Neoprene shoes don't "breathe", so unless you work hard to get rid of it, moisture will escape slowly. Bacteria and other microbes in the water and on your feet can create odors in wet environments. So how do we clean and dry water shoes 
to prevent odors?

In addition to the non-breathing material, the neoprene shoe has a narrow opening. This combination results in slow drying. Even the cleanest water we paddle on has a lot of bacteria in it. Bacteria, plus moisture, plus warmth can cause 
odor.

The first line of defense against odors is to rinse your shoes with clean water after each outing. For faster drying, tuck a rag, towel, or newspaper inside the shoe to absorb moisture. To finish drying, place your shoes in the sun or 
dry them with a hair dryer or boot dryer.