I have tried a bunch of different options in packing my suitcase for a trip. With special focus on ahow to pack a carry-on because of its limited space and my desire to pack as much as possible in it. The biggest challenge that I have faced is how do I pack my shoes. Typically, my sneakers are dirty and smelly. So I want to avoid them messing up the rest of my clothes.
The key that I found was to put the shoes in plastic bags. This way they are separate from the rest of my clothes. Some people say to clean your shoes first which is a good idea. But I never do that since I always seem to be rushed for time. I primarily use shower caps as my bags since you can always find them at hotels. In case I do not have any, I use either plastic kitchen bags or a nylon sports sack. This way any dirt on them will not spill over to my clothes.
As to the smell, the genius advice I once received was to put dryer sheets in the shoes (especially sneakers). That defnitely masks the odor and you end up with nice smelly sneakers. If your sneakers do not have any kind of foul odor like mine, you can always put socks or underwear in them to save space. Especially if your goal is to pack as much as you can in your luggage.
The final piece of advice in packing shoes in a carry-on is to place them at the bottom of the luggage near the wheels. This will help with the weight distribution of the bag since shoes tend to be heavier than clothes. Bascially, this approach keeps the luggage grounded so it will not tip over. Also, if you open the luggage from the top, the shoes will not be in the way. Also, you should place the shoes heal to toe to minimize its foot print.
If you take this advice, you should travel better and be able to take more on your trip!!