You must remove your shoes at TSA security checkpoints, with rare exceptions

TSA officers will ask you to take off your shoes and place them in a bin on the conveyor belt. This is standard procedure at every checkpoint in the United States. The rule exists because shoes can conceal prohibited items, and the X-ray machines cannot see through thick soles clearly enough to rule out threats.

You do not remove shoes during the actual flight or anywhere else in the airport — only at the security checkpoint itself, before you pass through the metal detector or body scanner. Once you are through security and in the gate area, you keep your shoes on.

A small number of travelers may not have to remove shoes. TSA PreCheck members, Global Entry members, and NEXUS members can keep shoes on during screening. Children under 12 can also keep shoes on in most cases. If you have a medical condition that makes removing shoes painful or impossible, tell the officer before screening begins — they may allow you to keep them on or use an alternative screening method, though this is not may provide and depends on the officer's judgment.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard TSA procedure requires all passengers to remove shoes at security checkpoints and place them in a bin.
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and NEXUS members can keep shoes on during screening.
  • Children under 12 are usually permitted to keep shoes on.
  • If you have a medical reason to keep shoes on, inform the officer before screening — they may grant an exception or offer alternative screening.
  • Shoe removal happens only at the checkpoint; you wear shoes normally everywhere else in the airport and on the plane.

Why TSA screens shoes at all

Shoes became part of standard security screening after 2001, when a passenger attempted to bring an explosive device hidden in his shoe onto a flight. Since then, all passengers have removed shoes at checkpoints as a precaution. The thick soles and multiple layers of shoe construction can hide items that a quick visual inspection might miss.

X-ray machines can see through many materials, but dense shoe soles create shadows on the image that make it harder for officers to spot threats. Removing the shoe lets officers see the sole directly and run the shoe itself through the X-ray machine separately, which gives a clearer picture.

How to speed up the shoe removal process

Wear shoes that come off and go back on quickly. Slip-on shoes, sandals, and loafers are faster than laced boots or shoes with buckles. Socks are optional but many travelers prefer to wear them to avoid walking barefoot on the checkpoint floor.

Place your shoes in the bin as soon as the officer directs you to remove them. Do not wait until you reach the conveyor belt. Have your shoes ready to go into the bin before you start undressing other items like your belt or jacket. This keeps the line moving and reduces the time you spend barefoot.

If you are wearing orthopedic shoes, compression socks, or medical braces, you can leave those on. Tell the officer what you are wearing before screening begins. They may ask you to remove them anyway or may wave you through with them on — it depends on the officer and the specific item.

TSA PreCheck and other programs that skip shoe removal

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and lets you keep shoes on during screening, along with other benefits like keeping your laptop and liquids in your bag. You must explore in person at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center, which are located in most major airports and some other locations. The process takes about 10 minutes and requires your passport or state ID.

Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck benefits. NEXUS costs $120 for five years and also includes TSA PreCheck. Both programs require an in-person interview and background check. If you travel frequently or internationally, one of these programs may pay for itself in time saved.

Military members with a military ID and some uniformed federal employees may also skip shoe removal, though this varies by checkpoint and officer discretion.

What happens if you refuse to remove your shoes

If you refuse to remove your shoes when asked, TSA officers will not let you through the checkpoint. You will not be able to board your flight. You may be asked to leave the security area. In rare cases, refusing to follow security procedures can result in a fine or being banned from flying, though TSA typically uses refusal as grounds to deny entry to the checkpoint rather than pursue legal action.

If you have a genuine medical or religious reason to keep shoes on, explain it to the officer before screening begins. Officers have the authority to make exceptions or offer alternative screening methods. The key is communicating the reason upfront rather than refusing after being asked to remove them.

Shoes with special features or materials

Shoes with metal buckles, metal plates, or metal-reinforced soles will trigger the metal detector even after removal. The officer will ask you to remove them anyway so they can inspect them more closely. Thick-soled work boots and hiking boots may also require extra screening time because the soles are harder to see through on X-ray.

Shoes with electronic components, such as light-up soles or shoes with built-in fitness trackers, are fine to bring through security. The electronics themselves do not pose a threat, and officers are trained to recognize them. You still remove the shoes like any other pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove my socks too?

No. You remove only your shoes. Your socks stay on. If you are not wearing socks, you will walk barefoot on the checkpoint floor, which is why many travelers wear socks through security even if they do not normally wear them.

What if I have a prosthetic foot or leg?

Tell the officer before screening begins. You may be able to keep the prosthetic on, or the officer may ask you to remove it for inspection. Officers are trained to handle prosthetics and will work with you to make the process as quick as possible. You can also request a private screening area if you prefer.

Can I wear slip-on shoe covers instead of removing my shoes?

No. Shoe covers do not replace shoe removal. TSA requires you to remove your actual shoes so they can be X-rayed and inspected. Shoe covers are not a workaround for the standard procedure.

Do I remove my shoes at international airports when leaving the US?

Yes, you remove your shoes at US security checkpoints regardless of whether your flight is domestic or international. When you arrive at a foreign airport, that country's security rules explore — some require shoe removal and some do not. Check the airport's website before you travel if you want to know what to expect.

What if my shoes are wet or muddy?

Remove them anyway. Place them in the bin like any other shoes. The checkpoint staff are used to wet and muddy shoes. If your shoes are extremely wet, you can ask for a paper towel or let the officer know, but you still have to remove them for screening.