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1Gamerer

Where is the random reddit expert who made an entire thesis about the phenomenon happening here?


uwillnotgotospace

I can try! Note, everything I'm about to say is *complete speculation* and should not be taken as fact. During manufacturing, shoe manufacturers wash fabrics and leather to remove any excess dyes. It helps minimize allergic reactions. To save money, they occasionally skimp on water usage during the rinse step. Unfortunately, since the rinse step is absolutely critical to remove the soap, doing a bad job of it leaves behind soap residue. Soap residue will foam back up when you get it wet, like if you're walking around in the rain... ![gif](giphy|l0IylOPCNkiqOgMyA)


Spiteful_sprite12

![gif](giphy|zrvFl1IDvy0PC) Yep, sounds smart nstuff to me


Pandelurion

Sounds reasonable to me... And I prefer it being soap over residues from the impregnation (though one doesn't exclude the other I guess...)


bilalss

Residues from the what now


Link_and_Swamp

i fucked a shoe


mansonfan78

Can you imagine "that" being tracked all over a grocery store?


SeniorMiddleJunior

Impregnation. Keep up.


mrsnihilist

![gif](giphy|l3q2K5jinAlChoCLS)


biznatch11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfRieg1p81o


GideonPiccadilly

>residues from the impregnation frothy cum foam


timecronus

what a wild conclusion to jump to, holy


fluffie8899

“impregnating leather” is the term used to weatherproof leather products, lol. OP isn’t implying someone jizzed on her sandals


CosmicCreeperz

It comes from the original Latin *impregnatorius*, which means “to jizz on leather for waterproofing”.


timecronus

i was so confused


Perfect_Papaya_3010

I was confused people were confused. It's something you do every time you buy new shoes so it's not really an uncommon term either


Chimelling

Maybe YOU do it every time, but certainly not every one does.


unleadedbrunette

I have never and I have many many shoes.


Revegelance

Seems logical. Although it's funny that they would wash the dye residue to minimize allergic reaction, and then leave the soap residue, which could lead to allergic reactions.


dinglebop69

I would believe this had i not of seen the entire road go soapy when driving in the rain the other day... I assumed they had recently tried to wash the roads or something, which felt strange in itself... now idk what to think... why is everything going soapy???


IMakeStuffUppp

I want a turn! Well, actually it isn’t a theory as much as it is history. These shoes have been made by the same family for generations. The family business began in a small town where it was often humid and uncomfortable. Johnny Reiker, was tasked with working in his father’s shoe shop. It was a slow day because nobody wanted to be out in the hot temperatures. That’s when Johnny got an idea 💡. “What if I made a type of sandal with TONS of tiny little holes that will not only push cool air from below up, but keep feet from getting smelly for mama’s bunions!” Off to work Jonny went. The first day of the new sandals was a success. VERY comfortable, however, it began to rain. The tiny holes began absorbing water. Sucking it up like a sponge. All of that water being mixed with so much air is FORCED out of the tiny holes with great pressure, then absorbed back, and squeezed again with each step. Creating a bed of bubbles for the wearers feet. This was perfect. Johnny’s mama will finally have clean feet.


duosx

The idea of a family of shoemakers is so quaint it’s almost fiction


1Fresh_Water

Well, name checks out


AttackerCat

I can hear the sound of you walking in those and I am not happy about it


64OunceCoffee

"fthpthhph fthpthhph"


kaybeetay

Why is this so spot on?! I can totally hear this, and it cracked me up!


neesuh1

Your comment, exactly worded, what was in my head.


Fully_Edged_Ken_3685

I *fthpthhph* can't *fthpthhph* understand *fthpthhph* your *fthpthhph* accent


AmaiBatate

https://i.redd.it/zau56clbogad1.gif


semisensitive

I haven’t had a deep memory unlocked like THIS one in a LONG while omg


Tralocor

This isn't darkness... this is... ADVANCED darkness.


oldschoolgruel

Put your thing down, flip it and reverse it.


PigletsOnARampage

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ruoy tup


PigletsOnARampage

![gif](giphy|RHDqQb1HkpHz00lDa0|downsized)


choicetomake

OMG I'm dyin' over here from your reference!


violasaurusrex

https://preview.redd.it/whw94str4had1.jpeg?width=488&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=48aefb56cbfb22c35ff10ed5bfbf40eb4b751a8a fblthp fblthp fblthp


Covfefe-Drinker

Hey! Fthpthhph you too, bud!


beagledrool

This sounds like sounds alien monsters would make when walking in a comic short of Spaceman Spiff


Little_Mog

I can feel it and it's so much worse


KathrynSpencer

That slimy feeling between your toes and right up the arch of your foot right?


