The TSA take off shoes rule that shaped every checkpoint for two decades is gone for most travelers. As of 2026, you can walk through a standard security lane in your shoes at any US airport. That change became official in 2025, and this page exists because it is still new enough to confuse people.
On July 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security ended the shoe removal requirement for standard screening lanes nationwide. TSA officers can still ask individual travelers to remove shoes. That usually happens only in secondary screening or when something looks off on the scanner.
The TSA take off shoes rule in 2026: what changed and what did not
The shoe change did not happen everywhere at once. TSA tested it quietly at a couple of major airports before the public announcement. In the weeks after, some lanes waved shoes through while others still asked for removal.
Shoes can still come off in specific situations. If you are pulled for secondary screening, plan on removing them. The same is true for random additional checks or when a scanner flags something near your foot or ankle.
Even now, expect some variation by airport and by officer. A few checkpoints still default to old habits. If an officer asks you to remove your shoes anyway, just do it and move on.
That is the short version of the TSA take off shoes story for 2026. Everything else on this page did not change. For the full rundown of what else happens at the checkpoint, see the rest of the airport security rules.
Belts and why metal buckles still set off the alarm
The shoe change did not touch belts. A large metal buckle can trigger the metal detector or the full body scanner. When that happens, TSA will ask you to remove it before you walk through again.
Thin belts with small buckles or plastic hardware usually pass without issue. If you are not sure, take the belt off before the scanner rather than risk a second pass. PreCheck travelers can generally leave belts on altogether.
Jackets, hoodies, and where a jacket stops being a sweater
Heavy coats and jackets need to come off and go through the X-ray on their own. Thin hoodies, cardigans, and fleece pullovers usually do not need to move. The line officers actually draw is bulk and metal, not the name of the garment.
A puffy jacket with metal zippers and snaps almost always comes off. A light zip up hoodie with no metal hardware often stays on. PreCheck lanes let you keep light jackets on either way.
This is one of the least consistent calls at the checkpoint. Two travelers in the same jacket can get two different answers from two different officers. If you are asked to remove a layer you thought was fine, it is not worth arguing about.
Packing light layers instead of one bulky coat helps here too. It is worth thinking through the night before, alongside packing the night before a flight in general.
Hats and religious head coverings
Ordinary hats and caps can usually stay on through the checkpoint. If one sets off the metal detector, an officer may ask you to remove it or check the spot by hand.
Religious and cultural head coverings follow a different process. TSA has documented procedures for turbans, hijabs, and other coverings. Officers can do a targeted check by hand or a private screening instead of asking for full removal.
You can request private screening at any point in that process. TSA Cares also takes questions ahead of a trip if you want to know what to expect. Asking in advance beats guessing at the checkpoint.
Watches and jewelry: what stays on, what comes off
Most travelers keep watches on without any problem, including a smartwatch like an Apple Watch. It typically passes through the body scanner just like a regular watch. An officer may still ask you to remove it if it alarms, but that stays the exception, not the rule.
Everyday jewelry follows the same practical rule. Small pieces like stud earrings, thin rings, and simple necklaces almost always stay on. Heavy metal pieces, thick cuffs, and large statement necklaces are more likely to trigger an alarm.
If you are wearing a lot of metal at once, consider placing some of it in your bag before the checkpoint. That is faster than dealing with an alarm afterward. TSA also recommends keeping valuable jewelry with you rather than in checked baggage.
You can screen your full packing list before you leave. It catches most surprises before you reach the belt.
Steel toe boots and other work wear
Steel toe boots almost always set off the metal detector. TSA will typically ask you to remove them for X-ray screening, the same as any other boot with heavy metal in it. Budget extra time if you are traveling in work boots.
The same logic applies to other work gear with a lot of metal, including tool belts and some safety vests. If you travel for work often, slip on shoes make the checkpoint faster on the days you would rather not deal with boots. That is a packing choice, not a TSA requirement.
If shoes are the main hassle in your bag too, a dedicated shoe bag keeps them from touching the rest of your gear. For everything else you are packing, the carry-on rules for everything else you pack cover the rest.
PreCheck differences and what happens when something alarms anyway
PreCheck travelers never had a TSA take off shoes requirement to begin with. The biggest shift from the 2025 change affects everyone else now. TSA still lists no shoes, no belts, and no light jackets as PreCheck benefits, on top of shorter lines.
The gap between PreCheck and a standard lane is smaller than it used to be. It has not closed completely. Belts and jackets are still where the two lanes differ most.
| Item | Standard lane | PreCheck lane |
|---|---|---|
| Shoes | Stay on for most travelers | Stay on |
| Belts | Off if the buckle is bulky | Stay on |
| Light jackets | Often off for X-ray | Stay on |
If something alarms anyway, an officer will usually ask you to step aside for a closer look. That might mean a hand check, a wand, or a request to remove the item and walk through again. You can ask for that screening to happen in private at any point.
Staying calm speeds things up more than anything else. Most alarms clear in a minute or two once the officer checks the spot. If you disagree with a call, ask for a supervisor rather than arguing with the officer at the belt.
Curious how often rules like this one shift. You can track TSA policy changes like this one as they happen instead of finding out at the checkpoint.
Common questions
Does the TSA take off shoes rule apply at every airport now?
Yes, the change covers every commercial airport checkpoint in the country. A few travelers still get asked to remove shoes anyway, mostly during secondary screening. Expect some inconsistency for a while as the new approach settles in everywhere.
Do I have to take off my belt at TSA?
Only if it sets off the alarm. Thin belts and plastic buckles usually pass through without a problem. Large metal buckles are the most common reason belts come off.
Can I wear my Apple Watch through TSA?
Yes, in almost every case. A smartwatch behaves like any other watch at the checkpoint and rarely needs to come off. If it alarms, an officer will just take a closer look at your wrist.
Do steel toe boots always have to come off?
Assume yes and plan for it. The steel in the toe reliably triggers the metal detector. Removing them ahead of time is faster than waiting for the alarm.
Will TSA make me remove a religious head covering?
Not for a routine check. TSA uses a targeted check by hand or a private screening for turbans, hijabs, and similar coverings instead of asking for removal. You can request that privacy at any point in the process.
What happens if I forget and wear a lot of jewelry?
Nothing serious, just a possible second look. Heavy metal jewelry can trigger the alarm. An officer will then check the spot with a wand or a quick check by hand.