Think Twice Before You Wear These 5 Shoes On A Plane

Air travel always requires the delicate balance of knowing what to bring, what to wear on your travel day, and what to leave behind. And nowhere is that more challenging than deciding on airport shoes. You want to make sure you're sufficiently prepared for a range of possibilities when you step off into your destination, while also being mindful of how your feet will feel after hours sitting still. While comfort is an important priority, there are certain kinds of footwear that are better left packed away in your suitcase. 

But footwear needs to earn its spot on the flight, too. As anyone who is prone to leg and foot swelling during flights can confirm, pliable, roomy footwear is absolutely essential for a good trip. There are also safety factors to account for when choosing the shoes that you're going to wear on a plane, as well as hygiene factors as you navigate airports. The wrong  shoes can significantly impact your comfort on a flight.

Heels of any kind are not the ideal footwear for a plane, and there are several reasons for this. The first is the comfort factor. Airports typically require you to hoof it from one terminal to another, and we've all been in that situation where the prospect of catching our flight hangs on our willingness to sprint through crowds of people. Since travel often demands that we're active and agile, our footwear needs to enable that. Heels can be uncomfortable, and difficult to wear when we need to act quickly. One wrong move and you could end up with a twisted or sprained ankle in the terminal. 

There's a more serious reason to avoid wearing heels on a plane. As Condé Nast Traveler points out, heels can damage evacuation slides and must be left on the plane. So if you were to face an aircraft emergency, there's a possibility you would end up shoeless as you await aid. If you want to dress up a little for your flight while remaining practical, opt for loafers with a moderate heel. Another option is the ballet flat, which is trending again thanks to a revival around delicate, flat footwear. 

While flip flops seem like an easy choice for travel wear to a warm destination, they're not the best option for your flight. The most obvious reason has to do with personal hygiene. When you go through airport security, you have to take your shoes off and you'll be walking barefoot through the TSA screening procedures. This puts you at risk of contracting a fungus, warts, and other pathogens.

Besides that, they don't offer adequate coverage in case of an emergency. In fact, their flimsiness is a safety hazard. Should you need to evacuate the plane quickly, flip flops do not adhere to the foot sufficiently to keep yourself or other passengers safe. "Please wear sensible shoes and leave them on until after takeoff," aviation analyst Mary Schiavo told CNN. "I see people boarding with flip flops and I think if you have to get up and run and you fall down or you can't run, you're not only going to hurt yourself, you're going to hurt dozens of other people on this plane. So get some shoes."

If you really want to wear sandals on a plane, opt instead for styles that feature a back-strap, so that you can move swiftly in them. Fisherman sandals are a great choice. To keep things clean during security, wear ankle-less socks under your sandals.

For many people, it's a commonly held belief that you should wear your bulkiest shoe on the flight to avoid a potentially overweight suitcase. However, there are some exceptions to this rule when it comes to boots.

Thigh-high or knee-high boots can be constricting on the leg, particularly if you're readying yourself for a long flight. Podiatrist Julie Schottenstein, DPM, told Best Life why tall boots were especially hard on the body. "Sitting for long periods of time on a plane can encourage stasis of the blood in our legs, leading to higher potential for things like blood clots," Schottenstein said. "Knee-high boots can lock up the calf muscle even more." It's important to note that Schottenstein said that this can be dangerous. 

If you do want to wear boots because you're headed for a chilly destination, opt for something roomy like a pair of UGG boots. This way, you can wear socks underneath so that you've got coverage during airport security, and ample wiggle room during a long flight. According to Condé Nast Traveler, the UGG Talisman Slipper is an all-time favorite for travelers because of how comfortable it is. 

While espadrilles with laces are adorable, they're a tricky shoe choice on a plane. Any high-maintenance footwear choice is an awkward option, in fact. Complicated buckles, laces, ribbons, and ties can give you a lot of trouble when you need to take your shoes off and put them back on during the security process. The same issue applies on the plane. Some fliers like to switch their shoes for thick socks, slippers, or compression socks; many opt for the latter to ward off deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots that can develop in legs from hours of immobility. Long periods of being stationary is the same reason that feet swell on flights, which is another motivation for swapping shoes for socks. 

Finicky straps and laces can make things harder when it's time to land, and trying to fit swollen feet back into complicated shoes is even more of a pain. Instead, if you want to look cute for your flight, pick a pair of trendy sneakers. You'll find them a lot more comfortable and easy to slip on and off, as needed.

Any type of footwear that restricts the natural shape of the foot is going to make a long flight miserable. If your legs are prone to swelling, then pointy toe shoes are going to feel really uncomfortable. Orthopedic surgeon Mauricio Garcia, MD, told Best Life why these particular shoes were so problematic. "Shoes that are tight on your feet or squeeze your toes while on the ground can end up feeling like a vice grip in the air, especially during longer flights when feet tend to swell due to reduced circulation," Garcia said. "This constriction won't give your feet and toes the space they need, which can cause significant discomfort throughout a flight." If you want to wear flats, opt for a square toe shape instead. Classic loafers are another good option because they offer a more roomy, comfortable experience.