Shoeloponik: Recommend me some driving/ light duty shoes

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori) 08/23/2019 at 12:46 • Filed to: None

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Alright, here is the situation: In less than one week I leave for “vacation”. There will be a lot of walking, driving, and hiking. For the latter, I’m good. I have a pair of hiking boots I like, but driving in them is like driving with 2x6s strapped to your feet: uncomfortable and 0 communication.

In fact none of my shoes I would describe as good driving shoes. Fine. But not good.

I’ve heard a lot of people recommend barefoot shoes, which I am open to, but they all seem to be hovering around the $100 range which seems insane to me. Talk about paying more for less! If someone has one they really really really like, preferably that doesn’t look too silly, I’m all ears.

So here is my challenge: I need an everyday shoe that I can use for driving primarily, but won’t be ruined if I take a stroll in a wet gravel parking lot, walk to a meal in them, or go on a short hike . Alternatively the search terms needed to find said shoes.

Here is my criteria:

Available in US men’s shoe size 12, 12.5, or 13

Able to get moist /dirty without becoming unusable

Good communication/ pedal feel

Slip- on* or pull string

Under $50 strongly preferred

Able to be procured locally (Tulsa) or shipped here by Wednesday

Not brown

What should I be searching for or do you have specific recommendations?

*I finally decided that as an adult I am allowed to hate shoes with laces. I love the look of them, but I just.... don’t wear them. I hate lacing up shoes. I hate tying shoes. I hate retying shoes over and over.

Under_Score > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 12:55

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Look for used stuff on Poshmark. If they ship immediately (today, tomorrow, or Sunday), they’ll be there by Wednesday.

https://posh.mk/Gu3NfzrmoZ

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 12:55

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I wear driving loafers similar to these guys, very comfy, but wouldn’t recommend much more than walking on gravel

RutRut > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 12:58

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Currently wearing Allbirds and loving them. Good pedal feel, obscenely comfortable, can be worn sockless, machine washable. $95 and shipping is pretty fast. Also, environmentally friendly if you care about that. 

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 12:58

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I have a pair of Cons that I love for driving. The soles are thin enough to provide good feel, while thick enough to be comfortable for walking.

I have high top/lace ups, but they make them in slip ons as well:

Looks like you can get them just about anywhere for around $50.

https://www.journeys.com/product/converse-chuck-taylor-all-star-slip-on-sneaker-black-399665?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyKymo7uZ5AIVzAOGCh1znwQtEAkYByABEgIkl_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ash78, voting early and often > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:04

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I’ve been buying almost nothing but minimalist shoes for 10+ years now.

You have to be patient, but I’ve gotten various NB trainers (and the Minimus line of shoes) , Merrell Vapor Glove , and a few others for under $50 on sale from time to time. I’ve also heard great stuff about inov8 minimalist shoes. There are a few off-brands on the web for cheap, but I can’t vouch for them.

For some reason, Amazon SUCKS for shoe shopping, especially size 13. Best of luck there...

smobgirl > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:06

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You can get some decent ballet flats at Target for around $17, great pedal feel and synthetic leather so rain/water isn’t an issue.



(In all seriousness, I would suggest looking into Merrell’s lower profile shoes, but they’re pricey. And FYI,  going straight to barefoot shoes for doing any more walking than, say, a grocery store run will make your calves pretty sore at first)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:07

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I actually really like driving in my Sambas. I don’t mind laces, maybe try for some kangaroos?

JustAnotherG6 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:12

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https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/169232/merrell-vapor-glove-4-road-running-shoes-mens

-or-

https://www.rei.com/product/148156/salomon-techamphibian-4-water-shoes-mens

-or-

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/167967/teva-terra-float-churn-it-up-water-shoes-mens

I have these, and love them.

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/123919/salomon-speedcross-4-trail-running-shoes-mens

Basically, REI is having their Labor day sale and many things are 40% off. Their garage sale site has an additional 20% on some things too. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:12

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Pretty hard to find a brand name shoe list priced at under $50, especially a specialty shoe, these days right?

I used to have a pair of Adidas shoes with the goodyear tread thing…loved those for driving, and was a great walkaround shoe for vacations too. Got soaked in Venice and I ruined them trying to dry them by applying heat (all the glue melted and shoe came apart into multiple pieces). Haven’t really replaced them, but any basic shoe that has good flexibility and doesn’t have too thick a sole should do?

Do you have any outlet stores nearby? Might be worth checking out Nike, Columbia, Adidas etc. if you have some of those to see what their loafer type options are.

p.s. - something similar to the shoe I had, on amazon for $40 - https://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-Mens-Ori-Racer-Sneaker/dp/B076VRK3ND/ref=asc_df_B076VRK3ND/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343252331936&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17467842793997492954&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032828&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-695378387642&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=69352039136&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343252331936&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17467842793997492954&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032828&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-695378387642

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:12

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It sounds like a pair of Teva (or similar) sandals is what you’re looking for. I almost exclusively wear sandals when driving on trips during warm weather months. I slip them off as soon as I’m in the car and drive barefoot like a  dirty hippie heathen, and they take no effort to put back on when I stop.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HO2E2G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Because I’m a cheap bastard, I’ve actually been rocking the above pair of sandals for the last 3+ years. They’re my primary footwear outside of work for about 8-9 months of the year, and the first pair of these lasted 2 1/2 years (which is a personal record for cheap sandals). They are brown, but with the strap they’ll do a little light hiking just fine. They don’t care about getting wet, either.

hedbutter > RutRut 08/23/2019 at 13:17

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Another one for allbirds. I havent driven a manual with them yet, but they are comfortable, machine washable, good for the environment and have a ton of style. I current own 4 pairs and wear them frequently .