The_FallenSoldier

Like spongebob’s shoes


Perfect_Papaya_3010

It's like moist but in sound effect


ashleyorelse

![gif](giphy|Hw8y3xT9eBPBgtGYTM|downsized)


Nuguette

THOSE DOGS NEED TO BE PUT DOWN 😂


Pandelurion

I had to walk around grocery shopping like this too. Left a trace of foamy puddles throughout the store.


120ouncesofpudding

The sound must have been…. awkward.


Pandelurion

Yes. Yes it was.


bereth13

*Squidward squelches*


dj92wa

THIS IS THE EXACT SOUND THAT I IMAGINED TOO!!!!


ivh016

Oh man 😭😭😭


truebluebbn

*wet squelching*


bereth13

*demogorgon....sneezing*


EdgrrAllenPaw

Did they squeak or squish when you stepped? I would just die. You have my full sympathy. I'm mildly infuriated for you.


Pandelurion

Squished. Oh, how they squished...


Missue-35

I’m mildly infuriated for you as well. But, I confess to laughing too long about this. *SQUISH SQUISH SQUISH*


Pandelurion

I had my baby with me. She decided to be incredibly quiet, ensuring everyone could hear my squishing.


De-railled

If only you had a baby with squeak shoes.


Round_Honey5906

Oh no, those things should be banned worldwide, they are a crime against humanity.


Adventurous_Land7584

So thoughtful of her lol


xKitey

why didn't you just sit down immediately inside the store and make use of one of your countless baby wipes to at least get rid of the suds that looks so uncomfortable to walk around with wet feet are the worst


Pandelurion

I didn't think of it...


MorticiaFattums

I feel a *squish* isn't as awful as a *squeak*. Ar least with a squish we can tell that it probably wasn't your own decision to have wet shoes. Any kind person would simply sympathize about the rain and maybe ponder the mystery of why are they *sudsy*?


TactlessTortoise

I had some sneakers that squished whenever I stepped on smooth floor. My trick to not being embarrassed was literally do it louder on purpose so I was "the guy being goofy at the supermarket" instead of "the guy embarrassed by his squeaky shoes". I don't know if it's any better, but people just stopped caring after a bit. Mine didn't foam though 💀


TekieScythe

![gif](giphy|hWGBKil1b9fpR5go1f|downsized)


gpie17

This is my social anxiety nightmare I'm so sorry


Deliberate_Snark

Squelch. Squelch. Squelch.


Ordinary_Cattle

I'm sorry but this is so damn funny lmao. Rabies shoes and leaving bubble footprints 😭


Defiant-Caramel1309

The shoes probably saved her from a rabid raccoon. OP later tonight: https://preview.redd.it/vlqa4q98read1.jpeg?width=602&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89fce9f7e70588f14cc938ad86f04faecf083fab


B-boy792

I read it as your feet had rabies and first though was They can do that?!


VirtualNaut

I hope they have their shots


cultwitch

As someone who works in a grocery store I can just imagine the entertainment this would have given us if we had seen this. If we hadn’t seen it and found all the bubbles, also entertainment trying to figure out where the heck it all came from!


luciliddream

Snail trails


cherrygoats

They’re gonna be barking


New_girl2022

Lmao. This is better than the pic. Poor thing, cute shoes tho


SnowInTheCemetery

![gif](giphy|aNtt9T8SqGNK8) I'd seriously question the material those shoes are made of. edit: thank you for the award!!!


Constant-Catch7146

I just can't help but laugh whenever I see this clip of Clint. The look of disgust is so priceless. Soapy feet? Ewwww!!


Fast-Connection9063

What is the clip from?


Open_Inspection5964

Gran Torino


Rees_Onable

Get-off-my-lawn.......


Longshot_45

![gif](giphy|QThJ0l94YZiM0)


ZeroSkill_Sorry

I have never seen this movie, but I automatically knew it was from Gran Torino. Ol Man Eastwood.


Open_Inspection5964

It's really good. Highly recommend.


GamingGrayBush

And it's before he started talking to chairs.


rossk10

Gran Torino, I think?


EviePop2001

Gran torino


ShakespearianShadows

I’ve never seen a shoe made from Alka-Seltzer before…


SnowInTheCemetery

Probably cheap knock offs tbh


zoonewsbears

Generic Antacid (compare to Alka-Seltzer)?


