Do Driving Shoes Really Make A Difference?

"Shifting Lanes" (shiftinglanes) 10/20/2015 at 14:30 • Filed to: SHOES, TRACK, PILOTI

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I always say that tires are the most important part of a car. They’re the only thing on your car in contact with the road. Without them, there’s no grip, no fun in the twisties, no stopping, and no mind bending acceleration. With that in mind, you might say that shoes are the most important accessory a human wears. They keep our feet dry, cushion them from hard surfaces, and protect them from sharp objects. They also help us mash the go pedal to the floor.

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Any auto enthusiast knows about racing shoes. They are part of any race day garb. They are light weight and fire proof; a seriously important feature should something go catastrophically wrong. But those are racing shoes. They don’t really provide much support for everyday living. Other sneakers are great for walking around, but sometimes are clunky or don’t feel right when driving a car. This is where Piloti thinks there is an opportunity to profit and a niche to fill.

Racing shoe companies like Simpson and Piloti make incredible products, but now they’re branching out and making combination racing and casual footwear. Piloti is a perfect example. They make a wide array of options from hardcore racing shoes to something you’d consider an exquisite, high fashion, statement maker. They are world famous, but had fallen off the radar in recent years. Now, they are going through a rebirth and their product line is showing signs of an auto shoe renaissance. But there’s a pressing question here: do these casual driving shoes really matter? Do they make a difference for the everyday driver? I picked up a pair of Piloti Spyder S1s to find out.

The Spyder S1s are the classic Piloti shoe that anyone and everyone can pick up as an everyday sneaker/driving shoe. The pair I got are black with white stitching and yellow trim. This particular model also comes in gray and red, so you can mix and match for any outfit. You can see the quality right off the bat with no fraying on the stitching or seams. Fine Italian craftsmanship.

These shoes are like walking on clouds. They are indescribably comfortable. The most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned was an old pair of Globe skate shoes. Those were padded beyond belief since skateboarders need the padding to help with the harsh landings. The Pilotis are better. Not as much padding as a skate shoe, but it’s not needed. The way they hug the foot is unmatched. Walking is a dream in these. But we’re not here to determine their comfort level, even though it is off the charts. Do they really help with driving? That I can answer with an profound and emphatic yes; by miles.

My favorite shoes to drive in are a pair of Onitsuka Tigers, a shoe made by Asics which is most known for their sneakers. The Tigers are a casual shoe and not a true driving shoe, but they give great feedback. So this is my natural choice for a comparison.

Without going into lots of flowery and useless details, I’ll get right to the point. The Pilotis trounce the Tigers in every category I can think of. They are more comfortable, easier to slip on and off, and give more enhanced pedal feel. Even advanced driving techniques are better with rev matching and heel-toe’ing much improved with the Spyder S1s. I was very surprised about this particular point since the sole of the Spyder’s is much thicker than the Tiger’s. I though this would lead the Spyders to be clumsy and heavy in the cockpit. Not so at all as the shoe is still light and controllable.

I recently attended IMPA test days at Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, NY. I’ll be reviewing and talking more in depth about the cars I drove in future articles, but just to give you a run down here’s a small sample of the cars I drove:

Mercedes AMG GT S
Nissan 370Z Nismo
Nissan GTR
Jaguar F-Type V6 S
Cadillac ATS-V
Volkswagen Golf R
Lexus RC F
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

I can tell you that I drove each of these cars while wearing the Pilotis and I never had a single problem with pedal feel, heel-toe, rev match, or space in the footwell. The Pilotis were amazing. And the best part is that these shoes won’t break your bank card. Typical driving shoes can run anywhere between $250 to $500 for a more hardcore model. The Spyder S1s are between $99 and $149, depending on where you can find them ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). You can also pick up a pair on Amazon !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

