Wearing fully enclosed leather low-healed laced or buckled shoes, boots or tennis shoes is recommended. Avoid sandals and high healed dress shoes. Keep your footwear on during the flight. In an emergency finding your shoes will probably be one of the last things on your mind. Hi-heeled dress shoes will have to be removed before using the escape slide.
Unprotected feet can slow departure from the airplane once outside.
Imagine trying to walk through jet fuel, possibly on fire, broken glass, or sharp metal fragments without shoes to protect your feet. In the event of evacuation by emergency slides, the best preparation is to be aware of your closest exits, be ready to follow flight and cabin crew instructions, and wear slide friendly clothes and shoes. For more information, see our section on what to do in an emergency.