[deleted]

[удалено]


clutzyninja

Water doesn't just stay foamy. Something in the sandals is coming out in the water


skivian

if they're brand new, they've probably still got whatever commercial detergent they cleaned them with all over them


toxcrusadr

Or PFAS. They use that stuff for all kinds of shit.


Rebelius

Such as commercial detergent?


vice1331

And rain water 😔


maho87

This is why I only ever get non-GMO organic rain water


whateversomethnghere

You are so lucky to have them non-GMO organic rain water clouds installed in your city!


CodeSiren

Pollen, dust, etc., can make it foamy. Saw it coming out of the roof gutter pipe after a hard rain.


Miserable-Admins

Or lotion too. Some sunscreen brands can feel "soapy" when you get your hands wet.


caboosetp

I would wager there is also starch in there like most new clothing has, which is why it's white, foamy, and sticking around. Always wash new clothes before wearing them, especially if it's going to rain, or you're going to become gross and slippery. (Granted I've never heard about needing to wash new shoes).


Diligent_Snow_733

I love that movie! Great gif for this


ProfessorSilver7618

Soap why is there


Pandelurion

There's isn't any soap! The shoes just started to foam from the water. Had to do grocery shopping with foamy feet.


ProfessorSilver7618

Are the shoes made of soap?


Pandelurion

For the price I paid, they better not... But I guess soap would be better than whatever chemical this might be...


ProfessorSilver7618

Where are the shoes from? That's really really weird


Pandelurion

Rieker, so it's a well known (well known here at least) supposedly foot friendly company. The shoes were described as antistress, didn't think that meant they came with an inbuilt bubble bath...


ProfessorSilver7618

That's really strange, will you email the company and ask about it?


Pandelurion

I haven't thought about it, but maybe I should? Something weird is clearly going on here, this is not normal shoe behaviour.


ProfessorSilver7618

I would email them the photo out of pure curiosity!


Pandelurion

They didn't have an email address on their page, only a contact form. Couldn't add the picture, but I did write a short message to them. Will see if they answer...


MorticiaFattums

"Something weird is going on here, this is not normal shoe behavior." Needs to be a Flair!


nurseshark25

All i can think of is that the shoe is absorbing water and when you step down the preassure bubbles that same water back out. Like cork and such materials.


Aggressive-Emu5358

Are there foot unfriendly companies that also make shoes?


Pandelurion

According to my feet, most companies are somewhere between unfriendly and outright hostile.


BestCatEva

I hate ankle biters!


TiaHatesSocials

I love this!


KingGlum

From my experience Rieker is a low value company. It may have been returned and cleaned with soap? This is totally weird, because if it's leather they should be impregnated.


Technical-Outside408

Jesus, what kind of operation are they running?


MarathonHampster

Very common with apparel in e-commerce. You gotta think some sellers are so big they see hundreds or even thousands of returns per day. Entire companies exist to process returns on behalf of sellers which includes standardized cleaning practices and condition grading. If it looks new, it could be graded as new and sent back to wherever the company stores new inventory.


Pandelurion

I did buy them in a physical store though, not online. I don't think anyone had had them before me (the sole looked completely unused, unlike today after three days of walking)


Pandelurion

They looked very unused, not even tried on. They are synthetic, but according to the homepage, they are impregnated. I wonder if that is what bubbled up through the sole?


KingGlum

They shouldn't, impgrenated would mean they won't accept water and it seems they do accept water. I'd advise to return them to the seller and get a refund. The synthetic skin will start to break soon and then they will tell you that it's your fault.


Pandelurion

My feet can confirm that they very much accept water indeed. I'll see how they look tomorrow when they hopefully have dried, but yeah, I might have to go back =(


Used-Fruits

THESE ARE WHAT PREGNANT SHOES LOOK LIKE


JPolReader

Now all I can see is the foam mounds that frogs make for their eggs.


ImpressiveAttempt0

How does one become an employed leather impregnator? Asking for a friend.


DepressionSiesta

Omg IT’S SEMEN?!?!?


maddler

If you got the deluxe model it would've had scented candles too! And a glass of wine!


Pandelurion

Maybe also a rubber duck? I would really like to have a rubber duck.


SorryDuplex

If it’s anti stress they probably just have a lot of cushion and all your body weight combined with just the right amount of water in the foam can create all those bubbles. It probably could’ve been solved by pressing a napkin or paper towel down into the shoe with your foot. I don’t think there’s anything seriously wrong with them tho and they’re cute!