So at this point you might be asking, “Why should I even buy a driving shoe at all?” There are plenty of advantages that a driving shoe offers even the most casual of motorist. Well, there are several important advantages a casual driving shoe has over a casual every day shoe. As you can see by the pictures above, the sole is thicker and provides greater support for everyday use as opposed to a lounge shoe, like the Tigers. The rounded heel of the Sypders helps with how your foot rolls off of each pedal. This is especially helpful when making fast foot transfers between pedals while keeping your heel in one place. They also breathe well so your foot doesn’t get too hot or cold during spirited driving. They provide ample arch support while walking and have individual pressure point supports for both the ball of your foot and the heel. And to top it all off, they’re no heavier than a pair of off-the-shelf sneakers you can get a Kohl’s. All things considered, the Spyders are a better all around shoe than pretty much anything you can buy at your local Foot Locker or Journey’s.

Overall the Piloti Spyder S1s are a world beater of a driving shoe. Comfy enough for every day duty, durable enough to last, and utilitarian enough for track duty. Do driving shoes make a difference in how you drive? Yes. Unequivocally, yes. And if you are looking for an entry into the world of driving shoes, the Piloti Spyder S1s should be your first purchase.

This article was taken from it’s original on my website, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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Gregson is the co-producer of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! where he and 2 gear head friends started an enthusiast website for shits and giggles to write about whatever they damn well please. You can contact Shifting Lanes !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to tell us how wrong we are about everything, or yell at us on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

dogisbadob > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 14:34

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inb4 jagvar

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 14:36

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I wish I drove enough and also had a car that warranted this type of shoe, because I really love shoes. Are Pilotis only made in suede? The ones I’ve seen before have only ever been suede instead of proper leather.

To follow-up on the article, I think if you are doing proper racing then shoes should be part of the gear like your helmet, gloves and firesuit (where required). Otherwise, for everyday use, even a decent sneaker is fine - I love driving in my Pumas or New Balances since they hug the foot well, aren’t overly padded, and still gives me appreciable feedback through the brake/throttle.

My car may not be good, but I still like to know that I'm properly attached to the road.

RightFootDown > dogisbadob 10/20/2015 at 14:39

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He doesn’t wear shoes.

dogisbadob > RightFootDown 10/20/2015 at 14:45

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yeah I know, that was the point :p

Milky > gin-san - shitpost specialist 10/20/2015 at 14:57

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Nope, not just suede. I have some Laguna’s:

tromoly > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 14:57

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These are like wearing a pair of slippers all day. So comfortable.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 14:59

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Work boots make you faster.

The literal approach to "heavy foot" as it were

Grindintosecond > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 15:12

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I was successfully heal toeing in day hiker boots in a volvo brick. I’ve used those, and indoor soccer shoes and regular trainers. the only time I can see actual driving shoes being useful is if you A) Are going out to do some actually serious performance driving and B) happen to have changed out your pedals for drilled metal without any grippy surface and C) might have a narrow foootbox that trainers are too wide for; example size 12s in a Lotus europa are im-freaking-possible to drive with, assuming anyone with size 12s can fit themselves into the Europa to begin with.

Brian, The Life of > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 15:14

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Driving shoes are good. I have an over-the-ankle pair that I bought for Lemons. That said, for pedal feel, they are no better than my Converse Chuck T’s. Also, like 99% of people who were driving shoes to a Cars and Coffee are douchebags so do be careful when you wear them.

GK27V6 > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 15:20

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I really appreciate this post. This has now persuaded me to look into these shoes.

MonkeePuzzle > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 15:20

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yes, and yes.

Yes, because they are often a tighter/thinner fit, and allow better control of pedals.

Yes, because some for legit racing are fire resistant, which is handy if you crash and burn

Shifting Lanes > GK27V6 10/20/2015 at 15:22

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No sweat! Glad to help. They really are awesome and they’re great daily sneakers too. Highly recommend.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 15:27

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I have a pair of Sparco Puma Speed Cats. They don't feel much different from my Sambas.

Cixelsyd > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 15:28

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I rock Puma Drift Cats for casual wear and driving. Serious style and comfort in a driving shoe.

Warning: they are also seriously narrow. I have narrow feet and even I had to get them broken in and stretched out a bit before I grew to love them.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Brian, The Life of 10/20/2015 at 15:28

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you traded lemons for your shoes?

