How to Pack Castañer Sandals and Flats for Travel
By Castañer | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step packing plan for Castañer sandals and flats, from choosing two versatile pairs to protecting jute soles and woven uppers in transit.
Quick answer
Pack two Castañer pairs: one flat sandal for daytime walking and one closed espadrille for travel days or evening plans. Wear the bulkier pair on the plane, stuff the other with socks or tissue to hold its shape, and keep both in individual cotton bags so jute soles do not rub against clothing.
Choose pairs that cover different parts of the trip
A travel shoe plan works best when each pair has a clear job. A flat sandal handles sightseeing, beach lunches and warm evenings, while a closed espadrille covers travel days, air-conditioned restaurants and walks where you want more coverage. Two pairs are usually enough for a week if you rotate them and let each pair air out for a day between wears.
Check the fit notes before you commit. The Pura flat sandal runs small, so Castañer recommends sizing up, while the Glen and Nemo espadrilles are described as true to your usual size. Ordering your normal size in every pair is the most common packing mistake because a too-tight sandal is the one shoe you cannot fix on the road.
Pack around the jute sole, not just the upper
Jute soles are the part most likely to suffer in a suitcase. They can dent if heavy items press on them and fray if they rub against zippers or hard luggage corners. Pack shoes at the top of the suitcase or in a separate packing cube, and place nothing heavier than clothing on top. If you carry a hard-shell case, fill the empty space around the shoes with soft items so they cannot shift.
Woven and braided uppers also snag easily. Turn each shoe so its sole faces the suitcase wall and its upper faces soft clothing. A cotton dust bag or a clean pillowcase protects the surface without trapping moisture the way a plastic bag can.
Plan for rain, salt and repeated wear
Jute and cotton do not enjoy prolonged soaking. Check the forecast before you leave and add a packable rain cover or a second pair of shoes if a wet week is likely. At the beach, rinse salt and sand off rubber or cuerolite soles with fresh water and a cloth, then let the shoes dry away from direct sun. Never dry jute soles on a radiator or hair dryer, because heat can warp them.
For a longer trip, pack a small brush and a soft cloth. A quick brush after each wear keeps sand and dust from working into the weave, and airing shoes overnight prevents odors from building up in a suitcase.
Your step-by-step travel packing routine
- Confirm sizing before you pack: Read the fit note for each model and try both pairs on with the socks you plan to travel in. The Pura sandal needs one size up, while the Glen and Nemo espadrilles are true to size. Checkpoint: you should be able to wiggle your toes and walk without your heel slipping.
- Clean and dry shoes a day before departure: Brush sand and dust from soles and uppers, wipe rubber or cuerolite soles with a damp cloth, and let everything air dry completely. Packing a damp jute sole invites mildew during the trip. Checkpoint: no visible moisture and no grit left in the weave.
- Stuff each shoe to hold its shape: Use rolled socks, tissue paper or a soft cloth inside the toe box. This keeps the upper from collapsing and stops the jute sole from bending under luggage pressure. Checkpoint: the shoe holds its shape when you press gently on the top.
- Bag each pair separately: Place each pair in its own cotton dust bag or pillowcase, sole facing the bag wall. Keep plastic bags out of the suitcase so trapped humidity can escape. Checkpoint: no buckles, ties or braided edges are exposed to zippers.
- Pack shoes at the top of the case: Lay the bagged pairs flat on top of clothing, or stand them upright in a packing cube if the case is deep. Avoid placing toiletries, books or chargers directly on top of the soles. Checkpoint: close the suitcase and press lightly; you should feel no hard ridge under the shoes.
- Rotate pairs and air them out daily: Alternate the sandal and espadrille from day to day, and leave the pair you wore out of the bag overnight in a dry corner of the room. This gives jute and cotton time to release moisture. Checkpoint: shoes feel dry inside before you pack them again.
- Handle rain and salt immediately: If shoes get wet, blot them with a cloth, reshape them with stuffing and dry them in shade away from heat. Rinse salt off soles with fresh water before it dries into the jute. Next step: keep a small brush and cloth in your bag for quick cleanups.
Castañer pairs that travel well
- PURA/298: Sandalia plana Pura in braided rayon and linen with a hand-sewn jute sole; Castañer notes this model runs small and recommends sizing up. A light daytime sandal for warm destinations, but order one size larger than usual so walking stays comfortable.
- GLEN/293: Alpargata plana Glen in cotton with ribbon ties, a padded insole and a cuerolite sole; Castañer describes the fit as true to your usual size. The padded insole and closed shape make it a practical choice for travel days and evenings when you want more coverage than a sandal.
- NEMO T/186: Alpargata Nemo in suede with a nautical style and a jute sole in a taupe tone; Castañer describes the fit as true to your usual size. A closed espadrille that pairs with casual travel outfits, though the suede upper needs a brush and dry conditions to stay looking neat.
