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I originally bought the Piloti's for Spring Mountain and the driving school out there a couple of years back. They said to wear driving shoes if possible for learning proper heal and toe techniques. Well, I liked the shoes so much I never stopped wearing 'em!
For you naysayers, give 'em a try. We don't wear them strictly for driving purposes. We wear them because they're so DAMNED COMFORTABLE!
I bought a pair of Piloti's while at Watkins Glen a week ago Sunday. I wore them all the rest of that day and for two days this weekend. Great shoe, very comfortable and good pedal feel. I used to wear old walking shoes with the sole worn thin and the tread gone so I could feel the pedals but the Pilot's are much more comfortable than any walking shoe I have ever had new or old.
You don't NEED driving shoes, but if you've ever tried them, you wouldn't find the idea so hysterical. Just like I suppose you could run a marathon in steel toed work boots, or play tennis in cowboy boots to use your analogy - having driving shoes enhances the experience of heel and toe shifting and having your feet in comfortable appropriate footwear to pursue your chosen activity.
If you're interested - and I doubt that you are, the C6R race team drivers wear Piloti Nomex lined SFI certified race shoes.
Not being a member of the C6R race team and not needing to look like one, I think I'll pass. I hope you sell a million pairs. I'll stick to whatever flipper covers I happen to have on. I'm enhanced whenever I get into the car
Yeah, but you just can't live without your red fuel rail covers though, can you? Guess you DO need to look like a Z06?
Pilotti's are REALLY comfy, and are good knock around shoes.
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
New Balance 2E for me Tried on a pair of the Piloti's and they are too narrow. The salesman told me they do not come in widths for people with wider feet.
I bought a pair of the black/white Pumas recently and love them. Lightweight and really let you feel the pedals. Plus they're still a comfortable stylish sneaker you can wear anyplace.
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Just to keep the record straight - and while I cannot speak for the others that wear their Pilotis....when I first started wearing them, my logic was that I don't cross-train, play basketball or tennis, I don't run or jog, etc. So I didn't see the point of buying a shoe that was suited for those things - but I do drive a sportscar -why not have shoes that are designed for what I do.
I wear these shoes the same way that you wear your tennis shoes, or running shoes. I don't switch to my Pilotis when I drive the car - I wear them all the time.
Those of you who are doubters - that's your prerogative. But don't laugh at it until you've tried it. These are shoes that fit like a Nike or Reebok available only in regular widths. They don't work well if you have a very wide foot.
No one is suggesting that you have to have a special shoe to enhance your experience with your Corvette. If you want to drive your Corvette wearing snowshoes - it works for me. Personally - having a shoe that is lightweight and comfortable, and one that is not overly large so that you can move your feet between the pedals, is only going to make an already enjoyable experience even better!
Wearing driving gloves is another issue entirely...best done by those who drive Ferraris and Porches....
Just to keep the record straight - and while I cannot speak for the others that wear their Pilotis....when I first started wearing them, my logic was that I don't cross-train, play basketball or tennis, I don't run or jog, etc. So I didn't see the point of buying a shoe that was suited for those things - but I do drive a sportscar -why not have shoes that are designed for what I do.
I wear these shoes the same way that you wear your tennis shoes, or running shoes. I don't switch to my Pilotis when I drive the car - I wear them all the time.
Those of you who are doubters - that's your prerogative. But don't laugh at it until you've tried it. These are shoes that fit like a Nike or Reebok available only in regular widths. They don't work well if you have a very wide foot.
No one is suggesting that you have to have a special shoe to enhance your experience with your Corvette. If you want to drive your Corvette wearing snowshoes - it works for me. Personally - having a shoe that is lightweight and comfortable, and one that is not overly large so that you can move your feet between the pedals, is only going to make an already enjoyable experience even better!
Wearing driving gloves is another issue entirely...best done by those who drive Ferraris and Porches....
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Drove the Vette today. Had my Piloti's on.
Got in the DD (Buick) still had the Piloti's on. I swear the Buick was faster. Might have to look into a performance hood seal now.
Does anyone know of a good comfortable driving shoe that is also comfortable for walking?? Something that looks like a Piloti, with the rounded heel, but is also comfortable for walking....
thanks!!
Rod
Go with the Pilotis. Great look, comfortable for walking and everyday use and they allow you to further enjoy your passion. Driving!
You can get them from hrwmotorsports, and get free shipping.
What works for me in the vette is just about any tenny runner that fits my feet, cowboy boots, steel toes, sandals, just about anything but flip-flops. Good god, I didn't know I needed driving shoes. I can walk in anything I can drive in or I wouldn't be able to make it out to the damned car. This is takin it toooo far...........
I agree, but I think what's being discussed are shoes that you can really drive in, such as heal-toeing etc. If you can heal-toe in cowboy boots I am really impressed , of course, I can't heal-toe in any shoe at this point!