Question:
why is it that all the rental ice skates smell (stink actually) the same and they all make your socks dirty? Is that even remotely sanitary?

Choices:
it is sanitary
it's somewhat sanitary
its not sanitary

 

The smell more than likely comes from repeated use from a lot of different people. I have never rented ice skates, but I rent roller skates all of the time. The question of it being sanitary, well, if they use spray disinfectant, and wipe out the insides of the skates like they should, then yes. I never rent skates unless this is done. If they stink that bad and leave nasty marks on your socks, in my opinion, they probably do not clean them, and it might be easy to pick up some kind of foot fungus. I would say that the same is true with bowling shoes.

I've gone there many times and I've only seen them spray it ONCE. Never again. From what you say I guess they never wipe it. Next time I go I'll make sure to complain to the guy in charge. Now my question is, why hasn't anone complained in all this time?

I make a habit of not sticking my nose into them! I only wish they'd sharpen them once in a while. Also it annoys me that new ice skates are twice the price in Australia as the U.S.!