Can You Wear a Hoodie Through TSA? The Comfortable Traveler’s Guide

Can You Wear a Hoodie Through TSA? The Comfortable Traveler’s Guide

Look, I get it. Hoodies are the ultimate travel comfort clothing. Nothing beats throwing on a soft, cozy hoodie for a long flight or layover at the airport. There’s just one catch – getting through the TSA security checkpoint while wearing your beloved hoodie.

We’ve all been there – standing in the TSA line, clutching our boarding passes, praying we don’t get stopped and asked to remove our hoodies. So, what exactly are the rules here? Can you comfortably pass through airport security donning your go-to hoodie? Let’s break it down.

To Hoodie or Not to Hoodie? What the TSA Says

Officially, the TSA doesn’t prohibit wearing hoodies at security checkpoints. However, they do recommend removing “bulky outerwear, such as heavyweight coats and jackets.” The rationale is that bulky clothing could set off alarms or potentially conceal prohibited items.

So a thick, oversized hoodie covered in zippers? You’ll probably need to take that off. A lightweight cotton hoodie? You’re likely fine leaving it on. A lot depends on the style and fabric thickness. If in doubt, just remove the hoodie before passing through the metal detector. This prevents headaches and delays down the line if you happen to set off an alarm.

The TSA Hoodie Gray Zone

Here’s the thing – the definition of “bulky” is open to interpretation. It really comes down to the discretion of the individual TSA officer screening you. I once wore a medium-weight fleece hoodie through security, thinking I was fine. But the TSA agent took one look and asked me to remove it. Another time, with a lighter hoodie, I sailed through with no problem.

So even if you think your hoodie doesn’t qualify as bulky, be mentally prepared to take it off anyway. Having to disrobe unexpectedly in the security line is never fun. Pack accordingly and wear layers you can easily shed.

When in Doubt, Take it Off

Bottom line: if a TSA officer asks you to remove your hoodie, just cooperate politely. Arguing will only make the process more unpleasant for everyone. The best approach is to wear a lightweight, unzippable hoodie and take it off proactively before walking through the metal detector. This prevents any objections from the get-go.

Navigating Security With Your Hoodie – Tips and Tricks

Okay, so you can wear a hoodie through airport security if you follow some best practices. Here are my top tips for breezing through TSA wearing your fave hoodie:

• Choose a zip-up style. This makes removal super quick and easy if needed.
• Opt for thin, lightweight fabrics like cotton blends or performance athleisure materials.
• Empty all pockets before screening to avoid pat-downs for mysterious bulges.
• Consider wearing just a t-shirt underneath so you don’t have to peel off multiple layers if asked.
• Have your boarding pass and ID ready to speed things up.

I’ll never forget the time my friend Megan wore an oversized fleece hoodie through TSA. As she walked into the body scanner, the agent eyeballed her puffy sweatshirt and asked her to remove it. Poor Megan had two more shirts on underneath and struggled to wiggle everything off, creating a huge line delay. Not ideal.

Special Cases: Precheck, Kids, and Medical Devices

While most regular travelers should follow the tips above, there are exceptions:

• If you’re TSA Precheck, you can often keep hoodies on since you use metal detectors versus body scanners.
• Children under 12 may be allowed to leave hoodies on, especially if they would have trouble removing them alone.
• Medical devices like insulin pumps may warrant special screening. Notify the TSA officer beforehand and follow their instructions.

The Bottom Line – Be Cooperative and Communicative

At the end of the day, the TSA’s main goal is to keep travelers safe by ensuring no prohibited items enter the airport’s secure areas. While wearing hoodies is perfectly fine, cooperating fully with the screening process makes everything smoother.

My advice is to wear a lightweight zip-up hoodie, proactively remove it if needed, and comply politely with all instructions. A little preparation goes a long way. Follow these tips and you can stay comfy and sail through security in your favorite hoodie.

Safe travels, friends! Let me know if you have any other pressing travel questions. I’m always happy to share tips and tricks from my years of adventures on the road.