Any Canadian retail outlets sell shoes that do not trigger airport metal detector?
 

Until a year ago or so, I could walk through a Canadian airport metal detector with my shoes on (from dress shoes to walking shoes), without triggering an alarm. That has changed over the last year. I wonder if there are any Canadian stores that sell footwear that does not trigger the metal detectors?

Maybe you should tell us what brand/design of shoe you're wearing on your travels these days. I've never had a pair of shoes trigger the detectors, which is why I detest flying in the US where one must remove shoes. So I guess the answer to your question is: slip on loafer style shoes from Rocksport, Ferragamo, Gucci and Floresheim to mention the ones I've worn on my travels of late.

Harry Rosen sells the Allen Edmonds brand (style Hillcrest) that is labeled as airport metal detector safe. I have 2 pairs and never have had a metal detector go off as a result of my AE shoes. NB: This wasn't the reason for buying this style of shoe.

PJB

I don't think I have ever had shoes that triggered metal detector either.

(The buckles on my Birkenstocks occasionally do. But I normally change into reals shoes before going through security.)

Wear slippers or running shoes.

Not all Floresheims are metal free. My husband has a couple pairs that set off metal detectors, and he doesn't fly enough to remember to not wear them!!

I believe it depends on the sensitivity level the magnetometer is set to..
I usually travel in a certain pair of dress shoes (Hugo Boss) and while they don't ring the detectors any more, I recall them doing so once in YUL about a year or so ago (mabe before they adjusted the new detectors there). The security personnel showed me what looked like a metallic block at the base of the shoe.

I've also noticed that some airport security stations can be more lax than others. For example, in YVR, I have never been asked to remove my SwissCard (a swiss army knife in a card, for those who don't know) that sits idly in my wallet. I don't leave it in on purpose, but I just forget I have it. Almost everywhere else I fly to/from, their airport personnel notice it, and I end up having to run back to check-in and have them ship it on the plane in a box! I've come extremely close to missing flights because of it....

I wonder why I've never had a problem at YVR...

In my experience different metal detectors in Canada are set to different sensitivities. YYZ is consistently more sensitive than YUL.

As for the shoes, look for a model that is labeled as being "Airport Friendly" or such. I have had good success with my ecco brand shoes.

I think in some US airports you can keep your shoes on if you want, but then it appears they send you for 2nd-ary for not taking your shoes off! ... a no-win -- no-win situation :mad:

I haven't removed my shoes for security in years, even in the US.

They are supposed to only swab your non-alarming shoes, although there are some airports (ie. DEN, FLL, ATL) which still give you the full treatment.

This does not have an impact on me as my entire L leg will alert them as I walk through. :D

The Bay has a selection of Florsheim and Rockport(??? Can't be certain on Rockport, but they have a second mfg) that are airport WTMD friendly.

I only wear Prada, Jil Sander, Gucci and then Puma or Nike and never had a problem setting off alarms. They are all available at Holt Renfrew...exept Nike.