling the problem.

2. Prevent bacterial growth

Odor-causing bacteria are arguably the single biggest issue when it comes to smelly feet. Because they thrive in warm, damp, and dark environments and extract nutrition from sweat and dead skin cells, footwear offers bacteria the perfect environment for growth. But microorganisms like bacteria aren’t just an odor issue. They can also irritate the skin and cause discomfort. By preventing bacterial growth, Polygiene StayFresh antibacterial shoe technology helps users manage problems typically associated with high bacterial loads.

3. Improve comfort and self-confidence

For some people, foot and footwear odor is such a concern that they’re unwilling to remove their shoes when around others. Associated with serious self-consciousness, foot odors can impact our self-confidence and affect our comfort, willingness to socialize, and, in some cases, our ability to perform at our best. If you’re worried about smelly shoes, you’re not entirely focused on the task at hand. By keeping unpleasant odors at bay, Polygiene StayFresh’s antibacterial odor control technology ensures users can go about their day with complete confidence. 

4. Shoes last longer

Natural fibers are prone to faster biodeterioration when exposed to high bacterial loads (IBB). As such, antibacterial additives can help prevent premature damage and keep footwear products in the best possible condition. By keeping odors at bay, Polygiene StayFresh also reduces the frequency with which users need to wash their footwear. Washing machines are rough on textiles, and regular washing can damage items. Consequently, less frequent washing can mean products last longer, saving consumers money.

5. A more sustainable approach

By extending the expected lifespan of antibacterial shoes and footwear products, Polygiene technology contributes to a more sustainable approach to clothing and footwear. Whereas the fast fashion model has historically emphasized the repeat purchase of consumables with a short shelf life, consumers and brands are increasingly turning to more sustainable alternatives and opting to buy long-lasting durables. Polygiene is part of that transition, ensuring products last longer and are more environmentally friendly.

Polygiene technology in footwear products

Polygiene StayFresh can be integrated into almost any textile and is found in a wide range of footwear products, including anti-odor shoes. Beyond this, you can find Polygiene technology in:

Antibacterial socks – Polygiene StayFresh can be integrated into everyday and performance socks to provide additional antibacterial odor control. For instance, you can find Polygiene technology in Sidas Trail Running Socks.

Antibacterial shoe insoles – the soles of the feet feature one of the greatest concentrations of sweat glands anywhere on the body. This means insoles are particularly prone to unpleasant odors. Polygiene odor protection is built into products like Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Insoles to prevent this.

Aftermarket sprays – while not an antibacterial solution, Polygiene OdorCrunch tackles environmental odors by capturing and crunching the molecules responsible for bad odors. It works brilliantly in smelly shoes and has been worked into the Storm x Polygiene OdorCrunch Spray, so you can freshen up your footwear whenever it’s required.

Understanding Polygiene StayFresh technology

Built around silver chloride, a common salt that occurs naturally in soil and water, Polygiene StayFresh has been refined for enhanced potency and easy application during the manufacturing process. The solution works in three key ways:

1. It interferes with the bacterial cell wall to inhibit growth.
2. It hampers enzyme activity, limiting energy production in the cell.
3. It disrupts cellular DNA, impacting bacteria’s ability to replicate.

Polygiene StayFresh delivers powerful, 24/7, around-the-clock odor control for an extended period, often lasting a product’s entire lifespan with no need for reapplication. As it is integrated into textiles during the manufacturing process, it is IN fabrics rather than ON them and does not leach or fade. 

Polygiene StayFresh is proven skin-safe and does not interfere with the body’s natural bacteria. It is bluesign® approved, Oeko-Tex Eco-Passport certified, and complies with the EU’s REACH chemical legislation.

Advice for footwear manufacturers

At Polygiene, we’ve worked hard to ensure that adopting our Freshness technologies is as simple as possible. We support our partners through the process of integrating the additive solution into existing manufacturing processes to ensure minimal disruption. At the same time, we provide extensive marketing support, helping brands to communicate the benefits of Polygiene technology to consumers effectively and maximizing the value of implementing odor-control for your business.