Your shoes may look clean. But do you really know what has been inside them?
Imagine walking into a badminton academy after a long day. You feel like playing a quick game, but you haven't brought your court shoes. Someone offers you a pair of used sports shoes from the academy's shoe rack.
They look reasonably clean. They fit well enough. You slip them on and head to the court.
But here's a question worth asking: If you wouldn't share someone's mouthguard, roll-on deodorant or other personal-care products, why are you comfortable putting your feet into footwear worn by a stranger?
It's a question that deserves more attention, especially as more people discover badminton, squash, table tennis, tennis, pickleball and other indoor sports.
1. Athlete's Foot: A Real Problem That Can Start Where You Least Expect It
Athlete's foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that can cause itching, burning, flaky skin and cracks, particularly between the toes and on the soles of the feet. The fungus responsible thrives in warm, moist environments. And what can create precisely that kind of environment?
A pair of shoes worn for hours during a physically demanding game.
Your feet sweat during exercise. Moisture and warmth can accumulate inside footwear, particularly when shoes are not given enough time to dry. If footwear is contaminated with fungi, sharing it may expose another person to infection.
The American Academy of Dermatology and the UK's NHS both advise people not to share shoes, socks or towels, and recommend keeping feet clean and dry.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology | NHS
And athlete's foot isn't the only concern. Fungal infections can also affect toenails, sometimes causing them to become discoloured, thickened or brittle. Nail infections can take months to treat.
The important point: You cannot reliably judge the hygiene of the inside of a shoe simply by looking at its exterior.
2. The Comparisons We Understand Instinctively
Let's consider a few everyday examples.
Would You Use a Stranger's Mouthguard?
Imagine being offered a mouthguard previously used by another boxer. Would you put it in your mouth without knowing who used it, how it was cleaned or whether it was properly disinfected?
Probably not.
A mouthguard comes into direct contact with saliva and the tissues inside the mouth. It is personal protective equipment, and hygiene matters. Yet we sometimes apply a different standard to sports footwear, even though it has prolonged contact with our skin and can retain sweat and moisture. The two products aren't identical, and their risks differ. But the underlying principle is the same: equipment that comes into close contact with your body deserves careful attention to hygiene.
Would You Share Someone's Roll-On Deodorant?
Most people prefer their own roll-on deodorant rather than applying a product that another person has used directly on their skin. Why? Because personal-care products are personal for a reason. Direct contact, hygiene and the possibility of transferring microorganisms influence our choices. Sports shoes deserve similar consideration, particularly when they are shared repeatedly by different users and there is no clear cleaning and drying routine.
What About a Used Bar of Soap?
A used bar of soap may seem like a suitable comparison, but the science is more nuanced. Research has found that soap can become contaminated, yet studies do not necessarily show that ordinary use of a shared bar leads to infection. The lesson isn't that every shared item is dangerous. It is that the nature of the contact, the environment and the cleaning process matter.
And unlike a bar of soap, the inside of a sports shoe is repeatedly exposed to perspiration and may remain warm and damp long after a game has ended.
Would You Borrow Someone's Socks?
This is perhaps the simplest comparison of all. Most people would hesitate before wearing someone else's used socks. Socks absorb sweat and remain in close contact with the skin. Shoes also accumulate moisture and can harbour fungi under suitable conditions. Even when clean socks are worn, the footwear itself may remain a potential source of exposure. This is why health authorities specifically recommend not sharing shoes and keeping footwear dry.
3. The Problem Goes Beyond Professional Athletes
You don't have to be a professional athlete to experience these concerns.
Consider the people who may be most likely to use shared sports shoes:
- Children trying a new sport: A child attends a trial badminton session, but the parents haven't yet invested in dedicated court shoes.
- Beginners at sports academies: A newcomer borrows a pair of shoes because they aren't sure whether they'll continue playing.
- Casual players: Friends arrange an impromptu game at a pay-and-play facility, and someone arrives without appropriate footwear.
- Occasional players: Someone wants to play once or twice a month without purchasing specialist shoes immediately.
These people are not doing anything unusual. They are simply trying a sport before committing to it. But a convenient short-term solution shouldn't mean ignoring personal hygiene.
Academies and sports facilities can help by encouraging players to bring their own footwear, providing clear hygiene policies and ensuring that any shared equipment is cleaned and dried appropriately.
4. Is Every Used Sports Shoe Unsafe? No. But Questions Should Be Asked.
It is important to be fair and factual. A previously worn shoe is not automatically contaminated or dangerous. The level of risk depends on factors such as the previous wearer's foot health, moisture, storage conditions, cleaning and drying.
Nor does buying a brand-new pair guarantee that someone will never develop athlete's foot. Fungi can be picked up in changing rooms, communal showers and other environments. However, repeatedly sharing footwear introduces an additional hygiene consideration that can often be avoided.
Before wearing a shared pair, ask:
- Who used the shoes before me?
- Were they worn by someone with a known foot or nail infection?
- How were they cleaned, and are they completely dry?
- Are clean socks being worn?
- Is there a better option that lets me use my own footwear?
These are sensible questions, not reasons to be afraid of sport.
5. Introducing SoleD: Try the Sport, Not Someone Else's Shoes
At SoleD, we believe that the joy of discovering a sport should not require an immediate investment in expensive, dedicated sports footwear. That is why we developed SoleD — a clip-on sole accessory designed to help transform compatible regular sneakers into non-marking footwear for court sports.
Instead of borrowing a pair of sports shoes at an academy or buying specialised footwear before knowing whether you enjoy the game, you can explore another option: use your own suitable sneakers with SoleD.
Simply snap SoleD onto compatible footwear to create a court-ready setup for the sports it is designed for.
SoleD is intended for sports such as badminton, table tennis, squash, tennis, pickleball and other supported court activities.
Why Your Own Footwear Makes Sense
- A more personal choice: You retain your own shoes rather than putting your feet into a pair worn by an unknown number of people.
- An easier way to try a sport: Explore a new activity before committing to expensive specialist footwear.
- Convenience for spontaneous games: Be better prepared when an unexpected invitation to play comes along.
- A more accessible entry point: Parents and beginners can explore court sports with less pressure to buy dedicated shoes immediately.
One important distinction: SoleD does not sterilise footwear or guarantee protection against fungal infections. Your regular shoes should still be kept clean and dry, and SoleD should be maintained according to its care instructions.
The benefit is simpler: you can choose to use your own footwear rather than routinely sharing someone else's.
6. A Small Change in Habit Can Make a Big Difference
The next time you visit a sports academy, think about the choices available to you. Bring your own suitable shoes. Wear clean socks. Keep your feet dry. Allow your footwear to dry thoroughly between uses. Avoid sharing shoes, particularly with someone who has a suspected or diagnosed foot infection.
These are practical habits supported by established foot-health guidance. And if you are just starting your sports journey, consider a solution that lets you explore the game without immediately purchasing a separate pair of specialist shoes.
Because sport should be about movement, enjoyment, confidence and community — not unnecessary compromises on personal hygiene.
Your Feet. Your Shoes. Your Game.
You wouldn't casually borrow a stranger's mouthguard. You probably wouldn't choose to share their roll-on deodorant.
So why should borrowing their sports shoes be the default solution?
Play more. Explore more. Make a more personal choice.
Discover SoleD — a smarter way to get ready for your next court game.
SoleD — Be Ready Always.
Explore SoleD at soled.in.
Health note: This article provides general educational information and is not medical advice. Athlete's foot can have several routes of transmission, and sharing footwear is a potential risk rather than a guarantee of infection. Anyone experiencing persistent itching, peeling, cracking or changes to their toenails should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
