Race Car Tech Discuss anything related to road racing and auto X.

Driving Shoes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 01:59 AM
  #1  
XxMerlinxX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Team Benjos Captain
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1
From: Greenwood/Hartsville, SC.
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?
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 09:34 AM
  #2  
Mahjik's Avatar
Mr. Links
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 27,595
Likes: 43
From: Kansas City, MO
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.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 09:47 AM
  #3  
finky's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
From: West Michigan
Like Mahjik said. If you don't need fire protection wrestling shoes or indoor soccer flats work great. I use the latter.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 10:42 AM
  #4  
Learn_not2burn's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Newburgh, IN
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.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 11:27 AM
  #5  
bean13's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: wisconsin
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.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 12:15 PM
  #6  
Black91n/a's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 6
From: BC, Canada
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.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 01:25 PM
  #7  
cloud9's Avatar
The bomb is in the toy!1!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,229
Likes: 291
From: Dallas Tx.
I have these, they're awesome
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 01:26 PM
  #8  
sereneseven's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: mooresville
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.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 01:30 PM
  #9  
patfat's Avatar
Track junkie
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 1
From: Providence, RI
I have a few pairs of puma shoes. Speed Cats work pretty well
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 02:42 PM
  #10  
XxMerlinxX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Team Benjos Captain
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1
From: Greenwood/Hartsville, SC.
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?
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 04:36 PM
  #11  
SpeedracerRX7's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 25 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
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.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 06:19 PM
  #12  
RacerJason's Avatar
Coming to a track near u!
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,858
Likes: 3
From: Toronto
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.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 08:27 PM
  #13  
Rotary_Knight's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 727
Likes: 2
From: California
I used to use lugz lol. they're jus shoes!
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2007 | 08:56 PM
  #14  
Valkyrie's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,150
Likes: 167
From: Japanabama
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).
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 02:08 AM
  #15  
XxMerlinxX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Team Benjos Captain
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1
From: Greenwood/Hartsville, SC.
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).
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 12:35 PM
  #16  
DriftFB's Avatar
Reno Rotary.
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 11
From: Reno
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.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2007 | 12:37 PM
  #17  
cloud9's Avatar
The bomb is in the toy!1!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,229
Likes: 291
From: Dallas Tx.
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..)
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2007 | 10:52 AM
  #18  
Richter12x2's Avatar
Taste great, more filling
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
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.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2007 | 02:50 PM
  #19  
GoRacer's Avatar
Speed Mach Go Go Go
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 2
From: My 350Z Roadster kicks my RX7's butt
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.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2007 | 02:56 PM
  #20  
Richter12x2's Avatar
Taste great, more filling
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Oh, are you thinking of Converse All Stars?



You'd be the pimp for sure.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2007 | 03:22 PM
  #21  
GoRacer's Avatar
Speed Mach Go Go Go
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 2
From: My 350Z Roadster kicks my RX7's butt
^ 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.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2007 | 03:38 PM
  #22  
Richter12x2's Avatar
Taste great, more filling
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Never wore a pair - ask rotarynerdette about her pedal feel, she's got a pair she wears sometimes
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2007 | 04:21 PM
  #23  
poss's Avatar
Slower Traffic Keep Right
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, OH
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!
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2007 | 09:36 PM
  #24  
ccanepa50's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: san francisco
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
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2007 | 06:28 PM
  #25  
rglbegl's Avatar
B A N N E D
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Temecula/San Clemente
I have a set of the addidas good-year shoes. Not full racing shoes, but they work as shoes, not just ninja booties.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:04 PM.