Worst Driving Shoe Ever

"DAMG0014" (DAMG0014) 03/08/2014 at 04:30 • Filed to: driving shoes, shoes

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What's the worst shoe you've worn while driving?

I'll admit I'm not the best driver; I've been driving a stick for barely two months now. Really, who can we blame but ourselves for a mulligan? - But Jesus H Christ! - If you drive in a pair Adidas Springblades, you will only handicap yourself.

The shoe themselves are actually a bit awkward when simply standing still; they're fairly high, like micro stilts. I bought them last summer for running; it was a frivolous, stupid expense. I eventually warmed-up to them though; they're rather fun when walking because of their springs. But I've done short sprints on wet surfaces, and honestly, they can be rather frightening; every stride gave me a sense that I had just stepped on marbles. But like I said, I do like wearing them when I'm just walking around.

I honestly don't know what I was thinking when I decided to drive in these; I wasn't. It's the middle of winter, so my soles and pedals are often wet. The damn shoes slipped, snagged and were all around a nightmare; I had no sense for the pedals, sometimes glancing bellow to check where my feet were. I haven't had a rougher ride since ever, because the one foot would often slip off the clutch too soon and the other couldn't discern between the gas and brake.

I have driven in inch-tall dress boots, and that wasn't so bad; they're just not as grippy as I'd like. I actually did buy a pair of sheepskin-lined slippers just for winter driving, and they are just wonderful; no socks are required and my are feet are kept toasty. They're styled like driving mocs, and after driving in my sneakers, I understood why I've been using them non-stop for the past few weeks. I just wouldn't openly admit that they're actually - sigh - Uggs.

What are your experiences?

JustWaitingForAMate > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 04:35

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Got stuck under a pedal, almost killed me.

promoted by the color red > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 04:38

2

It's a bit like punching your pedals. Zero tactile feedback and forget heel-toe downshifts.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > JustWaitingForAMate 03/08/2014 at 05:07

0

they're illegal in certain places because of that reason as far as I know.

@rbalch1 > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 05:21

2

size 15 US Air Force cadet boots

While i was learning to drive manual
no feel for the clutch (or any pedals) what so ever, yet i usually managed to do a very steep hill start in my little 1.4 vw polo (+/- excessive revs)
The shoes were so HUGE every time i depressed the clutch the brakes would slam on, i havent had problems with any other type of shoe since!

JustWaitingForAMate > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 03/08/2014 at 05:29

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Yeah not here, no laws for it or driving barefoot.

Bluecold > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 05:33

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The thick sole makes them warm and comfortable. The thick sole prevents you from feeling anything at all.

KirkyV > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 05:36

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Worst:

Best:

While I love the way they look, the New Balances are deceptively wide, and have fairly thick soles. Wide shoes are a problem when your pedals look like this:

(If they're hard to make out, it essentially comes down to them being really small, and really close together.)

The Converse, on the other hand, are narrow and thin-soled, so there's plenty of feedback, and plenty of space for your feet. And I learnt to drive wearing them, so there's a lot of familiarity there.

The man in the iron mask > JustWaitingForAMate 03/08/2014 at 05:51

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Thats what i was about to say, when i war sandals i take them off before driving, you feel the clutch barefoot.

jkm7680 > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 06:32

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Steel toed boots, it was similar to wearing bricks on your feet.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 06:48

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These suck. No feel, super wide, and clumsy.

These on the other hand, are awesome:

Fookin' Prawns > promoted by the color red 03/08/2014 at 06:55

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Not only am I *barely* awake in the morning when I drive to work, but I can't feel my pedal position! YAY STALLING IN TRAFFIC

Fookin' Prawns > @rbalch1 03/08/2014 at 06:58

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Size 15, huh? I've got just the thing.

McMike > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 07:30

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Nordica Hot Rod 105

Don't let the name fool you.

ReallyColorful > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 08:06

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Steel toed boots and Nike Air Force sneakers. Worn Converse and Vans are the best!

JeffFurbs > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 08:16

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32 lashed snowboard boots. Or just snowboard boots in general. You can't feel the clutch

DoktorZombie > KirkyV 03/08/2014 at 08:17

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Amen. Chuck Taylor hi-tops for the win. Especially if they're old and the heels are worn down a little. Perfect for heel-toe throttle blips.

jariten1781 > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 08:29

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I've watched my wife drive around in tall heels with wooden soles. I have no clue how she manages the clutch but she pulls it off fine. Because of that, I won't complain about my shoe choices.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > JustWaitingForAMate 03/08/2014 at 08:30

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But at that price, you can afford to die over and over!

Roberto G. > promoted by the color red 03/08/2014 at 08:48

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But this is a normal shoe.

crowmolly > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 08:55

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Always very annoying to have to wear these in the shop while I'm working only to have to take them off and on to take one of the cars for a test drive.

