There's nothing quite like the thrill of a long airport security line to kick-start the holiday mood. But wearing the right kind of shoes can make all the difference on how long things might take once you reach for those trays. So, what shoes shouldn't you wear at the airport if you want things to go as smoothly as poss?
As a fairly seasoned traveller (my job as a writer has taken me to the far-flung shores of Bora Bora, the Seychelles, the Maldives, all over the Caribbean and Europe) I've learnt a few tricks about how to navigate airport security in the quickest way possible. While there will always be THOSE travellers - the ones who wait until the very last minute to rummage through their bags for liquids and laptops, leaving an impatient queue waiting behind them - there are some things we can control and it starts with your footwear.
Here's my guide on shoes you shouldn't wear to the airport if you want to breeze through security. You can thank me later when you're sipping a glass of fizz in the departure lounge.
Trainers
OK, slightly controversial but trainers aren't really that great for airport security. You'll likely be asked to take them off which can be un-tying the laces and then re-tying them back up again when you are through the security gates. It might take a bit of time if you need to get down and untie (if they aren't easy to slip off) slowing you and everyone behind you down.
Flip Flops
So flip-flops are an easy choice, especially if you are off somewhere balmy but can we just take a minute to think about what happens if you're asked to take them off? Hello naked feet on filthy floors. Experts have warned that walking barefoot through the security area could lead to nasty skin infections after a study conducted in Finland found security to be the dirtiest place in the airport. Yuck.
Anything to streamline that process and get to Duty-Free STAT.
Wedges
We love a comfy wedge but are they the best shoes for getting through airport security quickly? Nope. If you're wearing wedges you'll likely be asked to take them off as you go through the scanner as the wedge in the heel is seen as a suspicious area to conceal items.
Birkenstocks
Slides like trusty Birkenstocks are an undeniably comfy travelling choice but probably one that will hold up your airport journey. The metal buckles often set off the security alarm which means you'll be heading through that filthy floor barefooted.
“What in the 3023?!”
Stilettos
Much like the Birkenstocks and its metal buckle that'll set off a metal detector, many stilettos will do the same since they have a metal rod built into the heel (even if you can't see). Anyway, who wears heels to the airport in the first place? No thank you.
What shoes should you wear to the airport?
We've talked about the shoes you shouldn't wear to the airport but what about what you should wear? The main takeaway here is that you should bring socks in your bag even if you don't wear them - this means you don't need to touch the dirty floors if you are asked to remove your shoes. Choose easy slip-ons or wear socks and slides as Rihanna does at the airport.
