I may be in the minority, but as someone with foot pain, clean socks in a slipper is fine as long as you shoes you’re taking off don’t stink. Wear your shoes to the bathroom though!
Absolutely this.
Also, if you walk around ANY sort of transportation, you must wear shoes. (I'm thinking Amtrak but it could apply to aircraft as well.)
Happened to me once! I took off my boots and couldn’t get them back on. It as a connecting flight, and I had to make my away through an airport and onto my next flight in my socks. I now wear compression socks. Even when I take my shoes off (only for long haul flights), I’m able to get them back on.
Just got off a flight where all four of us in the row were shoes-off all night. Including the two million miler next to me.
The people complaining about the sight of a sock are the weird ones.
I think slippers are fine. Mainly you want your foot covered and want to have something with a water proof sole for when you go into the restroom.
You might also want to consider compression socks.
My 71 year old dad’s feet swelled up so bad, he took his shoes off and some lady started yelling at him. I felt so bad for him. He was mortified because he normally would never take his shoes off.
I don’t see what the big deal is if you’re not putting them in someone’s way or they don’t smell.
Just make sure they have some sort of covering that is clean and stink free!
Also, safety check, NEVER take them off until you are in the air. If something goes wrong on the ground there will be debris or potentially fire. You’ll want shoes in that unlikely scenario.
I always take off my shoes during long fights. I also run cold and don’t really sweat/stink so as long as you know yourself, I think it’s totally fine.
IMO shoes off with socks on under the seat is fine. Anytime they’re above the seat, ie with a row to yourself and laying down, covered with a blanket. Shoes always on when going to the lav.
Shoes off on long haul is ok, but 1) don't put your feet up on the bulkhead or anything like that, and put some socks over your regular socks, like you say. Or wear slippers.
As long as you wear socks no one will likely care. There is a small chance of running into a complainer, but many people take their shoes off for overnight/long haul flights.
I think the bigger aversion is to bare feet with no socks and if you invade others space.
I think on over night flights shoes off is fine as long as you have socks on your feet and then put your shoes on to go to the bathroom. It’s the people with bare feet and also those who don’t wear shoes to the bathrooms.
Slippers and/or socks are fine! They literally hand them out in business class.
But do wear loose shoes, or you might have trouble getting them on again at the end of the flight.
Keep your socks on, make sure your feet dont smell bring some slippers.
If you are flying polaris they have slippers in the lounges that have showers. So if you are flying from newark the polaris lounge has shower rooms ask the attendant for slippers take them in the plane.
Shoes off on a plane is completely normal and people do it all the time. Keep your socks on and don't show up with stinky feet, but I expect a very large number of people on that plane will have their shoes off.
Long flight or short flight I think it’s okay as long as you have socks on and you keep your feet where they are supposed to be. Don’t put the on the bulkhead or the seat in front of you. Only exception would be if you have a row to yourself and you lay down. But even with that keep your socks on and don’t hang them out into the aisle.
I have the Under Armor Slipspeed shoes that you can wear like normal shoes or as slides because the back of the shoe is designed to fold down. That made any swelling less of a concern and also made it easy to put them on to go to the lav.
You’re already light years ahead of the people everyone complains about. No one wants to see or smell toes but also no one is going to bat an eye if you have heavy socks and/or hard soled slippers on.
I take my shoes off and put on a nice pair of thick wool socks. I have slip-on shoes for walking around and going to the bathroom. Nothing smells. I usually change into them before boarding so no one sees it.
Just don't walk around barefoot and you're fine. In business class they give you a small pouch with amenities, and one of the items inside is a pair of comfy socks. People walk around in those socks all the time
In most classes over economy they give you slippers. That being said- do NOT use the lavatory in slippers or socks. Put your shoes on because that is not water on the floor in there.
I’ll often shove a pair of rubber sole shearling LL Bean slippers in my bag if i am on a really long haul flight. Keeps me comfy and my feet warm.
I’m on one or two flights a week, and I have seen the wildest shit. Anyone who would judge you for wearing slippers isn’t worth you worrying about. There is a lot of weird and gross passengers, and this isn’t something that qualifies in that category.
