The 10 Best Shoe Storage Boxes
Special Honors
Sneakerhead Shoeboxes If you want to show off your collection in hardware that looks as clean as the kicks themselves, consider a custom model from Sneakerhead. As the name implies, these folks know all about sneaker obsessions, and are sure to deliver a quality and good-looking product. sneakerheadshoebox.com
Editor's Notes
June 25, 2021:
Both the Laizenco Stackable and Puroma Modular are replacements for similar models from now-defunct brands. The rest of our selections remain the same, and which one you choose will be dependent mostly on airflow requirements and aesthetic appeal, such as whether or not you want to actually see your shoes while they're in storage. The MDesign Organizer is still out top choice due to its all-around premium nature, while the Iris USA Easy Access offers similar durability and functionality, although its plastic isn't of the same high quality as the MDesign.
January 20, 2020:
The shoe storage boxes here, along with a good shoe cleaner, will keep your footwear collection in tip-top shape, but always make sure your shoes are clean and completely dry before shutting them up in a box or container. This will prevent unpleasant smells and even mold or mildew. With that said, we still like the MDesign Organizer and the Whitmor Clear Vue, as they are simple but effective choices. The former doesn't offer as much ventilation as some, but it comes in several sizes, which means it's better for a wider range of users than many one-size-fits-all choices. For a drawer system, we like the Iris USA Easy Access and the Makaor Push Drawer, even though the latter only accepts relatively small footwear. And, finally, we added the Prasacco 10-Pack. It's a good choice for those who want to avoid plastics, especially since, even though they are made from cardboard, they're fairly attractive.
Unexpected Tricks For Prolonging Shoe Life
Even if you follow this protocol, it's important to add a protective spray to suede and leather boots that resists water, mud, and salt.
You spent a lot of time perfectly curating your shoe collection. First, you had to find the style you wanted, then you had to find your size, which could be tricky if you have one foot slightly larger than the other (a problem that may affect more than 50 percent of the population, it turns out). So, it only makes sense that you'd want to prolong the life of those pumps, kicks, loafers, sandals, and more, for as long as possible. Some habits make our footwear deteriorate faster, while others can mean they'll stay with us for ages.
Let's touch on a previously mentioned issue: size. Wearing a pair that is too small will stretch and wear out the shoe quickly, not to mention cause you pain. Meanwhile, those that are too large usually drive you to stuff things into the toe area, or do other things that aren't great for the shoe. Selecting the right size can be difficult, especially considering the many reasons people fail to do so. For example, most people don't know that things in life can change our foot size, like weight fluctuations, aging, and pregnancy. If you've been noticing some footwear that used to fit comfortably not quite doing so anymore, it may be time to get re-measured.
In addition to fit, you should consider the weather and your shoes of choice for the day. If it's raining out, it's always best to abandon ship on your original footwear choice and just put on some rain boots. Even if you follow this protocol, it's important to add a protective spray to suede and leather boots that resists water, mud, and salt. Should you find an unexpected event still leaves your feet damp, shove old newspaper into the shoes the moment you get home (it soaks up the fluid) and leave them in a well-ventilated area to dry. Never remove stains or liquid with a used sponge because, you never know what other problematic things are on there, like old pasta sauce or oil.
Shoe Storage Mistakes You're Probably Making
You may have noticed that almost no apartment or house has a designated area for shoes. That leaves one to have to get creative, but sometimes, when left to our own devices, we wind up storing our shoes in a way that not only damages them but everything around them. No matter what you do, do not simply line your pairs up on the floor. In addition to being a waste of space, it also makes you prone to knocking them over and eventually leaving them in a big, messy pile.
Unless their legs are extremely rigid, they likely flop over when you stand them up, creating bends and creases on the material, that can eventually lead to tears.
Some styles, like ballet flats, loafers, and sandals might seem like they lend themselves to stacking. So, you tuck one inside the other, and just start putting them on top of each other in boxes. Unfortunately, this system compresses them over the years, putting pressure on their walls, and flatting them out so much that they lose their shape. Even these light and smaller pairs should each have their own, designated space. As for taller, bulkier shoes, like riding boots, you can't be sloppy in putting these away, either. Unless their legs are extremely rigid, they likely flop over when you stand them up, creating bends and creases on the material, that can eventually lead to tears. Always make sure to put something in there — like plastic bags — to help them maintain their shape.
Break shoes up into categories for all of your uses. You may have pairs for special occasions that you really only wear to weddings, such as high heels or overly formal styles. You can store these a little further back in your closet. Then you have your work shoes, which you may wear nearly every day. These you should put in an easier to reach place, since you need them regularly. Pairs you wear to go out with friends can be in a slightly less prominent place, but not quite as tucked away as special occasion ones. If you organize them based on how often you'll really need your shoes, then you won't turn your closet upside down looking for the pair you want.
How To Choose The Best Storage Box
If you're a bit of a fashionista who feels that your shoe collection is really more like your art collection, or you happen to own one of the most expensive pairs of sneakers ever sold, then you may want totally clear boxes, with no lines or caps on the corners, to create a seamless display case for those kicks and stilettos. If you don't necessarily need your shoes to be on display, but you would like the box to be attractive since it will sit in a prominent area of your home, there are some nice options made of linen, canvas, and other materials that will match most spaces.
Within this category, there are airtight options that will ensure no moisture or other damaging elements make it into the box.
If your entire reason for needing shoe storage boxes is that you have some shoes that you don't wear for half of each year, and you want a way to put them away while keeping them in good condition, there are boxes for that, too. Some feature a wide but low profile, so you can easily slide them beneath a bed and out of sight until those shoes are back in season. Within this category, there are airtight options that will ensure no moisture or other damaging elements make it into the box. Some even have rollers, making it easier to retrieve them from underneath your bed.
A few other features will make it easier to protect, access, and identify your shoes. Some boxes have label tabs so you can mark which ones contain flip-flops, which hold your running shoes, and so on. Others stack nicely, clicking into place on top each other, so you can be sure your tower of kicks won't go tumbling over. If you do plan on stacking them, you may want boxes that open in the front, rather than the top, so you don't need to unstack them every time you need a pair.