Shifting Lanes > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 10/20/2015 at 15:30

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I have a pair of Sambas too. They were my 2nd in line if I didn’t feel like the Tigers wouldn’t get the job done. Now, the Pilotis are tops.

for Michigan > Brian, The Life of 10/20/2015 at 15:32

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I’ll second Chucks. They’re my go to driving shoe.

KirkyV > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 15:35

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I’m all about Converse when it comes to driving. I get why people complain about how they can be when you’re doing a lot of walking - though I’ve probably only actually felt uncomfortable in them once, and that was at a convention - but they’re fantastic for driving, and I really like the look.

My other go-to shoes are some NB 574s. They’re not great for driving, honestly - a little wide for my cramped pedals, and the soles are pretty thick, so you don’t get as much pedal feel - but they do the job, and they’re very comfortable.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/20/2015 at 15:41

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Lemons are the new bitcoin, don’t ya know.

DarrenMR > Shifting Lanes 10/20/2015 at 20:42

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I have a pair of Pilotis and I dont like them. They are so damn stiff they are basically unuseable.

RealityMegaBytes > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:43

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Wrestling shoes are pretty comfortable for driving as well.

DaveStruve > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 09:48

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I second puma’s driving shoes. Very narrow, very light, and has a very thin sole. Once broken in they are awesome for driving especially if your car has a narrow pedal box. These are pretty much the only shoes I can wear when driving my seven.

My Kids Have Four...Wheels (And Paws) > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:49

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Had a pair of Pilotis back in the day, absolutely HATED them. Heavy, clunky, uncomfortable. Adidas Samba or Chucks FTW.

DirtyVDub > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:49

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So this is another advertisement?

west-coaster > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:50

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Driving shoes make a HUGE difference for people with large feet. (Pun somewhat intended.)

I wear a size 15, and depending on the car and depending on the regular shoes, it’s sometimes rather dangerous to operate a manual transmission. Unintentional heel-toeing, inability to push the clutch pedal without also tagging the brake, and general podiatric clumsiness.

Fortunately, Piloti started offering larger sizes in their original go-round, and I bought several pairs. The streamlined shape and purpose-built soles make it possible to drive even cars like Lotus and Miata with ease. Unfortunately, they then went out of business. Unfortunately again, the new versions marketed by Canadian Tire stop at size 13. I’m treating my first-gen Pilotis with TLC, as they’re going to have to last me a while.

Chappie > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:52

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I'm all about form over function, but these look like bowling shoes.

Caddyman > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:52

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I race barefoot, weight reduction....yo

interstate366, now In The Industry > for Michigan 10/21/2015 at 09:53

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Thirded.

vchengap > Brian, The Life of 10/21/2015 at 09:53

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Good point. I wear Sparco over-the-ankle driving shoes for long stints behind the wheel and track days because they are more comfortable. But when it comes to pedal feel, I haven’t found anything better than my $15 H&M lace-ups.

Parth985 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:53

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I go bare foot in my e39 m5 (I wear rainbow flip flops all the time ) it’s the best feed back

Harveyharv > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:54

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Driving shoes will help to insure that you never get laid again.

Ryanator122 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:56

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My driving shoe of choice is the worn-out Vans classic slip on. Wh n the ball gets worn out it provides pretty good feel. Also no laces is nice

Vox Calamitous in Deserto > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 09:57

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I wear Puma driving shoes all the time. Driving be damned, they’re comfortable to me and fit nicely. I put insoles in every shoe I buy, from boots to sneaks to driving shoes, so there’s that. I also don’t care much what people think. Which is why I still wear cargo pants. Comfort + utility are more important to me. And if they witness me matriculating, and it entices them to be extremely disagreeable, IDGAF.

wingracer > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:57

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They can definitely make a difference for some things. A good friend of mine is one of the best oval racers I have ever seen. His preferred footwear is cowboy boots. Me, I just wear whatever my favorite athletic shoe of the moment is. The one exception is the one time I got to drive a super tight cockpit formula car. My big feet with Nikes would not fit in that footwell. I had to borrow some Simpsons to just barely squeeze in there.

