Driving Shoes

[AlanWak]

I'm in the middle of the Loughborough Car Club Autosolo at Donington Park. My Hitec squash shoes have just split so I need some new ones. Not right now, but need to buy some soon. Richard Burns used to use the same squash shoes when not having to wear "proper" boots, they work well.

I have my nomex boots for rallying/sprinting, but don't want to look an over dressed div at events.

What are others using? Thin sole, rolled heel, narrow, ideally waterproof, low cut.

 

[197.]

I wear cheap plimsolls. Stylish they may not be, but you certainly won't be over dressed wearing them.

 

[Adam G]

Lonsdale about £20 from Sports Direct, thin sole, rolled heel etc. Perfect driving shoe.

 

[...]

i wear Piloti's ,

got a grey pair and a black and orange pair

tweeks sell them

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Produ...UCRYLwi9ejhpoXB5tqQewds_ygkUHdUqhQaAlrz8P8HAQ

 

[bashracing]

The piloti's are cracking shoes, I like my Nike mavrk too for general hooning

 

[Mr Plums]

Oh my god!

As long as you're not wearing flipflops or stilettos you will be fine!

 

[MarkX]

I use these, cheap and very comfortable to me
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=331117473218&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[AlanWak]

Thanks for the replies.
Plimsoles lack the level of rigidity I need.
I'd rather wear my Nomex boots than be seen in Lonsdale! I'm after an understated, stealth look.
"As long as you're not wearing flipflops or stilettos you will be fine!" - you've obviously never driven competitively, footwear makes a HUGE difference.
I've tried Pilotis, the rubber sole is too thick and loses feel.
Kart boots are too similar to my Nomex boots.

Please keep the thoughts coming. I'm hoping my perfect footwear is out there somewhere, but I can't find them. As I use the shoes for road and regularity rallying, plus competing on Autosolos (where I frequently get wet during my marshaling session, as today), I'd love something waterproof, but I suppose I could always Nikwax them.

Apart from Hitec squash shoes, I like the look of the OMP Nurburgring boots in black, but they're expensive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IC-784-OM...hash=item4afa124341:m:mtJ7hvwdRbTlrBIeR5tFoTQ

Fourth overall today and first in class in my standardish 172. 2.3 seconds off the overall win. Only beaten by a Caterham plus highly modified MX5 and Micra. Maximum National Autosolo Championship points.

 

[Adam G]

Nothing wrong with the Lonsdales for the price. I use them on trackdays as they feel similar to a race boot. Could quite happily use them in my hillclimbs but I have OMP boots, as I circuit race too. How about the Puma drift I think they're called then? Double the price, almost the same but a bit of a better choice for a brand snob. Failing that custom made Louboutins with a trademark red sole would look great I'm sure.

 

[Matt Cup]

How about some Puma Future Cats?

 

[AlanWak]

Thanks for those further recommendations. Just been looking on the Sports Direct site. The Drifts look good as do the Future Cats. The black Lonsdales could work. Some indoor football boots could also work and have the benefit that they're not too breathable/let in water.

I should have added that cost is a factor - I'll probably destroy these new shoes in no time. they'll be leading a hard life.

I'll hit Sports Direct tomorrow and see what the shoes are like in reality.
Great thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[coverman]

My £10 Styles didn't split , or let I water today Alan.And I've used them on sprint and hillclimbs many times.Theain thi thi thi view I not to have projecting welts to catch under pedals

 

[coverman]

Sorry, my phone is going crazy today.Stylos

 

[McGherkin]

I always liked my puma ferrari shoes. Looked bloody awful but comfy as you like.

They were a suede/fabric version of the future cat I think.

These days it's just M&S trainers. I'm used to driving in steelies so anything is better.

 

[eon172]

Good price too...

http://www.sportsdirect.com/puma-future-cat-s1-mens-trainers-117197

 

[Knuckles]

I find something with a chunky sole helps overcome the annoying as f**k delay in throttle response when matching revs.

/197problems

 

[LeeRS]

Barefoot. For the more natural feel.

