Driving shoes/trainers - anyone use them?

P

paulgs1000

Lifer
Newcastle upon Tyne
Someone I know has bought a pair of Politi driving trainers. After initially giving him some grief, I took a closer look and they have some interesting features. I liked the rounded heel so that your foot more naturally rolls on and off the pedals and the right sole was reinforced and looked slightly wider to help with heel and toe work - the soles seemed a bit heavy and solid however.

If I'm on a long run I wear trainers as anything with a distinct heel does get awkward over time and stretches the front of my feet.

What footwear do you use - I now see there are other driving trainers available Sparco and Adidas GoodYears - anyone have experience?
 
I have tried to buy some white Adidas Goodyears but have had no luck at all in finding some
 
I have Politi trainers as well and like them. You are correct that they have rhs reinforcing for heel and toe as well as the rounded heel. The side works but I need to widen the accelerator pedal in the Zed to be truly comfortable. The rounded heel works but all heels pivot.

I like driving in my converse baseball boots just as much. The soles on these are thinner but I think a little thin. Maybe need some new ones! The Piloti are better in this respect after a week or two. Much thinner at the ball and toes of the foot for feel and loosens off after a couple of weeks.



Think they look okay as well for when you get to where you are going. :thumbsup:
 
I've been wanting to buy some alpinestars karting boots but haven't found a pair I like and the ones I do cost £150+
 
I prefer wearing trainers when driving, anything else seems clumsy. Sometimes I will take other shoes/boots with me so I can wear my trainers while I drive.
 
Marlon said:
I prefer wearing trainers when driving, anything else seems clumsy. Sometimes I will take other shoes/boots with me so I can wear my trainers while I drive.
Click to expand...

Yep - that's my preferred method when out on a Forum hoon or longer run :thumbsup:
 
Chezsherman said:
I've been wanting to buy some alpinestars karting boots but haven't found a pair I like and the ones I do cost £150+
Click to expand...

Hmm, the Politis are £120 and the GoodYears £60-70 so they need to be worth the cost over my 'normal' trainers. :( :?
 
I have a pair of Merrell Excursion Gloves - didn't buy them for driving but they've quickly become the favorites.

2qwity8.jpg


Super lightweight and the sole is a Vibram barefoot with zero drop.
 
If going for a nice meal at the end of a drive then shoes in the boot is the way but for a normal day out without wanting to appear too race car wannabe I think the Piloti or similar are a better bet than the out and out race shoes like Alpines etc.

Although I did think about them as well. :D

You can actually get Piloti which look like brogues and not trainers if you look up the range.
 
I typically use puma trainers with the mimimilst sole. I also have a pair of asics wrestling boots and they are awesome.
 
Almost any of my Vans shoes are great to drive with,but I will always heel and toe down the box even in Rock port walking boots.
Would get race boots if I were to track day or try the Ring perhaps?
 
Puma used to do a driving type trainer that were very comfortable years ago , rounded heel and extra rubber for heel and toe , very light and amazingly they seemed to last forever , I've not seen them for sale for a few years now , I seem to remember demon tweeks do a few types at reasonable prices .
 
I bought some years ago when I was renting a Caterham Superlight for track days. Normal shoes/trainers wouldn't fit on the pedal - or more precisely, they'd hit 2 pedals at the same time.

Ended up with a pair of Puma Vendano GT...
s-l300.jpg

Don't wear them in the Zed though, as the pedals are far enough apart - and they're a bit uncomfortable for walking around in all day. Still take them with me to the 'Ring though - in case I get an offer to drive a Caterham/Elise/etc.
 
I often wear my trainers when travelling to meetings and change to formal shoes in the clients car park. It just feels safer.
 
I've had Merrel drivers, 2 pairs and loved them, great to drive in and very hard wearing, sadly no longer made :(.

I have a pair of Oakley Race Lo's which are ok, the feel is good, but they are awful to walk around in and the toe gets work very quickly and easily.

The venerable Puma Speedcats are about the same as the Oakleys, but thinner with better feel.

I find that they make a difference when I was out in spirited drives in the more "manual" cars, Elise and TVR rather than anything else, but this may just be me...
 
Ive got some old adidas goodyears, that are looking a bit worse for wear, and managed to pick up a set of NOS pre-goodyear adidas driving boots on ebay which i now wear if I know I'm going to be driving a long distance or if I am going somewhere I think I will be able to push the car a bit
 
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