Jayhawk Jake > JustWaitingForAMate 03/08/2014 at 09:01

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I just take them off when I get in the car

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 09:11

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Not quite on-topic, but closely related: I finally took the plunge and bought a pair of driving moccasins last week. They are Cole-Haan/Nike Airs with the little nubs and leather sole:

So anyway, definitely not the worst driving shoe, but not spectacular either. I guess I kind of expected the sole to give more pedal feel, but it's not that different from many of my thinner-soled and somewhat narrow shoes.

Your boy, BJR > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 10:15

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fuck trying to drive in brothel creepers

These are actually impossible. Steel toe fireman boots. Yeah. I can't even move my car in them

these are lovely

These are my absolute favorite. NOTHING beats the desert boot for anything at all. My favorite shoe of all time.

WhatDaFunk > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 03/08/2014 at 10:37

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I have a pair of Clark's "driving" shoes that look similar to those, very thin sole with little individual rubber nubs. They're actually sort of uncomfortable to drive in, using the pedals drives the little nubs into the bottom of my foot, they look cool though.

Textured Soy Protein > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 10:46

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This reminds me of when the 350Z first came out I tried driving one, and my size 12 shoes kept getting caught under the dash when I tried to use the clutch. It was like the plastic curved in such a way that I was getting my foot stuck up in there. Eventually I figured out how to avoid this.

Depressoiscool > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 11:01

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My worst driving shoes were probably my work boots (steel toe redwings) before they were broken in at. Size 12 1/2 barely fits between the gas and brake pedal on the stang/i kept hitting the stupid plastic trim. Guh. Eventually once they got broken in and a little bit more flexible i managed to successfully drive like less of an asshat.

Casper > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 11:50

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Either these or my hiking boots. I have had to jump straight into the car off the bike and these terrible driving shoes.

Frank Grimes > promoted by the color red 03/08/2014 at 12:27

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Worst shoe for life not just driving.

Frank Grimes > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 12:31

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These.

Even if noone can see them, you know you look like a massive idiot.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 13:17

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Thats easy!

My pair of Birkesntocks. They are so comfortable. However, for driving, awful. First, they weigh a ton. They have no flex. They kind of mash the pedal. There is no feedback at all. Sometimes they get caught behind pedals. Never again will I drive and wear them.

MonkeePuzzle > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 13:24

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I may or may not wear these gumboots when my daughter is not

driving in them was hazardous, never again. My steel toed boots have far less pedal feel, and are large enough to overlap if placed incorrectly onto two pedals, but these gum boots allow no flex of the ankle downwards so I literally couldn't drive, had to move my knee and whole leg

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 13:26

5

Am I doing it right?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > DAMG0014 03/08/2014 at 14:36

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amlb146 > Frank Grimes 03/08/2014 at 19:32

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Actually... I've got foot problems, and long story short, these turned out to be a miracle sent by God himself. They're also the second best way to drive. Have you ever tried to drive barefoot? Holy hell it's amazing. You can feel the clutch engaging, feel the engine revving through the gas pedal, and the brakes stopping you through the middle peal. It's intoxicating.
Anyways, Vibrams come as close to that feeling as legally possible (At least in my state). Yes, they're dumb looking, and need to be washed a million times a week, but I love them, =)

RrrrrWD > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 03/08/2014 at 20:33

1

My first thought too! :-D But they are The Ultimate Driving Shoe, surely. Although I was awarded the Offroad Trophy when doing a frozen lake trackday. They get a bit vicious due to the short wheel base.

DAMG0014 > JustWaitingForAMate 03/08/2014 at 21:32

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I think you need to elaborate on this!

DAMG0014 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 03/08/2014 at 21:37

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Haha, I don't think anyone should wear those, period.

DAMG0014 > jariten1781 03/08/2014 at 21:41

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That's the only scenario that I thought would be worse, so that's impressive. I guess in a way, it's like my shoes have a bunch of little heels throughout the shoe.

Frank Grimes > amlb146 03/08/2014 at 21:55

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I actually like the idea of them but they just look so terrible and dorky to me that I cant get past it. I wish they made them that looked like regular shoes somehow.

Stef Schrader > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 03/08/2014 at 23:59

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I think that's the Most Envious Driving Shoe. #2 would be the FF.

MMMMM. Want.

Stef Schrader > Frank Grimes 03/09/2014 at 00:00

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These are my favorite driving shoes. Thin soles FTW!

Stef Schrader > DAMG0014 03/09/2014 at 00:06

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I LAUGH AT YOUR SILLY MAN SHOES.

JustWaitingForAMate > DAMG0014 03/09/2014 at 01:18

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Was in my old Ford Laser, somehow one managed to come off my foot, and wrap around the brake pedal, so I couldn't fully depress it. I ended up down shifting and using the gears to drop speed while I rolled through a red light intersection past traffic. Hand brake to stop the car once I'd passed the intersection, barefoot the rest of the way home.

