Why shoe bags are the one thing our travel editor can't pack without (2024)

As sleek as its packing cubes, carry-on suitcases and holdalls, Away's shoe bags come as small or large cubes. They're made from water-resistant material to keep your footwear or clothing protected. We love the collapsible divider that allows you to separate the shoes and there's a mesh pocket that's ideal for popping in a pair of flip flops or slippers to wear around your hotel.

A multiple travel shoe bag, this one features six compartments so you can fit one shoe in each slot or a pair in each, if you have smaller shoes. We like that it comes in one large bag with a handle that can be placed in a large suitcase or carried on its own. Shoppers love it too and say it's "sturdy" and "good quality".

A shoe bag that comes in a set, this eight pack of travel organisers includes a few handy bags. There's the waterproof shoe bag, four packing cubes for clothes, a bag for toiletries, one for dirty clothing and one small bag for cables. The shoe bag set has had thousands of positive reviews, too, with one traveller saying: "I bought these to go in my duffel bag I took with me to Ireland. I was able to fit nine days worth of stuff in the cubes and they were very easy to fit in the bag. The thin fabric was very breathable and having a cube just for the shoes was great with my muddy shoes."

A sustainable option made from waterproof, recycled fabric, this shoe bag set has a spacious, zipped design. There's enough space for large footwear and the lightweight material means you're not adding extra weight in your luggage. We love that they're easy to wash and have handles for easy carrying. Their versatility allows you to use one as a shoe bag and pack the second for other essentials, such as make-up or underwear. One happy traveller says: "These little shoe bags are lightweight, large enough for even big foot shoes and great for travelling in your suitcase".

A luxury option for travellers in search of premium shoe bags, this duo by Paravel is sustainable, too. The organisers feel like they're made from the finest materials but are constructed from six recycled water bottles. How's that for protecting the planet while you travel in style? The transparent panel shows you which pair of shoes are in each bag and the larger cube is ideal for long boots or a few pairs of trainers.

Amazon's very own shoe bags are sold as a pack of four organisers that are lightweight, sturdy and foldable. There are two extra-large and two standard zip-up shoe bags and travellers praise how light they are to carry. One says: "The largest shoe bag easily accommodated my sons size 13 shoes. Ideal for keeping shoes away from clothes when packed in suitcase."

You can buy it as a single shoe bag or a pack of two, and in grey or black, and this waterproof shoe bag from Pack All has been praised as "brilliant". The mesh design helps you spot which shoes you're about to grab and the carry handle makes the bag ideal for taking to the beach, on walks and putting straight in the car. One happy traveller says: "I have bought three of these. They are a life saver and attractive. Keeps nasty footwear away from clean clothes."

Travelling with big walking boots? These shoe bags by Travelto are worth checking out. Made from durable nylon, this set of two shoe bags will protect your shoes and clothing. They're spacious enough for carrying larger footwear and if they get muddy, the bags can be cleaned in the washing machine. One shopper says: "I wanted bags to put my dirty walking boots in after a day in the hills to keep my car clean and these didn’t disappoint."

These large drawstring shoe bags come as a set of four and feature transparent panels for you to identify your footwear. They're lightweight and simple in design as a practical travel must-have worth carrying in your case. One traveller says: "I particularly like the see-through end, this means you don’t have to open each bag to see which shoes are in which bag. Well made, draw string to pull together so shoes don’t slip out."