The Best Foot Care Routine for Men
The Best Foot Care Routine for Men
By Sylke Bommel Ā· Updated July 2026 Ā· 7 min read
Key Takeaways
- Men are diagnosed with athlete's foot at a much higher rate than women, one classic clinical study found tinea pedis in 24.2% of male marathon runners versus 6.1% of women.
- A basic daily routine, washing, thoroughly drying between the toes, and clean socks, does most of the work in preventing fungal infections and odor.
- Toenails should be trimmed straight across rather than rounded, which is the single biggest factor in preventing ingrown toenails.
- Occlusive athletic and work shoes, worn for long hours without rotation, are a major reason men are more prone to fungal foot problems.
- A weekly soak and exfoliation session helps manage rough or dry skin that builds up from daily activity and tight footwear.
Why Do Men Need a Dedicated Foot Care Routine?
Men need a dedicated foot care routine because they are significantly more likely than women to develop fungal foot infections and odor related problems.
A clinical study of marathon runners found tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete's foot, in 24.2% of men compared to 6.1% of women, and research on tinea pedis more broadly consistently shows a higher prevalence in adult men, particularly those in their 20s to 40s. Much of this comes down to footwear and activity patterns rather than any inherent difference in the skin itself.
Men are more likely to spend long hours in occlusive athletic shoes, work boots, or safety footwear, all of which trap heat and moisture against the skin and create the exact conditions fungi and odor-causing bacteria need to thrive.
What Should a Daily Foot Care Routine Include?
A solid daily routine covers three things: washing, thorough drying, and clean socks.
Wash feet daily with soap and water, and dry them completely afterward, especially between the toes, since lingering dampness is what allows fungus and bacteria to establish themselves. Put on a fresh pair of socks every day, and choose moisture-wicking materials over cotton if feet tend to sweat heavily during the day.
Inspecting feet briefly each day, checking between toes and around nails for redness, peeling, or unusual changes, catches most problems early, while they are still easy to manage with basic care rather than requiring medical treatment.
How Should You Trim Your Toenails to Avoid Problems?
Toenails should be trimmed straight across, leaving the corners visible rather than rounding them, since rounded or overly short corners are the leading cause of ingrown toenails.
Cutting nails at an angle or too short encourages the nail edge to grow into the surrounding skin as it lengthens, which can become painful and, in some cases, infected. Trimming nails to roughly the length of the toe tip, and filing any sharp corners smooth afterward, gives the nail room to grow forward normally.
This matters more for men who wear snug athletic or work shoes regularly, since pressure from tight footwear on already-vulnerable nail edges makes ingrown toenails considerably more likely.
Daily vs Weekly Foot Care: What's the Difference?
Daily habits prevent most problems before they start, while a weekly routine addresses the buildup that daily care alone does not fully manage.
| Daily Habits | Weekly Habits |
|---|---|
| Wash and thoroughly dry feet | Soak feet to soften rough or dry skin |
| Put on a fresh pair of socks | Exfoliate calluses or rough patches |
| Quick visual check for changes | Trim and file toenails as needed |
Neither replaces the other, daily habits keep moisture and bacteria in check, while the weekly session deals with the skin buildup and nail growth that accumulate over several days.
How Can You Protect Your Feet During Sports or Workouts?
Protecting your feet during sports comes down to limiting how long they stay damp and enclosed, and giving shoes time to fully dry between uses.
Wear moisture-wicking athletic socks rather than cotton, which holds onto sweat, and change out of sweaty socks and shoes as soon as reasonably possible after a workout. Rotating between at least two pairs of athletic shoes gives each pair a full day or more to dry out completely, since shoes worn every single day rarely dry all the way through overnight.
In shared spaces like gym showers and locker rooms, wearing sandals or shower shoes reduces exposure to the fungi responsible for athlete's foot, which spread easily on damp communal floors. A weekly soak, like Imperial Feet's Wellness & Detox Foot Soak XL, can also help refresh tired feet and soften skin ahead of exfoliation after a heavy training week.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
See a podiatrist if you notice persistent redness, peeling, or itching between the toes that does not clear up with basic hygiene, or if a toenail becomes painful, swollen, or shows signs of infection.
