Driving/racing shoes - useless but I think want a pair.

[AdvocatusD]

I have at least 2 pairs of shoes that I have driven "spiritedly" in without a moment's thought to footwear.

Now, I probably don't have any need "driving" shoes and as much as a I flatter myself, I [u]definitely[/u] have no use for racing shoes, but all of a sudden I have been struck down with a case of man-wants. I'm confident that this is temporary lapse in judgement, but at this moment, this is a significant champagne problem.

http://www.complex.com/rides/2012/02/floor-it-the-...







Anyone here bought anything like these as a pure fashion accessory? God, I'm going to look like such a tool when I put these on and then step out to go to the supermarket... Oh well, if it's car related I'm a sucker!

[Rawwr]

The first pair look like someone's put laces on a cornish pastie.

[Krikkit]

I always think these look bloody awful. Much better to find a super-thin-soled trainer and go with that instead. I have a pair of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico that are perfect driving shoes!

[aka_kerrly]

Rawwr said:

The first pair look like someone's put laces on a cornish pastie.

Genuine inappropriate giggle at work after reading that.

Puma do some quite smart narrow trainers which are good for driving in.

[eggchaser1987]

I really like thoes top pair

you may have just made me look and spend some of my own cash.

[Baryonyx]

Unless you are going to be on track, you will look like a total bell, so beware.

[JM]

aka_kerrly said:

Puma do some quite smart narrow trainers which are good for driving in.

Speed cats, their driving shoes?

[AdvocatusD]

aka_kerrly said:

Rawwr said:

The first pair look like someone's put laces on a cornish pastie.

Genuine inappropriate giggle at work after reading that.

I chortled too!

[El Capitano]

http://www.surfdome.com/Puma_Trainers_-_Puma_Speed...

At least in these you don't have to look like a total cock

[Asterix]

I have a few pairs of these. A newer pair that are nice and clean... and another pair that are ancient, manky as hell but very supple now and absolutely brilliant driving shoes.

[Baryonyx]

A lot of guff does tend to get spouted about driving shoes, as if thin soled shoes are some sort of a comfort blanket. When I learned to drive, I remember being told to wear thin soled shoes so I could feel the pedals. But I just ended up wearing a cross trail trainer, like a pair Salomon XT Wings or something. I still think the best pair of 'driving' shoes I have are my cushioned Asics with a big, flared sole for running in. Grippy, and very wide on my size 11 feet. I can drive my 106 Rallye with ease in these, and they make heel toe downshift effortless because of their size, not in spite of it. Thats when I'm not driving in GSG9's!


If I can manage with these in a 106, you should be able to manage with pretty much anything - I could nearly guarantee my feet are longer/wider and my car's pedal box is smaller and more offset!

[aka_kerrly]

JM said:

aka_kerrly said:

Puma do some quite smart narrow trainers which are good for driving in.

Speed cats, their driving shoes?

Um, didn't even know that Puma market 'speed cats' as driving shoes. I was referring a simple pair of Puma Classics which are largely similar to Airwalk style skate shoes but narrower.

[AdvocatusD]

Asterix said:

I have a few pairs of these. A newer pair that are nice and clean... and another pair that are ancient, manky as hell but very supple now and absolutely brilliant driving shoes.

I have exactly that pair in black! Bought it ages ago when I was a student and still have 'em. I love the side profile, but they look a little squat and flat from the front.

[.blue]

+1 for the Puma Speedcats. I wouldn't pay £60 for them though - got them on sale at £35.

[BaronVonVaderham]

I was trying out and wearing in a new pair of race boots on a longish drive and stopped at a McD's for some sustenance. Drove 'thru', ate in car, then decided I needed to pee. Felt like a weapons-grade tool as I walked through the full car park and restaurant in my shorts, socks pulled up and clearly, brand new race boots. Just kept muttering to myself 'I'm wearing them in, no really I am...'

[Prizam]

I have some, but unless your driving a Caterham or other track orientated car... you will look like an idiot.

[Searider]

All you really need are some shoes where the soles don't stick out too far beyond the uppers, and only then if you're tight for space.

In my Westfield the foot room was so poor and the pedals so close together it was impossible to drive with deck shoes - the soles kept catching on everything.

Narrow trainers with rounded edge soles did the trick.

[C.A.R.]

As others say, racing boots look tacky unless you arrive in a Caparo T1 or a Caterham - even then it looks a bit silly!

I found some really decent shoes in the Officers Club of all places, which had a nice thin sole and the pattern on the bottom was even that of a tyre tread, ironically, which didn't sway my decision as I just bougth them as I liked the trainers! Long gone now, as is our Officers Club outlet

[g3org3y]

Baryonyx said:

Unless you are going to be on track, you will look like a total bell, so beware.

This.

Get a pair of these and you'll still be 'cool'.

[AdvocatusD]

Prizam said:

I have some, but unless your driving a Caterham or other track orientated car... you will look like an idiot.

I'm ok for "cred" in that department, but I'm with the Baron about the fear factor in having to actually be seen in them.