Barefoot motoring

Wild Garlic

I've recently started driving barefooted and love it. It feels like you have a strange added connection to the motor. It feels kind of primal.

Has anyone ever tried it? Am I the only one? Have I lost the run of myself?
Go on try it, you won't regret it.

I'm off now to sign myself in (:

Atlantic Dawn

Do the pedals not then stink?

jca

I hate it. Have done it the odd time while at the beach etc definitely not a fan.

Wild Garlic

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Do the pedals not then stink?

All part of the experience....

ba_barabus

Isn't it dangerous as you can't apply maximum pressure to the brake pedal in an emergency?

lollsangel

When we lived in Kerry I used to drive back from the beach barefoot. Easier than driving in sandy shoes

vandriver

Potential Darwin award winner.

myshirt

As long as you are not bare back riding op, that's even more dangerous.

Wild Garlic

ba_barabus wrote: »

Isn't it dangerous as you can't apply maximum pressure to the brake pedal in an emergency?

No issues there. I tested it out. Whilst driving along I got a passenger to shout out dog......

Wild Garlic

myshirt wrote: »

As long as you are not bare back riding op, that's even more dangerous.

Unless the car was fitted with roof pedals .....

Sunnyisland

It's illegal to drive barefoot or with flip flops in Spain and Portugal , big fines issued.

Sh1tbag OToole

vandriver wrote: »

Potential Darwin award winner.

I know someone who always takes his shoes off while driving and swears by it.

The shoes don't buy you any extra pressure-exerting ability unless your brake pedal is covered in pointy objects

antodeco

I've done it a few times. The issue I've had is I typically use toe braking. Grand when wearing a show, as you'll get an even application and better weight behind it. Barefoot, only my big toe is properly connecting. Have to alter my driving style when barefoot.

CiniO

I drive barefoot from time to time on warm days - escpecially on runs to the beach. I love it. And it's not dangerous.

billy few mates

A friend of mine was a big fan of this until the beautiful warm sunny day he drove into town and ran out of petrol...he had to push the car to the side of the road and then walk barefoot to a petrol station and back again.
After that he wasn't really a big fan of it any more...

CiniO

billy few mates wrote: »

A friend of mine was a big fan of this until the beautiful warm sunny day he drove into town and ran out of petrol...he had to push the car to the side of the road and then walk barefoot to a petrol station and back again.
After that he wasn't really a big fan of it any more...

Well, but that's kinda different issue.
Everyone should always carry in the car everything they need to keep going without the car (in case of accident or breakdown, etc).
F.e. in witner time, I always take my warm clothes with me, even if I'm not planning to be outside at all.
When I drive at -25 degrees, I have a whole set of warm clothes, in case I had to leave the car and walk.

savagethegoat

ba_barabus wrote: »

Isn't it dangerous as you can't apply maximum pressure to the brake pedal in an emergency?

What is the difference between pushing on the inside of your shoe or on a rubber pedal? How can it be dangerous?

DivingDuck

realies wrote: »

It's illegal to drive barefoot or with flip flops in Spain and Portugal , big fines issued.

There's a huge difference between wearing a flip-flop and being barefoot, though, surely?

A shoe that can readily slip off is a menace while walking, let alone while behind the wheel. Driving barefoot may not be as easy/familiar as while wearing a standard shoe, but it has to be miles better than driving while wearing something that has the potential to cause distraction and/or obstruction to the pedals.

keithclancy

ba_barabus wrote: »

Isn't it dangerous as you can't apply maximum pressure to the brake pedal in an emergency?

Only if your break pedal is made out of lego.

Dord

Would never do it. My preferred driving shoe would be converse hitops. Very comfy and thin sole so you can get more feel.

biko

Done it on occasion but I don't like it.

pippip

Depends on the pedals, mine are real chunky rubber pattern, kills the feet.

I'd be more worried on a warm day of your feet slipping off the pedals if they were a smooth type.

Sam Kade

Wild Garlic wrote: »

No issues there. I tested it out. Whilst driving along I got a passenger to shout out dog......

That settles it so an imaginary dog :rolleyes: I've seen an accident where the driver was barefoot and it wasn't a dog it was a child that got knocked down.

Sam Kade

Sam Kade wrote: »

That settles it so an imaginary dog :rolleyes: I've seen an accident where the driver was barefoot and it wasn't a dog it was a child that got knocked down.

And how was the driver being barefoot anything to do with the accident.

I've done it on occasion but personally I didn't like it but I don't really see how it's dangerous, you don't get magical powers from a pair of shoes.

Interslice

I always drive in bare feet with the blowers set to the foot wells. On warm in winter, cool in summer! I find driving in work boots where you can't feel the pedals at all is far more dangerous.

nd

Regarding it being smelly, you should wash your feet more often!

Sam Kade

Jordy Agreeable Sideburns wrote: »

And how was the driver being barefoot anything to do with the accident.

I've done it on occasion but personally I didn't like it but I don't really see how it's dangerous, you don't get magical powers from a pair of shoes.

You've more surface area wearing shoes also you can apply more instant pressure.

keithclancy

Sam Kade wrote: »

You've more surface area wearing shoes also you can apply more instant pressure.

Braking is assisted anyway, I doubt you could apply any more usable force wearing shoes.

Sam Kade

keithclancy wrote: »

Braking is assisted anyway, I doubt you could apply any more usable force wearing shoes.

