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You know, just go to a Payless shoe store and look for one of those $25 or less Champion running shoes. They are terrible for running but I like them for driving because they are cheaply light and flat
Thin, very flexible sole. Pro shoes are like ballet slippers.
Rounded rubberized (or non-slip type) heel helps keep foot anchored for heel/toe
Nomex! Proper driving shoes are fire resistant using fire resistant/retardant materials to protect in case of fire.
There's a big difference between running/tennis/sneakers and proper driving shoes. They are worth the investment. Not sure how much time they shave - but just like other proper gear - it all serves a specific purpose and isn't simply a fashion statement.
Especially running shoes which are designed to cushion impact and protect feet from repeated strikes on pavement - driving shoes are intended to be as thin as possible for maximizing pedal feel. They are not the best for lots of walking around the paddock as you feel every little pebble. But for driving they are great.
There's a difference
Oh I completely agree with you on the professional driving shoes, and I get it - professional equipment for professional drivers.
But most of the driving shoes I've seen and tried on (like some of the options posted in this thread) aren't much different than regular shoes, except for brand and Motorsport theme = Motorsport Shoes. I've seen hundreds walk for miles around the Daytona/Sebring infields wearing them without issue and a lot guys wearing them to date your Porsche night. I mean GQ always throws a couple of pages in a year on "what driving shoes you should be wearing this season".
I guess I will have to try them out again and see if I can tell.
Let me take issue with Prada on this matter.
The latter would have you believe that they
originated the shoe in their company.
*
But in fact The Car Shoe Company was an
independent manufacturer for nearly 40
years since it's founding in 1963! And they
made shoes for other 'labels', which I will
get to in a minute. Prada took it over not
that many years ago - 2001!
Early years Car Shoe was founded in 1963 by Gianni Mostile.
The brand soon became best known for its signature
moccasin which feature tiny rubber nubs. The brand
earned a patent from the Italian Ministry of Industry
and Trade and its advocates included Giovanni Agnelli,
U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Roberto Rossellini.
Prada takeover In 2001, Car Shoe was assimilated by Prada, which soon
opened stores in Milan and Capri in the next two years
and introduced the line into over 200 major boutiques
internationally.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Original_Car_Shoe
***
The company that really put the 'Car Shoe' mocassin
on the 'map' was Hunting World, a safari apparel &
hunting accessories company with its principal store in
NYC (16 East 53d Street). It was founded by a very
wealthy & well traveled adventurist & safari hunter
named Robert Lee:
This individual became one of the greatest collector
of automobiles in the whole United States. His cars
won many awards, including 'Best of Show' at Pebble
Beach's Concours d'Elegance. And unfortunately, Lee
passed away just recently:
Hunting World is probably best known for their 'battau
fabric' travel bags. If you are of a certain age & lived
in NYC or other elegant locations in the East Coast, you
would remember them. They were a necessary fashion
accessory for any New Yorker of means on his way out
to the beaches of Long Island on the Hampton Jitney!
And they also became the practical bag of choice for
press photographers travelling the world in part because
they were 'weatherproof'!
***
But in the 1970s & 1980's, Hunting World marketed
their private label Italian-crafted 'Car Shoe' very (very)
effectively! I bought my first pair in 1977 when I was
working for Bankers Trust Company at 280 Park Avenue.
In 1983, the fashionistas at the New York time started
to notice their popularity:
"And for those men and women willing to spend $85,
Hunting World has a version called the driving shoe.
Low-cut and square-toed, it has a leather sole pierced
with little rubber ***** that form a tread. Why the
tread? The saleswoman said they pass the car's
vibrations straight to the foot, so you can drive
and get a foot massage at the same time. Well,
she swore it was true."
*
And in 1988, the same NY Times fashion critics
followed up with this report:
"At 60 East 52d Street, Belgian Shoes is still selling
the same loafer-***-moccasin that has been its
trademark for more than 40 years. The price is
now up to $125 a pair. And at 16 East 53d Street,
Hunting World continues rolling out its dashing
moccasin with a fretwork of ***** on the soles
(to facilitate driving) at $95 a pair."
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/21/st...lk-softly.html
*
I must admit to all of you that I also have a very
expensive pair of 'Belgian Shoes'. These are probably
the most comfortable shoes I own. But they are not
designed for driving...just hanging around with other
'Preppy Swells' in the Upper East Side! And I strongly
recommend them if you are looking to match your PTS
Porsche!
*
I ran into Robert Lee & his then fiance (now his
widow - Anne Brockinton Lee) at a restaurant in
Reno when I had a second home nearby at Montreux.
We reminisced about 'Hunting World' & his safari
travel business he also owned (Lee Expeditions, Ltd.).
And I told him how much I had enjoyed owning his
'car shoe' mocassins. He perked up & invited me to
tour his amazing car collection at a giant warehouse
in Sparks. And I did that a few days later...truly
unforgettable!
*
I believe that 'Hunting World' closed their NY store
in 2008. But they outlasted venerable Abercrombie
& Fitch, the original luxury 'sporting goods store'.
The latter was a company founded in 1892!
*
This is probably more than any of you wanted to
know about 'the original car shoe'...or any other
shoe frankly! But I am down with a stomach flu
and have some time in my hands!
Saludos,
Eduardo
Scottsdale
Last edited by Z356; 06-01-2017 at 10:54 PM.
Reason: Spelling...travelling 'word' to 'world'!
Adidias Goodyears. Awesome driving shoe and just looks like a normal shoe.
As far as if driving shoes matter, if you have big feet and a manual then yes they matter. My 911 has a PDK so I don't care but on my manual cars I always wear the Adidias.
Adidias Goodyears. Awesome driving shoe and just looks like a normal shoe.
As far as if driving shoes matter, if you have big feet and a manual then yes they matter. My 911 has a PDK so I don't care but on my manual cars I always wear the Adidias.
+1 and you want to be comfortablt and heel and toe...
Oh, one more that works great is good old fashioned Chuck Taylors. The Goodyears have a stiffer sole so I prefer them but the Chucks are pretty good for driving, too.
Oh, one more that works great is good old fashioned Chuck Taylors. The Goodyears have a stiffer sole so I prefer them but the Chucks are pretty good for driving, too.
Oh man - you can't heel toe in a shoe that doesn't have a Martini Racing design!
+1 and you want to be comfortablt and heel and toe...
I realize real driving shoes matter. My point is most of the "driving shoes" or Motorsport shoes - posted in this thread are the same as any shoe with a similar design. It's a lifestyle statement. But regular shoes are definitely not as cool at the PCA events/Rolex 24/ or any event where you want to show you are are a real driver.
06-01-2017 | 01:43 PM
