Guys is there a general consensus on a good very narrow soled shoe for track day use. I am having trouble with the older pair that I have getting in the way in tight foot wells.
I need something like a old rock climbing/wrestling shoe but now all of those have major ankle support that I do not need and that just gets in the way.
Thinnest soles I know of that aren't crazy like rock climbing shoes are the Vibram 5 Fingers- though they're DEFINITELY not fire safe. They're only as wide as your foot, literally.
mndsm wrote: Thinnest soles I know of that aren't crazy like rock climbing shoes are the Vibram 5 Fingers- though they're DEFINITELY not fire safe. They're only as wide as your foot, literally.
I am not sure how close they check the shoes for people doing open lapping. Might be able to get away with those. Do they have enough sole to protect your feet from bruising on the pedals.
open lapping .... as long as they are closed toe, no one seems to care
I love my Puma Speedcats. I think I bought them for like $70 five years ago. Narrow with a thin, flat sole.
Merrill makes closed toe barefoot running shoes that work well. None of the funny looks from wearing Vibram Five Fingers too.
wearymicrobe wrote:mndsm wrote: Thinnest soles I know of that aren't crazy like rock climbing shoes are the Vibram 5 Fingers- though they're DEFINITELY not fire safe. They're only as wide as your foot, literally.I am not sure how close they check the shoes for people doing open lapping. Might be able to get away with those. Do they have enough sole to protect your feet from bruising on the pedals.
Yeah, you won't bruise your feet- I've worn mine driving before, and walking over rocks and stuff like that. They're just about the thinnest pair of shoes I can think of.
I like the Sparco's I got used from another racer - but a quick check online shows they retail for almost $300 (ha!). So I second the nod for the Bell's - you might as well get something FIA/SFI rated.
But dang, I just saw these for $66 on sale. I might be that guy at the next track day.
Wrestling shoes...with short laces, if you don't want the support. Should be able to get for $40+
For lowtops, I had a buddy that used indoor soccer shoes...those seemed cool too.
How about some low top Chuck Taylors?
fwiw, most of the high top, real racing shoes with SFI ratings don't have ankle support - they just have thin material there to keep fire away from your ankles. They will not get in the way or hang up on each other.
DaveEstey wrote: Merrill makes closed toe barefoot running shoes that work well. None of the funny looks from wearing Vibram Five Fingers too.
That's what I wear when I'm not wearing my fireproof high-tops. They work great.
When I autocrossed I wore Adidas Gazelle's--indoor soccer shoes.
I also have a pair of speedcats that I wear for auto-x
I have tried using chucks or lowtop chucks before, the 90 degree edge from sole to side is not optimal for my and how I want my feel. That said, I know some people who do it, I also know someone who wore chucks around all day and changed into speedcats to run.
I have seen some guys using the Five Fingers auto-xing and they seem to like them.
You might try the high-tops and see, IIRC the actual racing shoes can be cheaper than speedcats.
Cone_Junky wrote:
+1
Puma has a semi-annual sale if you can wait for it. I've picked up 5 or 6 pairs of these over the last few years. I don't think I ever paid more than $45 shipped for them and sometimes as low as $30. Can't be picky about the color though (I've had brown, black and blue ones, depending on what's on sale).
Another tip - if you're going to be standing a lot, bring another pair of shoes. At least for me, my feet will really ache if I've been standing on asphalt all day in these. They're great for driving though.
JohnyHachi6 wrote:Cone_Junky wrote:+1 Puma has a semi-annual sale if you can wait for it. I've picked up 5 or 6 pairs of these over the last few years. I don't think I ever paid more than $45 shipped for them and sometimes as low as $30. Can't be picky about the color though (I've had brown, black and blue ones, depending on what's on sale).
I will keep an eye out for those sales. I think I need to move up a size anyway. I have pretty jacked up feet from surgeries from motocross injuries, so lack of arch support and padding can be hard on my feet after a while. I do tend to keep these as driving only shoes and swap to tennis shoes for my work groups.
FSP_ZX2 wrote: How about some low top Chuck Taylors?
Or be cool and get the hightops but don't lace up the final three or four rings.
Downside: The buggers cost as much as real racing shoes.
Upside: They last about 5x longer.
I like these puma driving shoes, the ones I have are black though, and they were about $45 when I got them. I also have a pair like those BMW ones, but I can't wear them because the plastic band at the back rubs the skin off my ankle.
Cone_Junky wrote:JohnyHachi6 wrote:I will keep an eye out for those sales. I think I need to move up a size anyway. I have pretty jacked up feet from surgeries from motocross injuries, so lack of arch support and padding can be hard on my feet after a while. I do tend to keep these as driving only shoes and swap to tennis shoes for my work groups.Cone_Junky wrote:+1 Puma has a semi-annual sale if you can wait for it. I've picked up 5 or 6 pairs of these over the last few years. I don't think I ever paid more than $45 shipped for them and sometimes as low as $30. Can't be picky about the color though (I've had brown, black and blue ones, depending on what's on sale).
If you sign up for email blasters from the puma outlet website, their shoes will go on CRAZY sale.
SWMBO and i just got 5 pairs of Pumas for like... $140 shipped.
I'm a fan of Vibram Five Fingers. Compared to driving in normal shoes (even a good set of Pilotis) they are like driving in gloves vs. driving in mittens. Heel and toeing becomes a precise movement of individual toes which is especially helpful when threshold braking. To top it off, they are microscoped and have seemingly limitless grip on wet surfaces; I use them for sailing as well.
I never could see the need for special driving shoes unless fire resistant are required. I just use my normal walking shoes. Somewhat like the Chuck Taylors only a lot cheaper.
Thanks for all the good idea's. I normally don;'t have trouble but with the tight footwell of the new car I will not be able to drive it in sneakers.
Piloti
http://www.piloti.com/Footwear-C9.aspx
Knurled wrote:FSP_ZX2 wrote: How about some low top Chuck Taylors?Or be cool and get the hightops but don't lace up the final three or four rings. Downside: The buggers cost as much as real racing shoes. Upside: They last about 5x longer.
I have 3 pairs of Chucks. My oldest ones are some special edition faded black ones that are about 8 years old. They are still holding together even though the inner liner is coming apart.
You'll need to log in to post.
