Recently I've taken to wearing boots more and more. Mostly a pair of walking/hiking boots, but I just got a pair of Bates M9 boots as well.

I asked a friend who's recently back from Iraq how military personnel keep their boots from getting really nasty smelling, and he said, "foot powder". He said I should dust my feet before putting them on, and then the inside of the boots when I'm not wearing them.

My question is: Will foot powder affect the waterproof-ness and/or breathability of the boots? I can just envision the little pores that allow the moisture out getting all clogged up and the boots not being able to breathe any more. I realize that hundreds of thousands of troops must be operating from collective wisdom, but with this particular friend...sometimes his ideas need to be taken with a grain of salt.

Foot powder okay for breathable boots?

'Trainer tamer' insoles work well.
The Sock

Your friend is on target. Foot powder is key to protecting your feet and it keeps them feeling dry and comfy. If you are worried about the long term effects of powder in your boots, use Dr Scholls odor eaters. They not only keep your boots from getting funky, they will kill the smell of really funky boots in a day or two. A pair usually cost less than 6 bucks. At that price you have nothing to loose.

Hi Ors,

X-static socks can help together with an activated charcoal insoles (odor eaters and foot powder) and a merino wool liner sock. Wash feet with Tea Tree Natural Soap.

http://www.thorlo.com/mags/socks/army-combat-boot-xstatic-socks/50.php?content_id=news

http://www.odor-eaters.com/products_flash.shtml

http://www.rei.com/product/659684

http://www.thinknatural.com/products/112548/Faith-in-Nature-Tea-Tree-Soap-100g.htm

oh and never, ever wear socks more than once between washes.
The Sock

While I was in Iraq, I used foot powder daily. Never had a problem with the boots not breathing or with them getting too soaked on the inside.

Not only does it help keep the boots fresh, but it also helps ward off fungal infection, even if it doesn't necessarily contain any antifungal agents. I used Gold Bond most of the time.

If you did get athlete's foot, then you'd need something that cures it cuz foot powder alone won't do it.

BTW, boot insulation works pretty good at helping to keep your feet from baking too.