I've been checking out these Piloti driving shoes for some time now. I do need a new pair of shoes and I was hoping I could wear them every day. I have tendonitis in my feet though and need shoes with support, which I doubt these have much of. Then again I could use them for driving around and having fun and stuff.
What do they do that a normal shoe couldn't?
Are they comfortable to walk in?
If you were going to buy a pair, which one would you get?
http://www.piloti.com/products/

 

The only thing I can see that's different about Piloti shoes are the soles. They're molded in such a way to alllow for wear from heel and toe shifting. It also feels a bit stiff and heavy similar to a cross training shoe. These are just from the 2 pairs I got at Ross stores though so maybe their other pairs are more lightweight. they were only $20 a pair at Ross so I suggest if you have a local store to go check them out to see if you like them. Even if you don't, $20 for Piloti shoes is cheap. For my personal driving shoes, I prefer just plain old Converse All Stars, lightweight and comfortable.

 

Not that comfortable for daily wear. I don't heal-and-toe, so I didn't find much advantage to a pair of Piloti shoes I borrowed from a friend.

 

Like anything else you need to break them in....at first the soles are rigid, wear them often as possible and you will find out what I did...

I have bad knees and low back issues, and found the Mulholland Pilotti's ending up to be the most comfortable every day foot wear I've ever had...like I said, bit stiff in the begining but they broke in nicely

 

I had big time issues with plantar fascitis--major pain in the rear. I finally found shoes that work for me (recommended by an orthopod friend of mine)--Ecco's. They have been a godsend; nothing else worked, and I tried EVERYTHING. Haven't had problems in 10 years since switching.

I can't wear the Piloti's day to day. The soles are just too thin. Others swear by them, but if you've had issues with your feet, I would stay away from them as a day to day shoe.

On the other hand, what makes them tough on injured feet makes them great on the track--the relatively thin rubber is great for pedal feel. The extension on the right shoe for heel/toe is great. So these are great for what they're designed for--driving--but not so great as a walking shoe, at least if you've had foot problems in the past.

There are different Piloti models though, some may be designed more with walking in mind. But if you can get the driving shoes for 20 bucks, you're not out much, and even if you can't wear them day to day, you've just gotten yourself a very good driving shoe for next to nothing...

 

Everyone's feet are different, but my Piloti Prototipo shoes are the most comfortable shoes I own, and this is out of 10 different pairs of shoes. Nothing comes close for driving comfort/utility. I can hardly drive in anything else.

I wear them all the time, unless I'm going someplace where I will be walking a lot, like when I went to campus. I'd switch out to my Onizuka Tigers for that.

 

I too own a pair of prototipo shoes, and they are the best shoe I have ever owned for driving. They are not a great shoe for doing a lot of walking, and they are not that supportive for daily wear if you are having feet problems. I just keep my NB walking shoes in the boot and switch them out when I get where I am going.

The rounded heels are great for driving comfort and if you have big feet like I do regular shoes really don't fit under the dash, at least mine get caught up when I try to move them around, and the piloti's are very slim and don't have a bunch of extra rubber to bulk up the shoes.

Sooo, for daily use outside the car they are not a great choice, but if you are looking for a comfortable driving shoe they are great.