THE TWO OTHER KINDS OF DRIVING SHOES THAT NEED TO BE MENTIONED

".jdb." (brockmjd)
09/30/2014 at 15:29 • Filed to: None

So ... I'm mostly with the points in theroadlessdriven's post, but — ultimately, there are two things that need to be there for a good driving shoe: Snug fit and a thin sole. So (for example) boat shoes have a thin sole (yay!) but aren't really secure. You don't want your shoe slopping around as you're heel-and-toe-ing through the corners. And hiking boots are great for hiking, but while they have a snug fit, they are absolutely numb on the pedals. With those two criteria in mind, I give you...

Vibram 5fingers

Yeah. I know. I KNOW. Everyone loves to make fun of these with a vitriol usually reserved for Justin Bieber, Crocs, and Olive Garden. But they're comfortable, they fit like a glove, and they're actually not bad to drive in. Barefoot was suggested in the other thread; think of this like "barefoot but you won't slice your feet open in the parking lot".

OK, OK. So you can't do gorilla-foot toe-shoes with sperm on them (seriously, that pattern. WTF). You want something that you can not only wear across the parking lot, but into a restaurant without causing snickers. To that end, try...

Wrestling Shoes

For some reason, Asics has been "the brand" in wrestling shoes since I did it in high school. The shoes are comfy, light, and feel great when you're driving. And if you look a bit, you can find a pair for around $50.

DISCUSSION (30)

Saracen > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:32

Kinja'd!!!

I hope this abominable trend will end soon...

Too many M's > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:39

Hmmm, I've been avoiding the Five Fingers since I had a few pairs of the Frees. I really didn't go for them since I know they can get pretty nasty.

NervesOfThrill > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:41

I'll wear rat carcasses on my feet before I'll strap on those Vibrams. Just sayin'.

whatisthatsound > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:43

My only issue is neither are fire resistant. Everything I wear when I'm driving hard is fire resistant nomex type material because I like my skin. If I'm not racing I'm barefoot.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:44

Toe shoes are a good way to lose your toes in a crash.

TxBrumski > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:46

Kinja'd!!!

What, no.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:46

Kinja'd!!!

I've got 3 pairs of these.....Is that bad?

.jdb. > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
09/30/2014 at 15:53

I don't think so!

.jdb. > Too many M's
09/30/2014 at 15:54

You can toss the five fingers in the wash & they come out fine...

.jdb. > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/30/2014 at 15:56

I can't imagine that they'd be that much less safe than a pair of running shoes... I mean, if we're talking about toe-snapping-off forces, I don't think "having them all piled in together" vs toe shoes is going to make a difference. If you were comparing toe shoes vs steel-toe work boots, yes, you have a point.

BJ > Too many M's
09/30/2014 at 15:57

Wash them regularly. Or, if you're like me, wash them once a year and then use this the rest of the time:

Kinja'd!!!

http://www.drscholls.com/Products/Odor-…

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:57

Honestly, I love driving with these on. Such a much nicer pedal feel.

BJ > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/30/2014 at 15:58

How so? How much protection do regular shoes provide to your toes vs. toe shoes or barefoot driving?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 15:59

Having the leather/cloth and rubber grouping your toes together is enough to stop objects like the pedal arms from getting in-between your toes and tearing them off. The front of a shoe will deflect your foot away from those objects.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > BJ
09/30/2014 at 16:02

It's much harder for objects to get in-between your toes when you are wearing real shoes and rip your toes off.

Too many M's > BJ
09/30/2014 at 16:08

Might have to give them a try sometime. I like minimalist shoes normally.

Too many M's > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 16:10

Washing machine? That's wild. I do that with my Frees, guess I'll have to give them a shot sometime.

.jdb. > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/30/2014 at 16:10

I guess I was wondering — is this an "it stands to reason based on sitting here and thinking about it in my cubicle" statement, (which, don't get me wrong, is what most of us are doing) or is this an "I'm an EMT and I don't want to think about the bloody toe-shoes I've pulled out of wrecks" statement?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 16:12

Engineer and I knew a lady who lost her little toe while wearing open toed shoes in a wreck.

.jdb. > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/30/2014 at 16:17

Fair enough ... Funny, I did the Exotic Driving Experience last weekend (Lamborghini? FUN.), and it states that you have to wear closed-toed shoes. I like the 5fingers for driving because of how supple and snug they are, but I wasn't sure if they'd allow them. And I didn't want to be that guy running back to his car at the last minute & holding everyone up. So I wore a pair of lightweight running shoes.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Saracen
09/30/2014 at 16:22

It's the shoe equivalent of a pair of pants with visible individual compartments for your balls and stick, no one wants to see that. Ugh, I can't stand stuff between my toes.

Frank Grimes > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 16:40

I make it a point to never buy shoes with sperm on them.

.jdb. > Frank Grimes
09/30/2014 at 17:03

Guess the VersoShocks are out, too.

Kinja'd!!!

Frank Grimes > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 17:09

I used to laugh so much at those shoes when I saw an ad for them in a magazine. I remember the description of the logo being "the symbol of life" or something like that. It was actually a sperm not just a logo that looked like one. I figured they were designed by some chinese guy or someone from a culture where sperm isnt wierd.

Leadbull > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 17:12

Kinja'd!!!

Don't get toe shoes. Just please, don't.

There are plenty of other minimalist shoes, like the New Balances pictured above.

And don't run in them unless you're on a trail or grass or something. Vibram was recently sued for false advertising and shelled out a ton of cash. Turns out they don't actually prevent injuries, at least not as advertised.

.jdb. > Frank Grimes
09/30/2014 at 17:15

"a culture where sperm isn't weird"
Oh, you mean like...

.jdb. > Leadbull
09/30/2014 at 17:20

I totally, TOTALLY drank the minimalist kool-aid and got 5fingers and ran in them all the time for about 2 years. And ... it was fine. I agree that there was a lot of hype about them, but they worked OK for me. Interestingly, the BEST thing to run on in them was snow. It was utterly amazing.
Then I went back to running shoes. I think toe shoes make an interesting changeup and — like any change in gear — can challenge you or hurt you or improve you. Interestingly, they were designed for yacht crew who wanted something a little more grippy and safe than bare feet... so I think that for SOME applications, they're OK. From a technical perspective.
I can't comment on a fashion perspective because I can't fashion. I'm writing this in a 5-year-old t-shirt for a coffee company and some jeans I got on sale at Target. Also I own toe shoes.
In 10 years, the hipsters will dress like me.

.jdb. > Frank Grimes
09/30/2014 at 17:21

"where sperm isn't weird"
Oh, like...

Leadbull > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 17:28

I ran in Merrells a ton (still do), and I was fine, as well. Whether or not it's ok depends on a lot of factors , but I'll never recommend anyone make the switch, unless they run on trails.

Personally, I think the problem is sidewalks. The human body just isn't designed for concrete. Minimal shoes can be great, but traditional trainers are better at protecting your body from the shock of concrete/asphalt. I don't run as much as I used to, but I almost always avoid sidewalks, if possible.

Frank Grimes > .jdb.
09/30/2014 at 17:32

well sort of hahahaha.