Best shoes to drive in

[chevronb37]

Chaps,

As I am about to embark on a new chapter in my driving career, I feel like I need to purchase some new footwear to maximise my driving experience. Please can you offer some advice on the grippiest, most feelsome, flexible shoes for dexterity on the pedals? Road driving only, and I don't mind looking like a chump!

Many thanks,

Swifty

[ClaphamGT3]

You're going to laugh at this, but I find the best shoes for driving that I've ever had are my Gucci loafers; the upper is incredibly soft & supple, allowing the foot to form and the sole is of a very thin & flexible leather that shapes to the pedal beautifully. The heal is solid and not too high, which is ideal for forming a great fulcrum on the footwell floor.

Oh - and it means that you can get out of the car without looking like a right charlie in what appear to the average pobserver to be a pair of Puma gym-shoes.

[RT106]

Sparco sell trainers that look quite innocuous but have exactly the same sole as their race boots. You can get them from Demon Tweeks and probably a load of other places too.

I've got a pair of Merrell trainers that are great for driving in; thin narrow soles made from softish rubber for a good purchase on the pedals. They look quite subtle too.

[Wilburo]

Oh dear ClaphamGT3 ;o)

I heartily recommend any Puma casual trainers, such as these bad boys:

http://size.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Produc...

I've had three pairs (various styles) and they've all been brilliant. They're comfortable, fit close around the edge of the foot, so they don't catch on trim etc, and have that all-important soft sole to allow you to really feel the peddles, or the pressure you're applying.

I originally picked them up when I did a lot of Aikido. Aikido is done bare-foot, but off the mat, I wanted a casual shoe that still felt delicate and feelsome - as close to the feeling of bare-foot as I could get, I guess.

It's been great that the shoes have been so pefect for both.

Edited by Wilburo on Monday 26th January 17:53

[tybo]

Converse All stars http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://ho...

[flemke]

chevronb37 said:

Chaps,

As I am about to embark on a new chapter in my driving career, I feel like I need to purchase some new footwear to maximise my driving experience. Please can you offer some advice on the grippiest, most feelsome, flexible shoes for dexterity on the pedals? Road driving only, and I don't mind looking like a chump!

Many thanks,

Swifty

Everyone will have his own opinion.
What I can tell you is that I'm something of an obsessive about having the thinnest, least obtrusive, most communicative sole possible, in a boot with an upper that can be adjusted to conform to one's foot properly and that does not get too hot. I also prefer boots that aren't covered in idiotic livery.
I have spent quite a bit of time wearing, amongst others, Sparco, Alpinestars, Monoposto, Momo, and Stand 21. I've also carefully looked at pretty much all the others available in the UK, such as Diadora, OMP and Adidas, which I've rejected because their soles are self-evidently too thick. The only boots I know of that I've not inspected are Simpson.

Having done all that, I can promise you that the ones with the best, thinnest soles are these:
http://www.sabelt.co.uk/shoeslightmid.php
They do two versions. The "light" version has an upper made from both Nomex and leather. They're what I use. They do the same boot with an all-leather upper, which is a bit stiffer and heavier.

Momo used to make a clean, simple boot with a nice thin sole, but they stopped making them about three years ago. This replaced them:
http://www.momo-uk.co.uk/gallery/racing%202008/Pro...
They might suit you; I couldn't deal with the in-yo-face graphics.

Clapham's suggestion of a driving loafer is a good one. I couldn't comment on Gucci, but Tod makes several that are suited the job. They are less purposeful, however, and give a less stable structure overall, than a racing boot will do.

[RobM77]

Like Flemke, my obsession is with finding footwear with a thin sole so I can feel the pedals properly. Additionally, the shoes must be narrow for heel and toe and generally moving around on the pedals (and left foot braking when the moment arises!). The best I've ever found was some Puma trainer type shoes that I bought in Grand Prix Racewear about 3 years ago, and they're still going (just!). I bought them for driving my Elise in, but they're so good that I drive everything in them now, even hire cars! I race in Sparco racing boots, but they're not as feelsome as the Puma driving shoes, I guess that's the fireproof layer?

For racing, currently sat on the floor next to me are some new Alpinestars boots and new Sparco ones (both around the £100-£150 mark), which I ordered on the understanding that I could send them back if they didn't suit me. Sadly though, neither have an especially thin sole and the Sparco boots go a stage further and appear to have an insole made of concrete . The fireproof version of my Pumas is only stocked by GPR I think, and they appear to have gone bust Flemke: those Sabelt shoes sound good if they've got a nice thin sole. I can't find a UK stockist though. Any ideas? I'm tempted to take a chance on the Momo ones, as I don't mind the graphics so long as they've got a nice thin sole.

