I use a Salamon water shoes for traveling paired with a nice pair of neporene socks (for warmth and comfort). i am happy with that system for now. My problem is that after one day of use they stink really, really bad. When I put them in the car I have to roll windows down to to keep the whole car from stinking. Any suggestions to reduce the stank?

I have tried dryer sheets, and febreeze with limited benefits. I change out of them as soon as I get to my campsite and I let them dry as much as possible. They also get washed after each trip.

Skip the neoprene and go with merino wool. You'll be surprised how little they stink and they'll still keep your feet warm even when wet.

If you are a hunter, try something like Scent Killer or another Human Scent remover that you have and spray the inside of your shoe. It worked well for me.

quote mwd1976: "Skip the neoprene and go with merino wool. You'll be surprised how little they stink and they'll still keep your feet warm even when wet."

Agree. I use Salomon trail shoes w/wool socks. Being wet for a while isn't bothersome and I stay plenty warm. Socks dry out back at camp.

As those in the replies above, I am also a fan of high quality wool socks. But if you prefer to stick with the neoprene, you might try a couple of products that scuba divers use. The neoprene stink to which you refer is a common problem with wet suits. The fabric bonded to rubber is slow to dry, and along with the organic compounds and warmth from your feet, provides an ideal culture medium for bacteria that are the source of the stench. These products were formulated to deal with the wet suit stink:

Sink the Stink

MiraZyme

what thebotanyguy said: ditto!

I have a close friend who scuba dives and uses both products for ridding his gear of the stench. Soak, rinse and hang dry. It doesn't mean you won't have odor at the end of your trip but at least you won't start out with bacteria waiting to be 'activated' by body heat + moisture.

I had the same issue with some of my running clothes. The stink would actually transfer to other garments in the wash. 1/2 cup of white vinegar per load of wash has solved my problem.

Another vote to loose the neoprene socks and wear wool socks. They are warm and very comfortable.

Look around for some Dr Bronner's soap (the peppermint is highly recommended). You can generally find it in GNC and Target, but I'm starting to see it in some camping stores now. You can wash your neoprene with it or your shoes. For the shoe stink, try mixing it 50% with water and putting it in a small spray bottle. Spray it inside the shoes and let them dry in the sun and that stink will disappear. Did wonders for my stinky Keens.

The soap is all natural and good for just about anything.

problem solved

quote Bwoods: "Any suggestions to reduce the stank?"

Can of gas and a match?

Experienced the same issue on a backpacking trip last year. Man they smelled horrid. I was told by a fellow backpacker to soak them in vinegar overnight. It works.

I already use the Dr Bonners for hygeine purposes so I think it makes sense to pack a small spray bottle of it for stank removal. I will spray my nasty shoes every night and set them next to my buddy's tent to dry.

The neoprene thing is new to me I haven't used them for more than 2 days at a time and I thought the stink on them came from my shoes. I guess both parts of the equation got nasty. I will try my smartwool socks in the BW and hope that works if not then I will go with Gutmon's suggestion!

At home I think I will use the neporene cleaners suggested by thebotanyguy.

quote Bwoods: "I will spray my nasty shoes every night and set them next to my buddy's tent to dry."

Actually I found that after spraying the Keens a couple of times, I never had to do it again. I don't know why, but they've never smelled that bad again. Dr B is some good stuff.

quote Unas10: "I had the same issue with some of my running clothes. The stink would actually transfer to other garments in the wash. 1/2 cup of white vinegar per load of wash has solved my problem."

Vinegar: Great suggestion! Why didn't I think of it? So simple and effective. Doesn't hurt neoprene. It's cheap and most always in the house.

soaking in a bucket of Oxyclean is effective as well

Yeah, I once bought a pair of "water shoes" when they first came out. Never again. Wore'em a lot for about a week, and then the stank was too horrid. I threw them away and went back to sandals on hot summer days ...