I have a pair of good dress shoes that got damaged in my backpack while commuting. Something in my bag was pressing up against the toe area and has left a permanent crease.

My standard way to transport the shoes had been to throw them in a plastic bag and put them in my backpack, but obviously this isn't enough to irreverent them from damage.

Does anyone have any tips on how to protect dress shoes in a backpack?

Get a backpack with two or more large compartments and put the shoes in one of the sections by themselves. Use platform pedals and wear them while riding. Place them in a separate bag and bungee them to your rear rack. Just some ideas . . .

Get panniers. Problem solved.

Leave the dress shoes at work.

Agree with chefisaaec and sqv.
Either leave a couple pairs at work.
Or, what I usually do, put them in a shoe bag and then put them in a panier. If weight isn't a concern you can also put in the shoe trees.

Shoe trees and separate bag inside your backpack.

+1 Good idea.

The Force is strong in this one

Shoes are the most cumbersome thing to carry on a bike commute. If you are able to leave them at work, your commute packing will become 50% easier. I keep a pair of black & a pair of brown shoes at work & just change once I get there.

If leaving them at work is not an option, the rest depends on what else you are carrying. you can try packing them at the very top of everything so that nothing is pressing down on them. Also, as suggested, strap them to the top of the bike rack separately, or put them in a separate compartment of the backpack.

OP may not have a rear rack for some inexplicable reason. Maybe installing a front basket or bag big enough for his shoes would work as well.

+1 Along w/some sort of disinfectant/anti-ordor spray. I've been doing it for years. If you can't keep a pair of shoes at work then try https://www.nashbar.com and put Commuter Garment Pannier in the site search. It has zippered pockets designed for shoes. It's NOT waterproof, though water resistant. Performance Bike carrys the exact same one.

+1
Bringing shoes to and from work is a pain.

I have the luxury of leaving clothes at work, but I just wear jeans, tshirt and sneakers at work. I also have the luxury of showering at work. I got tired of toting clothing every day when I started riding to work four days a week. You could get a small camp bag and wrap the shoes in a hand towel before putting them in the bag.

Better yet, wear the dress shoes. I don't buy a pair of shoes if I'm not comfortable walking/biking in them.

Leave them at work.
If that is not an option, stuff them with a shoe horn or socks for transport. Using pannier bag would help as well.

Stop wearing shoes at work.

Have you taken the shoes to a good cobbler? They might be able to do something about the crease.

Does your backpack have external loops and such where you could use straps to tie down the shoes to the outside of the pack. I've carried bulky and awkward objects that way like a computer keyboard as well as work boots. I usually leave my work shoes at work since I wear ankle boots, soft and safety toe, for work and no way you can convince me to carry those to and from work daily.

Thanks for the replies.

In terms of a shoe horn, are you referring to something like this?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Men-Cedar...item9503fc1c3a

I wrap my shoes in shoe polishing cloths, then in plastic bags. I find this sufficiently helps to protect the leather. I also have polish at work if my shoes require a touch up.

Or you could keep a couple pair of dress shoes at work. I keep at least 2 changes of clothes at work at all times because I either be commuting on my bicycle or motorcycle. And I don't like carry lots of bags. Something light and simple.

I used to carry my shoes inside of an old pant leg that I had sewed closed at the bottom and put it in my pannier or backpack. Kept them safe from scuffs and dirt. I now just leave them at work.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Plastic-Sh...item33704b3c3b

Something similar to this would be much lighter than the wood version. Haven't tried them though.

I bought a couple of Grip Kings and have lost all interest in clip less shoes. Now I can commute in my leather dress shoes. No need for a backpack!

My wife and I were late to a wedding once because I had to drive by the office to pick up a pair of dress shoes. And a tie.

Hahaa! If, one of my dress shoes developed a crease, I would deem it a sign of character. This is leather we're talking about. It isn't even a flesh wound. Oh, the humanity!

Yes, suitable, presentable footwear at work is a viable concern for commuters. This thread made me mentally generate an entire script for Antonio Bandaras as Zorro and especially PUSS EEN BOOTS! Just tell anyone that is taking exception to the noticeable crease that you just put your foot up the office jerk's sitbone divider. It sounds like you at least still have both shoes and neither of them have switched sides. True story, I lost a sock in my backpack one day. Really annoying. I hiked to the nearby Kmart on my lunch break and bought some new socks. Months later, I finally blunder onto the missing sock. It was in an interior pocket of the backpack that I never ever used.