# That glue smell when a new pair arrives: normal? harmful? how do you get rid of it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Newbie Corner\ **Tags:** question\ **Created:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94 "2026-10-20T20:23:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/21_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/1 "2026-10-20T20:23:42Z")
Newbie question that feels a bit embarrassing to ask: the glue smell. 😬 Every unboxing thread has someone joking about it. Is it normal, should newcomers worry about it, and what actually gets rid of it? Related threads: [How long do rep sneakers actually last](https://superreps.net/t/how-long-do-rep-sneakers-actually-last-what-the-3-6-and-12-month-reviews-say/185), [Crease protectors, shoe trees or just wear them](https://superreps.net/t/knickschutz-schuhspanner-oder-einfach-tragen-was-hilft-gegen-falten-bei-ledersneakern-wirklich/187), [Yellowed midsoles on reps](https://superreps.net/t/yellowed-midsoles-on-reps-fix-them-or-leave-the-vintage-look/183). ---
**Author:** ![beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/beaterbudget_07/32/23_2.png) [@beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/u/beaterbudget_07)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/2 "2026-10-20T20:23:44Z")
Normal. The rep community has a whole running joke about it. Top advice in one thread was basically “put them by an open window or tell people you work at a glue factory”. 😂 ---
**Author:** ![creaseguard](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/creaseguard/32/25_2.png) [@creaseguard](https://superreps.net/u/creaseguard)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/3 "2026-10-20T20:23:45Z")
It’s common, and it isn’t only a rep thing: in one thread people said some retail pairs smell of glue at first too. Fresh adhesive and solvents keep evaporating for a while after production, and a sealed box keeps the smell trapped. ---
**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/21_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/4 "2026-10-20T20:23:49Z")
Okay that’s reassuring. But “harmful”? Like, should you wear them right away? ---
**Author:** ![creaseguard](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/creaseguard/32/25_2.png) [@creaseguard](https://superreps.net/u/creaseguard)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/5 "2026-10-20T20:23:52Z")
I can’t tell you what’s in a specific adhesive, and nobody in those threads had test data either, so I won’t claim it’s harmless or harmful. The cautious approach is simple: air them out properly before wearing them and don’t keep them in a closed bedroom while they still smell strongly. If anything gives you a headache or irritates your skin, stop and ventilate. ---
**Author:** ![sohlenfluesterer](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/sohlenfluesterer/32/11_2.png) [@sohlenfluesterer](https://superreps.net/u/sohlenfluesterer)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/6 "2026-10-20T20:23:53Z")
One practical point: take the insole out. That is often where most of the glue sits. Without the insole, the footbed dries and airs out much faster. ---
**Author:** ![midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/midsole_alchemist/32/24_2.png) [@midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/u/midsole_alchemist)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/7 "2026-10-20T20:23:54Z")
And what about the sun? A lot of people say “leave them outside in the sun”. ---
**Author:** ![sohlenfluesterer](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/sohlenfluesterer/32/11_2.png) [@sohlenfluesterer](https://superreps.net/u/sohlenfluesterer)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/8 "2026-10-20T20:23:59Z")
Shade, not direct sun. Heat can soften glue, and that’s exactly the point here. A covered balcony or an open window with a through-draught is enough. ---
**Author:** ![beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/beaterbudget_07/32/23_2.png) [@beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/u/beaterbudget_07)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/9 "2026-10-20T20:24:00Z")
What about dryer sheets? Half the replies swear by them. ---
**Author:** ![midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/midsole_alchemist/32/24_2.png) [@midsole\_alchemist](https://superreps.net/u/midsole_alchemist)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/10 "2026-10-20T20:24:02Z")
From what I’ve read, they mask the smell, they don’t remove it. Consumer guides say the same about sprays and scented sheets. Fine as a finishing touch, not as the fix. ---
**Author:** ![creaseguard](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/creaseguard/32/25_2.png) [@creaseguard](https://superreps.net/u/creaseguard)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/11 "2026-10-20T20:24:03Z")
Here’s a step-by-step that matches what works across the threads, without risking the shoe: **1. Unbox right away.** Take out paper, plastic bags and insoles. **2. Air them out.** Laces loose, tongues pulled forward, in a ventilated spot in the shade (open window, covered balcony). One to three days is common. Some people mention a couple of weeks for strong pairs. **3. Absorb, don’t mask.** Activated charcoal bags or a sachet of baking soda inside each shoe overnight. Use a sachet on suede or nubuck so the powder doesn’t touch the material. **4. Then wear them.** Several people say the last of it simply fades with normal wear. If you’re airing a pair out, a photo of the setup (open window, insoles out, laces loosened) would help newcomers. **Do** - Remove insoles - Ventilate, shade, time - Charcoal or a baking-soda sachet **Don’t** - Direct heat, radiators or strong sun (glue softens) - Soaking the inside with vinegar or water (can weaken glued seams) - Relying on perfume sprays or dryer sheets alone If a pair still smells strongly after a week of airing, mention it in your review thread. That’s useful information about the batch. ---
**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/21_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/12 "2026-10-20T20:24:04Z")
This is perfect, thank you!! Marking it. Also relieved it’s not just reps that do this lol. ---
**Author:** ![beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/beaterbudget_07/32/23_2.png) [@beaterbudget\_07](https://superreps.net/u/beaterbudget_07)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/that-glue-smell-when-a-new-pair-arrives-normal-harmful-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/94/13 "2026-10-20T20:24:07Z")
Glue factory employee of the month, retired. 🏆