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"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
09/16/2015 at 09:39 • Filed to: shoelopnik

I needed some new dress shoes and figured I would get a driving style pair because...well I like to do driving things and figured this might make the experience better. So I bought a pair of these Clarks (I got black ones)...and the damn things keep slipping off the pedals!

Oh well...thank goodness for free return shipping.

DISCUSSION (23)

StationeryBikes > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 09:44

I usually like Clarks as well, but I had a (different brand) pair of shoes with those exact same soles. No grip at all, and they’re very hard and slick. I threw them away eventually, since you couldn’t even walk on blacktop without looking like you’re drunk.

Your boy, BJR > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 09:52

As far as driving shoes go, the best Clarks are still the Desert Boot.

Ash78, voting early and often > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 09:55

Best driving shoe is no shoe.

/jagvar’d

EL_ULY > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 09:56

welp, they’ll drive you back to the store to return them lol :]

pip bip - choose Corrour > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 09:58

runners / sneakers / trainers?

Tom McParland > pip bip - choose Corrour
09/16/2015 at 10:00

Those are all good, and I have them, but need dress shoes for work. So I tried something different.

smobgirl > pip bip - choose Corrour
09/16/2015 at 10:00

I have a pair of those really minimal New Balance running shoes and they're phenomenal for driving.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 10:06

The only style dress shoe I'll ever buy. Try something like these. Not exactly what I have, but quite similar, and the same brand. Love them. Only problem is winter traction :)

http://www.hushpuppies.com/US/en/gt/20863…

CalzoneGolem > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 10:06

They might just need a couple miles put on them to wear off the shiny finish on the bottom.

Tom McParland > CalzoneGolem
09/16/2015 at 10:08

Maybe, but I’m sending them back before they get too worn. They also fit weird in the instep and the heel. If I’m going to drop $100 on shoes they better feel right.

For Sweden > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 10:18

Stop greasing your pedals

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Ash78, voting early and often
09/16/2015 at 10:19

Well played.

jariten1781 > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 10:36

Wear this style pretty much every day. Lots have that issue till they’re worn in (and it comes back when they get wet). I find Cole Haan to be least susceptible to it in that price range as long as you avoid the ones with dot soles.

brjklein > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 10:45

I have a few pairs of shoes that I drive in, but only a few that I love:

1. Sperry Top-Siders (somewhat dressy)

2. Vans Authentic Low (thin sole)

3. Ecco boat shoe sneakers

14,349. Clark’s Desert Boots (SO WIDE).

ceanderson920 > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 10:57

If your going to get dress shoes, get dress shoes. Like wingtips, oxfords, monk straps or something traditional. I have a pair of wingtips that I wear everyday to work and they seem to work fine while driving too.

Kinja'd!!!

Future next gen S2000 owner > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 11:09

I’m currently contemplating a new pair of brown shoes for work as well. Normally I get whatever is on sale at Payless. Mainly because I am cheap and everyone else in the office wears sneakers like a bunch of heathens.

Is it worth dropping some cash on them or going the cheap route?

Tom McParland > Future next gen S2000 owner
09/16/2015 at 11:19

Depends...I’m on my feet all day, so I prefer to pay for good shoes. But I’m cheap when it comes to clothes. I’ve had cheap ones and they don’t last. If you have a Marshalls or a TJ Maxx nearby often they have nice shoes at discounted prices.

Tapas > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 11:23

Find an outlet mall near you :)

Tom McParland > Tapas
09/16/2015 at 11:26

We have them in AC...they suck. I like to buy a few pairs of shoes online with free shipping and just send back the ones I don’t like.

BrainForest > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 11:33

Clarks are awful. They use the lightest, flimsiest “rubber” for their soles. Twice I gave them a try, and twice they wore out after a couple weeks.

Tom McParland > BrainForest
09/16/2015 at 11:35

I got a pair of Clarks chukka boots that have been doing pretty well, so I figured I would try these.

Tapas > Tom McParland
09/16/2015 at 11:40

Fair enough...have you tried Zappos?

You can return em for free for upto one year.

KJabs got a Chevy SS!!! - no longer needs a Pontiac G8 > Tom McParland
09/18/2015 at 11:38

Zappos is pretty great. Try Ecco shoes. I’m looking for similar shoes as well, but need arch support. Ecco is sort of there. I also ordered a few others at the same time (due to return shipping) and am sending back the Hush Puppies (nice and cushion-y, but not much arch support). Still not fully decided on Ecco, but you may like them =)