HELP-- I can't drive in anything but my winter boots....

[BlondeBumshelll]

....and it's too warm to keep wearing them, not to mention I look fucking stupid with big black boots on in this weather.

I passed my test back in November and haven't really begun to love driving yet. BUT with my boots on I feel like I have the best control and foot position and my driving is smooth. Once I try to drive in anything else my feet ache and I either put too much/too little pressure on the brake which isn't helping my confidence.

I've tried trainers (not the worst and the only other footwear I will wear in a pinch), sandals with heel support, ballet flats, completely flat sandals, heels sandals, small wedge. I just can't seem to find anything that doesn't make my ankles ache and gives me good control.

I've been taking my boots (small block heel with flexible rubber soles) in the car with me and changing but it's not really feasible when running errands and being in and out of the car a few times within a short space of time.

Any suggestions or tips? What do you wear? Does it get easier the longer I'm driving?

I think you need to work out why your ankles are aching.
Is it both? Is your seat position not right? Are you able to rest your heels comfortably?

Both feet I mean.

No, mostly just my right foot so accelerator/brake foot. I've tried different seat positions but maybe that is where the problem lies and I just haven't found the right position.

I'd say it sounds like you need to spend longer adjusting your seat. The boots probably have a bigger heal so you are further away than you need to be in other shoes. Sit and have a proper fiddle checking distance by pushing the clutch in, you should feel like you have full control of the action,not be at the edge of your reach or strength. But this can take a bit of finding depending on the seat.

Check the tilt of the seat as well as how far forward/back it is. Also in some cars it's possible to alter the height of the seat.

Do you by any chance have a car with the accelerator offset to the right? I had one and hated it.. constant aching feet and to make matters worse it was a very heavy accelerator.

The car we have now we've had since about March so I never really needed to wear anything other than boots in my first car so not sure if I would have had the same problems with that. This new car has seat recline, height adjusting and got knows whatever else in it so I think I do need to try out lots of different positions as I really should be able to be more comfortable in any footwear. Also doesn't help that DP is a good 6 inches taller and we use the car between us so I never get to keep my seat in the one position!