Tried out: Shoe deodorant GoFresh 24/7 - long-term odour protection for boat shoes

Smelly boat shoes are a tiresome problem. Worn without socks, they quickly develop pungent odours due to moisture and bacterial growth. Even after washing, the odour returns after one or two wears. The shoes need to be aired out under the sprayhood so that the whole boat doesn't smell. The Shoe deodorant from PRAX promises a solution: with a single application, a patented coating is supposed to protect against odours for up to a year - purely physically, without biocides. The shoe deodorant is based on the product Go Fresh 27/4 developed by Munditech, which we have tested.

Test object with persistent odour problem

For the test, we used sailing shoes that were several years old and had a persistent odour problem despite regular washing: After just a few days, at the latest when they became damp, a distinctly unpleasant odour developed. Even after washing them again, the problem returned immediately - a typical case of chronically smelly boat shoes. We had already treated the shoes with ozone in the past, but without any lasting effect: although the odour was gone for a short time, it returned after the first wear. Following the instructions for using the GoFresh 24-7 shoe deodorant, the shoes were thoroughly washed and dried, then sprayed 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 fundamentally from conventional disinfectants: Instead of chemically killing bacteria, the effect is based solely on a physical mechanism. The spray forms a coating on the textile fibres that prevents bacteria from settling and multiplying through hydrophobic interaction with the cell membrane of microorganisms. The patented Mundex-W technology has been tested in independent laboratories and shows 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 no biocidal active ingredients are used, 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 sailing gloves, neoprene suits, oilskin linings or 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 sailing 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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