Driving shoes - learn me

[kaho]

Can anyone recommend me a place for some driving shoes?
I suppose "driving shoes" as a family of shoes can be quite a loose term.  I've driven on a pair of puma BMW shoes which the appearance suggests it's meant to drive with. However I found the bottom to be quite thick. They feel more like sneakers. I've also been driving with indoor running shoes which feels light but even thicker softer bottoms. Ironically, the one day when I drove (a semi-spirited drive to get groceries)with slippers it felt much better transferring the pedal feel to my feet. The lack of thickness of slippers seem to contributed to the improved feedback, and I know I could use a good pair of driving shoes.
Being my second season racing ever, I'm not ready to go all out on the most expensive shoes, but would like to know what are my choices and where would I go buy them.

Thanks in advance.

[JamesTCallaghan]

I use a few different sets, Adidas Busenitz for daily driving which are medium thickness soles I’d say, some sparco shoes I bought in Vegas for $120USD (when the dollar was on par) for lapping and some auto x events, they are fairly thin soled and very narrow (important for some cars I drive), and I also have a pair of lightweight thin sole adidas dragons which are also somewhat narrow and very thin soled.

[PedalFaster]

Right now I'm just using a cheap pair of athletic shoes with thin foam soles that I got from Payless. They're not these ones, but they're fundamentally similar.

Before those, I wore indoor soccer shoes like these ones, which were great.

Both were cheaper and better than road race boots like these ones (which cost a ton since they have to be fire-resistant, and which wear out super quickly if you walk around on them) or "driving shoes" like these ones, which are often designed for fashion first, and may not necessarily even have the thin, flexible soles that you want for driving.

[Midnightsky]

I just use a regular set of runners, works great👍

[Cagare]

I use thin soles Pumas which are quite narrow. The indoor soccer shoes are also a great idea.

[Reijo]

Some of the sporting and shoe shops have "driving" shoes.  Usually around $100-120 that have a nice thin sole that gives you good feel.  I think that is the secret - look for a thin sole but also a relatively snug/tight fit so they do not shift around on your foot.

I see Sport Cheq has some Pilotis too ... go figure.  I think I bought a pair years ago at Forzanis (?) at Chinook Mall - upper level on the east side ... north of the food court ... whatever shoe store that was.

R

[Bitters]

I use piloti shoes which are nice for an everyday shoe but expensive. I also just bought some puma drift cat ultra 5s which are great and inexpensive.

[kaho]

Went into sport chek in market mall  (had the misadventure of dropping by for the dermatologist appointment, only to find out I'm a week ahead of the appointment ) asked for driving shoes and they thought I was speaking Korean. The hunt will continue.

[NickST]

Some of the sporting and shoe shops have "driving" shoes.  Usually around $100-120 that have a nice thin sole that gives you good feel.  I think that is the secret - look for a thin sole but also a relatively snug/tight fit so they do not shift around on your foot.

I see Sport Cheq has some Pilotis too ... go figure.  I think I bought a pair years ago at Forzanis (?) at Chinook Mall - upper level on the east side ... north of the food court ... whatever shoe store that was.

R

All this time I thought the only criteria was that they were red for good luck! haha

I've seen some Ferrari shoes at stores once in a while, they are not nearly as expensive as I though they would be. Even on the site they are only $185 CAD. I have seen them for sale for a lot less.
https://store.ferrari.com/en-ca/sneakers_cod13331180552011454.html#dept=Shoes_M

[Apex Carver]

Went into sport chek in market mall  (had the misadventure of dropping by for the dermatologist appointment, only to find out I'm a week ahead of the appointment ) asked for driving shoes and they thought I was speaking Korean. The hunt will continue.

Sport Chek carries piloti but online only. If you wait for a friends and family sale (usually once or twice a year) you can get 25% off them which isnt a bad deal. I also have a set of Sparcos as well which i picked up from the border on my way to packwood last year and they are quite attractive price wise. However I prefer the Piloti's to the Pumas and Sparcos that i've used previously.

[Tara]

Converse shoes are my favourite to drive in - good edges for easy heel & toeing, but thin enough that there's plenty of feel. And cheap!

Ironically I absolutely hated Pumas, they're too rounded at the edge. In a car with pedals *just* close enough for me to heel and toe it meant slipping off the gas a few times while trying to blip and brake. And I can't stand the spongy feel of a runner/training shoe.

[Myz]

I agree converse is a good, inexpensive route to go.
The sole is thin enough to deliver feedback & its comfy for use all day.
Even powerlifters & strongmen use them for the same reason

[MurrayPeterson]

Converse shoes are my favourite to drive in - good edges for easy heel & toeing, but thin enough that there's plenty of feel. And cheap!

I think your definition of cheap and my definition don't have any common ground   My current driving (and everything else) shoes cost me $30 at Payless.
 

[Reijo]

Converse shoes are my favourite to drive in - good edges for easy heel & toeing, but thin enough that there's plenty of feel. And cheap!

I think your definition of cheap and my definition don't have any common ground   My current driving (and everything else) shoes cost me $30 at Payless.

Only a year, and already you are starting to sound like a retired guy!   Hahahahaha   

R

[Tara]

Converse shoes are my favourite to drive in - good edges for easy heel & toeing, but thin enough that there's plenty of feel. And cheap!

I think your definition of cheap and my definition don't have any common ground   My current driving (and everything else) shoes cost me $30 at Payless.

Hey, Converse are only ~$50-$60 - that's dirt cheap by lady shoe standards! Especially compared to a purpose-built driving shoe.