How to Properly Pack Shoes and Boots for Your Move

If you’re preparing for an upcoming Southern California move, there’s no doubt that you’re going to be spending a good deal of time packing. Everything in your home must be packed securely before the local movers arrive on the big day—from linens, kitchenwares, and knick-knacks to clothing, shoes, and boots.

Wait. Shoes and boots? Yes, even shoes and boots need to be packed carefully! The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home to find one shoe but not the other—or a jumbled box of scuffed, misshapen shoes.

At Merit Moving Systems, we’ve packed thousands—yes, thousands—of shoes and boot during our decades as a professional moving company. When our home movers pack belongings, they take just as much care with shoes and boots as they do with precious family antiques. To ensure that your shoes and boots survive your moving journey undamaged, our professional Orange County movers have compiled a few helpful tips to consider when packing your footwear.

1. Dry Footwear Thoroughly

To prevent the chance of mold growth during your move, shoes and boots should be air dried for a few hours prior to packing so they are free of moisture. Sports shoes, work shoes, and leather shoes are particularly vulnerable to mold if they are packed wet or not sufficiently dried.

2. Prepare for Packing by Stuffing

To keep your shoes and boots from losing their shape during your move, stuff them with crumpled packing paper, taking care to stuff boots all the way to the top. For budget-friendly packing, you can stuff shoes and boots with socks rather than packing paper. However, do no use newspaper as an alternative because the ink might transfer onto your shoes.

3. Use Original Shoeboxes, Especially for Dress Shoes

Since contact with other shoes or belongings can cause damage to the finish of dress shoes, it’s best to wrap them in tissue or packing paper and place them in the original shoeboxes. If you don’t have shoeboxes, wrap shoes and boots in packing paper as a pair to protect them during your move and keep the pairs from being separated.

4. Pack Larger Boxes with Heavier Shoes and Boots First

Once your shoes and boots are dried, stuffed, and boxed or wrapped, it’s time to pack them into medium or large packing boxes. Start with heavier shoes and boots at the bottom of the box and gradually work your way up to lightweight and delicate shoes. Pack shoeboxes together in large boxes and unboxed shoes in medium boxes to protect them during your move. If there is space left at the top of a box, use additional packing paper to fill in the gap to prevent your footwear from shifting.

Moving can be a time-consuming, stressful endeavor—especially when you consider all the time it takes to pack your entire house. For a hassle-free relocation, the local movers at Merit Moving Systems have been serving customers in Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County for more than 60 years, and we’re here to help you with your upcoming move! Give us a call today to learn more about our full-service moving and packing solutions, or fill out our simple online form now to request your free, in-home consultation and price estimate.