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By Stephanie Luna, CNN Underscored
Published 5:00 PM EDT, Wed March 26, 2025
What's in this guide
- Best shoes for sweaty feet
- How to choose the best breathable shoes for sweaty feet
- FAQs
- Meet our experts
- Why trust CNN Underscored
Finding shoes that are comfortable, fashionable and breathable can be a difficult task, especially if you tend to have sweaty feet. Whether you’re looking for moisture-wicking running shoes, breathable dress shoes or sandals with good airflow, shoes that allow air circulation are an essential part of any wardrobe — especially for feet that tend to sweat during the warmer months.
To help you find the best pair of breathable shoes, we reached out to several podiatrists and stylists for their expert recommendations and insights into the most comfortable and breathable options for sweaty feet.
Best shoes for sweaty feet
Hoka Clifton 9
With knit uppers and compression molded EVA foam midsoles, the Hoka Clifton 9 shoes provide breathability and comfort. Dr. Mark Mendeszoon, multiboard-certified podiatrist, recommends these running shoes for their “proper upper ventilation” that allows “for airflow to diminish sweating.”
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The plush fit and maximum cushion of these Clifton 9 shoes are perfect for everyday running while offering breathability to reduce sweating.
Dr. Elizabeth Bass Daughtry, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon, recommends these Vionic sneakers with lightweight midsoles that offer “unparalleled stability and support while keeping feet breathable with mesh uppers," she says.
These New Balance running shoes are another great breathable option recommended by Mendeszoon. The Fresh Foam midsoles and lightweight design provide arch support, comfort and good airflow.
Personal stylist Joy Asibey-Gabriel likes how “these classic low cut sneakers are cute and breathable," she says. "They’re largely made out of leather (a naturally breathable material), and they feature super comfy soles. These shoes support sweaty feet without sacrificing on style.”
Asibey-Gabriel recommends these sneakers because they are “light, breathable, come in a range of colors and make sweaty feet look stylish.” She also loves “the modern retro styling” these shoes offer.
Drew Nicole, principal personal stylist and founder of Curated by Drew, says these unisex Nike shoes are the “perfect sneaker for sweaty feet” because of the “casual mesh tennis shoe [style] with incredible airflow.”
Asibey-Gabriel says that these were her go-to sandals while five months pregnant and walking all day on a sightseeing trip to D.C. one summer. She especially liked how they kept her feet dry and comfortable.
New Balance 990v6
Nicole recommends these New Balance shoes because they provide “comfort, ventilation and mesh.” The ENCAP midsole cushioning (consisting of EVA reinforced with a polyurethane rim) is lightweight and offers support all day long.
Nicole says these shoes are “great for extended wear.” They’re comfortable, breathable and supportive — making them great for walking or running.
Elisa Ellis, wardrobe stylist and founder of Turnkey Style, loves these slip-on shoes because they “look like sneakers, but you feel like you're walking on clouds.” She says, “Made from eucalyptus tree fiber, these slip-on sneakers are so comfy that they feel like you're wearing socks. They are lightweight, breathable and machine washable.”
These Oxfords are Nicole’s favorite pick for men’s dress shoes. “These Oxfords have a patented breathable technology that allows natural temperature regulation to help keep your feet dry,” she says.
Both Nicole and Ellis recommended these women’s flats, highlighting the sustainable and recyclable yet still breathable materials used. “These knit shoes are breathable and washable, magically allowing airflow while wicking away moisture,” Ellis says. She loves that these shoes come in a range of color options too. Nicole adds that “maintenance of these shoes are a breeze as they are machine washable, helping you to maintain the freshness.”
These are Ellis’ go-to loafers for travel or if she needs to stand on her feet all day — she loves how supportive and comfortable they are. Plus, the removable microfiber-wrapped EVA insoles are easy to spot-clean. She says, “These loafers have an EVA insole, excellent arch support and are lightweight with a flexible sole that moves with your foot.”
Mendeszoon recommends these Hokas for warmer days. “With nicer weather it may be beneficial to use sandals that allow the feet to be exposed to the environment,” he says. These slides are supportive, breathable and great for everyday wear.
These Toms shoes are Ellis’ top pick for espadrilles for sweaty feet. “Tried and true espadrilles made with canvas and flexible soles, [these] are lightweight and breathable, perfect for warm weather,” she says. “I love these as a great everyday casual option plus they are available in various colors and styles.”
How to choose the best breathable shoes for sweaty feet
Whether you want to wear sandals, dress shoes or athletic shoes, finding options made of breathable materials is crucial for sweaty feet. According to Mendeszoon, “Purchasing shoes with materials that allow for ventilation are best for sweaty feet. Canvas, mesh, leather, suede and nubuck are some materials to investigate when shoe shopping.”
