Plane and Simple: Can You Wear Steel Toe Boots During Your Flight?

Can You Wear Steel Toe Boots on a Plane?

Obviously, wearing your safety boots on the plane is preferable to taking them off, donning a pair of slip-on shoes which is easier than removing lace-up boots, then placing your work boots into your carry-on luggage. This all seems like an unnecessary waste of time, and you have to take a second pair of shoes for work-related travel.

An initial inquiry into the situation seems to suggest that this is what you have to do if you want to take steel cap boots on a plane.

TSA Regulations Regarding Steel Toe Boots?

The Transport Security Agency (TSA) is the organization that manages airport security and is, amongst other things, tasked with the responsibility of checking for prohibited items that people attempt to bring on planes.

Initially part of the Department of Transportation, the TSA now falls under the control of the Department of Homeland Security. While the Federal Aviation Administration is ultimately responsible for airline safety, the TSA agents deal with the day-to-day security operations at airports in the US.

When I checked the TSA website for information regarding steel toe boots on planes, it appeared as though you cannot wear your safety boots with steel caps on planes. Under the heading Steel Toe Boots, two categories were marked as yes, indicating that this is permitted. These are carry-on luggage and checked bags.

This seems to suggest that you can take your boots on a plane as part of your personal belongings, but it is unclear whether you can actually wear steel toe boots on a plane. Upon further investigation, I discovered that you can wear steel toe safety boots on a plane. Making your way through airport security before you board the plane is a bit more complicated.

Steel Toe Boots and Metal Detectors

Although it can be a hassle, security checks are a necessary evil at airports. Safety is obviously the number one priority for agencies like the TSA and FAA. This means that security officers are obliged to check for hazardous materials and prohibited items.

As much as some may object, we are obliged to follow the rules in the interest of public safety.

Metal detector testing is a regular procedure for any passenger in the US for domestic and international travel. Steel toe boots will set off a metal detector which means you will have to remove your boots, place them in the designated tray on the the X-Ray conveyor. This the prescribed procedure for any metallic item that will set off the alarm when passing through a metal detector.

Removing your boots at airport security checkpoint is a minor inconvenience but it isn’t a real big deal. If this bothers you, it may be refreshing to know that TSA Pre travelers don’t need to remove shoes, laptops, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, or light jackets at airport security checkpoints.

However, in some cases, even TSA Pre members have been instructed to remove their work boots at metal detectors. I guess it comes down to the discretion of the individual security officer when these decisions are made on the ground. Despite all efforts to the contrary, you may have to remove your steel toe boots for metal detectors.

Airport security checks are not the only instances where you may encounter a metal detector. Many public, commercial, and industrial buildings use metal detectors to check for weapons and other prohibited items.

In your daily routine at work, you may have to pass through metal detectors frequently. Removing your work boots every time you encounter a security checkpoint can be an unwanted inconvenience. You may find yourself wasting a lot of time as a result. What is the solution?

Alternatives to Steel Toe Shoes

Protective safety boots are essential PPE for people working in a wide variety of jobs. While you don’t want to compromise your safety, steel and alloy toe boots can be unpractical. Apart from the inconvenience that these types of footwear present when passing a metal detector test, there are some working environments that prohibit the use of conductive materials, like steel and other metals.

Fortunately, there are several non-metallic alternatives to steel and aluminum for toe protection. Safety boot manufacturers use a variety of materials that won’t set off a metal detector or interfere with sensitive electronic equipment. These are usually lighter and more comfortable for the wearer.

Non-Metallic Safety Boots

To provide a safe alternative to steel toe caps for safety work boots and shoes, PPE footwear manufactures may use any of the following composite materials:  

While steel toe caps are generally considered to offer the best protection from crushing, some of the alternatives can offer the same level of protection and provide additional advantages.

The most common non-metallic material used for safety toe caps is plastic. These boots are inexpensive but don’t generally provide the same type of protection offered by steel and alloy.

Boots with Kevlar or carbon fiber toe caps are often the most expensive option. These materials usually offer the same level of protection as steel toe caps, sometimes better.