I have no real reason to go with a hard-core driving shoe since I am simply a MINI-enthusiast of the milk-run variety. I do like Cons for driving though since they aren't as huge as other shoes. I'd never thought of their narrowness as an advantage, so that may be a factor, too.

 

I have Adidas Chicanes. They feel good and its so much better than hitting all the pedals like I used to.

 

Throwing in my vote for the Puma Speedcats. Love mine in brown. My Dr. Martens in the MCS, not so much.

 

Just got my Piloti G16 from http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...id=1140&cid=16

$80 (retail) + free fgt, AND NO TAX. I guess no one I have found sells them for less but....

DAMN THEY ARE COMFORTABLE!

MY DEALER BETTER NOT BEEF ABOUT THIS "MOD"!

It will soon be cold enough that Sandals will just not get it any more! They are just fine for casual driving and the Pilotis would be hot with the temps here...but come the fall/winter...G16 for me!

Should rename them PilotLEE since like most shoes...MADE IN CHINA. (good quality though as are the Timberlands below)

Also check out Timberland shoes...they have a loafer leather style with s similar designed sole (rounder heal) that is very comfortable for touring ...not necessarily "a driving shoe" but pretty close to it! (no style I have been able to locate for you to reference though.

Edit: Link to the Timberland...can be bought for less though!
http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp/r_pr...1/sbstl_368219

 

I usually just wear a pair of sandals to the car, slip them off, and drive barefoot. You get a really good sense of feel that way. Though, I suppose that I couldn't press the brake as hard in an emergency than if I was wearing shoes. But you can't beat the feel!

 

I really like the new line of casual sneaks from Steve Madden (www.stevemadden.com) and casual sneaks line from Skechers. Thin shoes make driving these little darlings so much easier.

 

THE Timberland are very thin soft leather and have good sensitive feeling soles...that's why I like them for touring...Barefoot is also great... but BREAKING Hard....NOT too good! Also would not like barefoot in 20 degree weather, even with the heater!!!

Note: I also drive around in the colder weather with a pair of almost worn out Ecco clogs (with a heel)...unfortunately they do nolt make them anymore!

 

I learned how to drive stick barefoot.....BUT its just not my thing anymore. For long drives, comfy shoes cannot be beat.

 

Here's a shot of MY favorite driving gear:



Easily fits between the throttle and the brake... Uncanny ammount of sensitivity between my foot and the pedals! Comes with plesant "corn chip" smell in the summertime, but are a bit drafty in cold weather.




PS - WTF??



Not Photoshoppery... they're a REAL THING.

 

^^ is that for the BlueMan Group?

 

Puma Future Cats here, I couldn't imagine driving without them

 

I just placed my order for the New Piloti Prototipo's. I'll post a review once I get to motor in them



Honestly I had the hardest trouble trying to decide on color. Torn apart between the Race Blue, Dark Blue, or the Race Yellow.

With a Space Blue Checkmate MINI with Silver Roof, I chose the Dark Blue.
What was everyones basis on color factor? Any opinions on the colors ?

 

Am I first to say that the whole 'motoring' thing is overdone? "Marketing owns you"

 

You are correct about the marketing thing...

HOWEVER, if you do a bit of driving, there is a big difference in the way the "feel" of the pedals are with a good shoe and if you have the bread...why not get a sensitive driving shoe...called luxury item!

...does not have to be called a driving shoe (LIKE MY TIMBERLANDS!) I use them for everyday too....want my feet comfortable and never skimp on cheapo shoes...

BTW: LOVE THE SHOES WITH THE TOES!!!!

 

How about this for a driving shoe?



Don't want to break my ankles while driving...

 

I own 'driving' shoes, not 'motoring' shoes

 

Don't waste your time with those addidas shoes. They are horrible. not only are the soles stiff as a damn board the heel of the shoe is very short and a very very slippery leather. I bought a pair tried them out... I could barley drive my car, was missing shifts etc etc. So I returned them and got a size smaller, still no dice.

I guess it's back to the 5 yr old puma wrestling shoes until i buy a pair of those piloti's. For now for day-to-day driving and walking around I have found these asics onitsuka tiger's to be the best mix of comfort and driving bliss. Check them out u can scoop them for 45 bux. http://www.asicsamerica.com/onitsuka...mens_shoes.asp

erik

 

are we talking about teh same thing? My Adidas Tuscany GP (suede) are very flexible and have a tacky 'Goodyear' rubber sole.

 

yes we are. They are shaped just about perfectly and i guess you can kinda feel through the pedals. But no where near as well as a wrestling shoe or a real driving shoe. My asics and regular old school puma's are lightyears ahead for actually driving the car. I remember trying to flex them front to back and torsionally and they really are a very stiff sole.

I guess I have been spoiled since my father (a long time autocrosser) showed me that a good cheap wrestling shoe was just as good as his crazy expensive simpson driving shoes that he had for years.

I was really dissapointed because the addidas shoes were so cheap and had that little fake carbon fibre bit with the goodyear logo. But alas they were really just all for looks and didn't provide enough pedal feel or the right angle for me to heal/toe with.

IDK just my .02

 

The problem I have is the extra sole width on most shoes now, like cross trainers. I wear a B-width New Balance, and the inside edge of the sole is always bumping the brake pedal, or the left foot catching the brake pedal on the way to the clutch pedal. I do wish the pedals were spaced a little bit further apart, Finding a driving shoe in my size is about impossible.

 

agreed. I wear a 13...the pedal box is tight even with driving shoes. :(

and prime-drk - perhaps there are different versions of the Adidas, as mine feel so flimsy in the sole, I don't like to wear them unless I'm driving.

I had been wearing a well-worn pair of these (tread being worn to the point of not being useful for hiking):

 

True, marketing always has its effect on everyone, whatever their interests may be. But its no different than a basketball player buying shoes designed specifically for basketball or buying shoes specific to any sport for that matter. Sure, I could wear my cross trainers out on the basketball court but they aren't quite as effective. Its the same thing if you do performance driving. Shoes that are designed for driving do have an effect. Besides its not like driving shoes cost any more than other type of shoes so I wouldn't consider anyone buying them a sucker for marketing.

 

you miss my point. I'm not talking about driving shoes, but about the MINI phenomenom known as 'Motoring'. Do people actually talk to non-MINI people like that? "I went Motoring® and had to stop to put oil in my motor, after opening the bonnet. I grabbed my shoes out of the boot".

 

I don't say Motoring, but I do use Bonnet and Boot. I've owned British cars all my life, and it's the venacular.

 

I've been around them ever since my old neighbor took me for a ride in a three-wheeler Morgan when I was seven. More recently, my current neighbor had a Morris Minor Traveller. It's still odd to me....guess I've been around the Subaru über-g33k crowd too much.