Jeeper1 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 03/09/2014 at 13:49

1

I have a pair of these. They're great. Just remove them and place on passenger side floor. Easy to do and they are generally heavy enough not to fly out the removed door.

Sk3ptik0n > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 03/09/2014 at 17:59

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I actually buy Payless Show source $20 slippers for driving. Great pedal feel, very comfortable yet solid enough to walk around if needed.

kschang > DAMG0014 03/09/2014 at 18:10

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Regular "tennis shoes". I'm partial to New Balance because I have extra wide feet. Nice thick soles.

My heel and toe maneuver is the reverse of other guys... I brake with my heel and throttle with my toe. Makes for a good hill start, useful in San Francisco. :D

amlb146 > Frank Grimes 03/09/2014 at 18:56

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These are the pair that I wear when I'm out and about on a normal day. The darker colors attract less attention, and look a bit more 'sophisticated' than my bright yellow pair that are used for running (I caught both pairs on sale for $50 each!). Maybe it's because I've had them for a while, but I actually kind of like the way the black pair look. =p

For me, it was a matter of being able to run again. The fact that my back and foot pain when walking also disappeared simply reinforced my opinion of them. Whenever someone approaches me about them, I've gotta admit that they are funky looking, but for my life, the pros vastly outweigh a bit of embarrassment about how they look. Just my two cents though. ^.^

I would recommend looking into neutral shoes, though. They follow the same idea of allowing your feet to work more naturally, but still look like... well normal shows. =p Just keep in mind that these shoes have lot less cushioning, and will take some time to adjust into, but if you're having problems with walking, running, etc, I don't think I can recommend it enough.

In_Sweden > DAMG0014 03/09/2014 at 19:18

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I have the worst thing ever. It wasn't me but my mother who did it.

It was summer, we had been out in the garden and needed to take a small trip. She went into the car without considering the fact that she was wearing her traditional Swedish wooden slippers, clogs. With an inch thick wooden sole and nothing to keep your foot actually in it it is hard to imagine anything worse.

And yes, of course it was a manual, so there was a clutch to use.

Porsche919 > KirkyV 03/09/2014 at 19:57

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Chuck Taylor's are the best driving shoes. I just bought a pair of Puma Speed Cats which are made to be driving shoes and I much prefer the Chuck Taylor's for driving.

senn > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/09/2014 at 20:38

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as someone who drives in gumboots all day at work. Agreed.

senn > Stef Schrader 03/09/2014 at 20:42

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those shoes deserve a dress not jeans ma'am :)

SnowgodCCR > JeffFurbs 03/09/2014 at 21:07

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I do it all the time. I drive in my tele boots too. Sure, they're not ideal but they're not the worst out there.

Ok, they probably are, but I still do it. I only live 6 miles from the mountain.

sammyjay > DAMG0014 03/09/2014 at 22:11

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My Chippewa Super Loggers aren't exactly built with lap times in mind but I've grown rather accustomed to driving them, especially on cars with wire-trigger controls. Nothing beats my Sperry Top Siders though, even my Piloti Prototipos with the sphere heel.

JoelA237 > DAMG0014 03/10/2014 at 04:09

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Try driving with stiff as steel work boots... You can't feel where your feet are at all. It goes even further that work boots are wider, so you only get literally about this | | much room on either side of the boot on each pedal before it hits another pedal.

Chteelers > Frank Grimes 03/10/2014 at 09:34

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Check out the New Balance minimus line of shoe. They are zero-drop (meaning no padding under the sole, just like the Vibrams) but they don't have the individual toes.

jimmyjet > DAMG0014 03/10/2014 at 10:41

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Sorel Glacier boots. Fantastic when you're outside in the muck. Okay to wear when driving a K5 Blazer with ample legroom. Not so good in a car. They don't flex well between heel and toe so you have to develop a touch with the accelerator. They also make your about four sizes larger. I kept a pair of moccasins for when I drove our other car.

DAMG0014 > Stef Schrader 03/15/2014 at 13:47

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Don't you get some feeling in the forefoot area at least? Not saying that it's easy, I've seen women walking bow-legged after a long day of wearing heels.

DAMG0014 > In_Sweden 03/15/2014 at 13:54

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If there was a list, these may be at the top. The issue with mine wasn't just that the distance the soles placed between me and the pedals, but the "springs" would also sorta snag and vibrate on the pedals' nubs. It was not a fun time.

Stef Schrader > DAMG0014 03/15/2014 at 13:56

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Depends. These, maybe. Platforms, nope. The spike in the back catches on pedals that aren't hinged to the floor. (Another reason I need a 911? 'k.)