Are driving shoes worth having?
12-28-2018, 01:17 PM
#1
Are driving shoes worth having?
I知 a rookie lapping track and Autocross recreational enthusiast and not a candidate for rookie of the year! I知 R8C a ZR1 on May 4th.
Jenifer was able to register me for the Ron Fellows ZR1 school in mid-May on our drive back to Gig Harbor, Washington. The school confirmation recommends $135 Pilotti driving shoes. They do have a very cool Corvette logo on the side! Previously, I致e noticed some drivers at the Ridge Motorsport and the Aloha stadium autocross wearing driving shoes. Consider me doubtful they will allow me to drive $135 faster... Maybe I値l all a Novistretch mask over the Xpel PPF instead?
what do you think? What makes the shoes special and therefore worth having?
Les
Jenifer was able to register me for the Ron Fellows ZR1 school in mid-May on our drive back to Gig Harbor, Washington. The school confirmation recommends $135 Pilotti driving shoes. They do have a very cool Corvette logo on the side! Previously, I致e noticed some drivers at the Ridge Motorsport and the Aloha stadium autocross wearing driving shoes. Consider me doubtful they will allow me to drive $135 faster... Maybe I値l all a Novistretch mask over the Xpel PPF instead?
what do you think? What makes the shoes special and therefore worth having?
Les
12-28-2018, 01:22 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
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For the average guy who drives his car on the street they will look cool. I seriously doubt the average guy will get faster lap times or quarter mile times by wearing these shoes instead of nikes or reeboks. Id buy them just for the look. Just like a corvette t shirt, jacket, mug or wall clock.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 12-28-2018 at 02:23 PM.
12-28-2018, 01:26 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
You only really need a flat bottomed comfortable shoe with a fairly rigid sole. No matter the brand, etc. That being said I致e got a set of Oakley driving shoes that I致e used for a couple of years for the advantages above.
12-28-2018, 01:29 PM
#4
Get a set of Puma sneakers; make great driving shoes and are much cheaper. You need to go up at least one size as they run small. Something like this https://us.puma.com/en/us/pd/drift-c...20Black-Silver. Wear my all the time to car shows or just out for a joy ride
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12-28-2018, 02:33 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
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Get a set of Puma sneakers; make great driving shoes and are much cheaper. You need to go up at least one size as they run small. Something like this https://us.puma.com/en/us/pd/drift-c...20Black-Silver. Wear my all the time to car shows or just out for a joy ride
Last edited by fleming23; 12-28-2018 at 02:34 PM.
12-28-2018, 03:09 PM
#6
Instructor
These are great, I have a pair of Puma Futurecats that I use when I am racing. If you have a larger foot (I wear a 12) driving the car and heel toeing can become difficult. Even just moving from gas to brake I found my regular tennis shoes would some times catch a pedal I did not intend. With a good driving shoe, this has never once happened. Just cruising around on the street, probably not necessary.
12-28-2018, 03:59 PM
#8
Tech Contributor
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I stopped wearing driving shoes a couple of years ago and went back to a Nike Walking Shoe. Driving shoes have thin soles to provide a feel for the pedals but they are uncomfortable to wear if you spend long periods of time on your feet while at the track. With the C7 and active rev match I don't really feel the need to feel the pedals like is necessary to do heel/toe. Besides the Nike's are one hell of a lot more comfortable when walking around the paddock. I haven't had a problem with the tread of the shoe catching on the pedals or getting my foot on more than one pedal at a time.
Bill
Bill
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12-28-2018, 05:43 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
I知 a rookie lapping track and Autocross recreational enthusiast and not a candidate for rookie of the year! I知 R8C a ZR1 on May 4th.
Jenifer was able to register me for the Ron Fellows ZR1 school in mid-May on our drive back to Gig Harbor, Washington. The school confirmation recommends $135 Pilotti driving shoes. They do have a very cool Corvette logo on the side! Previously, I致e noticed some drivers at the Ridge Motorsport and the Aloha stadium autocross wearing driving shoes. Consider me doubtful they will allow me to drive $135 faster... Maybe I値l all a Novistretch mask over the Xpel PPF instead?
what do you think? What makes the shoes special and therefore worth having?
Les
Jenifer was able to register me for the Ron Fellows ZR1 school in mid-May on our drive back to Gig Harbor, Washington. The school confirmation recommends $135 Pilotti driving shoes. They do have a very cool Corvette logo on the side! Previously, I致e noticed some drivers at the Ridge Motorsport and the Aloha stadium autocross wearing driving shoes. Consider me doubtful they will allow me to drive $135 faster... Maybe I値l all a Novistretch mask over the Xpel PPF instead?
what do you think? What makes the shoes special and therefore worth having?
Les
12-28-2018, 09:38 PM
#10
I recall a discussion that, I believe Matt Farah had with Johnny Lieberman. One of them was all about their Pilotis until they showed up to an event with actual racing drivers, including Randy Pobst and Justin Bell, who were all wearing Converse All Stars.
Last edited by 4GS7; 12-28-2018 at 09:38 PM.