DrScientist > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:57

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because [classy] racecar

JayCee-Arg > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/21/2015 at 09:57

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You know... “If the life give you lemons trade it for driving shoes”

jariten1781 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:58

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Probably not a big deal if you’re a tennis shoe guy, but a tertiary advantage of the rounded heel on driver’s style shoes is that they don’t wear the carpet as much as some shoe styles. I’ve worn all the way through the floor mat and carpet under the clutch pedal with standard dress shoes/boots (wooden heels worse than rubber) but it’s a non-issue with driver’s loafers.

TheTyreAbuser > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:58

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My main problem with driving shoes has always been styling. I’m a UK 12 (US13) and anything other than skate shoes look like clown shoes (especially Chucks... F**k Chucks man).
This especially applies to these low rise driving shoes. The ones I actually want are a re-issue of DC’s Pro-spec 3 (which weren’t actually officially available in the UK, except in the hideous Block colours).
If I could get hold of a pair of them I think I would be set for life...

Ash78, voting early and often > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:58

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If you have giant feet and partially prehensile toes like me, then barefoot or FiveFingers is the way to go. Nothing enhances some heel-toe action like using individual digits to modulate your pedal pressure.

Ryanator122 > west-coaster 10/21/2015 at 09:59

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This. Being a 15 makes it difficult to buy shoes period, good luck with the specialist stuff like driving shoes or hiking runners (Looking at you, Saloman)

cabarne4 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:59

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I know I’ll probably get some hate for this, but...

...hands down, best pedal feel I’ve ever experienced while driving. Obviously they’re not race approved (depending on the rules — but not fireproof), but for day to day driving, seriously good.

Unfortunately nobody takes you very seriously when wearing them. I’ve found them equally comfortable hiking and mountain biking, so these have become my go-to shoes for exploring the high country.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 09:59

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My driving shoes have always been, and always will be, leather dress shoes. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t own a pair of nice driving shoes (in fact, I own a pair of Piloti’s that look like brown leather dress shoes), I simply prefer the idea of wearing some comfortable, well tailored shoes, and stepping out of the car to immediately get coffee without looking like a tool who’s all wannabe race driver.

I’m not Hamilton. I have no interest in pretending like I’m interested in becoming him either.

I just want to be comfortable.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 10:00

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Ugh, those are great looking shoes, as are pretty much all Pumas. Sadly I cannot wear any of them as my feet are much too wide. I struggle finding anything from even Nike that fits my wide feet.

Nathan > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:01

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Converse (Jack Purcels or Chucks) and Tretons are the shoes I grab when I go for a drive. My old Adidas Sambas were pretty good too

All Motor Is Best Motor > Milky 10/21/2015 at 10:01

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That’s a classy looking shoe.

DerpyDawg > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:01

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I drive in super thin huarache-style sandals most of the time. Probably a bad idea I know, but I like to feel the pedals!

MoparMap > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:04

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I’m not sure that a “driving” shoe is much different than just another shoe with a similar size sole from my standpoint, but I will agree that the shoes you wear can make a big difference in the driving experience. I wear around size 10 and have driven my 04 Viper with boots on believe it or not, but it’s not an ideal experience. The footwell is pretty small, so I’ve caught my toe trying to let up on the clutch more than once (an exciting experience to say the least). Really stiff/thick soles also make rolling off the pedals a challenge. My standard work shoe is a fairly normal Oxford style Cole Haan that has been pretty good. A thin enough sole with limited tread that allows my foot to slide on the pedals a bit and not get caught in chunky tread. I also have a pair of super thin Dr. Scholls that give good pedal feel, but I think the soles are actually too thin in those and it can make my foot hurt if I’m operating a heavy clutch for extended periods of time. I’m curious to try a pair of these all the same though. Sounds like a good compromise. I just need to see if I can find a shop near my so I can try them on first.

zdkfocus > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:04

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I don't disagree with the advantages of driving shoes for driving. However, these shoes still look like a driving shoe, and nothing with yellow or red in any significant amount can be worn with "any outfit." They are less conspicuous than say, a pair of Alpinestars, but still noticeably not a standard casual shoe.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:05

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If I have to do serious driving (which is almost never), I wear a pair of Skechers Diameter Vassell. I wore them for my Gotham Dream Cars sprint about a year ago.

