How to Pack Shoes for Moving

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: July 18, 2022 References

If you're packing up your wardrobe to move, you're probably wondering what to do with all the shoes in your closet. While they may be a bit of an afterthought, packing your shoes properly is important to prevent scuffs and damage. Whether you're moving across town or across the country, don't worry. We'll walk you through everything you need to know to keep your shoes safe until they reach your new spot!

1

Sort your shoes by style or season.

This helps you organize which pairs to pack together. Take all the shoes out of your closet and sort through the pairs. Try to group them by similar styles, such as dress shoes, casual wear, sandals, and heels. You could instead sort them by the season, like boots for winter and sandals for summer. Choose whichever way works best for you and what shoes you own.^{[1]
X
Research source}

2

Get rid of shoes you don’t wear.

Toss or donate old shoes so they don’t take up extra space. Rather than bringing along shoes that are worn out, outdated, or the wrong size, set them aside before you start packing. If the shoes are still in good shape, see if you can donate them to a consignment shop or charity, or try to sell them yourself. If they’re in rougher shape, then throw them away in the trash.^{[2]
X
Research source}^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You can use apps like Facebook Marketplace, Depop, eBay, or Poshmark to sell shoes that are still in good shape.
- Keep in mind how much space you have for your shoes during packing and in your new place. That way, you can figure out how many pairs of shoes you need to cut out.

3

Separate shoes you need to wear.

Keep out shoes for work and regular wear so they aren’t a pain to unpack. If you need to wear specific shoes for work or if you have shoes that you wear every day, you don’t want to dig through the box with the rest of your shoes to find them. Put your everyday shoes in a different place so you can pack them away in a small “go box” in your vehicle to access quickly.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- For example, you may keep dress shoes for work, sneakers for regular wear, and a warm pair of slippers in your go box.
- You can also separate any designer shoes that can get damaged or scuffed easily so you can protect them better in another box.

4

Clean and dry your shoes.

Get rid of any dirt and moisture to prevent mold during transit. Use a brush to dust off any loose dirt on your shoes. Wet a rag with some soapy water and gently wipe the surface clean for any stubborn stains or spots. Then, leave your shoes to dry out completely before you start packing them. If there’s any moisture, it could easily turn into mold after you pack your shoes up.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You can also apply some antibacterial spray on and inside your shoes to help kill any fungus.
- While you can pack your shoes when they’re dirty, it could make your new place messy once you unpack.

5

Stuff your shoes with packing paper.

This preserves the form of your shoes. Crumple up a ball of packing paper and stuff it into your shoe. Push it all the way to the toe and fill in the entire opening. Without the packing paper, your shoes could easily crush and deform from being packed up.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you’re packing up boots, stuff paper into the vertical shafts so they don’t bend or flop over.
- You can also use balled socks or washcloths if you don’t have packing paper.

6

Wrap the pair of shoes in packing paper.

Prevent any scuffs with a thin protective layer. Rip off a large square of packing paper and lay it flat on a table. Set one of your shoes on the paper on its side and wrap the paper on top of it. Then, place the other shoe on the paper so the soles point away from one another. Wrap the paper tightly around the second shoe and tape it closed.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If you don’t have packing paper, you can use bubble wrap instead.
- Try to avoid using newspaper to wrap your shoes since the ink could transfer onto them and leave stains.

7

Put your shoes in shoeboxes if you have them.

Shoeboxes have the perfect fit and best protection for your kicks. If you still have the shoeboxes for your shoes, set your wrapped shoes inside. If there’s any extra space in the box, fill it in with more packing paper or bubble wrap. Close the shoebox and tape it closed so your shoes don’t come out.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you don’t have a shoebox, you can just leave your shoes in paper or add an additional layer of bubble wrap around the outside for extra cushion.

8

Store your shoes in a large box or plastic tote.

Use separate containers for different styles. A small or medium box should work fine, but it depends on how many shoes you have. Boxes are easy to get from moving supply stores or hardware stores, but they could potentially get water damage. Plastic totes are usually smaller, but they’re a great water-resistant choice.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Be cautious storing leather or suede in plastic totes long-term since it’s not a breathable container and could cause your shoes to dry out or crack.
- In a pinch, you can use a hardshell suitcase instead.
- If you have flats, you could store the pairs individually in a hanging closet door organizer. Fold the organizer in half to keep your shoes from falling out. However, this won’t offer as much protection during the move.

9

Place shoeboxes and heavier shoes on the bottom.

That way, you won’t crush or damage more delicate pairs. Start by layering your shoeboxes on the bottom of the container so you have a sturdy base. Then, add any wrapped pairs of heavier boots or sneakers that you have on top of the boxes. Keep layering the boxes with your shoes until they’re full.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Avoid packing more than 40 pounds (18 kg) in a single container since the box could break.

10

Add tea bags or baking soda to eliminate odors.

Keep your shoes smelling fresh so the box doesn’t get musty. You can use any type of tea that you want to help absorb the odors. Toss a handful of tea bags either directly in the shoeboxes or in the larger container to capture the odors. You could also use baking soda wrapped in gauze to absorb all of the odors. That way, your shoes won’t stink when you open the box.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- You can instead use dried citrus peels, like oranges, limes, or lemons.

11

Fill in empty space with paper or bubble wrap.

Stop your shoes from jostling around during the move. If there are any gaps in between your shoes in the box, crumple up some more packing paper or bubble wrap and stuff it inside. Give the box a good shake to see if anything moves around. If your shoes stay still, then you can tape the box up and get it ready for moving. Otherwise, pack a little more material inside to fill in the gaps.^{[12]
X
Research source}

12

Label which shoes are in the box.

Write what’s inside so you can easily find your shoes at your new place. Use a marker to put down which style or season you’ve put into each box. Write clearly and in big letters so you can locate the box while you’re unpacking and keep your things organized.^{[13]
X
Research source}