How many pairs of shoes to pack for a trip

How many pairs of shoes should you pack? Two. Shoes are the heaviest and bulkiest thing in your bag, so each extra pair costs the most space.

The rule

Wear one pair. Pack one pair. Add a third only for a named reason.

• Pair 1: your most comfortable walking shoes. Wear them on the way there.
• Pair 2: something lighter for evenings, sandals in heat, or dry shoes if the first pair gets wet.
• Pair 3: only if you have a hike, a formal event or a beach with rough rocks.

One reason this works

You use one pair most of the time anyway. A second pair gives your feet a break and lets one pair dry. Beyond that, extra shoes sit in the bag and add weight.

How to pack them

• Put shoes at the base of the bag, near the wheels or back.
• Stuff socks and small items inside.
• Use a bag or a shower cap over the soles.

One exception

For ski, snow or hiking trips, boots are the main pair and the second pair is your off-duty shoe. See the ski trip packing list and what to wear hiking for a day trip for how boots change the count.

Carry-on travellers can wear the heaviest pair on the plane, as in one bag travel for beginners.