 

[Steve]

I have some suede OMP shoes had them years & still going strong.
Bit bright but very comfy.

 

[RMDavis]

I have a pair of these, and have found them brilliant for track day's. Not too expensive either!

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/karting/footwear/sparco-esse-leisure-shoe

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

 

[AlanWak]

Never say never, I now possess a pair of black Lonsdales!

I was hoping to find some indoor football boots so they could be multi-purpose, but the Lonsdales were superior in every respect as driving shoes. They feel comfortable and well built. Sole feels a little thick at present but they'll wear in. I'm hoping the leather uppers will withstand rain and mud reasonably well, but I'm realistic. Inevitably I'll be wandering around in grass and puddles while learning Autosolo courses and on road/Targa/regularity rallies, especially for the customery pee before the first test!

And they were cheap, another important factor as these shoes will be abused and probably won't last very long, few driving shoes would. Time to test them on some upcoming grass autotests, a passenger ride event for charity, then they should be nicely broken in for the Ross Traders Rally and the rest of the BTRDA Autosolo Championship.

 

[Pacman.]

Puma drift cats are the best for me.

And now I can't find these anywhere Renault F1 Alonso Special Editions. Had them since 2006 lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Joe1337]

Nike janoskis, or socks, I love driving in socks

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[boorek]

Sparco 77, omp ks-3 and puma ferrari, I had all of them, puma got worst quality in my opinion (last about half year) but I wearing them everyday now I have to find something new... Maybe Piloti? But they quite expensive...

 

[Budgie]

Shoes like these. The quickest way to advertise your virginity to the world.

 

[coverman]

Aldi have suede trainer type slip-ons with flexible rubber soles(including a bit up the heel)without a pronounced welt, right now for only £10.

 

[green]

Shoes like these. The quickest way to advertise your virginity to the world.

That cracked me up! Lol :up:

 

[pj_sibley]

I have a brand new and unused pair of blue/white Puma Drift Cats in size 9, which were sent to me in error (ordered size 10). Before I return, does anyone want these? PM me if interesred, I'll put them up in the for sale forum too.

 

[AlanWak]

A quick update on the Lonsdales. I've now done a variety of rallies, Autosolos and Autotests in them and they're holding up. The soles are still feeling a bit think, I'm missing a little feel, but the big test is that I don't notice them - they don't get in the way and haven't held me back. So that's two Targa rally wins, several Autosolo class wins and more Autotest awards.

The thicker sole feels good for walking and I can go through mud without falling over! They even performed well in the wet in the car park at MK Dons stadium yesterday for a BTRDA Autotest - the rest of me was soaked but my socks were dry.

So ok as an allround driving shoe and they were cheap. Some signs of wear now on the soles, but then I do walk most of the tests beforehand, several times, to get the lines right.

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Puma Speedcat's in Black and White, they are old as fook but they do the job.

 

[alistairolsen]

A quick update on the Lonsdales. I've now done a variety of rallies, Autosolos and Autotests in them and they're holding up. The soles are still feeling a bit think, I'm missing a little feel, but the big test is that I don't notice them - they don't get in the way and haven't held me back. So that's two Targa rally wins, several Autosolo class wins and more Autotest awards.

The thicker sole feels good for walking and I can go through mud without falling over! They even performed well in the wet in the car park at MK Dons stadium yesterday for a BTRDA Autotest - the rest of me was soaked but my socks were dry.

So ok as an allround driving shoe and they were cheap. Some signs of wear now on the soles, but then I do walk most of the tests beforehand, several times, to get the lines right.

Which ones did you get?

 

[PAUL JA]

Puma Speedcat's in Black and White, they are old as fook but they do the job.

Another vote for Puma speedcats

 

[AlanWak]

Which ones did you get?

These. As stealthy as possible, I don't want to look like a wannabee racer, I'm a real racer !

Can't see a name on them but they're ok. Inevitably my Nomex boots are better but these are quite good to walk round courses. Just about to do exactly that walking around a field to learn courses for a Boundless by CSMA grass autotest.