[Drivingforfun]

Does anyone tend to need a certain type of footwear for driving?

I find myself unable to drive in any kind of thick soled shoes, all I can drive in is very thin soled trainers, like tennis shoes or pump type plimsoles

I tried driving in walking shoes and ended up redlining and wheel spinning away then doing an emergency stop, so decided to let my passenger drive

I don’t understand how people can drive in steel toe capped work boots… how do you feel what you’re doing? Is it just a skill you acquire with practise?

[Mark07]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

Does anyone tend to need a certain type of footwear for driving?

[...] I don’t understand how people can drive in steel toe capped work boots… how do you feel what you’re doing? Is it just a skill you acquire with practise?

I absolutely agree.

I tend to drive in trainers, I can drive in boots, but only once they are sufficiently worn in, and that can take quite some time. I do remember the first time I got in the car in a pair of boots and (compared to normal) I had virtually no sensation of the pedals.

A few years ago, I took my son 'pumpkin picking' and saw people who had driven to the farm in wellies!! 😲

[Rolebama]

Circumstances dictated that I had to drive once in work boots. I drove around the NW London suburbs pretty much all day with no problem until the end of the day when I went home. As I pulled up outside my home, I braked and hit the throttle at the same time. No collision or damage except to my heart rate. I have always driven in flat-soled shoes or trainers since.
A friend's wife drives barefoot, I tried it once, didn't like it.

[Santa]

When I drove a truck, I wore heavy steel-toed safety boots all the time. It was often a requirement in places I delivered to, although some continental drivers would be wearing flip-flops and change when they got out.

I did have to be careful driving home, but it wasn't too bad as I drive a large car - I can imagine problems with small, close pedals.

For normal driving, I prefer ordinary outdoor shoes.

[Drivingforfun]

Interesting posts, I was wondering whether or not I was in a minority

My Dad had to drive with Dr. Martens or whatever they were called when in the police because they don't tend to have time to change footwear when they get out of their car!!! Now he is a tradesman and drives with steel toe boots no problem

My Mum is similarly able because she has "had" to drive in all sorts of fashionable boots, I don't want this to sound awful but I wonder if maybe women are more experienced when it comes to driving without the proper footwear because they tend to wear a more diverse selection of shoes

I do think I might be particularly un-sensitive when it comes to using my feet.. I've driven all sorts of sports cars but I struggle driving my parents' Toyota Aygo regardless of footwear, the throttle seems to be a binary "redline or idle", setting the RPMs to a steady 1,500 to pull away seems impossible....

[Grimm]

I can only drive comfortably in thin-soled shoes; thick ones make me feel disconnected from the pedals. Practice must be key for those who manage with heavy boots.

[Mark07]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

A friend's wife drives barefoot, I tried it once, didn't like it.

I think I'd rather drive in boots than barefoot.