Multiple experts recommended avoiding fake leather — Nicole also suggests avoiding any synthetic materials since they can trap heat. Instead, Daughtry recommends wearing “well-fitting shoes made of natural materials such as leather or nylon mesh to encourage breathability.” According to the podiatrist, sneakers made with mesh and removable insoles are an excellent choice for excessively sweaty feet because they’re naturally breathable and you can wash them frequently. Nicole also notes that it’s important to “be cognizant of not wearing the same pair of shoes daily and alternate them to allow pairs to air out completely.”
Apart from breathable materials, Ellis suggests looking out for shoes with moisture-wicking linings and odor-resistant technology. She recommends choosing “shoes with antimicrobial or moisture-wicking insoles that absorb sweat and prevent odor buildup” and looking out for brands that “offer built-in odor protection with silver ions or antimicrobial treatments.”
Mendeszoon says if you can wear sandals during the nicer weather, he would recommend sticking with those. However, if you have to wear athletic shoes, choose one with a “mesh type knitting so it’s breathable.” Similarly, if you’re wearing a dress shoe, “then you want shoes with either cotton or Merino wool or any type of material that is breathable.” Mendeszoon emphasizes the importance of taking into consideration your foot type, activity type and dress code to choose what’s best for your feet.
FAQs
The following FAQs have been answered by podiatrists Dr. Elizabeth Bass Daughtry and Dr. Mark Mendeszoon, and personal stylists Elisa Ellis, Drew Nicole and Joy Asibey-Gabriel.
According to Mendeszoon, “The feet have the most sweat ducts in the entire body. A person can not completely stop feet from sweating (hyperhidrosis) as this is a sympathetic response, meaning you cannot control it.” To help manage and diminish excessive perspiration, Mendeszoon has several tips. “When showering or bathing, wash your feet with a scrub brush, a rough washcloth or even a facial exfoliator. This will open up the pores of the sweat ducts and remove dead skin cells and bacteria which can cause an odor,” he says. He also recommends soaking the feet in diluted white vinegar or a very diluted bleach water to diminish bacteria and even help reduce the acidic component of sweat, which can help with odor. “Powdering your shoes every day and even taking out the insoles for custom orthotics can diminish moisture in your shoes,” he says. “Lastly, utilize an antiseptic spray (like Lysol) that can diminish fungi, bacteria and viruses.”
Daughtry also adds that “changing your socks frequently, trying to avoid wearing the same shoes consecutively and treating the underlying condition that is causing the excessive sweating if possible are additional ways to combat unwanted sweaty feet.”
Daughtry recommends socks made from moisture-wicking materials such as Merino wool, synthetic blends, cotton or bamboo. “Merino wool is a natural fiber that is excellent at regulating temperature and wicking away moisture to keep feet cool in summer and warm in winter,” she says. “Bamboo fabric is known for being soft and breathable along with offering some natural antimicrobial properties.”
Ellis also recommends Merino wool socks or no-show socks. Some of her favorites include Bombas Low-Cut No Show Socks and Sheec Secret Low-Cut Ultra Thin InvisiLite Liner No Show Socks.
Nicole provides different shoe cleaning care depending on the type of shoe you’re wearing. “You should wash dress shoes regularly and allow them to air out with a deep clean to a cobbler every couple of months,” she says. For casual shoes and sneakers, she recommends cleaning them once every two to three weeks. Additionally, she recommends cleaning sandals and open-toe shoes every week to prevent bacteria growth.
Asibey-Gabriel says, “Aim to wash your shoes as soon as they begin to smell, or roughly every 1 to 2 weeks. Even better, cycle through multiple pairs of shoes so each pair has ample time to dry before it’s worn again.” She says it’s best to avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row, but if that isn’t possible, a boot dryer might come in handy. She also recommends using “products to help combat odor and absorb excess moisture, like SmellWell’s freshener inserts or Summer Soles absorbent inserts for open-toed shoes.”
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on how to choose the best shoes for sweaty feet.
- Joy Asibey-Gabriel, personal stylist based in Toronto
- Dr. Elizabeth Bass Daughtry, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon based in North Carolina
- Elisa Ellis, wardrobe stylist and founder of Turnkey Style
- Dr. Mark Mendeszoon, multiboard-certified podiatrist at Precision Orthopaedic Specialties in Chardon, Ohio and owner of Achilles Running Shop, a specialty shop dedicated to runners, walkers and athletes
- Drew Nicole, principal personal stylist and founder of Curated by Drew
Why trust CNN Underscored
Here at Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don’t just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every product we recommend is worthy of your money. In addition to hands-on testing products, we also consult top experts to understand what features, benefits and possible downsides each item offers. We seek out important considerations and advice from our experts to help give you the information you need to make smarter shopping decisions. For this story, editorial coordinator Stephanie Luna interviewed podiatrists and stylists for insights into the best shoes for sweaty feet and what to consider when shopping for breathable shoes.
Stephanie Luna Editorial Coordinator
Stephanie Luna is an editorial coordinator at CNN Underscored based in NYC. She produces articles across Underscored to maintain formatting and style consistency and optimizes stories to ensure best SEO practices. In her free time, she loves to read, crochet and go on walks with her dog, Stitch.
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