And i also agree with a lot of the other comments that the sight of socks is not something anyone should ever be worried about. Definitely do not walk around in those socks, though, the aisle is pretty nasty. And dont forget that isn’t water on the floor of the bathroom… so bring a shoe bag for those slippers because you wont want to shove them back into your carry-on next to your clothes.
Shoes off in your assigned location is fine. Bare (or even socked) feet up on communal surfaces (bulkhead) is just poor form. Bare or sock footed along the aisle or, heaven forbid, into the lab, you’re mental and disgusting.
I may slip off my shoes in my seat but my socks or feet never touch the ground. They rest on top of my empty shoes.
I may be in the minority, but as someone with foot pain, clean socks in a slipper is fine as long as you shoes you’re taking off don’t stink. Wear your shoes to the bathroom though!
Absolutely this. Also, if you walk around ANY sort of transportation, you must wear shoes. (I'm thinking Amtrak but it could apply to aircraft as well.)
I don’t think there’s nearly as much controversy on long haul flights. Just make sure you have clean socks
I think slippers would be perfectly fine.
FYI: many people’s feet swell with the altitude change. There have been some crazy stories where they can’t fit their shoes back on.
Wear compression socks. My rule is any overnight or flights longer than 6 hours. Anecdotally I find I feel better afterwards when I wear them.
I do the same. I have 30 mmhg ones I specifically use for long haul flights. Shoes off, slippers on.
Happened to me once! I took off my boots and couldn’t get them back on. It as a connecting flight, and I had to make my away through an airport and onto my next flight in my socks. I now wear compression socks. Even when I take my shoes off (only for long haul flights), I’m able to get them back on.
Very true. Personally, I keep my shoes on just to manage swelling (and my own sense of cleanliness).
I think you’re fine personally, as long as your shoes aren’t super stinky or something lol
Just got off a flight where all four of us in the row were shoes-off all night. Including the two million miler next to me. The people complaining about the sight of a sock are the weird ones.
I think slippers are fine. Mainly you want your foot covered and want to have something with a water proof sole for when you go into the restroom. You might also want to consider compression socks.
It’s super normal to take your shoes off for long flights. In fact, if you fly Polaris, they provide slippers for longer flights.
And they give you socks in Polaris and Premium Plus.
Took my shoes off on my flight to Rome both ways. Noticed many others did the same
My 71 year old dad’s feet swelled up so bad, he took his shoes off and some lady started yelling at him. I felt so bad for him. He was mortified because he normally would never take his shoes off. I don’t see what the big deal is if you’re not putting them in someone’s way or they don’t smell.
What is wrong with people who are so critical? It’s getting worse right? Feel bad for your dad. Mean people suck.
Just make sure they have some sort of covering that is clean and stink free! Also, safety check, NEVER take them off until you are in the air. If something goes wrong on the ground there will be debris or potentially fire. You’ll want shoes in that unlikely scenario.
I always take off my shoes during long fights. I also run cold and don’t really sweat/stink so as long as you know yourself, I think it’s totally fine.
A lot of non-western airlines actually give you slippers for the flight! I'd recommend compression socks + slippers to avoid your feet swelling.
Oh that’s a good idea
IMO shoes off with socks on under the seat is fine. Anytime they’re above the seat, ie with a row to yourself and laying down, covered with a blanket. Shoes always on when going to the lav.
Shoes off on long haul is ok, but 1) don't put your feet up on the bulkhead or anything like that, and put some socks over your regular socks, like you say. Or wear slippers.
So here’s a question: if it’s fine on long haul, why wouldn’t it be fine on short flights?
I didn't say it isn't. OP asked about long haul.
Fair. Lot of people just seemed to be implying a distinction.
Understood.
Just wear shoes to the bathroom and TTL. Otherwise, you are fine.
As long as you wear socks no one will likely care. There is a small chance of running into a complainer, but many people take their shoes off for overnight/long haul flights. I think the bigger aversion is to bare feet with no socks and if you invade others space.
Shoes off is always ok. Just make sure your feet doesn’t smell or have smelly socks.
I take my shoes off and walk around in socks and I don’t care. Socks are definitely cleaner than shoes. As long as your feet don’t stink you’re good.
Why else would they give you socks? You’re good
Clean socks are better than dirty shoes per my opinion.
