Racing Driver's BEST and WORST Shoes for Driving!

Casey Putsch reviews a selection of his shoes and explains what makes real racing shoes and what kind of shoes are best for performance driving, manual transmissions, and race cars. The results will surprise you! OMP race shoes, Sparco race shoes, 80s Nike Air and new overpriced Nike Airs, Grand Prix Originals, Johnston and Murphey Oxfords, New Balance Dad and Non-Dad shoes, and even Kanye West's Jeezys! What's good and bad?
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[@TRD-FRS]

Best quotes: “If your exhaust system isn’t loud enough, you’re shoes certainly will be”. “If someone is chasing you and you need to disappear, you can run through a pride festival and they would never see you again”. 👌

[@CaseyPutsch]

:)

[@johnperkins6432]

Yup, those were my 2 favorites. 😂

[@jaydenray2803]

I would keep another set of vans in the car when I was in construction because I couldn't stand the lack of pedal feel that work boots give. I find skating shoes are pretty decent for driving.

[@omarawilson2853]

Same I have checkerboards

[@brianbodedelacruz8741]

Ditto!

[@josemarquez86]

For sneakers try get some chuck taylors or some vans surprisingly good!

[@joseacuna3239]

Loafers are great for driving when you’re good at driving Ayrton Senna

[@williamgrounds6911]

Exactly what I was thinking! Senna could probably drive like that in gumboots.

[@datutturugang666]

tbf gumboots are great

[@mattleblanc4377]

Old school Puma Speedcats were my introduction to a "driving shoe" it was a game changer. Since then I've found a variety of shoes that work well in tighter foot wells but I still fear the day that I won't be able to fit to a more ideal shoes as I've found that the newer shoe models over the last few years shoes haven't been fitting my wider feet.

[@Gravengaard]

Old school Pumas are the best. Have something like 15 pairs at home in the Repli Cat III version. Always on a lookout for another pair, since they aren't made anymore. Otherwise I can highly recommend the Speedcat Pro model. Top of the line F1 stuff, and priced as such, but the comfort and feel is second to none.

[@ContraNovae]

Brilliant video. As a professional driver (4 international licences inc. BDKF classe 3) I appreciate this so much.

[@SpartanFore]

My go-to favorite driving shoe has always been a pair of classic Vans (Old Skool I think is the product name). Low-top, nothing but canvas up top, just as wide as your foot, lightweight, flexible, sole provides plenty of feel, and enough lateral stiffness for good heel-toe action. Only downside, I'm notorious for burning through the heels since it's a square edge from the side moulding to the sole. A pair of Chuck Taylor's is great for the same reasons

[@eggreedgious5194]

Slip ons are my preference too. +1 if they match the car.

[@diggingattycho7908]

My mom used to drive her 69 912 barefoot, but she was a hippy. I use Vans classic shoes, I'm not a race driver nor will I ever claim to be. Many years ago, my mom gave her old car coco mats for Christmas. Well the mats were not the same as the mats she had in the car decades ago. These were about an inch thick, when I tried to drive the car with tennis shoes. I can say it didn't work. I got the notion to use my vans and perfect. The top is soft and the sole is hard, while holding my heel. I don't use the heel toe method, mainly because I do not know how(sorry Casey, your video didn't help). It is kind of fun wearing shoes I wore 40 years ago. Thanks Mr Spicoli or is it kinda Pasha, well it was the checkered era. :)

[@TonyBMW]

The NB‘s are my go to shoes for more ( or less) precision on the pedals. I have never tried racing shoes because I only slice down the autobahn and backroads.

[@Vincetagram]

yeah people that like ot flex their supercars on insta might pose in front of it wearing yeezys or balenciagas or a similar shoe but they're selling you a false reality because of how unusable they are while driving such a car lol. Now that I think of it, I only wear them out when I'm not the one driving lol.

[@CaseyPutsch]

Yup!

[@Vincetagram]

@@CaseyPutsch It makes driving 0.5x harder for no reason. And I haven’t even worn them in my fun 3 pedal car yet(probably never will)

[@urstupidm8]

I can't imagine myself wearing modern designer sneakers in even an AUTOMATIC car, the brakes there are so sensitive i would end up losing all my teeth on the steering wheel. And operating clutch in a manual in these must be even harder

[@Vincetagram]

@@urstupidm8 operating a clutch is super easy in these new cars, like too easy. It doesn’t even feel good.

