When they say "dress for the runway," they don't mean the catwalk
Here’s Why Flight Attendants Pay Attention to Your Shoes
Published on May 21, 2025
I’m a shoe girl. Always have been. I especially love seeing what people wear to work. For example, I used to wait tables in high-heeled boots. Yes, heels. In a restaurant. They were adorable. They were also insane. Now I have a baby bunion and a lot of regrets, and I silently whisper “save yourself” to every wait staff I see wobbling in platforms. So naturally, when I’m on a plane, I’m eyeing the flight attendants’ shoes. But it turns out they might be checking out my shoes too—and not because they’re judging my style (at least not out loud).
Cabin crew aren’t fashion critics (usually), says former flight attendant and current travel writer Kristine Eksteine-Nizka. Instead, she always notices passengers’ shoes “for safety- and health-related reasons.”
So that quick once-over the flight attendants give you when you board? It might be a covert shoe assessment. We asked Eksteine-Nizka to spill the secrets behind this unexpected footwear focus, plus what shoes you should (and shouldn’t) wear when flying.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, tech, cleaning, humor and fun facts all week long.
Why do flight attendants pay attention to your shoes?
Because they’re not just serving snacks—they’re responsible for keeping everyone alive and healthy. Fun flight-attendant fact: Your footwear can make or break a safe evacuation and cause health complications for yourself and others, Eksteine-Nizka says.
First up: safety. In an emergency, you need to move fast and preferably without face-planting. Clunky boots, sky-high heels and slippery soles can slow you down, trip up others or (worst of all) pop the inflatable escape slide. Yes, stilettos can literally deflate your shot at survival. No pressure. “High heels aren’t allowed during emergency evacuations—we’ll make you go barefoot instead,” Eksteine-Nizka says. In fact, if you’re wearing any type of wildly impractical shoes, don’t be surprised if you get bumped from the emergency exit row. It’s not personal. It’s physics.
But it’s not just about emergencies. Flight attendants also think about health factors—like swollen feet and circulation issues. “The pressure difference on the airplane as compared to sea level means there’s a higher risk of thrombosis in the veins, which gets even worse when you wear high heels or tight shoes,” Eksteine-Nizka says.
Then there’s the matter of public hygiene. People in flimsy shoes—looking at you, flip-flops—often kick them off mid-flight, exposing their bare feet to every bacteria-ridden surface. The worst offenders then put their bare feet up on the armrests in front of them. Gross. And if you’re barefoot in the airplane bathroom? Just know that’s probably not water.
What type of shoes should you avoid when flying?
Want to make your flight crew’s life easier—and your escape route faster in a worst-case scenario? Here are the shoe styles you might want to rethink before scanning your boarding pass.
Flip-flops
They may be the ultimate beach-vacation shoe, but flip-flops are a no-go for safe air travel. They’re too easy to slip off or trip in, and they offer zero protection for your feet if you’re sprinting down an aisle or navigating hot tarmac.
High heels
You may feel fabulous, but stilettos won’t help in an emergency. Not only can they slow you down, but they also come with the aforementioned risk of puncturing evacuation slides. Even if they’re not dagger-heels, any high heel can be a tripping hazard for you and others.
Slippery soles
Sure, those smooth-bottomed loafers or ballet flats that glide like butter on tile are super stylish and cute. Safe on a slanted, crowded or chaotic plane floor? Not so much. One wrong step and you’re doing accidental splits.
Over-the-knee boots
Tight thigh-high boots can cut off circulation while you’re sitting, making you not just uncomfortable but also increasing your risk for blood clots and numbness. And let’s be real—if it takes you 10 minutes, two grunts and a chair to peel them off at security, maybe they’re not the best travel footwear.
Slippers
Wearing cozy slippers on a flight? Kind of genius—until it’s not. This trend has taken off (pun fully intended), and it’s fine if you carry them on and change into them after takeoff and before landing. But slippers slide off faster than your tray table contents during turbulence, so in an emergency, they’re basically useless. You don’t want to be the person trying to outrun an evacuation in fuzzy foot clouds.
What shoes are recommended for travel?
“The best travel shoes are comfortable and supportive ones,” says Eksteine-Nizka. Her personal picks? Sneakers and loafers—easy to walk in, easy to take off, and they won’t sabotage an evacuation slide. Here are flight attendants’ top picks for footwear while flying:
Sneakers
Running shoes, tennis shoes and other sporty sneakers are the MVPs of flight footwear. They’re comfy, secure and made for moving. They protect your feet and help you bolt if needed. Plus, they look good with joggers, jeans or even a casual dress.
Slip-on shoes (with a back)
Loafers, clogs or casual flats with a back strap offer a nice mix of ease and safety. You can slip them off at security but still keep them on firmly during a flight.
Sturdy sandals
Not all sandals are created equal. Look for ones with straps that secure your foot, and rubber soles that grip. Think: Birkenstocks or sporty Tevas, not dollar-store flip-flops.
Trail shoes
If you’re already a traveler with hiking on the agenda, those trail shoes and walking shoes you packed are perfect for the plane too. Grippy, supportive and built to handle the unexpected.
Crocs
No one asked for my (completely unprofessional) opinion, but I’m going to say it anyway: Crocs. Oh, yes, I wear Crocs in public. They are my ride-or-die flight shoes. They handle foot swelling like champs, are comfy enough for cross-country schlepping and—important detail—you can run in them if you flip that heel strap into “sport mode.” And yes, my children are horrified to be seen with me in public. Do I care? Not even a little. I’m too busy being comfy.
RELATED:
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Kristine Eksteine Nizka, former flight attendant and current travel writer for Love Your Italy; interview, May 10, 2025
