Best Backpack with Shoe Compartment

Shoe compartments enhance the utility of backpacks. Shoe compartments primarily store bulky footwear, thereby freeing up space in the bag’s main chamber. Backpack shoe compartments can also be used to keep smelly things, like dirty workout clothes or food, separate from the rest of the wearer’s belongings.

Because of their versatility, backpacks with shoe compartments are a great option for backpack wearers of all kinds – from athletes to students. If you’re shopping for the best backpack with a shoe compartment, you need look no further. We’ve searched the web and read thousands of reviews to find the best backpack with a shoe compartment for you.

How We Researched the Best Backpack with Shoe Compartment

72 Expert Reviews Considered
921 Consumer Reviews Considered
6.5 Hours Researching
34 Products Evaluated

Best Backpack with Shoe Compartment 3 Features That Make Backpacks with Shoe Compartments Special

1. Shoe Compartment

A backpack’s shoe compartment must first and foremost be able to fit a pair of shoes. The ideal backpack with a shoe compartment will be spacious enough to fit the needs of even large-footed wearers.

The shoe compartment also often doubles as a storage space for items with strong odors, like food or dirty laundry, and must efficiently keep its contents and their odors away from the other compartments in the bag.

2. Ventilation

With proper ventilation sweaty clothes, wet bathing suits, stinky sneakers, and whatever else you carry in your shoe compartment, are able to air out. The best backpacks with shoe compartments have features that promote ventilation, like breathable fabrics.

3. Water Resistance

Water resistance helps backpacks with shoe compartments avoid attracting and trapping extra moisture. While many backpacks aren’t fully waterproof, even a water-resistant coat can help them prevent water from entering and ward off mildew and mold.

Best Backpack with Shoe Compartment Top 5: Best Backpack with Shoe Compartment

Nike Sport Golf Backpack

Product place
Our Top Pick
Product rating

The Nike Sport Golf Backpack is the best backpack with a shoe compartment. Its water-resistant shoe compartment is located at the bottom of this bag, making it easy for you to transport stinky sneakers and laundry without letting the smell seep into the rest of the bag.  

Consumers love this backpack for its top-loading design, which makes gear easy to access. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and commuters will enjoy the side water bottle pocket for hydration on the go.

  • Water-resistant shoe compartment
  • Top loading pouch design makes items easily accessible and expands capacity
  • Many compartments for convenient storage
  • Sleek design
  • Side water bottle pocket
  • Not waterproof

G4Free 3-Way Duffle Backpack Gym Bag

Product place
Runner Up
Product rating

If you’re looking for a backpack with a shoe compartment that is both versatile and spacious, the G4Free 3-Way Duffle Backpack is for you. This bag’s shoe compartment can fit up to size 12 shoes and is ventilated to keep footwear as fresh as possible.

This backpack also can also be worn across the body thanks to a shoulder strap, or carried by its top handles like a duffle bag. At 40 L capacity, this G4Free bag can fit more than any other backpack on our list. This bag’s tear-resistant nylon also makes it a crowd pleaser.

  • Ventilated shoe compartment fits up to size 12 sneakers
  • Large capacity of 40 L
  • Comes with a carrying pouch for easy storage
  • Convertible straps create three carrying options
  • Built from tear-resistant nylon
  • Not waterproof
  • Some reviewers complained about zipper quality

MIER Large Duffel Backpack

Product place
3rd Place
Product rating

If the great outdoors is calling your name, the MIER Large Duffel Backpack is the backpack with a shoe compartment for you. Its spacious shoe compartment can hold multiple pairs of shoes. Need even more space? This backpack comes in three sizes.

Versatility is the name of the game with this bag, as it can be carried as a backpack or as a duffel bag. 

  • Shoe compartment can hold multiple pairs of shoes
  • Doubles as a backpack and duffel
  • Large capacity – sizes start at 45 L
  • Sternum strap provides maximum comfort
  • One style option
  • Not waterproof

Amber & Ash Everyday Backpack

Product place
4th Place
Product rating

The Amber & Ash Everyday Backpack is perfect for people looking for style and substance. This backpack comes in chic colors like pink and red. Its convenient shoe compartment is perfect for carrying a change of shoes to change into after your commute or when you reach the gym.

This bag’s convertible straps enable you to wear it as a backpack or sling bag. You can even tuck the straps away to slide it onto a suitcase handle. The faux fur laptop sleeve is an added bonus that protects tech gear.

  • Large and versatile bottom shoe compartment
  • Elegant design
  • Convertible straps
  • Protective faux fur laptop sleeve and various organizational pockets
  • Spacious main compartment
  • Small capacity
  • No water bottle pocket

King Kong Backpack

Product place
5th Place
Product rating

The King Kong Backpack has expandable external pockets that double as shoe storage. Because shoes are stored externally, they can ventilate better than they could if trapped inside the bag.

While this backpack can be used in many scenarios, it’s great for travelers. First, its size is TSA carry-on compliant. Second, the bag opens flat for easy packing. Third, this backpack’s nylon shell is water-resistant and durable.

  • External shoe pocket
  • Flat pack open
  • Made of water-resistant nylon
  • TSA carry-on compatible
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Not a true shoe compartment
  • Pricy

Best Backpack with Shoe Compartment Conclusion: The Best Backpacks with Shoe Compartments

Shoe compartments are useful backpack features, but they do so much more than just transport footwear. These separate compartments are perfect for transporting smelly or wet things like dirty gym clothes or bathing suits.

The Nike Sport Golf Backpack came out on top during our search for the best backpack with a shoe compartment. Its spacious and water-resistant shoe compartment and easy top-load main chamber make it an all-around winner.

That being said, all of the backpacks with shoe compartments on our list are consumer-approved. You really can’t go wrong with any of these options!