When it comes to running trends, we’ve seen it all—barefoot running, color runs, and even that brief moment when people were racing in full dinosaur suits. But nothing, I repeat, nothing could have prepared us for the rise of the shoey in the running world. That’s right, runners have taken the bizarre tradition of chugging liquid from a shoe and made it their own.
If you’re sitting there thinking, “What in the sweaty insoles is a shoey?” let’s break it down. A shoey is exactly what it sounds like: drinking a beverage (usually beer, but let’s not put limits on your creativity) out of a shoe. Originating from Australia’s party-loving culture, the shoey has traditionally been a sort of party move or celebration—and now, it’s somehow sprinted its way into the running world.
We can probably blame (or thank?) a number of big names from different sports, as well as many runners, such as Des Linden, for bringing this wild trend among athletes. Athletes have become renowned for celebrating on the podium by pouring a cold one into their sweaty, mud-caked shoe and downing it like a champ. Now, the shoey has become a badge of honor among runners of all levels looking to add a little absurdity to their post-race celebrations.
We must admit runners are, by nature, a little unhinged. (You’d have to be to willingly wake up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday to pound out 15 miles.) So, the shoey taps into that same chaotic energy. It’s ridiculous, it’s gross, and it’s a surefire way to get people talking about your latest race. Some runners claim it’s the ultimate way to “reward” their hardworking shoes for carrying them across the finish line. Others just love the camaraderie and the Instagram-worthy moment it creates.
Now, the important question…is it safe? Short answer: not really. Experts have been quick to point out that drinking out of a shoe—especially one that’s been marinating in sweat and pavement grime—is basically a bacteria buffet.
“Drinking beer out of a running shoe, especially one that has just been used during a race, is not advisable from a hygiene perspective,” said Sarah Jamison, M.D., an emergency medicine physician in New York. “Running shoes harbor sweat, bacteria, fungi, and potentially even small particles of dirt or road debris. After a race, these contaminants can mix with the beer, increasing the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens.”
“Shoeys vastly increase the risk for athlete’s foot, which when untreated, can lead to skin breakdown and serious bacterial infection,” she adds.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped people. Runners are brushing off the health warnings with a collective shrug and saying, “It’s fine, I’ll wash it down with a protein bar.” Still, if you’re thinking of hopping on this trend, maybe consider a freshly cleaned shoe. Or, you know, a solo cup.
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that the shoey has added a whole new world of weirdness to the running community. It’s messy, it’s a little (or a lot) gross, but it’s not going away anytime soon. So, whether you’re a shoey enthusiast or a hard-pass kind of runner, one thing’s for sure: this trend is here to stay. Just don’t expect your running shoes (or stomach) to thank you for it.