Men with diabetes or reduced sensation in their feet should have a podiatrist involved in their routine foot checks, since reduced feeling can allow small issues like blisters or ingrown nails to go unnoticed until they become more serious.
A podiatrist can also help if fungal infections keep recurring despite consistent hygiene and footwear changes, since some cases need prescription antifungal treatment rather than over-the-counter care alone.
24.2% vs 6.1%
In a clinical study of marathon runners, athlete's foot (tinea pedis) was found in 24.2% of men compared to 6.1% of women, published in the journal Mycoses.
Men's Weekly Foot Care Checklist
- āWash and thoroughly dry feet daily, especially between the toes
- āWear moisture-wicking socks and change them every day
- āTrim toenails straight across, never rounded
- āRotate between at least two pairs of shoes to let each dry fully
- āSoak and exfoliate feet weekly to manage rough or dry skin
ā ļø Note: if you have diabetes or reduced sensation in your feet, have a podiatrist involved in your routine foot checks rather than relying on self-inspection alone.
Wellness & Detox Foot Soak XL
Wellness & Detox Foot Soak XL is designed as a weekly reset, helping refresh tired feet and soften skin ahead of exfoliation after a demanding week on your feet.
View Wellness & Detox Foot Soak XLFrequently Asked Questions
Why are men more prone to athlete's foot than women?
It largely comes down to footwear and activity patterns rather than a difference in the skin itself. Men spend more time in occlusive athletic shoes and work boots, and clinical studies of athletes have found tinea pedis at notably higher rates in men than women.
How often should men trim their toenails?
Trimming every few weeks, whenever nails reach past the toe tip, is generally enough. Cut straight across rather than rounding the corners, since rounded or short corners are the main cause of ingrown toenails.
Should you wear shoes in a gym shower or locker room?
Yes, sandals or shower shoes are recommended in shared, damp spaces like gym showers, since the fungi that cause athlete's foot spread easily on communal floors. This is one of the simplest ways to lower your exposure risk.
What's the best sock material for men with sweaty feet?
Moisture-wicking synthetic or wool blend socks perform better than cotton, which absorbs sweat and stays damp against the skin. Changing socks daily, or more often after a workout, matters as much as the material itself.
When does foot odor or a fungal infection need a podiatrist?
If redness, peeling, or itching between the toes does not improve with basic hygiene, or a fungal infection keeps recurring despite consistent care, it is time to see a podiatrist. Persistent nail infections or pain also warrant a professional evaluation rather than continued home treatment.
Clinical Sources
- Auger P, Marquis G, Joly J, Blackburn D, Chagnon M, Jasmin P, Lortie L. Epidemiology of tinea pedis in marathon runners. Mycoses. 1993;36(1-2):35-41. PMID: 8316260.
- Nigam PK, Syed HA, Saleh D. Tinea Pedis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. NBK470421.
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Ingrown toenails: How to cut your toenails properly. Cologne, Germany: IQWiG; NCBI Bookshelf NBK513131.
- American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Healthy foot care guidance. apma.org
Related Reading
Owner, Imperial Feet ā Third-Generation Foot Care
Sylke Bommel is the owner and third-generation leader of Imperial Feet, the Dutch professional foot care brand her grandfather founded in 2001. Raised in Aruba and based in Haarlem, just outside Amsterdam, she has led the brand's international expansion for over a decade, growing Imperial Feet from a single Dutch distributor to a professional range used by pedicurists, podiatrists, and pharmacies in more than 20 countries, including the United States.
Editorial note: Sylke writes from the perspective of a foot care brand owner and formulator, not a medical practitioner. Content is educational and does not replace individual medical advice from a qualified foot care professional.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice from a qualified foot care professional. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a persistent infection, consult a podiatrist before self-treating.