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:17

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I have a pair of Adidas Jawpaw water shoes for long drives. They’re really flexible and ligtweight, they are ventilated through the sole in multiple locations (actually, it’s drainage) and the fabric of the shoe is completely breathable. You feel like a tit wearing them anywhere but the beach or in your car, but I cannot stress enough just how good and comfortable they are as driving shoes - with or without socks. Just try to avoid puddles in the car park... or a short hike.

Your boy, BJR > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:28

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https://www.quiksilver.com/amphibian-plus-shoes-889351547873.html

Wear ‘em with no socks! They double as water shoes! Super comfy! More durable than you’d think! Pretty cheap!

I bought a pair for my Mexico trip last year and holy shit, they’re so fucking good. I still wear them daily June-September.  The only con is you really can’t wear socks with them, so they’re only good in the summertime, but as a summertime sneaker, 10/10, best I’ve ever had.

Azrek > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:39

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Invo8. I wear a pair similar to these to jog or just like the feel of the barefoot shoe.

https://www.amazon.com/Inov-8-Bare-210-Minimalist-Deadlifting/dp/B07GH36JGR

vicali > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:40

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My favourite dri ving shoe were my Tsubo Xerics;

def not under $50...

5/10 guide tennies are also very good;

Basically I look for approach/ semi-climbing shoes.. they fit tight, tie up tight, you can feel through the sole, but you can also do a bit of hiking/scrambling with them.

Worst thing is they only last a year of daily wear..

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:41

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Have a pair of Puma Drift Cat 7s   that cost $49.99. Pretty comfortable , and can wear them for every day tasks.

RPM esq. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:42

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So there are going to be a lot of people here recommending shoes that probably do all the things you want but also look like absolute shit. Allow me, a person who likes shoes far too much for my own good, to help. What you want are a pair of simple, retro sneakers with a tough but relatively thin sole and no laces.

Converse Chuck Taylors : available all over the place for under $50, without laces. If you can find them on sale, the John Varvatos ones have a more comfortable insole. Comes in every color you can think of and some you wouldn’t.

Sperry Striper laceless : a little more boat-shoe-looking but extremely comfortable and tough. Frequently on sale and widely available. Comes in lots of colors.

Finally, the extremely Scandinavian version of the same thing: the Tretorn Skymra .

RPM esq. > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By 08/23/2019 at 13:55

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Same here—very similar suede ones in dark green . Probably the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned, but I sure wouldn’t go for a hike in them.

twodudesnape > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 13:59

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Don’t think anyone has said it yet but Adidas Sambas are good. They are cheap and should be available at just about anywhere that sells shoes. They are also incredibly durable, I’ve had mine for almost 3 years and wear  them everywhere outside of work and they only have surface wear.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/23/2019 at 14:14

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I like them, but I’ve tried them on before and they just look silly (to me) in size 13. Like flippers.  Clearly designed as a size 9 and just made... longer.

Sammyno55 > Ash78, voting early and often 08/23/2019 at 14:14

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Can also recommend the Merrells above. Used to wear almost exclusively Merrell shoes, but switched to Doc Martin's for work earlier this year. 

Sammyno55 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 14:18

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I looked down the list and a pair of slip on Vans wasn't on there. I have a pair I pack when I travel. They are not the best for long walks but for driving and casual wear they work. They are light, pack flat and you can machine wash them on gentle cycle. 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > haveacarortwoorthree2 08/23/2019 at 14:19

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Oh Puma. Such a tease....  Pretty sure they don’t make shoes over size 11 or something.  Or, at least, I have never seem them in my size.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > RPM esq. 08/23/2019 at 14:25

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Oh man those Tretorns are right up my alley. In fact:

But sadly out of stock.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 14:52

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Sorry, I’m an 11. :) 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > haveacarortwoorthree2 08/23/2019 at 14:57

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Haha no worries.  I’ve always had a thing for Pumas but alas....

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 16:08

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I get that.

Textured Soy Protein > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 16:39

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The Vans UltraRange is their modern tech-y light duty outdoors-ish shoe. They’re not slip-ons but they do have pull tabs on both the heel and tongue.

They go for $80-95 on the Vans website but I was at a Vans outlet recently and they were in the $50-60 range there.

CompactLuxuryFan > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 08/23/2019 at 17:40

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Omg these used to be my favorite shoes!! They became so hard to find I kinda gave up. Last pair I bought was like $100 I’m gonna keep an eye out from now on

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > CompactLuxuryFan 08/23/2019 at 18:24

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Yeah I was really surprised to see them on Amazon for so cheap too. None of them are in my size (I have small feets), if they were I’d be anxiously awaiting their arrival this weekend as we speak!

Poor_Sh > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/23/2019 at 19:02

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I literally just bought 12s of the Driftcat 5!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/24/2019 at 06:46

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Blundstone

Wurrwulf > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 08/24/2019 at 09:19

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If you can stretch your budget a little bit, I would recommend something from Onitsuka Tiger. They have a slip on version of their Mexico 66.

I daily wore a pair of Ultimate 81 for years, and they are fantastic. They have a high arch which is great for me but also a thin, pliable sole that give great pedal feel. I’m a fan of Chuck Taylor’s, but Tigers are way more comfortable.

Men's 13s look to be about $85 on Zappos.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Wurrwulf 08/24/2019 at 10:10

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I like the way you think! Which is to say I already own two pairs at the moment and have worn out at least that many.