Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > General Community

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-03-2013, 11:50 PM   #1
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default Good Shoes??

Im uncertain putting this post in general instead of off-topic, but since its about driving i figure its ok. So im the market for some new shoes (just normal shoe, not driving/race shoes.) I want to know what shoes you guys use when driving around. i dabble in heel toeing from time to time, and my 3 year old untied samba milleniums didnt do well with that.

So if anyone has a shoe they wear often and would like to recommend a shoe that is good for moderately technical driving while still being socially acceptable, please do. price range is under 100. a thank you in advance
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 04-03-2013, 11:53 PM   #2
dburgoon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 310366
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Lakeland, FL
Vehicle:
03 Widebody Wagon

Default

Really? You have shoe problems? I can heel/toe in any shoe, steal toe'd boots, my vans, flip flops, barefoot anything.

So whatever is comfy for you. I usually have my vans on when I drive, I've even done autoX in my vans

Last edited by dburgoon; 04-04-2013 at 12:00 AM.
dburgoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2013, 11:56 PM   #3
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

ok. i think i just need to have them tied up then. i cannot even begin to drive in dress shoes though, i need a rounded heel. steel toes are surprising to me
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2013, 11:59 PM   #4
dburgoon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 310366
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Lakeland, FL
Vehicle:
03 Widebody Wagon

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DKdekes View Post
ok. i think i just need to have them tied up then. i cannot even begin to drive in dress shoes though, i need a rounded heel. steel toes are surprising to me
I have my pedals bent a little where the gas is closer to the brake pedal, this can help you out as well. But honestly get in your car with it idling, put your foot on the brake pedal and get a feel for how far the gas pedal is away front the brake pedal. You will get to a point where you as well can heel/toe in any shoes
dburgoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:04 AM   #5
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

yeah iv just sat in my car before and practiced revving it with the break on, i need to do more though because when im actually moving i cant get my foot set up quick enough. i think i do it wrong, cause im using almost the arch of my foot to break, and my heel to rev. my foots almost completely sideways and feels very cumbersome.
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:05 AM   #6
Westxon
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 348951
Join Date: Mar 2013
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Texas.
Vehicle:
2002 Subaru WRX
World Rally Blue

Default

I honestly think vans are the best driving shoe other than racing shoes! The flat sole and the feel of the shoe is excellent along with a good look
Westxon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:10 AM   #7
dburgoon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 310366
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Lakeland, FL
Vehicle:
03 Widebody Wagon

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DKdekes View Post
yeah iv just sat in my car before and practiced revving it with the break on, i need to do more though because when im actually moving i cant get my foot set up quick enough. i think i do it wrong, cause im using almost the arch of my foot to break, and my heel to rev. my foots almost completely sideways and feels very cumbersome.
Yeah that's your problem. I hardly angle my foot at all, I basically hit the brake with my big toe and maybe a little more and blip the throttle with my little toe.
dburgoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:13 AM   #8
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

so you arent using your heel. ok i need to try that out. how far apart are your pedals though? my throttle is wayy lower than my break. and how do you bend it? thats probably too extreme for me right now.

vans seem to be coming up so il look. i need new shoes regardless of driving
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:14 AM   #9
dburgoon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 310366
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Lakeland, FL
Vehicle:
03 Widebody Wagon

Default



Here's a shotty diagram of how my foot is. I will take an actual picture tomorrow of my driving position. When I'm harder under braking I angle more so I can get a better feel for the braking, but daily driving this is how my foot is
dburgoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:14 AM   #10
its byron
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 345847
Join Date: Feb 2013
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Dayton
Vehicle:
08 WRX STI
White

Default

http://qualitysportsinc.com/sports-s...shion-sneaker/ -

i use a shoe similar to the puma drift cat 4. it has almost no sole to it and a velcro strap. dont have to worry about laces coming undone and you can really feel the pedal. Also use these on my motorcycle but only if i know im going to be riding aggressively.
its byron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:22 AM   #11
cal_look_zero
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 294461
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Grass Pants, OR
Vehicle:
2006 San Remo Wagon
Under construction

Default

Only "shoe" I could comfortably heel toe in was a pair of fivefingers (Toe shoes)

As it is, I just wear decent running shoes on the daily. I don't see any daily driving scenario where I need to heel toe, but I could if I had to.