They’re comfy and supportive with a thin, touchy sole. My New Balances can’t touch them for driving.

zdkfocus > Brian, The Life of 10/21/2015 at 10:05

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Chuck T's: Endorsed by Bryan O'Connor.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:06

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I find Converse All-Star Chuck Taylor’s are great driving shoes if you are on a budget.

zdkfocus > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 10:06

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I would say these are about as close as you can get to a real driving shoe without looking like you're wearing an actual driving shoe.

Stephen > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:07

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I got a pair of Pilotis one year. Compared to regular ol’ sneakers, the Pilotis are much better for driving. They feel like dedicated driving tools but aren’t the most comfortable outside the car.

The sole is stiff and makes you feel connected to the pedals, the rounded-off heel won’t catch on the floor mat, no excess laces flopping around, narrow at the front to prevent accidentally catching the edge of another pedal. These are things I never realized were important until I tried out the Pilotis. I do not know how my shoes compare to other Piloti shoes.

They are very well designed driving shoes, especially when driving with 3 pedals. I don’t think they would be of significant benefit when driving a car with 2 pedals.

bitchfist > Brian, The Life of 10/21/2015 at 10:08

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Another vote for chucks but for excessively narrow pedal boxes (I have and 89 testarossa and wear a size 12 shoe) I rely on Puma speed cats, just a touch narrower than the Chucks and way less sole thickness than the pilotis. I also have the flame proof version of the S1 piloti and I find my Alpinestars Tech 1Zs to be a lot more comfortable.

Phlegminglib > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:08

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The problem with these shoes is that they normally only come in medium width sizes, and for those people who have a need for wide shoes these often don’t fit as well...

8695Beaters > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:10

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I usually wear a pair of DC sneakers. They’re the perfect width for me to brake with the left side of my right foot and blip the throttle with the right side of the same foot for perfect downshifts under braking. The left foot works the clutch.I’ve tried downshifting without the clutch, but it’s never as smooth and only successful about half the time. They give pretty good feel too. I tried a set of Pilotis and they were ok, but the ability to do proper downshifts under braking has made me like the DCs more.

TheRealBicycleBuck > All Motor Is Best Motor 10/21/2015 at 10:12

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Same here. Even New Balance, a brand that is well known among the duck-footed, seems to be using a narrower last for their wide shoes.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:13

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I can heel-toe and rev-match-downshift in my dress shoes I wear to work.

sobe_death > cabarne4 10/21/2015 at 10:16

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The sole reason (zing!) I own Fivefingers anymore is for autocross. Nothing sticks to the pedals in my S2000 better except for my Five-Ten downhill shoes, and they’re far too clunky for spirited driving.

MM54 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:17

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How do they compare to, say chuck taylors? That’s what I wear daily and find fantastic for driving, so I’d have to wonder if these are that much better to consider spending 3x on them.

JustAnotherG6 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:17

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Adidas Climacool: These are my go to travelling shoe (driving, flying, boating... whatever) Nice rounded heel for driving, plenty of ventilation, non-marking sole. Only downside is after a year mine stink something fierce.

mallr8tedwrangler > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:20

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and they look like they do a great job of warding off pesky females who might consider having sex with you otherwise

airtower > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:20

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I’ve got an old pair of diesel (go on, hate it up) shoes I use for driving. Super thin soles, largely on account of their age and wear, and are light and comfortable. Not fireproof, but nor are such shoes required for my HPDE’s.

jstump > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 10:21

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I agree, I have a pair of 2 year old suede Drift Cats on right now. They are probably my favorite shoes I have ever bought. I’m about to buy a new pair because the soles of these are wearing out from daily wear haha.