12-28-2018, 09:38 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
i've got a big heavy size 12 and the cheapo summit drag racing shoes were cheaper than tennis shoes and very thn soles do indeed make for better pedal feel and I don't get my feet tangled as ez
plus they are high top which gives me better ankle support for clutch
plus they are high top which gives me better ankle support for clutch
12-28-2018, 10:15 PM
#12
I'm also a fan of the Pumas and have been wearing these when I drive on track. They are basically the same as their driving shoes but with velcro because I'm too lazy to tie shoelaces several times a day.
When I come off track I put on a set of slip on walking shoes until it's time to put my helmet and other shoes back on.
When I come off track I put on a set of slip on walking shoes until it's time to put my helmet and other shoes back on.
12-29-2018, 07:49 AM
#13
Some High speed events require driving shoes because of the the fire rating. Only reason I own a pair. Needed for over 200 MPH at the Texas Mile and ECTA if I remember correctly. When not required I wear my regular sneakers. Verify they are a recommendation and not required.
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12-29-2018, 10:11 AM
#14
I知 not a track driver but did take advantage of my discounted admittance to Ron Fellows last spring. I did not buy the driving shoes for my size 10-11 feet. I used some flat bottom tennis shoes. During some of the driving sessions, on a few occasions, my feet felt clumsy to me and had my right foot on the brake and gas pedal at the same time driving the automatic. At those instances, it felt like I was wearing work boots. Back then I wondered if the driving shoes would have made a difference and I think they would have. I could not justify buying them, but if I were to track my car, I would buy a pair based on my experience.
12-29-2018, 10:40 AM
#15
Safety Car
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I roll race, standing Mile and 1/2 Mile and use the G-Force 236 Pro Series; it’s a 3/4 shoe, nice Velcro cover strap and very comfortable, light and reasonably priced.
12-29-2018, 10:45 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
Puma is a price leader.
Are they worth it?
If you have a manual, heel & toeing, perhaps.
On a long drive, either auto or manual, with the rounded heels for comfort, perhaps.
For pedal feel, either auto or manual, with thin flexible soles, perhaps.
For C4 ownership and the need for fire proof clothing, perhaps (CFOT joke).
For standing and walking...NO
All FWIW good luck in your decision.
Are they worth it?
If you have a manual, heel & toeing, perhaps.
On a long drive, either auto or manual, with the rounded heels for comfort, perhaps.
For pedal feel, either auto or manual, with thin flexible soles, perhaps.
For C4 ownership and the need for fire proof clothing, perhaps (CFOT joke).
For standing and walking...NO
All FWIW good luck in your decision.
12-29-2018, 10:51 AM
#17
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Deal's Gap 2004 NCM Motorsports track supporter
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Puma is a price leader.
Are they worth it?
If you have a manual, heel & toeing, perhaps.
On a long drive, either auto or manual, with the rounded heels for comfort, perhaps.
For pedal feel, either auto or manual, with thin flexible soles, perhaps.
For C4 ownership and the need for fire proof clothing, perhaps (CFOT joke).
For standing and walking...NO
All FWIW good luck in your decision.
Are they worth it?
If you have a manual, heel & toeing, perhaps.
On a long drive, either auto or manual, with the rounded heels for comfort, perhaps.
For pedal feel, either auto or manual, with thin flexible soles, perhaps.
For C4 ownership and the need for fire proof clothing, perhaps (CFOT joke).
For standing and walking...NO
All FWIW good luck in your decision.
12-29-2018, 10:58 AM
#18
Race Director
It will be a personal thing, like wearing driving gloves. As a long time racer, I wear both for performance events because I have gotten used to the feel of racing shoes and gloves. If you are looking to get some race shoes and aren't into Corvette logos, Racequip or G-Force racing shoes are less expensive and have worked well for me.
My son finds that the Pilotti's wear out very quickly, he goes thru a pair about every six months, provided by the race team.
My son finds that the Pilotti's wear out very quickly, he goes thru a pair about every six months, provided by the race team.
12-30-2018, 12:36 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
I知 a rookie lapping track and Autocross recreational enthusiast and not a candidate for rookie of the year! I知 R8C a ZR1 on May 4th.
Jenifer was able to register me for the Ron Fellows ZR1 school in mid-May on our drive back to Gig Harbor, Washington. The school confirmation recommends $135 Pilotti driving shoes. They do have a very cool Corvette logo on the side! Previously, I致e noticed some drivers at the Ridge Motorsport and the Aloha stadium autocross wearing driving shoes. Consider me doubtful they will allow me to drive $135 faster... Maybe I値l all a Novistretch mask over the Xpel PPF instead?
what do you think? What makes the shoes special and therefore worth having?
Les
Jenifer was able to register me for the Ron Fellows ZR1 school in mid-May on our drive back to Gig Harbor, Washington. The school confirmation recommends $135 Pilotti driving shoes. They do have a very cool Corvette logo on the side! Previously, I致e noticed some drivers at the Ridge Motorsport and the Aloha stadium autocross wearing driving shoes. Consider me doubtful they will allow me to drive $135 faster... Maybe I値l all a Novistretch mask over the Xpel PPF instead?
what do you think? What makes the shoes special and therefore worth having?
Les