Quote:
Originally Posted by its byron View Post
http://qualitysportsinc.com/sports-s...shion-sneaker/ -

i use a shoe similar to the puma drift cat 4. it has almost no sole to it and a velcro strap. dont have to worry about laces coming undone and you can really feel the pedal. Also use these on my motorcycle but only if i know im going to be riding aggressively.
Let me know how those fair in a get off. I'll stick with my Vertigo Corsas and keep my foot/ankle attached to me thanks.
cal_look_zero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:24 AM   #12
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

so what shoe do you actually wear? you said they were similar to the drift cat.

and burgoon, what is the difference in height between your break and throttle? i feel like the only reason mine are so different is because theyre afraid people will confuse the two pedals.

thanks for the diagram and link guys its all helping
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:25 AM   #13
equiraptor
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 300017
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Vehicle:
2012 WRX Limited
WR Blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dburgoon View Post
Really? You have shoe problems? I can heel/toe in any shoe, steal toe'd boots, my vans, flip flops, barefoot anything.
I can't. If I try really, really, really hard, I can kinda, sorta heel-toe in my motorcycle boots. Those and heels are the only shoes in which I have trouble heel-toe-ing, though. Then again, I'm female, and have mid-size to small feet for a woman. When I heel toe, I actually heel-toe (not side of foot, like people with larger feet do). So high heels and stiff ankles interfere with my ability to twist my foot and get things positioned right.

In general, though, good shoes for heel-toe are ones that let you feel the pedal and that let you move your feet around effectively. I've heard it said that thin soles that have some structure are good for those who do the ball-of-foot-to-side-of-foot style. If your feet are small enough for actual heel-using heel-toe, anything thin, small, and flexible works well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cal_look_zero View Post
Only "shoe" I could comfortably heel toe in was a pair of fivefingers (Toe shoes)
I love my Vibrams for driving, as do many other people. At autocross and track days, fire rating isn't required, so we wear them. The KSO and See-Ya (laced or velcro) are great for it, as are the EL-X (mens only model) and Alitza (women only). The one problem is if you're trapped in the car in a fire, they're made from materials that can melt to your feet. That's not much of a concern on the street or with a 3-point belt, but with a harness, it's something to think about.
equiraptor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:33 AM   #14
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

yeah i got wide feet so i think i cant actually do a real heel/toe using my heel

but for people that do the "big toe, little toe" routine burgoon drew a picture of, do you prefer stiffer soles for more stability or looser like she said so you can get a feel? i feel like the two methods may require a different approach
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:33 AM   #15
575rider
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112024
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Bends epic singletrack
Vehicle:
03 WRX 6sp wgn
'12HondaFit, C Bronson

Default

Unfortunately Piloti went under, by far the best imo. Depending on your size you can still find some left over stock at a few online places. I just scored some off ebay a couple months ago, size 13 tough to find.
They have a much wider toe box than Adidas, I can't wear those at all. Also, I worked on a concrete floor all day and they have enough heel padding they were 1 of only 2 brands of shoe I didn't need an insert. Most everyone in my car club wears 'em.
575rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:34 AM   #16
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