Abap > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:22

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I submit these for consideration.

The comfort and pedal feel are unmatched.

CarSnobSr > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:22

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I personally prefer Gucci driving shoes.

motoguy1251 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:24

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By coincidence I found my Onitsuka Tiger shoes to be decent driving shoes as well. I didn’t buy them for that purpose but it was a nice surprise.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 10/21/2015 at 10:25

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What’s old is new again!

CALUSA > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:26

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As long as you have shoes, you’re good.

penguinberry > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 10/21/2015 at 10:27

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Thank god there’s some sanity in these comments.

Paulevalence > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:29

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I find any shoes with a flat bottom and narrow fit do the trick pretty well. Converse chucks and any pumas usually give good feel for me.

Lucky Luke > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:32

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Does anyone here remember the Adidas Tuscany’s? You know, the ones with the Goodyear branded soles? I got those as driving shoes and wore them twice. They were the stiffest piece of dog poo I ever stepped in!

Also, stop saying Chuck Taylor’s are the best. Those things will blister your heels if you do any type of spirited or long distance driving.

I drive in anything from flip-flops to cowboy boots and all I can say is: find a shoe that you are comfortable in. For me it’s the Nike AF-1’s

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:32

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Wingtips are best driving shoe if you’re looking to make the field at the Daytona 500 from 1968 to 1999.

Pending Approval > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:33

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about as useful as an autozone turbo/gt/ss badge.

Farabomb > All Motor Is Best Motor 10/21/2015 at 10:33

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Good luck finding them. Seems they are no longer made and seem to be out of stock everywhere.

Sucks, those are a great looking pair of shoes.

caincha > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:33

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Of course driving shoes make a difference - if you are a racing driver !

C’mon and be realistic here, if you are not in a race track or reenacting Fast and Furious in a dangerous and illegal way on the streets you would not notice a real difference, at least none that would justify buying one of those, don’t fool yourself…

Lucky Luke > Vox Calamitous in Deserto 10/21/2015 at 10:37

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They see me enrollin, they hatin’...

Hooneriphic > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:39

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I prefer to drive barefoot but when I’m at a track day event, I wear five fingers. Yes, I look like a doofus but they work really well for me and the pedal placement in my car.

Noneshallpass > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:41

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I buy the pilotis because they look neat and I have yet to see anyome else wearing them. Also, because racecar.

protodad > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 10:43

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I bought a pair a while back and agree, way too narrow. If they made a wider version I would be all over them.

Noneshallpass > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 10/21/2015 at 10:44

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I find when I drive in my wing tips that the edges can catch on the side of the pedal causing oh crap moments.

InfinityAero > Ash78, voting early and often 10/21/2015 at 10:44

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I’ve Autox’d with my five fingers— they’re pretty good. I’d say better than my Sambas in terms of driving feel. And they don’t force me to shove all my toes into a point.

I’m not sure I’d want to use them for an extended session though, they’re just not supportive enough for heavy clutch use IMO. I’ve always found traffic jams with them on punishing.

Driving shoes sound great and all, I just can’t justify them right now when I’d be much better off spending $80 on installing camber bolts on my daily driver or a myriad of maintenance items on my project car. Maybe I’ll try on a pair and decide if they’re worth buying when my Sambas finally dissolve...

SubieNick > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:45

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Yes, they sure do!! So much so that I still wear my Adidas Kundo’s from 2008 even though they let water in. Wore them on my Lambo track day last summer (not my Lambo lol) and being 6’3” I think it helped me even fit in the car better having thin soles. Wasn’t meant for the clutchwork in that since it was a paddle shifter. They aren’t strictly driving shoes but man do the separated parts of the soles help you articulate and jump across the three pedals nicely and comfortably.

Mark Bour > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:46

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I have always preferred driving barefoot, partly for the feel, partly because I can modulate the pedals with my big toe, and partly because driving a convertible with no shoes just feels great.

