How to Pack Shoes in Suitcase for Efficient Travelers

I love traveling and not just the parts during the trip, but the preparation too – pulling together itineraries, scouring Pinterest and TikTok for what to wear and even doing my best to be the most efficient packer. 

And one of the trickiest parts of traveling is packing shoes! They’re bulky, sometimes heavy, can take up a ton of space and it can feel kind of unhygienic having your most-worn sneakers next to your clean clothes. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

So, if you’re tired of forcing your footwear into the luggage every time you pack, I’ve got your back! Below, I’m sharing some tips on how to pack even the most versatile shoes in your suitcase with ease. 

Whether you’re taking a weekend getaway, or heading out on a long adventure, these hacks will keep your shoes fresh and your suitcase organized. 

How to Pack Shoes in Suitcase

Step 1: Clean your shoes

Before you start packing them up, check your shoes for any major dirt and grime. I like to give them a quick wipe down with cleaning wipes or use a disinfectant spray. This helps to keep your entire suitcase hygienic.  

This is important to keep your shoes in good condition for longer and will lessen wear and tear on your packing gear. 

Step 2: Pack Inside Your Shoes

Save space in your suitcase by packing inside of the shoes! Roll up your socks and store them inside your shoes or boots. 

If you have more room, you can fit in your sunglasses case, charger cords, and any other small items, etc. You could even place valuables inside of your shoes for safe keeping.

It’s so important to maximize ALL the space inside your suitcase or bag. 

And as a bonus, packing items inside your shoes or boots will help them keep their shape for the trip too.

Step 3: Wrap the shoes

To help protect your shoes and protect clothing items and everything else from your shoes, wrap the shoes by placing them inside a bag of some sort, such as shoe bags, a plastic bag, or packing cubes. 

You can use a bag for the individual shoes or pack pairs of shoes in the same bag or packing cube. 

Step 4: Pack the Shoes 

Finally, you’re ready to pack the shoes. There’s a few tips to do this efficiently and easily.

Pack the heaviest shoes at the bottom of the suitcase to keep your luggage balanced. This is important to do with both shoes and everything else you pack and make it easier to carry and roll your luggage without it toppling over.

So, this means placing boots at the bottom of the suitcase, then other heavy shoes like loafers or slides. And then heels, sandals or flip flops towards the top. This will help prevent heavy items from smashing your shoes.

Soles Face Outward

One easy tip to remember is to pack the shoes with soles facing outward. You can place each shoe in a bag, then place it so the sole is against the outer edge of the luggage. 

You can place your shoes alongside the bottom and sides of the luggage. Then pack all your clothing and softer items in the middle of the luggage around the shoes. Use packing cubes for your clothes and personal care items too for extra organization! Packing cubes are a game changer for efficient packing.

Keep them Secure

To keep your shoes from moving around and potentially causing damage, try to cushion them with some clothing like a sweatshirt wrapped around the shoes.

The more snug and tightly they are packed the better. This is because it’s less likely the shoes in a suitcase will get tossed around in the luggage and be prone to damage. This isn’t just important for your shoes, but other items like beauty products, hair styling tools and more.

Use the Zippered Compartment

If you’re only packing a few shoes, or shoes with a low profile, like sandals or flats, you can use the zippered compartment.

Place them in their shoe bag, heel to toe with the soles on the outside, then store them in the zippered compartment of your luggage. 

This is best for shoes that are flexible, thin and you aren’t worried about getting misshapen. I love my Rothy’s flats for this – they are flexible, durable and they’re also easy to keep clean because you can just throw them in the washing machine. 

Use Shoe Compartments

Some weekender bags and travel backpacks have specific compartments that are made for storing shoes. The Beis Weekender bag is a popular option.

If you’re using one of those bags for a shorter trip, or even as your carry-on, you can plan to store shoes in there for a well-cushioned, organized option.

More Shoe Packing Tips

• To save space, consider wearing your biggest shoes on the flight. This isn’t always the most realistic, as I personally will always travel in my most comfortable sneakers, but if you’re trying hard to save space and avoid overweight baggage fees it can be helpful to keep in mind.
  
• Save the disposable plastic shower caps from hotels to wrap around your shoes in a pinch! And save money too.
  
• How to pack high heels: Wrap tissue paper around delicate heels or sandals to keep them safe from scuffs and scratches or getting caught on rough items in the luggage.
  
• If you’re traveling in inclement weather, keep some gallon size plastic bags in your luggage. These plastic bags take up so little room, but if you end your trip with some shoes that are wet, muddy or just damp from your travels, you can ensure the rest of the items in your luggage stay nice and dry by placing the shoes inside the enclosed plastic bags.

I hope you find these shoe packing tips helpful! When you’re trying to maximize space in your luggage and travel without overweight luggage fees or checked baggage fees, it’s important to be mindful about how you pack. 

And I’m always looking for new packing tips so feel free to share any below! For more packing tips, check out my post, “How To Pack For A Week In A Carry On.”

Plus, important to remember the best things to pack for a long flight in your carry-on for a stress-free experience. Between this and your perfectly packed shoes – you’re going to be a travel pro!