Quote:
I love my Vibrams for driving, as do many other people. At autocross and track days, fire rating isn't required, so we wear them. The KSO and See-Ya (laced or velcro) are great for it, as are the EL-X (mens only model) and Alitza (women only). The one problem is if you're trapped in the car in a fire, they're made from materials that can melt to your feet. That's not much of a concern on the street or with a 3-point belt, but with a harness, it's something to think about.
didnt see that, il look those up thanks
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:36 AM   #17
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 575rider View Post
Unfortunately Piloti went under, by far the best imo. Depending on your size you can still find some left over stock at a few online places. I just scored some off ebay a couple months ago, size 13 tough to find.
They have a much wider toe box than Adidas, I can't wear those at all. Also, I worked on a concrete floor all day and they have enough heel padding they were 1 of only 2 brands of shoe I didn't need an insert. Most everyone in my car club wears 'em.
oh wow so these are like moderate racing shoes? look sick
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 12:37 AM   #18
DKdekes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 343785
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: St Louis
Vehicle:
2013 WRX

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 575rider View Post
Unfortunately Piloti went under, by far the best imo. Depending on your size you can still find some left over stock at a few online places. I just scored some off ebay a couple months ago, size 13 tough to find.
They have a much wider toe box than Adidas, I can't wear those at all. Also, I worked on a concrete floor all day and they have enough heel padding they were 1 of only 2 brands of shoe I didn't need an insert. Most everyone in my car club wears 'em.
oh wow so these are like moderate racing shoes? look sick. but just looked on amazon at the prototipos(?) and they only come in 6 7.5 or 8... is that their sizing scale?
DKdekes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 02:59 AM   #19
575rider
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112024
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Bends epic singletrack
Vehicle:
03 WRX 6sp wgn
'12HondaFit, C Bronson

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DKdekes View Post
oh wow so these are like moderate racing shoes? look sick. but just looked on amazon at the prototipos(?) and they only come in 6 7.5 or 8... is that their sizing scale?
No, they are just out of business, so very few sizes available and mainly those tiny sizes. They were made up to size 13 or 14. Luckily I bought 5 pair over the last few years they were in business. Google Prototipo, thats the style I like best. I looked for months for a new pair cause mine are all pretty worn and just happened to score them off ebay from a company selling used shoes. Although the ones I got were maybe worn 1 time.
575rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 03:42 AM   #20
Excision
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 294622
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: Texas
Vehicle:
2007 STI - WRB
Perrin GTX3076r, Slow

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Westxon View Post
I honestly think vans are the best driving shoe other than racing shoes! The flat sole and the feel of the shoe is excellent along with a good look
i completely agree with you. vans are the best driving shoes.
Excision is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 07:11 AM   #21
C3hutson
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 347969
Join Date: Feb 2013
Vehicle:
04 STi
JBP

Default

Easy. Merrell barefoot shoes.

/thread
C3hutson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 07:21 AM   #22
WRXTIM
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 213496
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Queens NY/Secaucus NJ
Vehicle:
09 WRX
Dark Gray

Default

old school pumas with the outter heels worn down.
WRXTIM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 08:05 AM   #23
dburgoon
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 310366
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Lakeland, FL
Vehicle:
03 Widebody Wagon

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DKdekes View Post

oh wow so these are like moderate racing shoes? look sick
I have actually accidentally raced in my pilotis instead of my actual racing shoes, I got out after my stint and realized I was wearing the wrong shoes

And to answer your question about the height difference, when you press the brake pedal the distance should become less between the brake and throttle. Obviously when you get new pads then it will be harder to make up the distance.

It's all about feel, you just have to feel it and do it the way that makes you comfortable.
dburgoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 08:57 AM   #24
point78
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 344329
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Summit County
Vehicle:
2008 Wrx, 6mt

Default

Quote:
I love my Vibrams for driving, as do many other people.
Yup. I had no idea how much difference a shoe could make.
point78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 10:48 AM   #25
mechatricity
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 290592
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Charlotte, NC
Vehicle:
15 Outback,
15 WRX 6MT CWP

Default

I'm so sad Piloti went under. I've had several pairs and they were great shoes.

I recently bought a pair of Sparco Esse's. I really like them but they aren't quite as comfortable as my Pilotis. Cheap, though.

That said, i can heel toe much better barefoot than with shoes on
mechatricity is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.