I have a pair of ‘casual’ Pumas which are marketed as a driving shoe, but they are so narrow that heel/toe is difficult. I have another pair of Pumas, which are not marketed as a driving shoe, which are much better because the sole is wider.

For the price, these Pilotis seem like a no brainer. I’ll take mine in red, please.

Philmosk > west-coaster 10/21/2015 at 10:46

2

15 EEEE here, I’d love to get a pair of these, but I’m lucky I don’t have to find a farrier and make an appointment to be shod.

Mexifinn > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:48

0

I’ve never felt the need to get driving shoes, but I just got a pair of the Puma Super Liga retros for casual wear, and I have to say they are my favorite show to drive in. Think they are about on par with the Adidas Sambas

Bloop > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:48

1

this says - no.

NYankee1927 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:48

1

These are actually the best driving shoe/work appropriate shoe I have found. Now hear me out, because you may be thinking “bro, you are crazy.” I assure you, I am not crazy. The suede inside grabbs onto your foot so the shoe doesn’t slip around. They are also surprisingly low profile and are no wider than your foot. The bottom surface grips the pedal well (remember they are acutally made for walking around slippery boat decks) and lets me heel toe in them just fine. At $120 a pair, they are not too bad for wearing everyday while not looking like a car nerd by going all the way to Piloti shoes.

GLiddy > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:50

0

So real driving shoes work better than this?

MzRtS12 > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 10:51

0

Pumas are fantastic, I also have a pair of Piloti and the Pumas blow them out the water.

Driver > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:51

0

These are my daily wearers. What are the odds??? Been wearing Piloti’s for a decade or more.

BKRM3 > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:52

2

The main reason to buy (non-FIA/SFI fire rated) driving shoes, especially Piloti-brand driving shoes, is to say to your fellow HPDE intermediate run group students: “guys, see these shoes? I take this SERIOUSLY. I’m GOING somewhere. You WILL point me by - or else.”

Of course, they DO work well for, you know, driving. If you’re ok with sending the above message, then knock yourself out. There are plenty of lower cost options for real driving shoes, if you don’t want to pony up for fancy Piloti. Any of them will scare your competition in an indoor kart race.

....but do they “make a difference?” I think this speaks for itself:

TheRedHoon > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:58

1

Nice WRX/STI

Driver > Driver 10/21/2015 at 10:59

1

Bryce Womeldurf > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 10:59

2

I still have a pair of Piloti Avus that I bought back in 2011 and I love them. I wonder how well these new S1s will wear though, since I sort of made the mistake of treating the Avus as an everyday sneaker. They were extremely comfortable, but thin soles mean that it didn’t take long to start wearing through them. I still use them from time to time, but strictly only for driving how. I have a pair of Sambas that I wear most days now that are almost as good for driving. I will say though that the Avus were immediately comfortable, where as the Samba took some time to wear in before they really got comfortable.

Shifting Lanes > TheRedHoon 10/21/2015 at 11:00

0

Good eye! WRX gets the square.

Skamanda > Shifting Lanes 10/21/2015 at 11:01

0

I must be an anomaly in the driving world, because the best shoes I own for driving are these:

The sole doesn’t transmit heat, but it does give enough feel to even feel slight vibrations through the pedals, and it’s wide enough that in my MINI, or either of the Subarus I’ve driven with them, I can heel-toe without really moving my foot (thanks in part to their wide, firm soles).

Can’t wear them to a “proper” event like LeMons, because they aren’t fireproof, but they’re cheaper than these “driving” shoes, and I’m far more consistent at heel-toe in them than in Chucks, Sambas, trail runners, or my New Balance Minimus.

SubieNate > Cixelsyd 10/21/2015 at 11:01

0

My mom called me “ski feet” when I was a teenager. I love me some Drift Cats.

SubieNate > BKRM3 10/21/2015 at 11:03

1

I love this video. I love Ayrton Senna and his loafers, I love the NSX, and I love the fact that this video combines all three.

Telumektar > dogisbadob 10/21/2015 at 11:05

5

All the pedal feel! One with the car!