[@nobodynoone2500]

nah, they all drive automatics with both feet like grandma

[@UberArchangel]

Um Converse All Stars. Cheap, effective, enough grip but, can be overcome for heel toe.

[@hauptmann6]

I wear a 10.5 EEEEE. Im lucky to find anything non-bespoke to fit. I haven't had winter boots in 20 years. Although i can heal toe in almost any beater. the pedals are far enough apart that i dont hit the brake and gas unless i intend to

[@baseballer21and0]

5:50 that sounds effect was on point. it is like Casey drives in cars all the time or something

[@andrewboschmann9880]

Talking to about shoes with college buddys I mentioned that one of the positives of my NBs was definitly how good they were for driving. I got quite a few strange views since most didn´t see what shoes had to do with driving. Thanks for the video. We probably don´t fit in well, considering the drivability when out buying shoes, but it´s not gonna stop me from doing it.

[@michaelv3340]

Since I wear 15 4E shoes, I have to buy whatever I can find.

[@thedudewithhaton2574]

I’m a sneaker head and I have so many different shoes but the best shoe that I always use when driving is a pair of new balances that I got 2 months ago and they are awesome to use and look great!

[@fatpad00]

I sat in a 2nd gen viper once with my work boots. The pedal box was tight enough that I could not push the gas without also pushing the brake

[@RobHTech]

I find my TNs are a little bulky for my 22 WRX 6MT. I can't really fit my toes too close together. But, they are great stiffness, etc., but less feedback than I would hope.I find soles too soft is worse than too stiff. And, a chamfered edge helps a lot from preventing my actually pushing passed the pedal(s) and getting stuck behind it or just stuck and need to immediately left-foot brake to prevent an accident.

[@ejakabatcheej4974]

The best driving shoes I have found for me (someone who has nerve damage in their feet from a lower back injury) is wrestling shoes. They are very similar to racing shoes and much cheaper.

[@speeder-scout4541]

Love the video 🙂. I use Asics EY511 as a perfect allrounder, stiff outsole for heel-toe, enough rubber at the backsole for resting on the floor (griptape) while driving, but comfortable enough for everyday use and capable for casual sports. Bonus, it color-matches my Subaru Impreza 😀.

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

the issue with shoes is that many comfortable shoes may also have too steep of a heel to toe drop. For example, the New Balance 574 is a great shoe. But it takes alot of adjustment to actually drive smoothly. Not because there is no pedal feel, but because the heel for the clutch foot makes it harder to really put your foot in the same position as you would if you were Puma Speed cats. And if you have been training to drive well in flat sole shoes (driving/racing shoes), it is unnatural to shift with the elevated heel angle. Yes, the car can still be operated, but the consistency to be able to drive smoothly without putting too much concentration, in my experience would be diminished.

[@kj_sh604]

When I drive my manual, I don't really like to wear anything with large soles like basketball shoes. On my automatic Crown Victoria though 🤷🏽‍♂️ anything goes 😆

[@clevelandaeromotive]

I am absolutely in love with both the GrandPrix Originals Racing Sneakers (the ones with the checkered flags on the heels) and the Grand Prix Sneakers, their walking shoe versions of a driving shoe.

[@gabewright2690]

What shoes to wear for racing...... and here I am wearing my well broken in cowboy boots for driving my semi, pickups, my wife's SUV and my Harley. The video has no usefulness in my life but it was interesting. :)

[@nobodynoone2500]

Boots aren't even bad when they fit the car. Thy slide nice and have a reliable feel. The toes can get in the way on some cars.

[@future_phonk]

I drive with my Vans slip-ons 😅 Thoughts on Piloti driving shoes?

[@bradklingensmith]

New drinking game. Take a drink every to Casey says frankly. I have old man New Balance, recommended by every podiatrist. Wear mostly Skechers. Would love to hear the Lotus and see her cruising on some tarmac.

[@TRD-FRS]

My favorite driving shoes are Nike Killshot 2’s. Nothing sticks out from left to right, comfortable, classy, sole is flexible yet stiff, and they don’t necessarily grip to the pedals (in a good way). Thoughts?

[@kraagnjilwulf1413]

I like to use shoes that are p similar to converse all-stars, and almost exclusively hi-top, simple because it feels more comfortable. They seem to fit all the cars I've driven and I can get a fair amount diversity out of them in terms of use; heel-toe, blip, lfb, etc., and it seems to work really great. altho, I've worn this same style since before I started driving, so its debatable that I actually know enough to judge them. I really want a pair of actual motorsport shoes tho.

