I recently saw an IG story where someone said "Carry-on is a myth if you pack more than 2 pairs of shoes" and I am here to tell you firsthand that is blasphemous!!! I have repeatedly brought 4-7 pairs of shoes with me on vacation and still have more than enough space for my clothes. And no, they are not only flat sandals. I've brought heels, sneakers, flats, boots, water shoes, etc. as well. And I wear a size 10 so my feet aren't small either (unfortunately). So let me teach ya a lil somethin right quick!
The Type of Shoe Matters
While I've definitely packed sneakers and boots before and still had a few options, packing sandals, flats, and flip flops is key to taking multiple pairs of shoes on one trip. So packing for a warm destination makes it significantly easier to bring more than 2 pairs of shoes on a trip. Flat shoes can comfortably fit on the edges, along the side, or across the top with no hassle.
Plan Your Outfits In Advance
Planning ahead of time means you won't need to bring 17 different pairs of shoes "just in case." You can decide which pairs of shoes you like most with each outfit and pack only what's necessary.
Grab Shoes That Work With Multiple Outfits
When you are trying on your potential outfits, test a few different shoes with each. You'll realize that the same sneakers can be worn with 2-3 different outfits and still look good. And while it might be tempting to change it up for the 'gram, realistically nobody is paying that much attention. Most of us see the look as a whole and decide whether it's a hit or a miss. Unless you are wearing the same pair of shoes with every single outfit every single day, it's probably fine. You can still slay while wearing the same shoes twice, it's called versatility!
Pick a Color Scheme for the Trip
One of the easiest ways to ensure you can wear your shoes with multiple outfits is to pick a color scheme for the trip. Black shoes probably work with a variety of black, white, and gray outfits. Brown shoes can work with your pink and your red clothes. Your gold shoes could work for your white or your brown. If all of your outfits follow a theme, your shoes can be easily interchangeable.
Wear Your Bulkier or More Structured Shoes to the Airport
Don't wear flip-flops to the airport while trying to fit your boots into your suitcase. If you have a pair of shoes that would take up a lot of space in your bag but are technically comfortable enough to wear to the airport, I'd recommend leaving them out of the suitcase. This ensures 1 pair of shoes isn't taking up the space you could otherwise fit 4 pairs into.
Put Those Tetris Skills to Use
Don't lay three pairs of sneakers flat along the bottom of your suitcase. Instead lay them on their side facing each other, similar to the way they come in the box when you purchase them. And lay them across the shorter side of the suitcase to make it more compact. Place the flat sandals and flip flops and the back because they can be stuffed in much easier. The less structured your shoes are, the easier it'll be to squeeze in as much as possible without potentially ruining your shoes.
By being strategic, you can go from this...
And this...
To thisss!
Same shoes, half the space!!! And I'll wear my white sneakers to the airport.
Things to Note
I typically use the empty side for pajamas or put undergarments and swimsuits in a packing cube that fits perfectly. This ensures none of the clothes are laying on the nasty part of your shoes.
If you are a true sneakerhead that will walk like a penguin to avoid a crease in your shoe, this post is not for you. The black shoes I packed are cloth and more malleable so I don't have to worry about that. But honestly, I don't care about shoes that much so I'm not super careful anyway.
You can also bring a large backpack as your personal item and fill it with your shoes if you need more of the space in your carry-on suitcase for clothes.
Did this help? Do you have any other tips? Let me know in the comments!
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