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Sparco driving shoes questions

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Old 02-23-2009, 02:46 AM
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Sparco driving shoes questions

hope this is the right place to post this thread lol, but anyways...

I've searched around and I decided these were the ones I wanted for my driving shoes. I won't be doing any crazy racing or anything, " although I might sign up for a track day one of these days lol" But just to have, and to be able to have a separate pair of shoes in the car for driving, and when I'm out of the car, I can swap em out with my vans or whatever. Not to mention this would keep the interior alot cleaner too.

http://www.sparcousa.com/pracewear_shoes.asp?id=21

the "Top 3" ^

http://www.sparcousa.com/pracewear_shoes.asp?id=18

the "Speedway" ^

Now has anyone here owned a pair of these? any comments? things you hate/loved?

also... has anyone ever worn these" link below" for casual, everday walking? I would imagine walking in the thin soles would be a pain. Not too sure how good it would be for your feet either.

http://www.sparcousa.com/psportswear_shoes.asp?id=549
Old 02-23-2009, 02:58 AM
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Since you don't need them to be fireproof and such i think that you can save some money by buying a non omologated pair of shoes.
I have this model of puma: http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/likefootwear/likefootwear$16204736.jpg
and they perform well, being a low pair of shoes you can even walk around with them and that's a plus. Forget long walks with higher models, like the ones that wrap your ankle.
Puma also had a collection made with sparco, you should be able to find them somewhere.

Anyway the general advice is to buy a non dedicated pair since you don't really need them to be fireproof etc, just go at a sport store and fine the ones you feel better with.
Adidas also had a collection made in partnership with goodyear and they are a bit stiffer so you might want to try them if you need to go for long walks
Old 02-23-2009, 05:19 AM
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Another cheap option would be Wrestling Shoes. These also wouldn't offer any fire protection, but would feel similar to 'driving' shoes.
Old 02-23-2009, 06:59 AM
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personally i like the adidas version the adi-racer shoe.....they are all around comfortable and offer a real good feel on the track

http://www.shopadidas.com/searchHand...ords=adi+racer
Old 02-23-2009, 07:23 AM
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Personally, I would go for a pair of Pilotis for daily driving. I've had my Prototipos for a couple years now and they're holding up great - they're comfortable when walking around, great in the car, and they look pretty normal.

www.piloti.com

Oh and another note - keep in mind both your driving style and the size of your feet. I have a pair of Puma Future Cats as well, which are very narrow, and they're nearly useless for me. The way I heel-toe is to to brake with my big toe, then kick the opposite edge of my foot into the throttle. Now, I have relatively narrow feet to begin with, and the Pumas fit just like a sock with a sole, so I can just barely graze the edge of the gas pedal unless I consciously adjust the position of my feet - this gets very distracting when trying to heel-toe in a hurry. The Pilotis are just slightly more wide and are nearly perfect for my driving style.

Last edited by Rhawb; 02-23-2009 at 08:31 AM.
Old 02-23-2009, 07:28 AM
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yeah id go with piloti too
Old 02-23-2009, 08:18 AM
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I also have a pair of Pilotis and I love them. They are designed specifically for driving, and shaped like a tennis shoe, so you don't look like a tard getting in and out of your vehicle.

Before that though I had a pair of K-Swiss Ghents which IMO are the best driving shoes ever. They are not designed for driving but they were perfect for it. They had zero sole padding so pedal feel was great. They were still very comfortable because of their doe skin construction. Best of all they only cost $40. I was so in love with these shoes I called the manufacturer to obtain a new pair of them after mine had some serious wear on them. (Like, you couldn't even immagine.) My girlfriend staged a protest and told me she would not go out with me until I found new shoes. K-Swiss said they had some in their warehouses still but not in my size so I was very dissapointed. I bought my Piloti's soon after and they make a close second.
Old 02-23-2009, 03:21 PM
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I actually plan on keeping a pair of these shoes in my 8, and its entire purpose is for driving. So it'll never see anyhting other then the pedals, ever. The only pair I would even consider wearing around would the Pitlanes, but then thats just a impulse buy kinda thing lol.

I'll check out the Pilotis though, seems pretty unanimous.
Old 02-23-2009, 11:12 PM
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I like the Puma Speedcats best for running errands since you can wear it in the stores also. The Sparcos are too hardcore, you will look like a jack *** walking around wearing that thing. I don't like the Piloti at all. The soles are too thick and numb to be proper driving shoes.
Old 02-23-2009, 11:24 PM
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Driving shoes feel a little different to everyone. If you haven't had a pair - and you like the high tops - try something a bit cheaper to start and see what you like and don't like.
I bought a pair of low Oakleys a while back and they are fabulous in the car. The 20 min all-hands meeting standing on the concrete in them is horrible.

I have had a few diff brands and asked lots of folks opinions. Piloti.
They are my favorite now. I have the prototipo - great shoe.
Have heard good things about the Puma Speedcats. Would like to try those.
Old 02-23-2009, 11:43 PM
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Vans/skate shoes are surprisingly good for driving footwork
Old 02-24-2009, 12:34 AM
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I wear Puma Drift Cats, they're my daily walkers. They are a stylish shoe, I see them for sale at hip shoe shops in the mall and see people that probably aren't into driving wearing them. So you won't look like an *** walking around in them, but they are great for driving.

Old 02-24-2009, 12:36 AM
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Here's mine
Puma Speed Cats


Last edited by 05rex8; 02-24-2009 at 12:53 AM.
Old 02-24-2009, 07:20 PM
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i have speed cats and a set of these babies

http://www.shoedeals4u.com/images/sh...e/30151901.jpg

except i didnt buy a pair that have Ferrari pasted on the side lol they are very comfy :P and on the bottoms it has a warning to be worn by fast drivers only hah!
Old 02-24-2009, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by chrism
personally i like the adidas version the adi-racer shoe.....they are all around comfortable and offer a real good feel on the track

http://www.shopadidas.com/searchHand...ords=adi+racer
I have 2 pairs of the Addidas goodyear eagle F1's
Tread pattern is kinda cool (eagle f1 pattern), but the best part is they can be worn daily.

Last edited by rglbegl; 02-24-2009 at 09:49 PM.
Old 02-24-2009, 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by expo1
Another cheap option would be Wrestling Shoes. These also wouldn't offer any fire protection, but would feel similar to 'driving' shoes.
+1

Much cheaper and have same structure.
Old 02-24-2009, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
Vans/skate shoes are surprisingly good for driving footwork
i agree
Old 02-24-2009, 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by dbright007
Driving shoes feel a little different to everyone. If you haven't had a pair - and you like the high tops - try something a bit cheaper to start and see what you like and don't like.
I bought a pair of low Oakleys a while back and they are fabulous in the car. The 20 min all-hands meeting standing on the concrete in them is horrible.

I have had a few diff brands and asked lots of folks opinions. Piloti.
They are my favorite now. I have the prototipo - great shoe.
Have heard good things about the Puma Speedcats. Would like to try those.
ok,

i won a set of pilotis. the correct answer at the moment was air jacks..

i really have a pair of flip flops broken in for the task.. but that is frowned at during track weekends..

so right now i am waiting to fail in driving shoes! but really the bit i have done it them.. seems well though out.


beers
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