Best Driving Shoes
 

I know this is not really a tech question, but figured this area would be the best to ask in.

so, I have been thinking of getting some driving shoes. I have big feet and long legs, so the more space I can get the better I off I am. I hope to make heel-toe easier, add leg room, as well as add some pedal feel.

What shoes would you recommend?

I have been eyeballing these, since they kind of look more like regular sneakers. I like the idea of this since these shoes will be better than my driving skills. These would not draw as much attention as full blow racing shoes. That way people can't make fun of me for having driving shoes when my times are atrocious.

http://www.piloti.co.uk/site/

anyhow, i want to hear opinions about all shoes not just these. What do you use? what do you recommend?

If you don't need a true racing shoe just buy a pair of Asics wrestling shoes, similar to these:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2153559/c/3.html

The prime difference between a true racing shoe and those is that a real racing shoe is made from fire retardant materials. If you just want shoes for amateur use there's no need to spend the $$$ on a real driving shoe.

I occasionally wear gloves if my hands are slick from sunscreen or they feel sweaty. No need for a real driving glove so I just wear Nike batting gloves. They are made from a comfortable mesh material with the palm and the insides of the fingers lined in leather. Cheap and work great!

http://www.prodigy-sports.com/Qstore...nikekeybat.jpg

I'll second Damon's recommendation. I almost bought a new pair of wrestling shoes the last time I was at the store because of how rediculously cheap they were. If it weren't for the fact that I haven't had enough money to make all the races, much less trackdays/auto-x's, I would've bought a pair just to keep the wear off my racing shoes.

My only racing shoe tech is that if you're thinking about buying Simpson's hightop, DO NOT. The G-Force are IDENTICAL to the Simpsons, except for the different brand name patch. Imagine how pissed I was when I was standing next to my buddy on grid, looked down, and noticed our shoes were identical. Good thing I picked mine up on eBay for a fraction of retail, or I would've gone apeshit right then and there. ;)

thanks for the heads up on the wrestling shoes. I don't particularly need expensive shoes. just something with a good thin sole.

low top or high top?

I highly recommend the Addidas Samba, designed as an indoor soccer shoe, it gives good feedback and is lightweight. A decent and inexpensive (relatively) shoe. I think it comes in colors now, but still prefer the classic black and white. For gloves, your basic Mechanix brand gloves work very well in warm weather climates. My friend just picked up a couple pairs of new gloves which I highly recommend, however they are very hard to find, I can find out if you are interested. They are Ringers brand, Driver Tuner gloves. Excellent lightweight gloves. I, being in the Northeast, have not yet found a decent pair of winter gloves, except for a heavy pair of suede gloves that are fur lined. Anyways, that is my rundown. My friend (drives an Integra) bought a pair of Nautica shoes at a discount store for 20 bucks and says they are excellent. Good luck and run with whatever is comfortable, gets the job done effectively, and fits your own sense of style.

We're going to make fun of your atrocious times regardless of your shoes, Josh - just suck it up!

Actually, my kids make fun of my "elf shoes" even when my times are respectible.

Try on wrestling shoes from the discount shoe outlets until you find some that fit well.

thanks... :D

I just hope to stay on the track. ;) I know I am going to hear it if someone passes me in a miata (which I am sure is going to happen, since it will be my first time out). one day, perhaps, i will be able to be worthy of driving shoes, but only cheap ones.

I use Pyrotech gloves and elf shoes. Very comfy and functional.

I love my puma's here's a few favorites of others on this site. https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=383563

Most of the track guys I know also use wrestling shoes.

As far as gloves, I'm using the Sparco's:

http://saferacer.com/spclragl.html

They aren't that expensive and fit really nice.

I actually use some Nike sprinting shoes that I picked up at a Nike outlet a couple of years ago. They fit great, weigh nothing, have a great pedal feel and they're AIR so I can wear 'em without getting sore feet.

Damon, good tip on the gloves, I 'll pull my Nikes out and give them a try!

Tomas

Thanks for the info. I've picked up a set of wrestling shoes for like $30 that look pretty decent for now. Asic something or anothers.

I might have to go with the sparco gloves though.

First you bring a 450hp FD to the track, Then you're gonna pimping new threads, I can't believe this.

Well you know I have to go overboard on everything I do.

I won't brag about the 450HP til after I get it tuned/dynoed. Especially, since I will be switching to a smaller turbo.

If I have everything I need, I won't be able to blame my crappy times on anything but my lack of skill. :D

man I've been using my old wrestling shoes to drive in for years now. But being a wrestler, i guess i already knew how well they fit.

man I've been using my old wrestling shoes to drive in for years now. But being a wrestler, i guess i already knew how well they fit.

Your modesty is refreshing and appreciated, however don't be intimidated by what others think about your gear. If you plan on doing track events fairly regularly, get yourself some driving shoes (low top will help in the restrained heel-toe situation) and a set of driving gloves. The GForce stuff is good bang per buck. You'll eventually get very familiar with the way they feel, and will in a strange way become part of the preparation ritual when hitting the track.

If anyone malicious had anything to say about your slower times, they would probably comment on the hot car your driving rather than the shoes you are wearing.

Other than that , you've gotten a lot of viable alternatives as far as shoes go, but I would still get real driving gloves at the very least (see my comment on prep ritual above).

Cheers,
David

oakley makes a very nice driving shoe, I ordered a pair only problem was they are very small and I couldnt fit :( I have like a 10.5 wide and there was no way I was going to get my foot into it (11)

So if you have normal size feet you might like them - they look very good and are made of a nice material my only problem was that they didnt fit.

So now I just use a pair of chucks which serve me fine for my enthusiastic drives

I Myself have been wanting a pair of piloti myself.

But am probably going for puma who are in all actuality the makers of sparco racing shoes. Figure They have to be decent If sparco puts their name on it over those brands that are making driving shoes just for look and style.

I'm using a pair of Adidas wrestling shoes as well, and I've got a pair of mechanix gloves. They both work great, and they're easy on the wallet.

When shopping for driving gloves recently I made the mistake of trying on a pair of externally stitched Sparco gloves http://www.sparcousa.com/pracewear_gloves.asp?id=325. They fit and feel so much better than everything else I tried on I had no choice but to get them in spite of the price. They're fantastic.

It's like any other sport, from golf to snowboarding. Part of the enjoyment is in owning the equipment, and nice equipment is more enjoyable.

As far as the gloves go: I used to use a pair of decent Sparco gloves. But, a few years ago I started using standard military flight gloves, such as these: http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.asp...id=5466&tabID=. The back is nomex, and the palm is very nice, thin leather. They are MUCH more comfortable, provide greater driver feed-back, and cost a fraction of the price.

I still use an old pair of wrestling shoes, too.

-Rob

I have a pair of the piloti shoes and love them. I got mine through Griot's Garage for about 70 a pair. Cool thing about them is they can pass for regular shoes, where as people would more than likely wonder what you were doing if you went to the mall in wrestling shoes:)
Check out Griot's garage. The kind they have are solid white, white just a touch of red trim. I didn't see them listed on the uk web site.

Tim

I may get a pair of the piloti's for posing. :D Seriously, I will get the girlfriend to buy them for my b-day. When it is someone else money it hurts much less.

I went to a local store and tried a couple of wrestling shoes before buying. I like the pair I got because the sole is so thin it is ridiculous and the $30 price tag didn't hurt my feelings either.