Salt Athletic’s Aērcase Cleat Bag Uses Silver & Carbon Tech to Kill Bacteria and Odor—A Game-Changer for Youth Soccer Players, Parents, and Pros
Let’s face it—cleats stink.
Whether it’s weekend tournaments or daily training, soccer players and their gear can wreak havoc on cars, lockers, and homes. Enter Salt Athletic, a startup founded by former players who got tired of the smell and did something about it. Their flagship product, the Aērcase, is a cleat bag that doesn’t just contain the stench—it kills the bacteria causing it and even fits the shin guards. With patented technology combining military-grade activated carbon and 99.99% pure silver, Salt Athletic is bringing freshness to the beautiful game.
SoccerToday Interview with Salt Athletic CEO
Diane Scavuzzo: What inspired you to start Salt Athletic? 
Rafael de la Vega: It started with frustration. As soccer players, my co-founder and I traveled constantly for tournaments, and our gear was rank. It wasn’t just inconvenient—it was unsanitary.
We wanted a real solution. After years of R&D, we created the Aērcase to neutralize odors and kill bacteria so athletes could live cleaner and more comfortably.
Diane Scavuzzo: How exactly does the Aērcase work? The tapered design is excellent. Does the bag have patented smell-proof technology?
Rafael de la Vega: Yes. It uses two powerful technologies. The activated carbon absorbs odors and moisture, while the pure silver lining kills 99.9% of bacteria, fungi, and viruses on contact. We’re not just masking the smell—we’re eliminating the source..
Diane Scavuzzo: Can you explain the technology a bit more? Readers can be a bit skeptical about an odor control cleat bag—how does this really work?
Rafael de la Vega: Sure, how does the odor-control technology harness the power of silver and activated carbon to keep athletic gear fresh? The silver layer works by releasing positively charged ions that disrupt the cellular function of bacteria and fungi, effectively neutralizing them before they can produce odor. The odors and moisture pass into the activated carbon layer, where millions of microscopic pores trap them in a process called adsorption.
This keeps the smell of cleats and other nasty athletic gear from invading your life.
This process took time to develop and a lot of research. Years actually.
Diane Scavuzzo: What does success look like for you and Salt Athletic?
Rafael de la Vega: It’s about creating a company that provides meaningful jobs and real value. This is about more than bags—it’s about changing the way athletes manage their gear and health.
Diane Scavuzzo: What happens if a customer is not happy?
Rafael de la Vega: We offer a money-back guarantee and a two-year comprehensive warranty.
Diane Scavuzzo: What can you tell us about version 2? Will it also eliminate soccer’s smelliest problem? Is it another smelly cleat solution?
Rafael de la Vega: Yes! Of course. We just listened to our customers, and they want a bigger bag. Our current cleat bag is a great fit for most cleats, but the new model will be bigger and fit high-top cleats and other sports shoes.
Diane Scavuzzo: Beyond soccer, do you see the Aērcase being used in other sports or markets?
Rafael de la Vega: Absolutely. Our tech can be adapted for football, baseball, and even healthcare applications. We’re open to licensing and partnerships that expand the reach of this solution.
SoccerToday Gear Review
Product Testing Notes: Incredibly smart idea.
SoccerToday received a product sample and can confirm the bag works. Beautifully wrapped, the SALT cleat bag has handles to make it easy to carry and a magnetic closure that snaps open and closed.
After 24 hours in the Aērcase, the typical post-practice cleat smell was gone. The bag feels premium and well-ventilated and has thoughtful design features and sleek branding. For example, the bag has a water-resistant interior pocket for personal belongings like money or a cell phone. For soccer parents and clubs tired of the stink, it’s a worthy investment.
The bag comes in two sizes for cleats up to size 12 and up to size 15.
The Salt Glove Bag was also provided for review and looks great; however, we did not test it.
Rafael de la Vega and his co-founder, Joaquin S. de Lozada, are the owners.
Visit: SaltAthletic.com for more info or to purchase the Aērcase and goalkeeper glove bag.
SoccerToday Last Word: From stinky gym bags to clean car rides, Salt Athletic may have just scored the biggest win of the season for soccer families everywhere.
