Tried and tested: Prax shoe deodorant - long-term odour protection for boat shoes

Stinky boat shoes are an annoying problem. If they are worn without socks, strong odours quickly develop due to moisture and bacteria. Even after washing, the odour often returns after just one or two uses. To prevent the whole boat smelling of odours, the shoes must be allowed to air out well. The Shoe deodorant from PRAX promises a remedy: a single application should protect against odours for up to a year thanks to a patented coating - completely without biocides, purely physically. The shoe deodorant is based on the product Go Fresh 27/4 developed by Munditech, which we tested.

Nasty stinkers as test objects

For the test, we used boat shoes that were several years old and had a persistent odour problem despite regular washing: after just a few days, at the latest when damp, they developed a distinctly unpleasant odour. Even after washing them again, the problem immediately reappeared - a typical case of chronically smelly boat shoes. We had previously treated the shoes with ozone, also without lasting success: although the odour disappeared for a short time, it returned after the first wear.

Following the GoFresh 24-7 application instructions, the shoes were thoroughly washed and dried, then treated with eight sprays per shoe and left to dry overnight. The application was uncomplicated, the spray left no visible residue and, in our version without fragrances, no deodorant odour.

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One week of intensive use - no odour

After treatment with the shoe deodorant, the shoes were used intensively for a week - in different weather conditions, sometimes with moisture and sweat. The result was convincing: there was no odour on the shoes. Even after taking them off, neither the shoe nor the foot area smelled unpleasant. So the product actually works very well and makes the boat shoes presentable again without having to air them out under the spray hood.

The manufacturer advertises a long-term effect of up to one year: once treated at the start of the season, the shoes should last the whole season. At a price of around 15 euros for 100 millilitres and a range of four to six pairs of shoes, the costs per pair of shoes are manageable - around 2.50 to 3 euros for a year of odour protection.

How the shoe deodorant works

The active principle of GoFresh 24-7 differs significantly from conventional disinfectants: Instead of chemically destroying bacteria, the effect is based exclusively on a physical process. The spray acts as a coating on the textile fibres and uses hydrophobic interactions with the cell membrane of microorganisms so that bacteria cannot colonise and multiply. The patented Mundex-W technology has been tested in independent laboratories and achieves an effectiveness of over 99.99 per cent against bacteria. It has also been proven to be more than 99.97 per cent effective against enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses. As it contains no biocidal active ingredients, the product is not subject to EU-wide registration and is authorised for use in the food industry - an indication of its safety.

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Also suitable for other textiles

In addition to boat shoes, the spray is also suitable for neoprene suits, oilskin linings and textile seat covers in the cockpit. However, it is important to note that the spray only has a preventative effect, not a curative one. Textiles that are already smelly must first be washed thoroughly before the coating can be applied. The technology is already being used in the occupational safety industry: Numerous leading manufacturers of safety and work shoes use Mundex W as an integral factory finish or as an additional hygiene concept. According to the manufacturer, several major suppliers in the textile industry and in the sportswear sector are also involved in pilot projects.

Conclusion: It actually works

GoFresh 24-7 convinced us in the practical test. We received it directly from the manufacturer before it was marketed as a shoe deodorant. The product delivers what it promises: even after a week of intensive use, there was no detectable odour on the treated boat shoes - a clear difference to the previous state, after even an ozone treatment had not brought lasting success. The application is uncomplicated and the long-term effect is impressive. GoFresh 24-7 is available as a pump spray containing 100 millilitres and costs around 15 euros. The product is available under the name PRAXS shoe deodorant available via Amazon.

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