How to Pack Shoes for Travel and Moving

To pack shoes, clean the soles, stuff each shoe with socks or small items so it keeps its shape, put each pair in a shoe bag or shower cap so the soles cannot touch your clothes, and place them heel to toe along the edges or base of the suitcase. For moving house, wrap each pair in paper and pack them in small boxes, heaviest at the bottom.

Before you pack

• Clean and dry them. Dirt transfers to clothes, and damp shoes smell after a day in a closed bag. See how to dry shoes.
• Deodorise with a sprinkle of baking soda overnight if needed; see how to get rid of shoe odor.
• Limit the number. Shoes are the heaviest, bulkiest thing in most bags.

How many pairs should you take?

Three pairs is enough for most trips. Wear the bulkiest pair on the journey.

How to pack shoes in a suitcase

1. Fill them. Push rolled socks, underwear, chargers or belts inside each shoe. It saves space and stops the toe box being crushed.
2. Cover them. Use shoe bags, drawstring dust bags, or a hotel shower cap stretched over the soles.
3. Position them. Place shoes along the sides of the case or at the wheel end, which becomes the bottom when the case stands up, so their weight does not press on clothes.
4. Nest them. Pack each pair heel to toe, soles outward, to make a compact block.
5. Pack clothes around them to stop them shifting.
6. Keep flip flops and flat sandals for the gaps or the outer pocket.

Related: How to Fix Flip Flops: Straps, Toe Plugs and Soles

How to pack specific shoes

• Leather dress shoes: insert shoe trees or stuff firmly with socks, and use soft bags to prevent scuffs. If creases form anyway, see how to uncrease shoes.
• High heels: pack them heel to toe along the edge, with tissue around delicate heels and embellishments.
• Boots: stuff the foot, fold tall shafts over carefully or lay them flat along the base, and fill the shafts with rolled clothes.
• Trainers: flexible pairs can be pressed flat on top of the others.
• Suede: always in a bag of its own; it marks easily.
• Wet or muddy shoes on the way home: wrap in a plastic bag and dry them properly as soon as you arrive.

How to pack shoes for moving house

1. Sort first. Donate or recycle pairs you no longer wear before paying to move them.
2. Clean and dry everything.
3. Stuff each shoe with plain packing paper or socks to hold its shape.
4. Wrap each shoe or pair in plain paper. Avoid printed newspaper against light materials, because the ink can transfer.
5. Use small or medium boxes. Shoes are heavy, and large boxes become hard to lift.
6. Pack heavy shoes and boots at the bottom, lighter and delicate pairs on top, with paper between layers.
7. Keep original boxes for expensive pairs and pack those boxes inside a larger one.
8. Label the box by person and season.

For shoes going into long-term storage, add silica gel packets, avoid sealing them in plastic bags, which trap moisture, and keep the boxes somewhere cool and dry.

Mistakes to avoid

• Packing shoes loose on top of clean clothes.
• Leaving them empty, which wastes space and lets them crush.
• Putting heavy boots at the top of the case.
• Packing damp shoes.
• Taking a brand-new pair you have not worn in; see how to break in new shoes.

Once you have unpacked, see how to store shoes so they keep their shape.

Travelling light? Our best walking shoes list includes a travel-friendly pick.

Frequently asked questions