Driving shoes

[MAGS1]

add a special pair of shoes to the list of stuff i didnt know I needed but will now drop a couple hundred into purchasing......

I honestly didn’t know I need them either until my wife bought me a pair of Rothy’s driving loafers. I really like feeling the pedals vs tennis shoes that are just a numb feeling. If you’re curious about the Grand Prix Originals, talk to @galaxy . I’m trying a pair based on a few things he and I talked about.

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[GrabberBargeCaptain]

I hate them and think they look goofy and wimpy but have no choice but to wear them when I’m driving my manual shift car. Seems the engineers never contemplated anyone who wears a 14EE shoe driving a manual Mustang and didn’t space out the pedals quite enough to prevent contacting two at once. My normal shoes just won’t work.

I wear 14 medium, sometimes wide depending on the shoe. It's embarrassing AF when I hit the brake while im clutching in now and then. These brakes are also so touchy they damn near put your head through the windshield so it's very surprising for myself and a passenger if there is one.

Funnily enough I never had this problem in my FR-S, and i had it far less when I drove an ND miata. Go figure.

 

[MAGS1]

Grand Prix Originals arrived today. I went with the race sneaker. Just walking around the house a few minutes, feel comfortable and well made. I got a suede pair, so going to have to wait for some nicer weather to wear them out of the house. I have some fabric/suede ceramic spray that I’ll be using to help repel water and gunk as well. Thanks @galaxy for the info, great looking shoe so far

 

[MAGS1]

Ok, I might have a bit of a sickness . Piloti Icona in black/red

 

[galaxy]

@MAGS1 Those look waaaaay better in your pic than on the website. I like the swede, a lot. Damnit dude…thanks alot. Know how much I’ve already spent at that place!?!?!? Hahahaha.

 

[MAGS1]

@MAGS1 Those look waaaaay better in your pic than on the website. I like the swede, a lot. Damnit dude…thanks alot. Know how much I’ve already spent at that place!?!?!? Hahahaha.

I really like them. Been wearing them around the house until all the winter salt and muck is washed away

 

[Coastal-Mach]

Ok, I might have a bit of a sickness . Piloti Icona in black/red

Mark,

I like those.
Stupid question: How comfortable are they, especially walking around while not driving? My last driving shoes (Simpsons) were only good with my ass planted in the seat. after that I was walking on 1x4's.

Thanks man!!

 

[MAGS1]

Mark,

I like those.
Stupid question: How comfortable are they, especially walking around while not driving? My last driving shoes (Simpsons) were only good with my ass planted in the seat. after that I was walking on 1x4's.

Thanks man!!

So far they’re pretty comfortable. I wouldn’t run a marathon in them but for some quick errands or walking around at car shows they would be just fine IMO.

 

[MAGS1]

Mark,

I like those.
Stupid question: How comfortable are they, especially walking around while not driving? My last driving shoes (Simpsons) were only good with my ass planted in the seat. after that I was walking on 1x4's.

Thanks man!!

Ok, having worn them around the house for a couple hours now here’s a few additional thoughts.

They are a driving shoe so thinner sole for sure. Firm in the heel but not too much. But still pretty comfy. They are true to size, but again driving shoe, so snug around the feet as they are a little narrower than a regular shoe. The leather is a little stiff yet but should break in nicely. If you wear normal width shoes (D) you’ll be good. If you have wide feet, they’ll be snug and possibly not comfortable.

Hope that’s helpful.

 

[Coastal-Mach]

Ok, having worn them around the house for a couple hours now here’s a few additional thoughts.

They are a driving shoe so thinner sole for sure. Firm in the heel but not too much. But still pretty comfy. They are true to size, but again driving shoe, so snug around the feet as they are a little narrower than a regular shoe. The leather is a little stiff yet but should break in nicely. If you wear normal width shoes (D) you’ll be good. If you have wide feet, they’ll be snug and possibly not comfortable.

Hope that’s helpful.

Thanks Mark, that is exactly what I was wondering, especially the width. I'm actually on the site now comparing the shift and drift versions. The avenue is a nice looking dress shoe.
Good thing, it looks like they have am easy return policy as well.

Thanks again Mark.

 

[MAGS1]

Thanks Mark, that is exactly what I was wondering, especially the width. I'm actually on the site now comparing the shift and drift versions. The avenue is a nice looking dress shoe.
Good thing, it looks like they have am easy return policy as well.

Thanks again Mark.

I have a pair of the Drift as well (in gray/white). They are super comfortable and have a little more room, not as narrow as the Icona. I wear them to work quite a bit and have no issues walking around downtown Chicago in them. Same thing as the Icona, the leather is a bit stiff at first, kind of like a new, high quality baseball glove. A little leather conditioner and some break in time and they feel wonderful

 

[IanKar]

I'm just a Sparco fan. I don't know why. Maybe I saw some champion racer wearing that brand. I got the Sparco Race2 shoes. Love them for the track and good enough to walk around in the pits during the event. Wouldn't go shopping with them though. I also got the Sparco gloves. In red.

 

[Biggsy]

I’ve thought about getting driving shoes for HPDE events, but I just stick with my Vans skate Old Skool shoes since that’s what I wear everyday when I drive on the street. They have a great “board feel” for skate boarding which translates to a great “pedal feel” when driving.

But… still super interested in trying out some actual driving shoes, especially if they might be good for heel-toe shifting.

this is what i have been wearing for the past two seasons and going on a third. you can catch them on sale a few times throughout the year.
Alpinestars SP V2 Racing Shoes at CMS – competitionmotorsport.com

I was wearing Nike Free Runs before that. pedals feel much better

 

[MiamiGT350]

I have tried 3 pairs of Puma "driving shoes." I wear size 9s. I ordered them 10.5 size and they still crush my feet. I kept one pair that was bearable, but now the heel is separating from the shoe after 3 months. They are super-cheap, but definitely can't recommend them.

I have been using size 10 Pilioti Endurance shoes for a few week. Love 'em!

 

[MAGS1]

I have tried 3 pairs of Puma "driving shoes." I wear size 9s. I ordered them 10.5 size and they still crush my feet. I kept one pair that was bearable, but now the heel is separating from the shoe after 3 months. They are super-cheap, but definitely can't recommend them.

I have been using size 10 Pilioti Endurance shoes for a few week. Love 'em!

I have the same issues with the Puma driving shoes as you do. They’re too narrow.

I’ve found that Grand Prix Originals and Piloti are very similar in fit. So if you’re looking for something outside the box as far as looks/design, I would recommend GPO as well. Good return policy as well, i had to return a pair due to fitment. Exchanged with no issues whatsoever. I wear a size 11.5 and ordered the 11-11.5 size and it’s perfect, no need to size up IMO.

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