Recently bought some nice Asolo boots at the REI used gear sale. They had some laffy taffy on the sole, which I didn't think would be a problem. After removing the taffy and soaking the soles in vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and a number of strong solvents, as well as sanding away some of the rubber with a dremel tool, they still retain a sugary candy smell, though it's fainter than before. I actually have to bring the sole to my face to smell it now, which took a lot of doing. Do people think this is going to be a problem? I'm going on a 7 day backpacking trip in the Sierras next week, and I'm leery of being molested by bears, raccoons, and the like.

I can see the headline now, "Bear Molest Hiker Due to Laffty Taffy Smelling Boots." Well, that might be too long. We'll work on it. In my opinion, I think you'll attract animals anyway, even if you didn't have sugary candy smelling boots because you're still carrying food in your pack. If you hang or store your food somewhere I might store my shoes with your food if you're that paranoid. Otherwise, hike on!

Recommend volunteering to clean out the lion exhibit at the local zoo. Armed with that scent even the bears should give you a wide and respectful berth.

Cheers,

Brilliant.

Yeah, not really worried about being bothered while I'm hiking. Really only while I'm sleeping as I keep my boots with me under my tarp. I've had kit foxes steal my socks, friends have had a bear sniff around their tent all night because of a sealed candy bar, etc. It would be better to have boots that don't smell like candy, but I guess I'll just try it and see what happens...

I'd just store it with your food. I'm assuming you hang your food?

You can cover the area with black gorilla tape. Use short strips about 1/2 x 1 inch. Big pieces tend to come off. After a few miles of walking on pavement the tape conforms to the sole.

I'm using a bear canister, so I can't hang them. Or I could, but it will be in the Sierras and there won't always be trees. I also didn't have camp shoes, but I bought some flip flops. I guess I'll just stow the boots with the canister.

I wouldn't worry. After walking all day in dirt and other hard abrasives, the smell will probably be gone.

Your boots smell like laffy-taffy? Consider yourself lucky. After a hard summer of hiking, my boots have begun to smell like a mixture of ammonia and sewage.