ClEAN Shoes

Climbing Shoe Cleaning solutions for Gyms

The Problem with Rental Shoes

In every climbing gym, rental shoes are where hygiene standards are most vulnerable. They’re worn by dozens of people every day, often barefoot and always damp with sweat. Inside that warm, dark environment, bacteria and fungi thrive — breaking down organic matter and producing the strong, sour odor climbers know too well.

Air drying helps, but only on the surface. Deodorizers might mask the smell for a few hours, but they don’t stop the biological processes happening inside the shoe. Over time, the fabric and foam absorb residues that ordinary cleaning methods can’t reach. The result is not only unpleasant odor, but also faster material degradation and a less-than-fresh first impression for new climbers.

At ClimbLab, we believe cleanliness shouldn’t end at the holds or walls. It should start from the ground up — with shoes that are truly clean, inside and out.

ScentZyme

Enzymatic Cleaning for Daily Use

ScentZyme is an enzyme-based shoe spray designed for day-to-day use between rentals. Unlike alcohol- or perfume-based sprays that simply evaporate or coat the surface, ScentZyme introduces living enzymes that feed on the organic residues left behind by the microorganisms that break down sweat. As these enzymes break down odor molecules such as methanethiol and Isovaleric acid, they neutralize the root source of odor molecules rather than covering them up. Applied lightly inside each shoe after return or before storage, ScentZyme begins working immediately. Within minutes, the enzymes penetrate the fabric and insole, targeting odor-producing residues without leaving residue or moisture. The result is a shoe that smells neutral — not perfumed — and stays fresh longer between deeper cleanings. Because the formula is non-toxic and pH-balanced, it’s safe for repeated use on leather, microfiber, and synthetic materials. Daily treatment keeps microbial populations under control, prevents buildup, and creates a cleaner baseline that makes the next sanitizing cycle faster and more effective.

Ozone Sanitization

for Deep Cleaning

For long-term hygiene, surface cleaning alone isn’t always enough. The Klenz Ozone Sanitizer goes beyond deodorization by oxidizing microorganisms at the molecular level. Inside a sealed chamber, the system generates controlled concentrations of ozone gas — a triatomic form of oxygen that reacts with the cell walls of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, rendering them inactive.

When the shoes are placed inside, the ozone permeates every layer of fabric, padding, and stitching, reaching areas that manual or liquid cleaning can’t touch. A single cycle lasts only a few minutes, leaving the shoes dry, sanitized, and odor-free. No water, no heat, no chemical residue — just clean air and sterilized shoes ready for immediate reuse.

Regular use of the Klenz system, once a day or even once a week, depending on rental volume, eliminates microbial colonies before they can repopulate. This not only removes odor at its source but also prevents the recurrence of athlete’s foot–causing fungi and extends the lifespan of your shoe fleet.

The ozone process is completely contained and automatically vented after each cycle, making it safe for both staff and equipment. Together with ScentZyme, it forms a closed-loop sanitation process that keeps shoes clean, fresh, and hygienically safe for every climber who puts them on.

Clean shoes. Clean conscience

ClimbLab’s Clean Shoes solutions don’t disguise the problem — they eliminate it. By combining enzymatic breakdown with ozone sterilization, it removes the biological roots of odor and infection without harsh chemicals or waste.

Clean shoes mean confident staff, satisfied climbers, and a gym that smells as fresh as it looks.

Eliminate the root cause of odor — not by hiding it, but by removing it completely.

Smelly shoes?
Problem solved.

Learn how our enzyme spray and ozone generator keeps shoes fresh — or get in touch to try it out.