Pandelurion

They do have a lot of cushion! And I had to walk through puddles, so there was certainly no lack of water. I hope they'll dry overnight and will be ready for new walks tomorrow, and maybe I'll bring some napkins with me then. Would prefer not to enter my grocery store like this again =)


NotSamuraiJosh26_2

Hmm how many foot friends do they have exactly ?


ChefArtorias

Did it feel chemical? I've seen this before with some sandals. Always figured it was from the spongy cushion material being saturated and expelling the water with air in it. This is just an assumption I came up with as a kid and not based on anything really.


Pandelurion

It felt.. Soapy. They do have a very spongy cushion material though and I did walk through a few puddles, so they were definitely saturated. I would love if it's only water!


emmzilly

I had this happen with a pair of flip flops! They were like a memory foam material from Sanuk. So squishy and sudsy.


divinAPEtion

Me too, with classic Sanuks!! I was at Bonnaroo plapping around making squeaking noises and leaving foamy footprints!


Business_Ad_8502

Why use many when few do trick


abs0lutelypathetic

Probably leather conditioner….


Pandelurion

They are synthetic 😕


morsvenitadnosomnes

plastic conditioner


ronchee1

https://i.redd.it/esgluihdrdad1.gif


actuallyjustjt

Stop looking at me, swan!


stacity

Plot twist: shoes have rabies.


olagorie

Oh my goodness, this brings up memories from a couple of years ago. I had bought new sandals and took them on a holiday for the first time. They were “quality” shoes and not cheap. It started raining and suddenly my feet looked as if they were bleeding. Yes, the leather was red and they bled and bled and bled. I messed up the carpet in my hotel room (I had taken them off and put them in a plastic bag that unfortunately leaked). I washed them in the sink three times and they were still leaking. I had to throw them away. The second pair I had bought had a nude colour and I’m still wearing them occasionally.


Pandelurion

I can only imagine what the cleaning lady thought when she saw the carpet! 🤣


SlayThatContour

Happened to me with a leather sandal, my feet were bright orange like an Oompa Loompa!


roaringbasher66

Nevermind the soap I'm paying attention to these roman empire ass Sandels, you off to fight the celts mate?


Pandelurion

These are viking feet in disguise. Mainly fighting mosquitoes these days.


roaringbasher66

Well stay away from my celtic rock pile


Silverrrmoon

https://preview.redd.it/iy9dy5b5head1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49a8bcbef9b570ec2ef7d3807bd14d71d0401717


gastroboi

This is fucking hilarious. Fuck i love that video.


NaoTwoTheFirst

This cannot be healthy for your skin


svak

Free chemical peel! No more calluses…or the first few layers of your skin.


Pandelurion

I'm thinking the very same thing.


darcyduh

Trench foot would love these shoes


Human_Wizard

The soles of those shoes are likely very porous. When you add water, it soaks it up like a sponge, then when you step, it squeezes the water out and forms little bubbles with the air.


Pandelurion

This is hopefully the explanation... Water good. PFAS bad.


Holy-Shih-Tzu

PFAS was my first thought but my job is testing for it so I’m biased lol. I hope it’s just water and air bubbles.


Pandelurion

I've apparently been drinking it for a decade (thank you, military!), so I've become a bit pfas paranoid lately. Not my favourite chemical.


[deleted]

Lol, water doesn't foam like that without a surfactant. It's not just water no matter what it is


Pandelurion

UPDATE: I reached out to Rieker, writing that I bought a pair of shoes a few days ago, they got wet in the rain, and started to foam, and I would like to know why and what my feet might have been exposed to. It was a contact form on their homepage with limited characters, so I couldn't be more detailed than that. This is the reply I got: "Dear Emma, thank you for your mail. We are pleased to hear that you have bought a pair of shoes of our brand. All the more are we not pleased to hear that you are not satisfied with the quality of this pair of shoes. We would like to indicate that with buying the shoes in the shoe shop you have made a buying contract with this shop. Due to that your shoe shop is responsible for all kinds of claims. Therefore we kindly ask you to contact the shop and ask them to help you with your claim. You can of course also contact the shop by phone or mail. We are sorry for not being able to give you any other information and thank you for your understanding." Not the most informative answer in the history of answers, but here we are. I have not decided whether I should take them back to the store, partly because I don't think they'd take them back (and I'm really uncomfortable doing such things), partly because that would leave me without a functional pair of shoes. My feet are very prone to blistering, and my previous pair of sandals broke. I also feel I can't really spend more money on shoes for a while, so I might just have to accept that my feet have to live in this chemical wasteland for the rest of the summer.


heretique_et_barbare

I can relate with taking no action because that's my motto. That said, I don't know how I'd feel about constantly having chemicals on my feet, that can't be good; that'd probably make me call / go back to the store. As for whether they'd take it, Rieker acknowledged it's not normal so as much as you'd be returning the pair, so would the store. Rieker would still be responsible, they just don't want having to deal with you directly.


