Shoes for driving 🚘

[Cherrybomball]

What in your opinions, is the best shoes type/style for driving? I am learning atm, and my current footwear is just not cutting it!

Another vote for Skechers Go Walk (shoes, not trainers).

When I first started driving I wore converse but now I can drive in most shoes and boots that are low heeled.

Apparently in one European city (I think it was Barcelona) its illegal to drive in flip flops or heels or barefoot!

@Blobby. That's the case in all of Spain, and includes backless shoes too.

I’ve had a very near miss in a flip flop when I was driving - the sole curled under itself and nearly got stuck under the pedal! Scared the life out of me and I will never drive in anything other than a full shoe now. If I get in the car with someone and they’re driving in mules or flip flops I literally feel like I’m going to die.

I’m pretty sure Brazilians know how to wear flip flops properly too it’s still illegal to drive in them there. Barefoot is fine.

My favourite driving shoes are Havaianas espadrilles (like these). They have the same soles as their flip flops but canvas upper, I love mine.

Southwark those shoes look really comfy, a bit like toms and quite a reasonable price I will keep them in mind

Deffo not going to even try and drive in flip flops, but some interesting facts and tales about them

Basically good fitting trainers or in the summer proper walking/hiking sandals with rubber sole.

I sometimes wear high ish heeled boots and it takes me a few mins to adjust but if they have a good gripped sole then it's a doddle.

Don't wear anything with shit soles(slippy when wet) and not too thick and clunky,as you can't feel where your feet are or how much/how little pressure you are applying.

I tried driving barefoot once as the toms I was wearing were pinching at the heel and weren't giving me the flexibility I need for the pedals. Slightly better than the toms but ultimately I will never actively do barefoot if I have the option. Didn't feel comfortable having to excert pressure with my bare feet.

"Barefoot is fine."

But not very safe.
Rule 97 in the highway code states: You should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.

If driving in bare feet or flip flops means you can't do an emergency stop then it isn't safe or legal.

I prefer wearing shoes too - I keep a pair of ballet pumps in the car just in case.

LoniceraJaponica, I meant in Brazil, not here
I don’t like driving barefoot myself, but people in Brazil routinely do because they’re out and about in flip flops quite a bit.

If driving in bare feet or flip flops means you can't do an emergency stop then it isn't safe or legal.

But why would being barefoot or in thongs preclude you from emergency stops? I've been driving for nearly 40 years and have unfortunately had to make a couple of emergency stops in that time including once at high speed on a freeway barefoot (although in that scenario you do have to do it in a way so your breaks don't lock up but that has nothing to do with footware, that's driving skill).

Also, no idea how/why bare feet of thongs would fit in under what you have quoted as Rule 97 (wherever that comes from). It's obviously quite subjective. Some countries feel their citizens are able to drive safely as such, other countries consider their citizens cannot.

I drive barefoot in summer. I find it more comfortable than being in sweaty shoes and safer than flip flops.

I can manage perfectly well doing hill starts and emergency stops without shoes on!

I have got used to wearing thick soled boots as I have to wear magnum work boots. It took about half an hour to get used to it at first and I probably would have struggled learning to drive in them.

I do wear flip flops but they are fitflops so thick soled, don't bend and are very secure. Couldn't imagine driving bare footed.

Ballerinas. But I wear them in winter too, as I hate socks
Flip flops are a no-no!

How can you hate socks?

Don't your feet ever feel cold?