I’m working with Microban on this post. Thanks for supporting RER.
Hello! How’s it going? Over here it’s going nice and hot. Just like I like it.
But we should talk about the elephant skunk in the room…. me.
I don’t really excel in many things. But if I were to ever win a world record for something it would be one of the following:
Run Eat Repeat’s Potential List of World Records:
1. LOUDEST Redheaded Mexican
2. Most watermelon consumed in a lifetime
3. Smelliest sweat
Today we’re talking about #3 – how I somehow manage to smell so bad my running clothes smell even after a good wash. Yes, I’ve tried the fancy sports laundry detergents that are supposed to combat smells. The have helped a tiny bit, but it almost seems like they mask the smell and it comes back.
So, I was very interested when someone from Microban reached out and asked me to try a running top made from their Microban Odor Control Technology. Basically – this workout gear WON’T SMELL.
Ummmm… Challenge Accepted.
I was skeptical and actually told my contact on the phone that I smell. She was fully confident the shirt she would send me would not smell even after a few days of running in it and NOT washing it.
I started to laugh when she added, “As long as you’re not training for a marathon or anything like that… you should be fine and it won’t smell.”
I’m not officially training for a specific race but I am training to run a marathon in the fall. So my mileage is fairly high and it’s summer. I wasn’t sure this would work!
She sent me a short sleeve tech tee made of 100% Polyester treated with Microban’s ZPTech and Scentry Technology.
Microban isn’t a brand of workout gear – they work with companies who sell those clothes. The company works with more than 250 partner companies, including many iconic international brands, including Fila®, Puma®, Calvin Klein®, Teva®, Reebok®, Terramar Sports®, New Balance®, Spanx®, Under Armour®, Hook& Tackle® and 5.11 Tactical®.
I wore the shirt for 3 runs and 1 strength training session.
It was HOT on my runs and I definitely got the shirt sweaty. After a run I usually throw my sweaty running gear in the hamper. Since I would be wearing this again I put it on the towel rack in the bathroom one time and left it on the sink another time. I didn’t make a big effort to ‘air it out’ by hanging it up.
After four sweaty workouts I left it on top of a dresser in my closet. This wasn’t for any specific reason other than – I’m lazy. I needed to write this post before washing it so I could double check if it smelled after a day or two.
Did the Microban shirt smell after 4 sweaty workouts and NO washing or hanging to dry / air out?
No.
Not at all. Seriously. This was extra surprising to me because I smelled myself after one of the runs in the shirt and my underarm situation was not pleasant.
I asked Vegas to confirm the shirt didn’t smell so he could back up this claim, but he was too busy rolling around on the bed. So you’re going to have to take my word for it.
I’m impressed with the fact that the shirt didn’t smell after all those workouts and kinda being thrown in a pile. I’m definitely going to look for this in other gear.
You can get running and workout gear that won’t stink too! They work with so many different companies your favorite running brand might already offer clothes with this technology. Look for shoes, apparel and other workout gear with Microban Odor Control Technology (sometimes it’s in the product description or details).
You can learn more about the company here – Microban or checkout their Facebook here.
Question: On a scale of 1 to 10 – How much do you smell after a sweaty workout?
1 = I smell like a sweet flower in bloom
10 = you will throw up in your mouth a little if you come too close
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Microban. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting RER.
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Jennifer says
OMG do they make a Microban sports bra? DEF need that!
I am going to check this out! That workout sweat funk just doesn’t leave.
Melissa says
I need this in my life! It’s embarrassing! (Luckily I don’t embarrass easily) but seriously my husband will call me out for my stank! haha
Amy says
Well I am a stinky one! Probably an 8, BUT what chemicals are in this fabric to make it work? I guess I’d rather stink than have something super toxic soaking in to my pores! Microban is classified as a pesticide.
Shannon says
Microban is embedded into the fabric so it does not leach out of the shirt. The technologies are based off of things like silver and zinc.
Aimee says
I smell like a 10…a 10… a bleeping 10! It’s always a struggle in my house Because my husband runs as well. Can we say some loads of laundry are turned up to 11 when training for a Disney race?
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff says
I was literally putting baking soda in my stinky shoes and laundry to try and combat my stinky stuff but it didn’t work. I hate that my workout gear gets so stinky.
Kathy says
Probably about a 4-5 however I definitely notice that if I don’t wash my clothes THAT day and instead let them sit and then wash …..after a few wears they or I stink…without that much sweating….so I am thinking its the clothes because they sat in the stunk too long and waiting too long before a wash does NOT work.
(Yep, pretty much the longest run on sentence ever!! Making every English teacher cringe a little right now…ha!)
Loribeth says
I am not too stinky after a run, maybe a 3 or 4…………..but I work with penguins, and after fifteen minutes in the exhibit, it is definitely a 10! But I bet Microban wouldn’t work on animal smells 🙂