Driving shoes.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,821
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Personally, I can't stand the narrow driving shoes like the Pumas/Adidas/Rebbok for street car driving. It maybe just my narrow feet, but it makes it more difficult for me to heal toe, especially in the S2k where the pedals are a bit far apart. I have a set of Rebbok driver's that I wore a couple times...got frustrated with them and now they sit in the back of the closet. I might wear them again if I get in an open wheel racer with pedals so close you can't squeeze a credit card between them.
To me the Pilotis are perfect for a street car. Yes they are "big" compared to other driver's shoes. But small compared to most tennis shoes. I find the feed back through them to be excellent. And heal toe is much easier.
Plus, they are good enough to walk an autox course...where the skinny driver's shoes leave my feet aching after one walk through.
To me the Pilotis are perfect for a street car. Yes they are "big" compared to other driver's shoes. But small compared to most tennis shoes. I find the feed back through them to be excellent. And heal toe is much easier.
Plus, they are good enough to walk an autox course...where the skinny driver's shoes leave my feet aching after one walk through.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 809
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Originally Posted by DER MotorSports,May 3 2008, 03:17 AM
many will suggest Piloti and I could NOT disagree more even being a dealer. They are good casual shoes but are way too thick to allow consistent heel toe and any discrimination in pedal feel.
For non FIA approved road shoes suggest any of the Cole Hahn driving mocs and the various knock offs - elegant enough to wear once arrived too. For low budget, try wrestling shoes which are actually very much like quality race shoes without Nomex content. For a comfortable cheap race shoe try the low cut Simpson or Impact shoe - in black they are somewaht stealthy enough to wear with jeans.
For non FIA approved road shoes suggest any of the Cole Hahn driving mocs and the various knock offs - elegant enough to wear once arrived too. For low budget, try wrestling shoes which are actually very much like quality race shoes without Nomex content. For a comfortable cheap race shoe try the low cut Simpson or Impact shoe - in black they are somewaht stealthy enough to wear with jeans.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Peachtree City, GA
Originally Posted by negcamber,May 3 2008, 10:52 AM
Personally, I can't stand the narrow driving shoes like the Pumas/Adidas/Rebbok for street car driving. It maybe just my narrow feet, but it makes it more difficult for me to heal toe, especially in the S2k where the pedals are a bit far apart. I have a set of Rebbok driver's that I wore a couple times...got frustrated with them and now they sit in the back of the closet. I might wear them again if I get in an open wheel racer with pedals so close you can't squeeze a credit card between them.
To me the Pilotis are perfect for a street car. Yes they are "big" compared to other driver's shoes. But small compared to most tennis shoes. I find the feed back through them to be excellent. And heal toe is much easier.
Plus, they are good enough to walk an autox course...where the skinny driver's shoes leave my feet aching after one walk through.
To me the Pilotis are perfect for a street car. Yes they are "big" compared to other driver's shoes. But small compared to most tennis shoes. I find the feed back through them to be excellent. And heal toe is much easier.
Plus, they are good enough to walk an autox course...where the skinny driver's shoes leave my feet aching after one walk through.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 687
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I like to wear puma's casually and I think they work pretty well for driving too. Look out for the ones that have a flat sole that are only one piece. Some of them have a split sole where theres a raised section between the heel and the forefoot and to me it makes it more difficult to heel toe.
jim
jim
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,449
Likes: 2,651
From: Long Beach, MS
I bought a pair of piloti spyder sv's for spirited street driving and I found them to be comfortable in and out of the car, well made, not too expensive, and a great fit for my feet and their intended use. I don't need shoes that let you step on a dime and call it heads or tails. I am not experienced enough to feel all but the most obvious pedal feedback. I have no trouble with heel/toe work in the Pilotis. Plus they come with a keen key fob! 
For track use and for the more experienced driver there are probably better choices. But if this is your first driving shoe, I'd give them a look-see.
For track use and for the more experienced driver there are probably better choices. But if this is your first driving shoe, I'd give them a look-see.