Whether it’s junior players or adults, smelly court shoes seem to be part of netball life!

As a netball-loving family, we’ve tried all the usual home remedies over the years – sprays, powders, airing shoes out in the garage – with mixed results. So when we decided to trial something new, we were hopeful but a little sceptical too.

That’s when we came across Boot Bananas, after watching the owners pitch their product on Dragons’ Den. Intrigued (and slightly amused by the banana design!), we thought we’d give them a go to see if they could finally tackle our stinky court shoe problem.

Shaped like two bright yellow linked bananas, Boot Bananas are filled with a blend of natural salts and minerals that absorb odour and moisture. Instead of that sweaty smell, they leave behind a fresh fragrance with hints of lavender, lemon, patchouli and tea tree. Simply pop them into your shoes once they’re dry, and let them work their magic.

Over time, the bananas gradually “ripen” and turn brown, usually lasting anywhere between 6 and 12 months – unless you’ve got particularly hardworking feet! They’re easy to use, fun to look at, and suitable for everyone in the family. In fact, we’ve even been testing them out in all of Dad’s shoes… with great success!

We’ve been genuinely impressed with how well Boot Bananas have kept our netball shoes fresh, from kids’ training shoes to adult match-day trainers. If smelly court shoes are part of your netball routine, these might be worth a try.

Give them a go and see what you think – your netball bag (and teammates) might thank you!