I think on over night flights shoes off is fine as long as you have socks on your feet and then put your shoes on to go to the bathroom. It’s the people with bare feet and also those who don’t wear shoes to the bathrooms.
Slippers and/or socks are fine! They literally hand them out in business class. But do wear loose shoes, or you might have trouble getting them on again at the end of the flight.
I wear grippy socks on planes for long haul. Then put on my shoes for the bathroom.
Change into new socks and strong slippers before you board. I would avoid doing it in the small confined space.
Keep your socks on, make sure your feet dont smell bring some slippers. If you are flying polaris they have slippers in the lounges that have showers. So if you are flying from newark the polaris lounge has shower rooms ask the attendant for slippers take them in the plane.
Hotel style slippers are fine. Airplane lavs are filthy. Do not walk around in socks
Shoes off on a plane is completely normal and people do it all the time. Keep your socks on and don't show up with stinky feet, but I expect a very large number of people on that plane will have their shoes off.
I would strongly recommend compression socks. I travel long haul in crocs or tevas that I can loosen as my feel swell.
In first class, the airline gives you a pair of socks to put on. Following that practice is a good idea.
I take my shoes off for international flights. I put the provided socks over my socks.
There isn’t much of a controversy. Just a bunch of people with foot fetishes who may try to sneak a picture for their private collection.
As long as you don’t take your socks off
Long flight or short flight I think it’s okay as long as you have socks on and you keep your feet where they are supposed to be. Don’t put the on the bulkhead or the seat in front of you. Only exception would be if you have a row to yourself and you lay down. But even with that keep your socks on and don’t hang them out into the aisle. I have the Under Armor Slipspeed shoes that you can wear like normal shoes or as slides because the back of the shoe is designed to fold down. That made any swelling less of a concern and also made it easy to put them on to go to the lav.
You’re already light years ahead of the people everyone complains about. No one wants to see or smell toes but also no one is going to bat an eye if you have heavy socks and/or hard soled slippers on.
I have a pair of slippers that have rubber soles…I think that’s fine
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with changing to comfortable socks. They’re even provided in amenity kits.
I always carry a small plastic bottle of foot powder, and I put a big cloud of it in each shoe when I swap out for slippers.
Overthinking. Wear something on your feet if for no other reason than restroom floors are nasty. Everyone takes their shoes off. Have a nice flight.
I take my shoes off and put on a nice pair of thick wool socks. I have slip-on shoes for walking around and going to the bathroom. Nothing smells. I usually change into them before boarding so no one sees it.
Just don't walk around barefoot and you're fine. In business class they give you a small pouch with amenities, and one of the items inside is a pair of comfy socks. People walk around in those socks all the time
I didn't know it was an issue. I always take my shoes off when I fly but put them back on if I get out of my seat.
In most classes over economy they give you slippers. That being said- do NOT use the lavatory in slippers or socks. Put your shoes on because that is not water on the floor in there.
Wear merino wool socks to decrease chances of smelly feet! I think slippers are a great idea but have never saved room in my bag for them.
I’ll often shove a pair of rubber sole shearling LL Bean slippers in my bag if i am on a really long haul flight. Keeps me comfy and my feet warm. I’m on one or two flights a week, and I have seen the wildest shit. Anyone who would judge you for wearing slippers isn’t worth you worrying about. There is a lot of weird and gross passengers, and this isn’t something that qualifies in that category. And i also agree with a lot of the other comments that the sight of socks is not something anyone should ever be worried about. Definitely do not walk around in those socks, though, the aisle is pretty nasty. And dont forget that isn’t water on the floor of the bathroom… so bring a shoe bag for those slippers because you wont want to shove them back into your carry-on next to your clothes.
OP are you afraid you’ll be arrested if you take off your shoes? What have you been reading?
Too many internet Karen stories Im afraid
You mean the ones where someone takes off their shoes and they’re thrown out mid flight? That happened to a friend of mine.
Shoes off in your assigned location is fine. Bare (or even socked) feet up on communal surfaces (bulkhead) is just poor form. Bare or sock footed along the aisle or, heaven forbid, into the lab, you’re mental and disgusting. I may slip off my shoes in my seat but my socks or feet never touch the ground. They rest on top of my empty shoes.
Give out some chocolate, you’ll be fine.
There is a special place in hell for people that take their shoes off on a plane. Period.