When going through airport security check, do I have to take off my flip-flops?

Question

I have gone through before but I've always worn closed shoes and had to take them off anyway but always had socks on. But I was wanting to wear flip-flops tomorrow but I won't if I'll have to step barefoot where many other people's dirty feet have been.

Answer 1

Yes

Answer 2

no need to take them off

Answer 3

Yep I've seen people have to take them off. Security protocol I guess.

Answer 4

In many places you will have to take them off, even if they're tiny, thin flipflops.

Now I'm always barefoot and have looked into the athlete's foot thing quite a bit; if you keep your shoes off, or wear only flipflops, you really don't have to worry about it that much. It is a fungus, it needs the dark, warm and preferably damp environment inside a shoe to grow. If you leave the foot bare (or almost bare, as in a flipflop), even if you pick up some spores, they'll most likely just dry up and die rather than catch hold. Athlete's foot is very rare among populations that go barefoot more often, rather than more common as you might think.

Answer 5

haha! it cant be that bad. In Australia you dont, unless its got metal on it?

Answer 6

In Hawaii you do, and everyone wears flip flops (slippers) here.  We did not used to, but the last few times we did.  Since airport security is national, I am pretty sure you will have to, and walking barefoot in an airport is gross!

Answer 7

if its such a great concern wear socks!