Shoes that are suitable for driving?!

Vlove

Hi,
Ive been a learner driver for a couple of years now and I keep having bad luck with shoes especially buying runners or boots! Can anyone suggest to me the right shoes for me? I know flats or any fancy shoes arent allowed when driving. I do tie the shoes tight but still wont make any odds.

I dont want to fail my first driving test so if anyone please suggest what shoes they wear while driving, it will be a help, thanks!

Donal55

Vlove wrote: »

Hi,
Ive been a learner driver for a couple of years now and I keep having bad luck with shoes especially buying runners or boots! Can anyone suggest to me the right shoes for me? I know flats or any fancy shoes arent allowed when driving. I do tie the shoes tight but still wont make any odds.

I dont want to fail my first driving test so if anyone please suggest what shoes they wear while driving, it will be a help, thanks!

I used the clogs myself when I drove continental. Comfy.

MarkR

Any shoes that you are normally comfortable in should be fine. What issue are you having? Are your feet slipping off the pedals? (Only thing I can think of to be honest). Make sure your seat is correctly positioned, and you have full range of motion on the pedal before doing anything.

languagenerd

I don't think there are any shoes "not allowed" while driving. Presumeably stilettos or loose flipflops could be dangerous, but I didn't think there were rules?

I always wear Converse runners - light enough to feel the pedals but sturdy enough not to slip off them. I found it too hard to drive in thick boots because I can't feel the pedals or the biting point, so now I just keep old Converse in the car to change if I need to.

Vlove

languagenerd wrote: »

I don't think there are any shoes "not allowed" while driving. Presumeably stilettos or loose flipflops could be dangerous, but I didn't think there were rules?

I always wear Converse runners - light enough to feel the pedals but sturdy enough not to slip off them. I found it too hard to drive in thick boots because I can't feel the pedals or the biting point, so now I just keep old Converse in the car to change if I need to.

Yeah I had converse runnings and sure the were falling off me even if they were my size. Good idea though to keep old shoes in the car!

MarkR wrote: »

Any shoes that you are normally comfortable in should be fine. What issue are you having? Are your feet slipping off the pedals? (Only thing I can think of to be honest). Make sure your seat is correctly positioned, and you have full range of motion on the pedal before doing anything.

Yeah my feet always tend to be slippy on the pedals especially when i have the big walking boots on or even when i had the converse sneakers(had to chuck because they were also used to walk the dog in the wood and became uncomfortable). What shoes do you use when driving?

me_irl

languagenerd wrote: »

I don't think there are any shoes "not allowed" while driving. Presumeably stilettos or loose flipflops could be dangerous, but I didn't think there were rules?

In here - http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/ADI/finalchecks.pdf

Test applicants must wear suitable footwear during
the practical driving test. (Flip flops/beach sandals
or other backless type footwear or barefoot driving is
not acceptable).

languagenerd wrote: »

I always wear Converse runners - light enough to feel the pedals but sturdy enough not to slip off them. I found it too hard to drive in thick boots because I can't feel the pedals or the biting point, so now I just keep old Converse in the car to change if I need to.

+1 for the Chuck Taylors. I use these or just an old pair of runners.

Alanstrainor

A racing driver's shoe would be thin soled, with reasonably grippy rubber under foot. I would have thought a normal running shoe would be alright!

Just make sure your feet are reasonably dry when you sit in. Just wipe them on the carpet in the drivers foot well. You should be fine then!

seamus

languagenerd wrote: »

I don't think there are any shoes "not allowed" while driving. Presumeably stilettos or loose flipflops could be dangerous, but I didn't think there were rules?

It falls into the common sense bracket tbh. Like you shouldn't try to drive a car with a broken arm, you shouldn't try to drive without appropriate footwear. And in the event of an accident, or if you get stopped by the Gardai they could bring it up as an issue.

Flip-flops in particular are liable to slip under load or otherwise act weirdly, and in tests in the UK have been proven to slow down reaction time.

Ultimately it's down to the driver - if you're aware that driving in a particular set of shoes is tricky or needs special attention, then you're being careless by driving in them.

More importantly, a driving test conductor can refuse to carry out a test if they're unhappy with what you're wearing.

For the OP, I've always found walking boots or runners best. Summer walking boots have the grip and sturdiness of hiking boots, but without the huge ankle support. Actual proper runners equally are designed to hold firm onto your heel, unlike sneakers (Converse, etc) which can slip on and off easily.

the_syco

Vlove wrote: »

Yeah I had converse runnings and sure the were falling off me even if they were my size.

They can't really be your size if they're falling off your feet!

=-=

I drive with boots myself.

MarkR

Do you not have laces in your shoes?!

languagenerd

me_irl wrote: »

In here - http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/ADI/finalchecks.pdf

Ah, fair enough, I didn't know it was actually in the Ts and Cs, thought it was more an unwritten rule. That said, it never would have occurred to me to drive in flipflops or heels anyway!

One of the worst drives I ever had as a learner was the first day I went out in shoes other than my trusty Converse - I wasn't ready for how different my (flat) boots would feel!

OP, try any kind of flat runners or boots that are the right fit and don't have a very thick sole/wedge

A_smurf

A plus 1 from me for Converse, especially the high top ones, just tie the shoelaces higher up or tighter than you normally would and that should keep them in place and comfortable. I used to find runners a bit too heavy and couldn't get the proper feel and biting point of the clutch because the sole was so thick. But that's just me! Over a year and a half since I passed my driving test and I can drive in most types of shoes now without a bother, it all comes with practice!

iguana

Whatever you do, don't drive in crocs. I know more than one person who crashed their car because they were wearing crocs.

corks finest

Vlove wrote: »

Hi,
Ive been a learner driver for a couple of years now and I keep having bad luck with shoes especially buying runners or boots! Can anyone suggest to me the right shoes for me? I know flats or any fancy shoes arent allowed when driving. I do tie the shoes tight but still wont make any odds.

I dont want to fail my first driving test so if anyone please suggest what shoes they wear while driving, it will be a help, thanks!

Thigh high boots,at least 6 inch heels,tester will be so absorbed ,he won't notice anything happening on the highway

Ursus Horribilis

I'm wondering is there something wrong with the way you're using the pedals? I'm driving nearly 20 years and have never had this problem at all. I've worn all sorts of footwear in the car and the only thing I've ever had problems with are high heeled shoes. I just use a pair of runners when I've to drive and are wearing those. It boggles the mind that you can't wear runners in the car And more to the point, how on earth can Converse fall off your feet?

Neon_Lights

Vlove wrote: »

Hi,
Ive been a learner driver for a couple of years now and I keep having bad luck with shoes especially buying runners or boots! Can anyone suggest to me the right shoes for me? I know flats or any fancy shoes arent allowed when driving. I do tie the shoes tight but still wont make any odds.

I dont want to fail my first driving test so if anyone please suggest what shoes they wear while driving, it will be a help, thanks!

Man flats be grand, did my test in Burton's finest, got a pass, be grand

J_R

Hi OP,

Have you tried driving in your bare feet ?

Kashmeer

In my experience shoes with sole too thick prevent me from controlling the car correctly. I have bought a pair of very soft Pumas - something like this - http://www.sitegonebad.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/puma2.png

Also, I find laceless shoes are quite nice too. It is all about the comfort and control!
As Alanstrainor said, the sole of the shoe should be grippy and the Pumas I have are very soft, grippy rubber - feet never slip off the pedals.

I advise against standard runners as I reckon they're too bulky and it might be tricky to feel the biting point.

Also, did you wipe your pedals with some cleaner that would take off the grease? It is possible someone put trim polish on the pedals causing them to be slippery?!