I can certainly agree that barefoot driving is preferrable to flip-flops and sandals which do not belong underneath the steering wheel, but I will stick with my Piloti shoes designed specifically for driving.

Enjoy your barefoot'n, but for me it is like wearing ice skates while hiking.

Here is my hierarchy of suitable motoring footwear:

1) Real, honest-to-goodness driving shoes

2) sneakers

3) barefoot

4) sandals

5) flip flops

6) ice skates

You can see from this list that for those who only wear #4 and #5, barefoot is the superior choice, but those who motor in ice skates think that the switch to flip flops is an incredible improvement, and those that have never motored in real driving shoes have no idea what they are missing. . . .

 

Same here, but I only drive barefoot when I wear flip flops.

 

I love being bearfoot, hardly ever wear shoes around the house, in the yard, driveway, etc. I'll occasionaly move the MINI around without shoes on, but don't care for it. I'd rather drive with driving shoes or good fitting sneakers. They distribute the pressure of the pedals, so its not all localized on the bony ball of my foot. Plus, the bottoms of my feet are fairly smooth and more slippery on the pedals than the bottoms of my shoes.

Although, I'd go for bearfoot over flip-flops. I don't really think flip-flops are a good for driving, particularly in a car with a manual transmission. Its too easy for them to get caught under a break or clutch pedal in a panic move.

But to all those who like bearfoot driving... what the hay. Go for it!

 

With all the barefoot drivers out there, we should come up with the perfect barefoot pedal set. Metal? Rubber? Leather? lambswool? sandpaper? moleskin?

I think a nice soft leather would be give a nice feel without sacrificing grip

Maybe like a Rainbow flip flop

 

To be honest I like the feel of the medal pedals with the thin rubber strips that are currently in the Minis. My Cobra had medal pedals with rubber bumps. Felt kinda like one of those cheap foot spa thingy's. The funniest looks I ever got was when I rolled up in the Cobra and bounced out wearing flip-flops. People would ask "how do you drive that thing with those on" I'd sincerely answer "I don't".

 

You do realize that they make pedal extenders don't you? You can have your pedals extended out so you can sit back farther and not have to wear those platforms. I've seen them on specially modified cars for handicapped folks and for little people. The ones I've seen are easily installed and removed for other folks to drive.
http://www.houstongulflpa.org/modifications.htm
http://www.short-stature.com/gasandbrpeex.html

 

Boy am I glad you guys don't drive in my part of the country. Kinda dangerous to drive barefooted. No way can you effectively do a panic stop without shoes. Shoes give you quite a bit of latitude on how the foot rests on the pedal and still give you enough control to maximize the pedal pressure. Try to push the pedal as hard as you can with your bare foot just slightly off center of the brake pedal. It's hard and can be very uncomfortable. Not the kind of thing to instill a lot of confidence in your braking ability.

I hope you never have to explain yourself to someone why you couldn't stop in time.

But this is America and we all drive the way we like. LOL

 

You must have foot troubles because I've never had any pain associated with braking. I have had those situations where I've had to slam on the brakes and avoid an accident and never had a problem because of my barefeet. When I'm barefoot it actually takes less effort and pressure to push the pedals and is much more responsive.

 

Like I said.....try it. It will take the same effort to apply the brakes with or without shoes. The concern is whether or not you get your bare foot placed properly to be able to apply maximum pressure for a panic stop. If you place the brake under the toes of your foot, you will not be able to apply max pressure because it will be uncomfortalble. I am not advocating that anyone change their habits, but please recognize the fact that by driving w/o shoes you are taking a chance.

 

Shoes off...top down!!

 

I have driven in your neck of the woods barefoot. I drove my VW Vanagon many times during hot summers up there

You have a nice town, and I bet therre are lots of barefoot drivers up there. I only wish you would let me pump my own gas

 

Well since I've driven for 24 years, most of them barefoot, I'd say that I have put maximum pressure on the brakes and haven't had a problem. When you apply pressure it's usually from the ball of your foot anyway. If you say it's uncomfortable then that applies to you but not to everyone.

 

LOL

Have fun!