Literally. They literally stink. I bought these (2 pairs) for work. Depending on what I wear, I wear either one pair or the other. About 2 weeks later while switching them back and forth, I was sitting at my desk and noticed this horrible smell in my office. It drove me crazy I changed the garbage bag, washed the floor, wiped down the desk, keyboard, mouse and phone, but nothing helped. The smell seemed to go away until I sat back down at my desk. I leaned over my chair and looked under the table only to find that the smell had grown stronger. It came from my boots. I have never felt anything like this and these shoes are brand new, literally worn to sit at my desk. That's all. And the smell of them was unbearable. My old leather shoes, probably 4 years old, don't smell of anything except the soft leather smell all these years later. waste of money.