For those complaining about their Nike shoes producing a "cat urine" smell, the same problem has been occurring in New Balance shoes as well, going back as far as 2005 in certain model shoes. I personally had the issue in multiple pairs of the older styles of running shoes MR1122 and MR1123, but the 1123 was redesigned as the 1540 in late 2011, and so far that particular model hasn't produced that smell. When it comes to New Balance, their customer service is top notch, and they are well aware of the problem, but have taking their time to fully address it. While I don't wear Nike, it appears many others here have the same issue and what is causing the odor is a breakdown in the glues/adhesives caused by moisture such as water, some even say sweat. The glues get broken down by the moisture and mildew then begins to form, producing a cat urine-like odor. Do NOT put your shoes in the washing machine, despite what others have said, doing so will make the problem worse.

Contact Nike customer support and explain the problem to them, but in all likelihood they probably know and will take care of you. Remember it would cost a company like Nike or New Balance millions of dollars to recall all the shoes that were affected, so it's easier (and cheaper) for them to take care of those customers who go out of their way to contact them. If you get them to send you the same model shoe, if it does the same thing, then try a different model altogether.

I bought these Nike Comfort sandals and accidently got them wet one time and I can't get the smell out!!! I will never buy these again!! I love the shoes but I can't stand the smell!

It is the glue! I have a cat pee smell on my shoes and no cats around at all, and the smell is on the OUTSIDE of the shoe where the soles and leather are glued together. There is no smell on the inside of the shoe where my feet might be sweating. This smell is on my right shoe and not at all on the left shoe. I am wearing NewBalance.

Some of you might still have stinky feet or chemical sluge for sweat, but try and smelling the inside of the shoe compared to the outside of the shoe.

I highly doubt shoe companies are going to admit this or change this, since it has been part of there glue for about a decade that I know of. Besides... if they can convince you that its YOU and your sweat, they might just convince you to splurge on another pair of their shoes with the pissy-glue.

I had bought Nike Max Air in January 2012 and my son wore them for a couple of weeks before I started smelling cat pee . I tried cleaning them I even sprayed them with Frebreez to try and get rid of the smell . last month I contacted Nike and they had me send them the shoes so they could test them for product defect . Well a week later I get the shoes back tell me that there is nothing wrong with the shoes so I call them and they tell me that unfortunately my sons ph had a reaction to the product . But that they don't consider that a product defect so I am stuck with a pair of shoes that my son cannot wear . Thanks Nike for nothing !!!