Discussion
ellroy said:
Whilst i’d happily wear them. When arriving at your destination are you going to look a wally? Could do without the sparco sign.sc0tt said:
ellroy said:
Whilst i’d happily wear them. When arriving at your destination are you going to look a wally? Could do without the sparco sign.Those speedcats look nice but I had a new pair of race boots that I needed to run-in a bit before us I g them atvrace meeting so used them in the car day to day, they were great but I also tried walking to the local pub, 1/2 mile not too far but found the soles really thin and slightly painful over anything other than really smooth pavement.
So my conclusion is that a road car trainer needs to have more meat on the sole. So needs consideration when buying.
So my conclusion is that a road car trainer needs to have more meat on the sole. So needs consideration when buying.
Big-Bo-Beep said:
what actual advantage does special " driving " shoes give a driver ?
like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
You've obviously never driven a Caterham. Ordinary shoes with a welt just don't fit in the footwell. And I find the rounded heel much more comfortable for driving. like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
Having said that, with care you can find narrow 'normal' trainers that tick most of the boxes, which are more comfortable for walking in and more discreet looking.
Big-Bo-Beep said:
what actual advantage does special " driving " shoes give a driver ?
like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
Do you not find it easier using a narrower shoe/trainer when driving an Elise or Caterham? The box is narrow and a rounded sole makes moving from pedal to pedal easier. like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
Interested to hear what you footwear you think best for these type of car.
slopes said:
I'd just buy a pair of Adidas Samba and be able to wear them away from the car too, specific shoes are not really going to be any good for me as i'm no longer a serious driver.
If I'm going for a serious drive but also might need to stop off somewhere and have a walk about, my asics tiger Mexico '66 do the trick. Slim, thin sole etcslopes said:
I'd just buy a pair of Adidas Samba and be able to wear them away from the car too, specific shoes are not really going to be any good for me as i'm no longer a serious driver.
The advantage of speedcats et al, is the shape of the heel. The sole comes up the heel and this makes it easier to rock the foot and wears your floor mats less. The Samba doesn't have that benefit. The really thinn sole of the driving shoes is great for feel which I find helps for modulating the brakes.I wear driving shoes when driving the Lotus for fun, I don't when driving regular cars
CanAm said:
Having said that, with care you can find narrow 'normal' trainers that tick most of the boxes, which are more comfortable for walking in and more discreet looking.
I'm looking for a pair which don't shout 'trainer' (so white is out, as are lots of stripes), and having trouble as the 'fashion' (spit) at the moment is for chunky soles - any suggestions?(My two current pairs of thin-soled trainers are looking very tired)
havoc said:
CanAm said:
Having said that, with care you can find narrow 'normal' trainers that tick most of the boxes, which are more comfortable for walking in and more discreet looking.
I'm looking for a pair which don't shout 'trainer' (so white is out, as are lots of stripes), and having trouble as the 'fashion' (spit) at the moment is for chunky soles - any suggestions?(My two current pairs of thin-soled trainers are looking very tired)
havoc said:
I'm looking for a pair which don't shout 'trainer' (so white is out, as are lots of stripes), and having trouble as the 'fashion' (spit) at the moment is for chunky soles - any suggestions?
(My two current pairs of thin-soled trainers are looking very tired)
Sparco Imola in a dark blue or brown are not that in-your-face.(My two current pairs of thin-soled trainers are looking very tired)
Big-Bo-Beep said:
what actual advantage does special " driving " shoes give a driver ?
like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
Depends what you’re driving and whether there’s a benefit (or even ability) to feel things through the pedals. Wafty barge no, caterham yes. like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
shirt said:
Big-Bo-Beep said:
what actual advantage does special " driving " shoes give a driver ?
like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
Depends what you’re driving and whether there’s a benefit (or even ability) to feel things through the pedals. Wafty barge no, caterham yes. like wearing driving gloves and a cravat, it's all very Alan Partridge, and rightly deserving of robust ridicule.
I was lucky enough to have numerous track days is a Westfield. Brakes were marginal at the best of times, but really scary if you caught the accelerator while doing the late braking from high speed. I found the Puma Speed cats brilliant, as they did not catch both pedals.
When the speedcats were worn out and unavailable, I bought some Loake Donnnington's ( https://www.humphriesshoes.co.uk/donington/p5419 ) for driving to work. Probably look a bit odd at the petrol station, especially when worn under formal trousers, but hey ho, they are really comfy. When I get to work, I put on formal shoes.
Also driving shoes are easier on the carpet in the car. Probably worth pointing out that my trip to work is ~280 miles each way, so comfort over style is the order of the day. For me, driving shoes work. I think the Loakes cost £120 for 2 pairs and work equally well in all our cars. Each to their own.
When the speedcats were worn out and unavailable, I bought some Loake Donnnington's ( https://www.humphriesshoes.co.uk/donington/p5419 ) for driving to work. Probably look a bit odd at the petrol station, especially when worn under formal trousers, but hey ho, they are really comfy. When I get to work, I put on formal shoes.
Also driving shoes are easier on the carpet in the car. Probably worth pointing out that my trip to work is ~280 miles each way, so comfort over style is the order of the day. For me, driving shoes work. I think the Loakes cost £120 for 2 pairs and work equally well in all our cars. Each to their own.
wolfracesonic said:
It’s the feel through the pedals you benefit from, I chose to go one step further and superglued my feet to the pedals for the ultimate sensory feedback; unfortunately I drive a manual and picked the accelerator and clutch...
did that sound funnier in your head? perhaps you should've kept it there.shirt said:
wolfracesonic said:
It’s the feel through the pedals you benefit from, I chose to go one step further and superglued my feet to the pedals for the ultimate sensory feedback; unfortunately I drive a manual and picked the accelerator and clutch...
did that sound funnier in your head? perhaps you should've kept it there.I know that it must mean something to you guys, and long may it do so, but I just don’t see it.
I appreciate that this is a car enthusiasts forum, but not everyone is as committed as some of the cognoscenti on here.
For instance I know that a Caterham is a lightweight sports car, because I’d asked before, but I had to Google Elise to find out that it was a Lotus.
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