How do you mean assisted, did you ever have to slam on the brakes to stop suddenly? If you got a kick from someone barefoot and a kick from another person wearing boots, which would hurt most?

Sh1tbag OToole

Sam Kade wrote: »

How do you mean assisted, did you ever have to slam on the brakes to stop suddenly? If you got a kick from someone barefoot and a kick from another person wearing boots, which would hurt most?

The person with the best kicking skills

Sam Kade

Sh1tbag OToole wrote: »

The person with the best kicking skills

Ok, smartarse the same person with boots and without if they gave you two running funts up the arse with and without boots?

foxy farmer

This is the type of footwear worn by F1 drivers. Light and soft flexible soles. They've done the research.

Sam Kade

foxy farmer wrote: »

This is the type of footwear worn by F1 drivers. Light and soft flexible soles. They've done the research.

What's your point? They aren't barefoot.

Gloomtastic!

DivingDuck wrote: »

There's a huge difference between wearing a flip-flop and being barefoot, though, surely?

A shoe that can readily slip off is a menace while walking, let alone while behind the wheel. Driving barefoot may not be as easy/familiar as while wearing a standard shoe, but it has to be miles better than driving while wearing something that has the potential to cause distraction and/or obstruction to the pedals.

I drive in flip flops throughout the summer, never had an issue - touch wood! Didn't know that about Spain either. :eek:

evolutionqy7

I do it on long journeys. Feet would stink after being in shoes all day. Get some cool breeze through them.

Not exactly sure how you can't apply max pressure without shoes.

antodeco

As I mentioned before, it will come down to your driving style. If you use the ball/sole of your foot, you are fine. If you break with just your toes, you will have an issue barefoot.

Sh1tbag OToole

Sam Kade wrote: »

Ok, smartarse the same person with boots and without if they gave you two running funts up the arse with and without boots?

One would think while wearing boots because he would be able to run faster, depending on the surface but then a skilled world class arse-kicker might choose to kick barefoot for the added agility and precision to hit a particularly painful spot. The boot will do more damage to the skin but also has a greater surface area which isn't desirable in this case

foxy farmer

Sam Kade wrote: »

What's your point? They aren't barefoot.

Ideal driving footwear maybe.
Try driving a LR Defender barefoot. Left foot will soon be sore from probably the heaviest clutch known to man.

Sam Kade

Sh1tbag OToole wrote: »

One would think while wearing boots because he would be able to run faster, depending on the surface but then a skilled world class arse-kicker might choose to kick barefoot for the added agility and precision to hit a particularly painful spot. The boot will do more damage to the skin but also has a greater surface area which isn't desirable in this case

Which means you can brake harder while wearing shoes/boots

justchecked

I know of a guy who drove to Dundee barefoot.

Sh1tbag OToole

Sam Kade wrote: »

Which means you can brake harder while wearing shoes/boots

That's not even related at this point. The amount of pain one can cause to an arse by kicking it hasn't much to do with how much force one can put on a brake pedal

PizzamanIRL

Anytime I drive barefoot I felt like I didn't have the same control or apply the same pressure as I would something on.

Letting up the clutch was dodgy

Sh1tbag OToole

justchecked wrote: »

I know of a guy who drove to Dundee barefoot.

Did he make it back ok?

Sam Kade

Sam Kade wrote: »

Which means you can brake harder while wearing shoes/boots

You don't have to apply much force to break hard modern cars as its assisted.

jca

justchecked wrote: »

I know of a guy who drove to Dundee barefoot.

Sounds like a Jasper Carrot joke in the making...

keithclancy

Sam Kade wrote: »

How do you mean assisted, did you ever have to slam on the brakes to stop suddenly? If you got a kick from someone barefoot and a kick from another person wearing boots, which would hurt most?

Yes, your car (more than likely) has assisted brakes, try using the brakes while being towed.

Maybe you just have lady feet.

Sam Kade

keithclancy wrote: »

Yes, your car (more than likely) has assisted brakes, try using the brakes while being towed.

Maybe you just have lady feet.

So if you have to brake suddenly you just casually tip the brakes :rolleyes:
Read this
http://www.brainonboard.ca/safety_features/active_safety_features_brake_assist.php#q5

bren2002

Sh1tbag OToole wrote: »

I know someone who always takes his shoes off while driving and swears by it.

The shoes don't buy you any extra pressure-exerting ability unless your brake pedal is covered in pointy objects

I wouldnt be so sure. I dont think I could maintain pressure on the brake pedal bare foot if the abs was activated.

keithclancy

Sam Kade wrote: »

So if you have to brake suddenly you just casually tip the brakes :rolleyes:
Read this
http://www.brainonboard.ca/safety_features/active_safety_features_brake_assist.php#q5

No, I'd apply enough pressure to stop the car.

I still don't get it are peoples feet overly sensitive or something, I wouldn't actually be able to hurt my foot by applying maximum pressure to a brake pedal.

Bare feet driving isn't dangerous at all, driving in Work boots I'd say is far more dangerous, I don't do it anyway very easy to hit the clutch and brake at the same time.

BMJD

justchecked wrote: »

I know of a guy who drove to Dundee barefoot.

Toblerone OD?

cletus

During the summer I'm either barefoot or in flip flops. I drive barefoot quite a bit, and would always kick off the flip flops before driving. Never had an issue, but then the skin in the soles of my feet is like leather anyway