[Slinky]

Puma speed cats for me, very comfy and allow great feedback

[flemke]

RobM77 said:

Like Flemke, my obsession is with finding footwear with a thin sole so I can feel the pedals properly. Additionally, the shoes must be narrow for heel and toe and generally moving around on the pedals (and left foot braking when the moment arises!). The best I've ever found was some Puma trainer type shoes that I bought in Grand Prix Racewear about 3 years ago, and they're still going (just!). I bought them for driving my Elise in, but they're so good that I drive everything in them now, even hire cars! I race in Sparco racing boots, but they're not as feelsome as the Puma driving shoes, I guess that's the fireproof layer?

For racing, currently sat on the floor next to me are some new Alpinestars boots and new Sparco ones (both around the £100-£150 mark), which I ordered on the understanding that I could send them back if they didn't suit me. Sadly though, neither have an especially thin sole and the Sparco boots go a stage further and appear to have an insole made of concrete . The fireproof version of my Pumas is only stocked by GPR I think, and they appear to have gone bust Flemke: those Sabelt shoes sound good if they've got a nice thin sole. I can't find a UK stockist though. Any ideas? I'm tempted to take a chance on the Momo ones, as I don't mind the graphics so long as they've got a nice thin sole.

The Momo ones were fantastic. I've still got a new pair in a box, which is labelled "Pista". The sole is not the same pattern as what is in image on their website, although from the edge the look the same. If I were you, I'd ring the company in IT and ask about the difference.

I last got a pair of Sabelts from DT just a year ago, although there are none listed in DT's latest catalogue. The Sabelt link I provided has a home page with a UK distributor:

Sabelt UK
Laomedan House
42 Millbrook Rd.
Kingstown Ind Est
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA3 0EU
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]

[chevronb37]

Chaps,

Many thanks for the discussion. I just wear Vans Slip-ons at the moment, they're fine, but I feel the Elise deserves something special. My parents live 10mins from Demon Tweeks so might swing down there. The Pumas look great too. Nothing worse than ruining a pair of nice smart shoes with heal and toeing. Spent a fortune on some nice winklepickers for work and the sole has split from vigorous pedal work outs!

What about driving gloves? Too pompous?

Swifty

[RobM77]

flemke said:

RobM77 said:

Like Flemke, my obsession is with finding footwear with a thin sole so I can feel the pedals properly. Additionally, the shoes must be narrow for heel and toe and generally moving around on the pedals (and left foot braking when the moment arises!). The best I've ever found was some Puma trainer type shoes that I bought in Grand Prix Racewear about 3 years ago, and they're still going (just!). I bought them for driving my Elise in, but they're so good that I drive everything in them now, even hire cars! I race in Sparco racing boots, but they're not as feelsome as the Puma driving shoes, I guess that's the fireproof layer?

For racing, currently sat on the floor next to me are some new Alpinestars boots and new Sparco ones (both around the £100-£150 mark), which I ordered on the understanding that I could send them back if they didn't suit me. Sadly though, neither have an especially thin sole and the Sparco boots go a stage further and appear to have an insole made of concrete . The fireproof version of my Pumas is only stocked by GPR I think, and they appear to have gone bust Flemke: those Sabelt shoes sound good if they've got a nice thin sole. I can't find a UK stockist though. Any ideas? I'm tempted to take a chance on the Momo ones, as I don't mind the graphics so long as they've got a nice thin sole.

The Momo ones were fantastic. I've still got a new pair in a box, which is labelled "Pista". The sole is not the same pattern as what is in image on their website, although from the edge the look the same. If I were you, I'd ring the company in IT and ask about the difference.

I last got a pair of Sabelts from DT just a year ago, although there are none listed in DT's latest catalogue. The Sabelt link I provided has a home page with a UK distributor:

Sabelt UK
Laomedan House
42 Millbrook Rd.
Kingstown Ind Est
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA3 0EU
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]

Thanks for your reply.

I tried the distributor listed on the Sabelt website and they didn't have them on their website. I could try calling Sabelt in the morning.

The Mono ones sound very promising, but GPR are no longer trading and DT don't seem to do them. I'll look further online for some of those.