[@JETZcorp]

I'm here because, as a truck driver who has to do unloading, my steel-toe work shoes are unacceptably clunky in the truck, and absolute sacrilege in the Miata. But, this means I no longer need a do-everything shoe. I have my truck shoes, now in my mid-life crisis, it's time to buy a sports shoe! Not for running, but for heel-toeing (and for smashing the gas on the semi and yelling at the computer to PLEASE give me more than half boost, because there are angry people behind and I'm trying to get out of the way but HAL9000 decided to hypermile on the hill during a pass). Edit: I'm disappointed to hear a pan review on the Ayerton Senna loafer approach. I think I have no choice but to go the New Balance route. You sold me as soon as you said Initial-D.

[@tedster6600]

Is that a real lykan hyper sport in the background

[@JadeEyedWolf]

Personally been a big fan of Cole Haan shoes for "spirited" daily driving. Very comfortable!

[@casperLikesRamen]

I’m trying to be better at dressing for the office and got some Cole Haan Driving Loafers… they seem comfortable but I can see how they would be bad for heel-toe. Otherwise, I have a pair of Onitsuka Tigers that feel really good, or whatever my current pair of Vans skateshoe is. Funnily enough, I skateboard, and the more worn in the are from skating, the better they feel to drive… right before the soles start to separate.

[@JK-tu1xx]

Good set of old vans is pretty hard to beat.

[@alanmoncus2331]

It's a challenge finding the right shoe for the right application, I'm a long time truck driver, and found some "Merrell clogs that fit the bill, light, durable, great pedal feel, and can fool the nosy safety directors into thinking they're actually steel toe (which I can't stand lmao :D

[@ChrisWheelerEngineering]

Great video. I have big feet so I’m considering narrower driving shoes for driving my ‘65 Triumph TR4-A. I even moved the high beam switch and bent the clutch pedal a bit, but it’s still really tight in the pedal box. This was very informative. Thanks!

[@maguramr.magura2393]

That's exactly what I wanted to point out. Once you're past a size 10.5 shoe, driving shoes are not exclusively for people that are trying too hard. You're simply running out of space for your toes down there, in many reasonably proper sports cars, especially the English variety. Sometimes you can get away with a pair of Converse, the basic model they have that is. Those are fitting a Lotus Elise S1. The next thing is leg room. Shoes with thick soles makes that problem even worse. Again the el-cheapo Converse model seems to be the ticket, when it's close to the limit, but driving shoes gives you a little extra room.

[@jamespingel8730]

I do accounting for a local chain of shoestores, so I get to try on anything I want (unfortunately I'm a size 12-E with a half size variance from left foot to right so nothing fits, my company only sometimes puts orders in for any size over 12 and NB is the only brand we carry that actually does E sizing). Just got my first pair of NB. Still very much breaking those in. My last pair was a set of Adidas Iniki/I-5923 runners (there's a trademark issue with the Iniki name so you'll usually find the I-5923, though I think they're unfortunately out of production now). They have the same boost sole as yeezys with a less bulbous sole shape, though my foot is so wide it's actually off the side of the sole and the upper on those is basically a souped up sock. Can't tell you how many times I slammed my foot into something in those shoes and had to feel the full force, and they're no good in the rain either - hence the New Balance. There's a lot of shoes I *wish* my feet would fit in, but one of the forbidden fruits that are supposedly a good driving shoe is the Asics Onitsuka Tiger, which basically looks like your Grand Prix Originals (TM). My dumb 8 year old shoe is the BV0006-900 Jordan 1 "Fearless" (which I tried on in a size 15 to no avail). Looks black but it's actually translucent and can even end up looking like a negative (white with opposite translucent stitching) in the right light. I wouldn't want to try and keep them clean.

[@Blenzo480]

Best shoes for me are Barefoot shoes. I have Vivo Barefoot Tracker II FGs that I bought for hiking but they are so dang comfortable and good looking I just use them for everything. No more knee or back pain and they are great shoes for driving imo. Plenty of support for heal toe shifts but thin enough to feel the paddles thew the soles.

[@halfboltedon9162]

Are you telling me the white dad with jorts and his shirt tugged in with white new balances had the right idea when driving his corvette? I always knew they added like 20hp.

