Best shoes to drive in
Discussion
scumbagjag said:
My feet appear to have been stolen from a duck, so most trainers aren't really wide enough for me so I tend to go for a pair of well worn in Vans style skate shoes (lace up). If anything I have found the width to make heel and toe a lot easier.
I've got the same thing, so I don't so much heel and toe but "big toe and little toe" my works clarkes shoes weren't too bad for driving in but this thread has made me realise why the sides have worn out so quickly seeing as my drive to work is 80% warwickshire country roads!I need a new pair of trainers so I might have a look at those driftcats, they look really nice.
Lucie911 said:
Only thing I'd NEVER drive in again is wellies...especially ones 4 sizes too big. Scariest drive I've ever had, til I got 300m down the road and pulled over to go barefoot!
I was going to say... 4sizes too big?! I often drive in wellies, I don't seem to have any trouble. Hiking boots are a nightmare and UGG boots (yes, I did say that) are a bit of a chore, glad I've got half decent pedal spacing! I tend to stick with my Sketchers
Edited by Waugh-terfall on Monday 9th March 23:13
L4MBOLUV3R said:
depends how big your feet are. i hate to say at size 12 i have problems with big shoes clipping the plastic under the steering wheel so i just wear some sturdy plimsolls they let you feel bite points better but can make the foot tired easly.
I can often my heard cruching the gears as my size 12 foot slides up the arm for the clutch pedals stopping me from depressing it fully. when wearing aforementioned items of footwear I have to be really careful not to hit 2 pedals at once... Waugh-terfall said:
Hiking boots are a nightmare and UGG boots (yes, I did say that) are a bit of a chore, glad I've got half decent pedal spacing! I tend to stick with my Sketchers
Hiking boots are nothing, try fully stiffened mountaineering boots (with a steel sole insert); you have no flex from the ankle down, absolutely horrible. I had to pull over and drive in socks after about 5 minutes.Mr.Jimbo said:
I just bought some SparcoPUMA drift cat (the 2nd version I think) and I love them, I don't think they're too ott, I wore them down the pub yesterday and went out last night, they're nice and comfy. Think they look nice in suede too.
The back of the heel is rounded like the pilotti ones, which helps you pivot and feel the pedals really nicely. I've never owned a pair of driving shoes before though, so I might be talking nonsense
Not sure how the sides will stand upto heel and toe'ing though...
Mr.Jimbo
I just bought a pair of these on the weekend (Puma not Sparco).The back of the heel is rounded like the pilotti ones, which helps you pivot and feel the pedals really nicely. I've never owned a pair of driving shoes before though, so I might be talking nonsense
Not sure how the sides will stand upto heel and toe'ing though...
Mr.Jimbo
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Sunday 15th February 20:25
I think the suede ones are the Driftcat 1...Looking at the Puma website it looks like the Driftcat 2 is just your usual leather.
Anyway...I really like them for driving. Nice thin sole that does not protrude out at the sides and they are a snug fit so even if you dont get your foot exactly on the pedal as you planned you know there is no edge to catch on another pedal.
I am going to have to adjust my heel and toe technique for when I wear them, being so snug fitting I can no longer just catch the throttle with the edge of the sole.
The shaped heel is great and with it being quite stiff I found the back of my foot well supported when I was just cruising along with my foot in one position.
I have purchased mine just for doing trackdays though I did wear them on Saturday. IMHO I dont think they would wear well with normal use and I dont think I could stand up or walk in them for any length of time.
I'm in 2 minds about the looks, no doubt you can get away with wearing them anywhere but they are a little bit pixie boot like
I've tried racing shoes/boots by Zapelli, Puma, Sparco and Nike, for both karting and track days. By far and away the best shoes are from the Colin McRae Sport range. They are incredibly light, the soles are very thin and they are so comfortable you feel like you're walking bare foot.
My personal favourites are the "Ovation", available from NickyGrist.com
As for gloves, unless your steering wheel is suede, you're much better off without them.
My personal favourites are the "Ovation", available from NickyGrist.com
As for gloves, unless your steering wheel is suede, you're much better off without them.
I have been in 2 minds about getting gloves. The gearknob in my car is leather and quite slippery...my hand slipped off going for a 2nd-3rd shift during an overtake last week leaving me in neutral and exposed to danger (not that there was any) for longer than I would have liked.
Having said that I wouldnt wear them on the road but on track when the adrenaline is flowing and the beads of sweat are forming and all that they might be a good thing to have.
Having said that I wouldnt wear them on the road but on track when the adrenaline is flowing and the beads of sweat are forming and all that they might be a good thing to have.
deviant said:
I have been in 2 minds about getting gloves. The gearknob in my car is leather and quite slippery...my hand slipped off going for a 2nd-3rd shift during an overtake last week leaving me in neutral and exposed to danger (not that there was any) for longer than I would have liked.
Sorry, but that's b
ks. If your hand "slips off" the gearknob then it's because you didn't hold it properly.I find driving in the wrong shoe - for whatever reason - do be the single most uncomfortable thing int the world. I used to have a really nice pair of Merrils, but they dug into my ankle, so I whilst out looking for something to replace them I found these Patagonia shoes in a TK Maxx! and a bargin too!
http://www.planetshoes.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcod...
They have really thin soles, nice and narrow and a rounded heel. Plus you don't look like a cock when you get out.
Although mine are green so......
http://www.planetshoes.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcod...
They have really thin soles, nice and narrow and a rounded heel. Plus you don't look like a cock when you get out.
Although mine are green so......
Strangely Brown said:
deviant said:
I have been in 2 minds about getting gloves. The gearknob in my car is leather and quite slippery...my hand slipped off going for a 2nd-3rd shift during an overtake last week leaving me in neutral and exposed to danger (not that there was any) for longer than I would have liked.
Sorry, but that's bks. If your hand "slips off" the gearknob then it's because you didn't hold it properly.
Flibble said:
Waugh-terfall said:
RichB said:
deviant said:
I have been in 2 minds about getting gloves.
I wear gloves in the car - they keep me hands warm. 
- Though I wish I did...
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