I did want to get some before my next test (Thursday), but my hopes are diminishing!

[samdale]

wear in a pair of these
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/designer-shoes...
most skate shoe soles are hard as nails but these soon soften up
mine are about 5 years old now and have about a 4inch hole down the outside of each shoe where the sole meets the material. but i swear if either of my parents even think about binning them there will be blood!
alternatively some dunlop green flashes
http://www.cloggs.co.uk/icat/brdftwrdunlop
or a pair of converse

[flemke]

chevronb37 said:

Chaps,

Many thanks for the discussion. I just wear Vans Slip-ons at the moment, they're fine, but I feel the Elise deserves something special. My parents live 10mins from Demon Tweeks so might swing down there. The Pumas look great too. Nothing worse than ruining a pair of nice smart shoes with heal and toeing. Spent a fortune on some nice winklepickers for work and the sole has split from vigorous pedal work outs!

What about driving gloves? Too pompous?

Swifty

The Puma soles are def thicker and stiffer than those on either the Momos or the Sabelts.

Driving gloves? Assuming that you don't have a suede-covered wheel (in which case gloves are mandatory), unless your hands perspire like crazy, I'd say the bare skin is better.
(If you're stuck with that wretched alcantara, you might want gloves - not for the sake of preserving the material, but for the sake of preserving your sanity.)

[RobM77]

flemke said:

chevronb37 said:

Chaps,

Many thanks for the discussion. I just wear Vans Slip-ons at the moment, they're fine, but I feel the Elise deserves something special. My parents live 10mins from Demon Tweeks so might swing down there. The Pumas look great too. Nothing worse than ruining a pair of nice smart shoes with heal and toeing. Spent a fortune on some nice winklepickers for work and the sole has split from vigorous pedal work outs!

What about driving gloves? Too pompous?

Swifty

The Puma soles are def thicker and stiffer than those on either the Momos or the Sabelts.

Driving gloves? Assuming that you don't have a suede-covered wheel (in which case gloves are mandatory), unless your hands perspire like crazy, I'd say the bare skin is better.
(If you're stuck with that wretched alcantara, you might want gloves - not for the sake of preserving the material, but for the sake of preserving your sanity.)

I agree completely about gloves - you're after maximum feel so bare hands are best (unless its a suede wheel, which to be honest is mainly designed for suede gloves because of the sticky effect that you get). The only reason that I wear gloves is because it's safer when racing, as the chance of an accident is so much higher than in a road car (and the chance of a fire in such an accident!).

Boots wise I was told yesterday by DT that they don't do Puma. GPR was their supplier apparently!

I found Momo boots here: http://www.lkperformancestyling.co.uk/catalogue/mo...

I'm going to order some when they open today.

[Hammerwerfer]

I like Adidas Spezial shoes. Retro trainers with a thin sole and not at all "pixie boot" looking.

No need for the real driver's shoes unless you are racing and need the FIA fireproof rating.

[TubbyRutter]

Hammerwerfer said:

I like Adidas Spezial shoes. Retro trainers with a thin sole and not at all "pixie boot" looking.

No need for the real driver's shoes unless you are racing and need the FIA fireproof rating.

I've always been fond of my "poofie pink or poofie purple" puma shoes

[gdaybruce]

At a more prosaic level, I've discovered a design of Clarkes' slip ons that make great driving shoes: thin, flexible soles, soft leather and no welts. Buy slightly too small and the leather soon gives to provide a really close fitting but comfortable shoe. I also have a pair of Sparco karting boots but for normal driving I prefer the Clarkes.

Interestingly, and demonstrating the old adage of horses for courses, when we had a Land Rover Discovery lightweight shoes felt completely wrong. You still need sensitivity when negotiating slippery or rocky terrain but there's something about the weight of the car (and no doubt the knowledge that when you get out you'll be stepping into mud!) that makes heavy shoes or boots muuch more appropriate. And of course Land Rover designed the pedals for people wearing wellies!

[identti]

I have a pair of these, and I like them a lot:
http://www.cloggs.co.uk/invt/6405

[EmmaP]

I have a pair of Puma Speed Cats bought specifically for driving. They're great!

[SarlechS]

i wear Lacoste Dominators which aren't that big but are wide so it's easier to Heel/Toe on the road. My Brother has Puma Driftcats and these are very flat and extremely thin trainers, he rates them highly for driving trainers. i'd stick with medium sized trainers over thin/small.