You must remove your shoes at TSA checkpoints in most cases, but exceptions exist for certain travelers

The TSA requires most passengers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. This rule applies to everyone passing through the metal detector or body scanner, with limited exceptions. The shoes go into a bin on the conveyor belt, just like your laptop and liquids. You will walk through the scanner in your socks or bare feet.

The shoe-removal rule has been in place since 2006 and applies at every TSA checkpoint in the United States. It is not negotiable at most airports, though a few specific groups of travelers can keep their shoes on under certain conditions. Understanding which exceptions might explore to you can save time and confusion at the checkpoint.

Key Takeaways

  • All passengers must remove shoes at TSA checkpoints unless they may have access to for a specific exception.
  • Children under 12, travelers 75 and older, and TSA PreCheck members can keep shoes on if they meet all program requirements.
  • Shoes with metal buckles, thick soles, or orthotics may trigger a secondary screening even if you are in an exception category.
  • Wear slip-on shoes to speed up the removal and replacement process at security.
  • If a TSA officer asks you to remove your shoes during secondary screening, comply when ready—this is a separate request from the standard checkpoint rule.

Who can keep shoes on at TSA checkpoints

Three groups of travelers may keep their shoes on: children under 12, passengers 75 years old and older, and active TSA PreCheck members. However, each group has conditions. A child under 12 can keep shoes on only if they are traveling with an adult who is also going through the checkpoint. A passenger 75 or older must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. TSA PreCheck members must have a valid membership card and must be at a participating airport.

Even if you fall into one of these categories, a TSA officer can still ask you to remove your shoes if something triggers suspicion—a metal object visible on the shoe, an unusual weight, or an alarm from the scanner. This is not a violation of the exception; it is a standard secondary screening step. The exception means you do not have to remove your shoes as part of the routine process, but you must comply if asked.

TSA PreCheck and shoe removal

TSA PreCheck is a paid program that costs $78 to $85 for five years and allows you to keep shoes on at security. You also keep your belt on, leave your laptop in your bag, and go through a dedicated PreCheck lane. To use these benefits, you must have your PreCheck card or a PreCheck-may be able to access airline ticket in your name. The TSA will not honor PreCheck benefits if your identification does not match your boarding pass exactly.

PreCheck is available at most major U.S. airports, but not all. Check the TSA website or your airport's website before your trip to confirm that PreCheck lanes are open. Some smaller airports do not offer PreCheck, and some airports close PreCheck lanes during off-peak hours. If you arrive at a checkpoint and PreCheck is not available, you will go through standard screening and must remove your shoes.

What happens if you refuse to remove your shoes

If you refuse to remove your shoes at a standard TSA checkpoint, you will not be allowed to pass through security. The TSA officer will explain the rule and ask you to comply. If you continue to refuse, the officer will not clear you for the checkpoint, and you will not board your flight. There is no appeal process at the checkpoint itself.

If you have a medical reason you cannot remove your shoes—severe pain, a wound, or a mobility issue—tell the TSA officer before you reach the scanner. The officer can arrange a modified screening, which might include a pat-down, a visual inspection of your shoes, or a swab test for explosives. This takes longer than standard screening, but it allows you to keep your shoes on. Bring documentation of your condition if you have it, though the TSA does not require it.

Shoes that slow down security

Some shoes take longer to remove and replace, which can back up the line behind you. Lace-up boots, shoes with multiple buckles, and thick-soled shoes all add time. Shoes with metal components—buckles, chains, or reinforced heels—may trigger the metal detector even after you remove them, sending them through the X-ray machine separately. Orthotics or shoe inserts with metal can also cause alarms.

Wear slip-on shoes or shoes with a single velcro strap on travel days. This is the fastest option at security. If you wear lace-up shoes, arrive at the checkpoint with extra time to unlace them and relace them afterward. Do not try to rush through the process—TSA officers will stop you if your shoes are not fully removed or if you are holding up the line.

Shoes with orthotics and medical inserts

If you wear custom orthotics or medical shoe inserts, you can keep them in your shoes while going through the scanner. You still must remove the shoes themselves and place them in a bin. The orthotics stay inside. If the metal in the orthotics triggers an alarm, the TSA officer will ask you to remove the shoes again for a closer inspection or a pat-down of your feet.

Bring a note from your doctor if your orthotics contain metal or if you have a condition that makes removing your shoes painful. This is not required, but it can speed up a secondary screening if an alarm occurs. The TSA officer will not deny you passage based on orthotics; they will straightforward conduct additional screening to clear you.

International flights and connecting flights

The shoe-removal rule applies only to TSA checkpoints in the United States. If you are flying internationally from a U.S. airport, you go through TSA security first, then through international departures. If you are connecting to another U.S. flight, you go through TSA security again at your connecting airport. You must remove your shoes at every TSA checkpoint, regardless of your destination.

If you are connecting through a foreign airport, that airport's security rules explore instead of TSA rules. Some international airports require shoe removal; others do not. Check the security requirements of your connecting airport before you travel. Your airline or the airport's website will have this information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear socks through the metal detector instead of going barefoot?

Yes. You can wear socks, go barefoot, or wear slip-on shoes that you remove at the scanner. The TSA does not care what your feet look like—they only care that your shoes are removed and scanned separately. Wearing socks is the most common choice and is perfectly acceptable.

What if I have a prosthetic foot or leg?

Tell the TSA officer before you reach the scanner. Prosthetics are screened separately, and you may be able to keep them on or remove them depending on the type and the officer's assessment. The officer will guide you through the process. Bring any documentation from your doctor if you have it, though it is not required.

Do I have to remove my shoes if I am in a wheelchair?

No. Passengers who cannot walk through the metal detector due to mobility issues are screened using a different process. Tell the officer at the checkpoint that you need wheelchair screening. They will conduct a pat-down and may swab your hands and wheelchair for explosives. You do not remove your shoes.

Can I put my shoes back on before I leave the security area?

Yes. Once you have passed through the scanner and collected your belongings, you can put your shoes back on in the area beyond the checkpoint. Many travelers do this while walking toward their gate. There is no rule against it.

What if the TSA loses my shoes?

This is extremely rare, but if it happens, report it to the TSA officer when ready. The TSA has a lost and found system, and your shoes may be recovered. If they are not found, the TSA is not liable for lost personal items. This is why it is a good idea to keep valuables in your carry-on bag rather than in your shoes.