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Driving Shoes

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Old 01-13-07, 01:59 AM
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Driving Shoes

I'm interested in getting a set of driving shoes, since I hate driving in my regular tennis shoes or boots. Can you feel the pedals more with a good set, as that's one problem I've been having? Can anyone a pair or some brand names?
Old 01-13-07, 09:34 AM
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I don't have any yet, but I know several people who just use cheap wrestling shoes. IMO, that's a good place to start before shelling out some doe for the more expensive 'driving' shoes.
Old 01-13-07, 09:47 AM
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Like Mahjik said. If you don't need fire protection wrestling shoes or indoor soccer flats work great. I use the latter.
Old 01-13-07, 10:42 AM
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I have friends that use Pilotis and Sparcos. I've borrowed them to use to some racing and sparcos you can feel the pedals like mad, the pilotis not as much. The good thing about the pilotis is that you can where them all the time. The sparcos are insanely uncomfortable if you walk even a few feet in them.
Old 01-13-07, 11:27 AM
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learn not2burn is right on, I use sparcos midpriced shoe, dont remember the name, nto ment for touching anything but pedels, if I walk in them i get some major shinsplints.....but they are what ive dound best in the car, the soles will wear fast if you walk around the pits with them too.
Old 01-13-07, 12:15 PM
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I use wrestling shoes because I already had some. Walking in them is bad, the slightest surface irregularity is painful (rocks, etc). If you're planning on walking in them, get some indoor soccer shoes, they're nearly as good for feel, but are more padded for walking.
Old 01-13-07, 01:25 PM
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I have these, they're awesome
Old 01-13-07, 01:26 PM
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Agreed pilotis are the best dual purpose shoe...for real racing shoes I reccomend the No Fear Driving Force they're are about the cheapest ones out there that won't fall apart after the first race.
Old 01-13-07, 01:30 PM
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I have a few pairs of puma shoes. Speed Cats work pretty well
Old 01-13-07, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by cloud9
I have these, they're awesome
Those are on sale now, and I've been thinking about picking up a pair since they're moderately priced as well. How would you rate pedal feel compared to a regular pair of tennis shoes?
Old 01-13-07, 04:36 PM
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What size foot do you have? I have a pair of Puma Racecats from the Arrows F1 liquidation sale that I'll sell you. I never opened them because I bought two sizes because I didn't know which would fit my foot. The extra set is around a 10.5 or 45s. They are Arrows colors Orange/Black. Let me know if you want them. They were their offical shoes for drivers that were given to them but never worn due to size and the team folding. I don't think you can buy them in those colors either.
Old 01-13-07, 06:19 PM
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I like my Piloti's, fairly sensitive on the pedals, but if you're spending a race weekend in them you better be flat-footed or have orthotics. Next pair will be Alpinestars.
Old 01-13-07, 08:27 PM
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I used to use lugz lol. they're jus shoes!
Old 01-13-07, 08:56 PM
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I like my Piloti Spyders... although they will wear out just as fast as any tennis shoe if you wear them every day (I do...some of the threads are popping out, and I need a new set of elastic laces). They're not something you'd want to walk for miles on end though (I ride my bike or drive everywhere).

I can even do heel-and-toe in my dad's truck with my Pilotis, something I thought I'd never be able to do because the steering wheel was too big and too low...

Of course, for hard-core driving (track days or racing), I wouldn't suggest Pilotis (not even their racing models) since their soles and heels are far too thick (they're more suited for the drive home AFTER a day at the track).
Old 01-14-07, 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by a_drift
I used to use lugz lol. they're jus shoes!
True, but most racing shoes are made for 3 things. Protection, pedal feel, and grip. I can't feel the pedals in any pair of shoes I own, so I need that. Protections always a plus, so no problem there. Grip's not really a factor, but it may be nice to have a little extra. Now if I can only find a set of those Sparco Speedways in blue, in my size (10 US, 44 Euro).
Old 01-14-07, 12:35 PM
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I use some vans slip ons, they're very thin, easy to get on and off if your walking the pits or working in other shoes, and they're cheap.
Old 01-14-07, 12:37 PM
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I personally think the pedal feel is good, but to be honest I have only used them in kart I haven't used them in a car yet so I haven't had to worry about 3 pedals


a good trick for a pair of shoes is the puma speedcat and take out the souls inside the shoe, pedal feel after that is great but walking in the shoes hurts something awful (not that my speedways are much better for walking..)
Old 01-18-07, 10:52 AM
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Taste great, more filling

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I took an old pair of Nike Cortez shoes I had, sanded the bottom smooth from the pad of the foot out to the toe, and rounded off the back of the heel so they pivot easier. Skate shoes (Airwalks, Vans) aren't bad, but they're wider than the Nike Cortez was, so in some cars where the pedals are close together it could probably be an issue, not so much in a street car. Driving in my Reeboks running shoes was like trying to drive with wood blocks on my feet. Big and numb feeling.
Old 01-19-07, 02:50 PM
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What about those old skool basketball sneakers? I can't remember if they are Vans or Adidas. Sorta like a canvas high top and very flat and thin sole. They are thick enough to walk on the track on gravel (not small rocks though) and thin enough to be flexible and feel the pedals.
Old 01-19-07, 02:56 PM
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Taste great, more filling

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Oh, are you thinking of Converse All Stars?



You'd be the pimp for sure.
Old 01-19-07, 03:22 PM
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^ yup, that's them and should work pretty well for those of us that don't trailer and/or carry stuff to the track. They used to be really cheap.
Old 01-19-07, 03:38 PM
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Taste great, more filling

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Never wore a pair - ask rotarynerdette about her pedal feel, she's got a pair she wears sometimes
Old 01-19-07, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by patfat
I have a few pairs of puma shoes. Speed Cats work pretty well
I have a set of speed cats too. I love them for driving, especially on the track. I wasn't much of a heel-toer before, but for some reason, I can actually do it now. Pretty well I might add!
Old 01-19-07, 09:36 PM
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a non nomex shoe for everyday i like/use the Simpson Impression, low top, good looking shoe when you step out of the car, great pedal feel and very comfortable......try link below....

http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/p...5&prod_id=6162
Old 01-25-07, 06:28 PM
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I have a set of the addidas good-year shoes. Not full racing shoes, but they work as shoes, not just ninja booties.


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