getting rid of smells
No offense to the previous contributors, but these suggestions will not work (perhaps other than the Vest Guard). The one thing that absolutely will work is: A solution of 3 parts white vinegar and 1 part water sprayed quite liberally inside and outside the shoe. It will not stain or fade anything. Place the shoes outside preferrably in the sun. As the solution dries it will take the odor with it. This has been the most dead simple and effective trick for anything odor-related. I got this tip from a car dealer who (in treating smoker's cars) places shallow dishes full of vinegar inside a car and let's the fumes evaporate. We've used in on the entire house with EXCELLENT results. I'm talking about spraying it on pretty much everything in the house that's not glass. Walls, floors, carpet, linens, mattresses, etc. It is amazing how well it works. The end result is that once the fumes have evaporated, there's literally no smell whatsoever. The house (and your shoes) will smell like vinegar for a bit, so this is something you do when you can leave the house for several hours. If you don't believe me, here's a simple test: Soak a large dishrag in full white vinegar. Place it on your return air vent, secure it so that it's either held by the pressure or mechanically, and turn on the air (just the fan will work). Go to work, whatever, leave for several hours and when you come home your house will smell like nothing at all. Just fresh air. You may have to open the doors/windows to clear the final remaining vinegar fumes, but once that's gone there's just no smell whatsoever.