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Can you wear socks in the airport?

DON'T forget your socks! So yeah about those slip-on shoes. Avoid the cold floor and wear some comfy socks! Make sure you leave the holey ones at home!



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That's right, nary a soul on any Traveler team dared stand up for their right to go barefoot aboard an airplane. Socks are non-negotiable. Most airlines agree, by the way, even going so far as to mandate their presence in the air.

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Anything Metal
Metal jewelry and piercings can set off the metal detector. Likewise, belt buckles can easily cause issues, and most TSA rules and regulations require you to remove them anyway.

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Don't wear shoes with steel tips, steel heels, steel shanks, metal buckles, or nails. Tennis shoes are usually a safe bet. If you know that your shoes set off the alarm on the metal detector, wear something else while flying. Shoes in your carry-on luggage might also be a problem.

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Flight attendants agree that the best shoes to wear on a plane are flats, although Caris points out that if you do prefer to wear heels, block heels are the most stable. Closed-toe shoes are best to protect your feet, as Caris learned the hard way.

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Flight attendants agree that the best shoes to wear on a plane are flats, although Caris points out that if you do prefer to wear heels, block heels are the most stable. Closed-toe shoes are best to protect your feet, as Caris learned the hard way.

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Espadrilles are the perfect travel companion. Made with a fabric upper and rope midsole, these lightweight shoes easily come on and off when you need them the most. But don't worry — they have durable rubber soles, so you can wear them just about anywhere.

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Some airport scanners are sensitive to the metal underwire components in more traditionally-made supportive bras – so you might want to swap them out for a softer wireless alternative such as a T-shirt bra or bralette. Plenty of people have experienced problems while wearing underwire bras at airports.

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Wear loose clothing. Loose sweaters are extremely comfortable, especially if you pair them with jeans or leggings. Loose fitting dresses or pants are also a good choice for flying. A loose sweater will keep you warm and will feel comfortable, including if you end up sitting in the airport or on the plane for hours.

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Another small risk of going barefoot at the airport? The number of germs and pathogens present in a place where so many people are walking, including fungus that causes warts and athlete's foot, as well as bacteria, and viruses that can cause infection or illness.

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If you ping the metal detector, you will most likely have to remove larger boots and may have to remove any shoes you are wearing. If you know your boots have metal pieces in them, take them off and save yourself some time. Otherwise, only take them off if instructed to do so.

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Flight attendants agree that the best shoes to wear on a plane are flats, although Caris points out that if you do prefer to wear heels, block heels are the most stable. Closed-toe shoes are best to protect your feet, as Caris learned the hard way. “I've broken my own rule and worn sandals before,” she admits.

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Airport body scanners are unable to see tampons or menstrual cups. This is because the scanners are unable to penetrate the body, just clothes instead, and also do not provide an anatomically correct image either. Airport body scanners generally cannot identify items hidden within a bodily cavity.

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Do I need to remove electronics from my carry-on bags? Yes, you should plan to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and put them in a separate bin with nothing placed on or under them for security screening. (This does not apply to TSA PreCheck™ passengers.)

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Other things that accidentally set off body scanners are body piercings and wire supports in undergarments. External tumors might also trigger the machine, but growths inside—such as fibroids—will not. “Perspiration is probably the weirdest thing that can set off the scanners,” Malvini Redden says.

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Another reader adds, “Wear your boots onto the plane, saves you space and weight in your luggage. Then, if they are uncomfortable during the flight, slip on some ballet slippers stashed in your carry-on.” Read why ankle boots are the best shoes for travel to Europe from autumn through spring!

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As compression gear can take some time and practice when put on, it's best to put on your compression socks at the gate before you board the aircraft.

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Advantages of Compression Socks for Travelers On long flights, wearing graduated compression travel socks can be beneficial because of the health concerns associated with extended periods of sitting. These socks help balance the pressure in your legs and ankles, promoting consistent blood circulation.

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Flip-flops and backless shoes are best avoided, according to the flight attendant, for hygiene reasons. Flip-flops and backless shoes can also end up flying off your feet, and your feet are more likely to freeze, especially during a long flight, she said.

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