How to Pack Shoes for Travel – 10 Helpful Tips

The thought of packing appropriately for a trip can have you second-guessing your suitcase and vacation plans alike. And while you may want to pack light (as most of us do), your shoes and boots are going to account for a lot of bulk and weight in your suitcase (as they always do). So whether you plan to pack light or not, you’re probably going to want to be selective about the footwear you’re packing. 

You’ll want to ask yourself questions like, “Do I plan on going hiking, swimming and being active in adventuring?” “Will I be going out on sunny morning socials or exciting evening adventures?” “Is this trip about seeing the sights or being a sight to see?” For now, your only non-negotiable might be packing your favorite and most versatile cocktail shoes — but just in case you have more in mind, here are some tips to help you pack shoes like a pro!

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Make the Most of Your Suitcase

The types of shoes and how many shoes you pack will depend on what activities you have planned while spending time away. If you’ll be packing multiple sets of sneakers or extra sets of sandals, you want to treat them like tiny building blocks that you can comfortably fit into the walls and edges of your suitcase. Being strategic about how you position your shoes is key considering how easily they can be manipulated — as well as how easily they can become an issue when they’re NOT positioned strategically. If you want to save even more space, make your shoes work for you by filling them with toiletries, socks and even other articles of clothing. Do remember to bag these items up, though, if you want to avoid surprise soakers from exploded shampoo and lotion bottles!

Pick for Packing

If you’re having a particularly hard time packing your footwear because you have no specific activities on your scope, consider making picks that pack well. Foldable flats and flip flops fall at the top of the packability list — not only thanks to their ability to fit neatly and easily into your suitcase, but thanks to their versatility when it comes to both fashion and function. As a bonus, these styles can also often fit into your carry-on or even handbag! Comfortable canvas kicks are always a good idea and rate high on the packability list as well — especially if you’re bound to hit the gym, streets, trails or just travel hard.

Protect Your Shoes

Once your luggage leaves your side and goes under the care of airport baggage handlers, there’s always a possibility that the “care” part of the process gets cut. It’s important to be proactive in protecting your shoes by taking steps as simple as, for example, securing sets in reusable plastic bags. Simple steps like this can help to ensure that you don’t find your classy dinner heels scratched up by an inside zipper or something hard amongst your luggage. Along with this, your shoe soles are bound to be dirty — and your clothes will be, too, unless you keep them separated! 

Wear Heavy, Pack Light

The temptation to wear a sandal or slip-on style shoe to benefit from the ease of access they provide when going through airport security is relatable. But if your aim is to pack efficiently, then accessorizing your ensemble with your bulkiest, weightiest shoes on the plane instead of packing them is recommended. If you want to pack as much into your suitcase as you comfortably can without the risk of being overweight, sport your utterly adorable Uggs, honor your heavy-duty hiking shoes or make a splash in your comfortable and cute rain boots for women while you travel.

Keep It Fresh and Clean

We now know the risk of packing dirty shoes with our clean clothes — which is why it’s also important to clean your shoes before packing them! Along with keeping everything in your suitcase clean, taking the time to tend to your shoes showcases your style and prolongs the life of your shoes. This is why you might also consider packing a few cleaning products like water-resistant spray, polish and even a small brush for scrubbing. 

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Compartmentalize Your Shoes

A major part of packing efficiently includes organization and grouping. Organizing your objects in this way is not only beneficial for your own sake and the sake of your suitcase, but for the sake of getting past TSA in less time and with less hassle. So consider compartmentalizing your shoes together in layers, and do the same for your clothing, electronics, essentials, jewelry and whatever else you’ll be traveling with. Along with this, it’s always best practice to place heavier items like hiking boots at the bottom of your bag and lighter items like flip flops at the top. 

The Secrets of Packing Specific Styles

1. Packing Bulky Boots 

If you decide not to wear your boots on your person to save space and reduce the overall weight of your luggage, knowing how to fit them into your suitcase properly can minimize the creases and permanent markings that they can endure. You’ll want to pack boots laying flat, along opposite walls of your suitcase. This allows you to fill the center with clothing or other items, as well as add layers on top of your boots. Along with this, stuffing taller boots with clothing items and accessories is a great way to utilize your suitcase space as fully as possible. 

2. How to Pack Your Heels

Unlike packing cute and comfortable sandals for women that are compact, heels will almost always take up the most space in your suitcase. If you can’t do without your heels, though, pack them perfectly by pushing them up against the wall of your suitcase, into the corner as far as you can. While they don’t offer as much storage space as your boots, your heels will fit smaller items like underwear, socks, pantyhose, tank tops and accessories — which will also help to help preserve the shape of your shoes. 

3. How to Pack Sneakers

When it comes to sneakers, you want to start by wrapping each shoe individually in a single plastic bag. Cotton and canvas kicks, in particular, call for this step thanks to their sensitivity to stains, tears and punctures. As per usual, place shoes against the wall of your suitcase. For sneakers that are bulky, it’s best to treat them like small boots and pack them flat, full and fortified by the clothes in, around and on top of them. For lighter sneakers, consider flattening and fitting them between clothes or even on your top layer. 

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Keeping the Process of Packing Light 

Shoes are as essential to your everyday life as they are to your ensemble, which is why packing them should be as effortless as possible! So whether you’re packing heavy or light, it’s our hope that these tips can help you from getting weighed down by the process of packing itself.