Keep Your Shoes On — New TSA Security POLICY

Effective immediately (July 2025), the TSA has officially ended its long-standing rule requiring travelers to remove their shoes during airport security screenings in the United States. This change comes thanks to advancements in screening technology, which now allow security officers to detect potential threats in footwear without requiring air passengers to take them off. For most travelers, this means no more awkward hopping while untying sneakers or showcasing the holes in your socks in public.

The shift is part of a broader effort to modernize airport security and improve the overall passenger experience. Along with more sophisticated scanners, additional identity verification tools like REAL ID and biometric screening have made it possible to maintain safety without the hassle. The goal: shorter lines, faster processing, and fewer bins to juggle on your way to the gate.

That said, shoes-off isn’t completely gone — TSA officers may still ask travelers to remove footwear if something sets off the alarm, or during random or targeted secondary screenings. But for the vast majority of passengers, keeping your shoes on will now be the new normal.

While TSA PreCheck once offered the perk of skipping shoe removal, this change extends that convenience to everyone. PreCheck is still valuable for bypassing other steps, like taking out laptops or liquids, but shoe freedom is now a universal upgrade.

In short, the ritual of removing your shoes at the airport is stepping aside, making room for a more streamlined, hygienic, and traveler-friendly experience. You can now walk through security with your dignity — and your footwear — intact.