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

Robin Skjoldborg via Getty Images Compression cubes. “I think it is a good idea to put your shoes in something like a plastic bag from the grocery store or one of those reusable zipper bags you can buy before putting them in your suitcase,” said Philip M. Tierno, a professor of microbiology and pathology at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. He noted that the level of “germiness” in a pair of shoes depends on multiple factors, like the design of the shoes, the place where you walk in them and how often they’re washed. “The sweat also imparts odor, which can spread around the suitcase.” What’s the level of risk involved with not putting your shoes in a bag? You could step upon organisms that are dangerous, but in general, I characterize it as low risk.” Even if your risk of getting sick is low, you probably aren’t keen on the idea of mingling your clothes with your germy shoes in all their microscopic spit-, urine-, vomit- and fecal matter-covered glory.