You wouldn’t believe it but last year 41% of Americans didn’t take a vacation. This is all the more reason for Americans to make sure they take some time to venture away from their own home for a while this year.
But if you are planning on getting away then you are probably considering the age-old question of how to pack shoes in a suitcase. With budget airlines charging high prices for going over your check-in luggage allowance and often enforcing restrictions to just one bag, getting your suitcase packed right has never been more important.
But don’t fret. Rather than trying to obsessively cram everything into the suitcase and sitting on it to make it close here are some of the best tips for how to pack shoes for travel.
Try Placing Your Shoes at the Bottom of Your Suitcase
It’s a common misconception that your shoes should be the last items you pack as you try to squeeze them on top of all of your other clothes. But this often doesn’t work. There’s a common methodology for how to pack shoes in a suitcase.
Instead, you should place your shoes longways and at either end of the suitcase if they won’t fit together. This way they are taking up length but not width and other items can be squeezed against them. Try to get them touching toe-to-toe.
If you have shoes that are particularly thick or shaped in an unusual way then be sure to put them at either end of the suitcase or even in different compartments so that they take up less space.
The big exception to this rule are flip flops, sandals and other shoes you might wear at the beach. With these types of shoes, it is not so important that you maintain their shape. They are also flexible and can be contorted and pushed around and they will soon spring back into shape on the other end of your flight.
Be sure to pack these last, cramming them into whatever corner of the suitcase they will fit.
Protect Your Shoes
Consider placing your shoes in plastic bags to protect your other clothes or perhaps you still have the plastic wrapping they came in. Also, see if you can wrap the inside of your shoes with tissue papers to ensure that they maintain their shape.
Be Shoe Smart
When you have great shoes available to you like the nike air max 97 it can be easy to want to fill your whole suitcase with different shoes. But you must be shoe smart try to double up with the shoes you have.
Do you have a pair that you can use for formal wear as well as for casual events? Is there a comfy pair that can double up for some light hiking as well? Shoes take up the most amount of space in your suitcase so try to minimize the amount you bring if you can.
How to Pack Shoes? Pack them Tight and Travel Light!
When considering how to pack shoes the best advice is to ensure you pack shoes which are flexible and can be pushed into smaller spaces.
But try to cut down on the number of shoes you bring anyway and try to bring shoes that can serve more than one purpose as they take up a considerable amount of space.
Pack your shoes toe-to-toe rather than heel-to-heel and if possible put them at either end of the suitcase.
To find out about other ways to live a more fulfilled life and get the most out of your vacation be sure to check out other articles in our travel section.