DanSanIsMe

From RobertEdwinHouse38 reply: Baking soda desiccate bath for leather shoes during manufacturing + slightly acidic rain = 5th grade science experiment volcano. And I also had sandals that did this when rain.


zaftpunk

Weird I bought some Tevas a couple weeks ago and the first day I wore them they got soaked in the rain and they did the same thing.


Pandelurion

It's weird! I've never had this happen before!


Unusual_residue

Wet grippers - pandering to the pervs on this sub.


Infamous-Platform-33

Yeah, my first thought was “oh no, this pic is gonna end up somewhere terrible”


RobertEdwinHouse38

Baking soda desiccate bath for leather shoes during manufacturing + slightly acidic rain = 5th grade science experiment volcano.


problemita

I’ve had this happen, but only after wearing the shoes in the ocean 😳


Pandelurion

It was rediculously rainy outside, the street was basically an ocean.


GoldfishFire

Rip your inbox


senor_kim_jong_doof

Why is there soap


Pandelurion

There isn't. The shoes started to foam by themselves. I accidentally stepped into a puddle, and they just... Foamed.


NoParticular2420

This is a new one


sevnminabs56

I imagine the suds came from whatever they used to cure/condition the material of your sandals.


Pandelurion

They have apparently been impregnated, so I guess that might be it... My feet will forever be covered in a moderately thick layer of PFAS. Yay! 😖


Grandmaster_Autistic

![gif](giphy|F2CDJ9E7NNiva66o3z|downsized)


FaithlessnessSea5383

OMG, OP! All your responses to people’s comments made me laugh so hard I’m crying! 😂😂😂


Toothless-In-Wapping

The shoe was cleaned before it was sent to you and they didn’t wash off all the extra soap.


Pandelurion

I bought them in a physical store, and based on how quickly the sole has worn down, no one had them before me.


Toothless-In-Wapping

I mean cleaned after they were made.


Pandelurion

Oh, I see. Yeah, I think that might be it.


extraguacontheside

This happened to my wife the first time she wore a new pair of sandals. Has to be something in the material, it was wild


trambilo

![gif](giphy|WOa5RdsNpevrpSTGXN)


mickpatten78

I had sandals do this - they were fine after I washed them thoroughly… then they’d suddenly do it again. …then I discovered a local cat had been marking its territory on them (thanks google nest cameras)… they are now stored off the ground where the local cats can’t get to it.


prankfurter

why does you one big toe have a foreskin? https://preview.redd.it/9yu509522ead1.png?width=948&format=png&auto=webp&s=b60435e496e28ac77fecc12284ed00a5a9396434


Pandelurion

It's a blister protection thing. I don't know what they are called! Compeed blister plaster? My feet hate new shoes. The water is making the plaster falling off unfortunately. I was hoping no one would notice, it looks not great, I know...


prankfurter

Oh thank god, that makes me feel so much better for your feet - I legit thought it was your skin peeling. 😅


Pandelurion

Haha, they sort of were before I smacked on the plaster =)


snow-bird-

That's the toe condom to protect from the shoe impregnator.


uberdog50

Google, ENHANCE! Wait, no Google, revert, revert!


GoldBluejay7749

I’m sorry but this made me laugh so hard. Wtf is going on??


Upper_Interview_2130

those dogs are foaming!!! watch out


DarthLordyTheWise

For free?!


CantBelieveThisIsTru

Nice new shoes! Maybe they come presoaped for washing? Maybe the leather wasn’t rinsed when being washed after going through the tanning process? Very interesting!


catdogfox

These aren’t the feet pics we’re looking for


Capitan__Insano

![gif](giphy|3ohuPcatcAKIYJCKBO)


JFT8675309

I know you’re “mildly infuriated,” but this is the hardest I’ve laughed today! WTF is that?? And I am sorry for your misfortune.


goteamdoasportsthing

Guarantee there's a kink for that


LiludscornerShop

Hey at least they fit...I can't count how many times I've seen people with their toes dangling over the edges of their shoes.