The 10 Best Shoe Bags
Special Honors
Sole Premise Signature XL If you never travel anywhere without a selection of kicks at your disposal, check out the Sole Premise Signature XL, which is a carry-on sized backpack that holds five pairs comfortably. In fact, it's incredibly spacious at 50 liters, and offers plenty of compartments for your other gear, including your laptop. solepremise.com
Peter Millar Cotton Canvas The Peter Millar Cotton Canvas is made of robust cloth and lined with a water-resistant material, then topped off with a sturdy leather strap handle. The cost is a bit steep, but considering its durability and quality, it's an investment that should last you a long time. petermillar.com
GBY Ultralight You won't have to struggle with added weight when you choose the GBY Ultralight, which barely tips the scales at 4.4 ounces. The fabric it's crafted from has water-repellent qualities, with a sleek, black quilted construction that adds a little extra protection. gbyultra.com
Editor's Notes
June 17, 2020:
There's no shortage of shoe bags to select from, which is why we ultimately decided to remove the Tuff Guy Travel. Although it doesn't happen in every case, the dye has been known to rub off on a pair of shoes, so it just can't stand up to the competition. But for most, we still like the Shooin EZ-Pack Expandable. A lightweight, fabric choice, they won't break the bank, nor will they take up a lot of room in your suitcase, the way the Bagsmart Tote or the Adidas 3-Stripe might. Plus, they come in a number of fun, colorful choices. This is also true of the Zmart Space Saving, which is water-resistant but not sized for larger shoes.
We've also opted to add the popular Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter at this time. Because they are made from a strong silnylon fabric, they're both waterproof and durable, so feel free to use them in your gym bag. For a less expensive alternative, consider the Misslo Portable Nylon. They have a similar shape and size, but are much more affordably priced and are sold in convenient packs of four. They'll hold everything from your high heels to your shower shoes, but the zippers are on the fragile side, so don't plan on abusing them too much. If you want to avoid zippers altogether, consider instead the Travel Gadgeteer or the Kilofly Embroidered Jacquard, simple and elaborately decorated choices, respectively.
October 16, 2018:
Added a few models that occupy a higher price tier than most of the offerings from the last update. While there are plenty of shoe bags to be had on the cheap, you get what you pay for. The Adidas 3-Stripe is an example of a higher quality model that should last a long time. Also, most of the previous options were designed with travelers in mind, rather than commuters or business professionals, so we added the Bagsmart Tote as a perfect option for daily use in an urban setting.