What type of footwear is prohibited on Yom Kippur?

Leather shoes are traditionally prohibited on Yom Kippur.

The restriction is one of the traditional five afflictions observed on the Day of Atonement, alongside fasting, avoiding bathing or washing, refraining from anointing the body with oils or perfumes, and abstaining from marital relations. The purpose is to reduce physical comfort and distractions during a day devoted to repentance, prayer, and atonement.

The rule does not mean that everyone must walk barefoot. Non-leather footwear, such as canvas shoes, plastic sandals, or many synthetic sneakers, is commonly worn. However, Jewish legal discussions have debated whether especially comfortable non-leather footwear can function like ordinary shoes and therefore conflict with the spirit or technical scope of the restriction.

The prohibition is specifically about footwear, not every object made from leather. A leather belt, wallet, or jacket is generally treated differently from leather shoes in common practice. Safety also matters: someone facing hazardous conditions may be permitted or required to wear protective footwear.

The custom is rooted in rabbinic interpretation of Yom Kippur’s command to “afflict” oneself. It symbolizes setting aside ordinary physical ease while concentrating on prayer and moral self-examination.