- Whenever I travel by plane, I make sure to wear slip-on Vans sneakers at the airport.
- They're cute with casual outfits, easy to take off for security, and flat enough to pack if needed.
Nothing baffles me more when traveling than watching people at the airport struggle with their shoes in the security line.
I've seen people rushing to untie extremely long laces, others attempting to unbuckle thick work boots, and — the worst offender, in my opinion — sliding off sandals before walking barefoot.
I won't judge if you've done any of the above, but I will suggest a solution: try slip-on Vans sneakers.
Since taking my first flight in 2021, I've worn the legacy shoes every time I've visited the airport. And in my experience, they've never let me down.
Are they the most comfortable, supportive sneakers? No, I'll admit it. Still, I think they're the ultimate airport shoes for a few reasons.
Slip-on Vans are some of the easiest sneakers to wear and pack
My airport uniform usually consists of comfy clothes — think a loose-fitting T-shirt underneath a warm pullover and soft leggings. So when it comes to my footwear, I continue to aim for comfort and ease.
That's one of the top reasons I like wearing Vans to the airport. It doesn't take much work to slide them on as I groggily get ready for early-morning flights, and it's just as easy to take them off in line for security. And because I wear them with no-show socks, I'm never left barefoot in the airport.
My Vans don't usually see the inside of my suitcase. But if there comes a time when I need to pack them, I know the small, flat sneakers will fit in just about any bag I carry.
I usually buy my Vans from stores like Journeys and DSW, though they're also sold on the brand's website. They retail for $60 and are sold in dozens of colors and patterns.
They're convenient to have on vacation, too
Shoes can be bulky and heavy, so I don't want to carry any that I don't truly need on vacation. Luckily, Vans have always been great to have on hand.
I've worn them while visiting CityWalk at Universal Orlando and for full days walking through Disney World theme parks.
They look cute with casual outfits, and, for flat sneakers without much support, they're relatively comfortable. I've never left with blisters or a feeling that I should've worn different shoes.
If you already have a favorite pair of airport shoes, there's no need to change them.
But if you've made the mistake of wearing impractical shoes under the glare of TSA agents before, I can't recommend these classic, slip-on sneakers enough.