Shoe Bags: The Packing Essential Not Enough People Use In Their Suitcase

Compression Cube.Wash bag.Garment bags.There are many great products on the market that can help you keep your suitcase organized while traveling.

But there is one vital item that helps with organization and, perhaps more importantly, maintaining hygiene.We’re talking about shoe bags.

While some people think it’s fine to just keep their shoes with their clothes and other luggage items, the more germ-conscious among us might think twice.After all, do you really want the dirty soles of your sneakers or work shoes touching your clean clothes?

Why are shoe bags important?

I think it’s a good idea to put your shoes in a plastic bag from the grocery store or a reusable zipper bag before putting them in your suitcase.

How “germy” a shoe is depends on a number of factors, such as the design of the shoe, where the shoe is worn and how often it is cleaned.

If there are convex ridges on the soles, or prongs on the sides of the shoes, or other areas where substances can collect, then think about what they can get on them!Depending on the city you live in, you may be walking on sidewalks and streets where people cough, spit and vomit.There’s urine, human and animal feces, and a whole host of other things that are relatively susceptible to bacteria.

Studies have shown that a pair of shoes can contain millions of bacteria, including E. coli and other disease-causing bacteria.In addition to the sole, the inside of the shoe may also carry bacteria.

Some people sweat a lot and carry Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that can be spread from the inside of a shoe as well as through the sole.Sweat also gives off an odor, which travels through the suitcase.

What are the risks of not putting shoes in the bag?

People do the strangest things in public, and walking down the street, you can get your hands on all sorts of things that could be contaminated.But the risk of causing infection is still relatively low.

For most people, our immune response and barriers such as our skin tend to protect us from infection, even if we come into contact with shoe-borne bacteria.

Many bacteria must penetrate the skin to invade.Even if the microbe gets on you, you have to get enough cells on it to cause an infection.You could be stepping on dangerous organisms, but overall, I think it’s low risk.

Even if your risk of getting sick is low, you may not want to mix your clothes with germ-ridden shoes that are covered in saliva, urine, vomit and feces.Sometimes family members pack the same suitcase when traveling together, or share the same suitcase and rotate it from trip to trip.

While your suitcase may have a separate exterior compartment for shoes, you’ll likely need to utilize the space inside your bag as well.This is where shoe bags come in handy.From washable organizers to colorful drawstring bags, the options for shoes are endless.