Shoes for driving...help!

[BUG4LIFE]

Hey.

I was going to post in the trainer/sneaker thread but thought I’d start a new one instead.

I’d like to buy a pair of shoes for driving, with one specific requirement...a very thin sole.

I usually drive in Vans slip-ons or Chuck Taylors, which obviously have pretty thin soles but I’m looking for thinner (think Toms, but more comfortable)!

The reason for this is leg room. You’d be surprised how much difference a few millimetres make!

Any suggestions welcome

[poing]

Depends on budget but saw this collection today.

https://www.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens/...

[rich23]

Go cheap, thin pumps. Wouldn't wear them out personally but just keep them in the footwell. Order on the small size. https://www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/DX827/DuFFS...

[CanAm]

Puma Speedcats (if you can still get them), also available in discrete colours so you don't look a prat. It looks aren't important, Hi-tec Squash Classic are dirt cheap and comfortable.

[Scaleybrat]

https://www.pilotiuk.co.uk/collections/pistone-lif...

I have a pair of Piloti racing shoes but these are more casual in style. Get my vote!

[MC Bodge]

If you want really thin

https://tadeevo.com/en_US/c/Men/7

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/mens/everyday/abab...

I have a pair of Tadeevo (they look better than they appear on the site) and they are great for driving in. I have 2 pairs of Vivobarefoot Ra too and they too are great.

[thebraketester]

onitsuka tiger Have thin soles, especially is the ball-toe part

[ChemicalChaos]

I have a pair of Sparco Slalom Classics.
Despite being proper FIA approved race boots, their vintage design means they look like smart trainers or casual brogues at a quick/uninitiated glance. This means you can walk around in them without looking like a "driving shoe wker"
As you'd expect, they offer incredible feel and have a wafer thin sole. Yet they are also comfy enough to walk around in all day with no issues.
As a bonus, they aren't expensive either - you can find them them new online for about £100.

[MC Bodge]

thebraketester said:

onitsuka tiger Have thin soles, especially is the ball-toe part

Good call, although they are quite narrow. They also seem to be less available than a few years ago.

[BUG4LIFE]

Cheers for the suggestions guys. I’ll take a look at them all asap.

The thin sole is the important part, be it thinner that a Chuck Taylor.

[shirt]

MC Bodge said:

thebraketester said:

onitsuka tiger Have thin soles, especially is the ball-toe part

Good call, although they are quite narrow. They also seem to be less available than a few years ago.

Schuh sell them. They fit the OP’s brief perfectly.

[AppleJuice]

BUG4LIFE said:

I’d like to buy a pair of shoes for driving, with one specific requirement...a very thin sole.

[Silverbullet767]

ChemicalChaos said:

I have a pair of Sparco Slalom Classics.
Despite being proper FIA approved race boots, their vintage design means they look like smart trainers or casual brogues at a quick/uninitiated glance. This means you can walk around in them without looking like a "driving shoe wker"
As you'd expect, they offer incredible feel and have a wafer thin sole. Yet they are also comfy enough to walk around in all day with no issues.
As a bonus, they aren't expensive either - you can find them them new online for about £100.

Where are you finding them for £100? Everywhere I've seen so far is around £120+

[alorotom]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I do have a preference for this personally but sometimes it’s just not possible I find

[Cotty]

Sparco Time 77 for me. Very similar to speed cats but a bit more like a trainer
https://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=v...

[Ninja59]

CanAm said:

Puma Speedcats (if you can still get them), also available in discrete colours so you don't look a prat. It looks aren't important, Hi-tec Squash Classic are dirt cheap and comfortable.

No longer available, I must have purchased the final few about a year plus ago. Never seen again.

I rarely wear them now, but love them lots.

Onitsuka Tiger's are my day to day alongside my highly worn driving moccasins (they have not pattern left and are worn smooth), definitely need to purchase a new pair.

[MethylatedSpirit]

I use my Five Ten urban approach.

It's a climbing shoe brand, so thin sole and sticky rubber. Actually makes them very good for driving

[Strudul]

Plimsolls are about as thin as you get. I like em for driving, but they don't last very long when walking in them.

[Alex_225]

Converse All Stars for me. I've got size 13 feet so struggle with anything with a wide sole. Have always found Converse to work really well for driving.

[mikef]

ChemicalChaos said:

I have a pair of Sparco Slalom Classics.
Despite being proper FIA approved race boots, their vintage design means they look like smart trainers or casual brogues at a quick/uninitiated glance. This means you can walk around in them without looking like a "driving shoe wker"
As you'd expect, they offer incredible feel and have a wafer thin sole. Yet they are also comfy enough to walk around in all day with no issues.
As a bonus, they aren't expensive either - you can find them them new online for about £100.

Those look wonderful. I’m looking for somewhere in London I could try a pair, as I have rather wide feet