I use Trekmates Absorba Balls which cost £20 from Amazon. These are probably very simlar to the silica gell pouches Mike was talking about. A posh alternative to old newspaper!

I've thought about using a couple of those bags of silica gel you get with electrical goods to completely dry my trainers. Sitting next to the printer at work, there is a ready supply from the boxes of toner. Before I destroy my trainers, has anyone given this a go before? Baking soda in shoes is meant to help with the smell, by the way

I always remove the insoles of boots or trainers after use so that both the footwear and insoles can dry thoroughly

Sometimes Jane becomes so disgusted at my trainers, that I am forced to take action - or they live outside. It's bacteria, especially on the insoles. I wash well, then spray with (forgotten what) some special shoe/trainer spray. That helps a bit, and then I put them in the freezer for a couple of days. This usually kills the bacteria properly, but you may be forced to put them in a sealed plastic bag first!! Matthew.

At the risk of not answering the question that you asked, it's perhaps worth mentioning that trainer-type walking/running shoes are only reckoned to be good for about 350 - 500 miles - which means that by the time you've trained for a 100 and done it, it may be time to think about replacing them.

Does anyone have any tips for disinfecting walking shoes without causing them damage?.

Even after soaking and scrubbing the ones I used on 'The 100' I'm sure I can still smell them when I get within 100 yards of them :) .

Bill.