Summer foot stench is 100% preventable, so what's your excuse?

Image: Mashable, Bob Al-Greene

Good man: You've learned man sandals are a no-no. Instead, you're reaching for loafers or sneakers.

But it's summer. If you want to go sockless, things can get a little dangerous. Those smelly, sweaty feet are impossible to ignore, especially when the shoes come off.

And if you're out to dinner at a sushi restaurant, where going sans shoes is sometimes a requirement, or sleeping over at a lady friend's place, the sour stench is completely unavoidable.

So what's a man with good intentions to do? Go back to barbaric flip flops? No way.

The first step in fighting stinky feet is knowing why they smell in the first place. Unlike common lore, foot stench doesn't come from sweat alone — which is virtually odorless. Rather, bacteria eats away at dead skin cells. They thrive in hot, enclosed environments and create a putrid scent similar to that of rotting cabbage.

The second step is thoroughly washing your toes and drying them before inserting them into a pair of your favorite kicks.

If washing your toes thoroughly isn't enough to prevent a swampy experience, here are six other steps to take to keep 'em fresh.

1. Deodorize more than your pits.

It might seem a little strange in the morning to use underarm products on your feet as well, but there's good reason to. An antiperspirant prevents sweat, which in turn eliminates bacteria from forming. Use any spray of your choosing, though we'd recommend this one from Dr. Scholl's, which destroys odor while instantly drying feet.

2. Use porous leather soles.

These breathable soles will allow your feet to air out while you're stomping around. Leather also will never become smelly, as it isn't a synthetic product, like a poly-cotton blend, for example. Try this one from Ecco, with an antibacterial treatment.

3. Get invisible socks.

Wearing shoes with bare feet is a perennial cool look. To cheat the look, try invisible socks or "loafer liners," like these from Stance. They'll soak up extra moisture and can be thrown in the wash. Rinse and repeat.

4. Use a cedar shoe tree.

These shoe trees are a must for any man who owns a variety of shoes. Not only does it keep a shoe's shape, it acts as a moisture wicker, naturally soaking up any excess sweat. Give a few of your kicks a rest and try not wearing them on the daily, then allow the cedar to freshen them up.

5. Also, dryer sheets

If cedar shoe trees are unavailable immediately, use a few dryer sheets, which work well with not only freshening up the smell of the shoes, but also soaking up excess moisture.

6. Powders work wonders.

A talcum powder like Gold Bond or corn starch is totally old school but works for a reason: It keeps things dry, therefore preventing bacteria.