[@Spectrum_Auto_Spa]

New balance minimus and my Minnetonka driving Mocs are my top two recommendations

[@vegarnilsen9283]

I can not tell you how grateful i am for this video

[@on1yone1nchw1de3]

I wear timberlands, basic black timberlands loosely laced tongue hanging out etc. I can pretty much drive in anything but giant winter boots. And probably high heels because ive never tried that.

[@VQ.MoparFamily]

I’ve actually driven in the Nike air max 90 shoes and in the beginning driving stick shift was in them but I got used to them pretty quick and they turned out to be decent driving shoes

[@rodrigodhein8469]

Reminded me of Ayrton Senna doing punta taco wearing his formal shoes on a NSX-R

[@Craig-wp3pz]

Amazon ten Quid "swimming shoes" best driving shoes ever!! Light, thin, snug, snag proof laces, loads of feel AND drainage holes 🕳 😳 Whats not to love? Decade old converse sneakers make 👟 a good back up 👍

[@lyoryl]

Reminds me of video with Senna driving the Honda NSX with moccasins.

[@landonbussieres1125]

I wear new balance and I'm only 14. They are comfortable and have great support, for the most part, which I need for orthotics bc I have flat feet. NB's are really underappreciated. Dad shoes ftw!

[@nobodynoone2500]

They aren't real dad shoes until grass-stained and worn with contrasting socks.

[@DragonKnightX12]

Two other pros is that their made in the US and they come in wide sizes, which is great for people that are diabetic like my dad.

[@joshfogle5882]

I'd also like to suggest Asics. Low price (often a bit cheaper than NBs, actually), also fairly available in wide sizes, and no one can figure out what they are.

[@jtso7636]

No loafers? My favorite has been Adidas Trackstar XLT, but it looks like they're discontinued.

[@tacotuesday4496]

just what i was looking for. good insights!

[@patrickjean-philippe7679]

There is no space in the 59, it’s really tight so only racing shoes can fit really even for open road drives.

[@rfgsdfgcgsdgsd]

Heel toe in flip flops ftw! Seriously though I'm taking away good point for a new set of drivers.

[@jettaletta]

9:42 Air Max 90s were by far, the worst shoes i have ever worn for driving a MT car. Such an ugly-feeling & clunky shoe with no feel for the pedals. I literally don't wear them anymore as I drive MT almost everyday.

[@tylerhough9124]

Not gonna lie…the Yeezy 700 is my *preferred* 3 pedal street driving shoe! Sturdy design, shape makes rev matching and two pedal control predictable. I get they have characteristics you wouldn’t expect in a driving shoe but they really are amazing. Prob wouldn’t recommend for tight pedal set ups. I also wouldn’t dare drive with any other Yeezy models. Vans are my second choice but have been tempted to get some Pilotis to try. Edit: well broken in Dad shoes win for street driving. Knew I was on to something 😎

[@GuyBucktastik]

Skateboard shoes! Low-top, it fits your foot nice, and you can feel through the sole just the right amount. Get lightweight ones, I like etnies low tops.

[@adamgurrola4330]

I love you video man 👍👍

[@yamahjett]

About time someone refers to the Bell curve! Probably not a "PC" book anymore lol

[@jerricocke987]

Being female flat leather pumps. Nice slick soul I can toe heel they work.

[@CaseyPutsch]

I’m impressed.

[@sarges1712]

Puma driftcat, best ever. ok, so maybe there are comparable shoes out there & actual racing shoes are likely better but I love my drift cats. I have a white and red pair w/ the Ferrari logo, a white and black pair along with a navy blue and white pair. Only worn Summers when driving the 350z; yes it's a bloody manual. They also come in Benz and Beamer editions. Best of all you can usually find last years model for about $60 or less. At least you could, given how things are today that may have changed. 2 cents

[@colemcmeans7809]

i like my dc skate shoes a bit wide but good feel, not really good if you have to walk anywhere after driving though.

[@vel87x]

PF Flyers are my go-to in the cobra and S2000 so far.

[@surferdudehb352]

In highschool I ran track and raced in track flats. Any good?

[@jeffreyoldham55]

I have a pair of Aisics wrestling shoes that I use as my driving shoes. They have served me well and were not terribly expensive.

[@DarkClosetOfTheMind]

I love my Hunziker racing shoes 👟

[@nobodynoone2500]

Indoor Soccer, Wrestling, and many well-fitted leather shoes are my go-tos. p.s. Watch the Senna NSX video where he teaches a footwork lesson driving a brand new car with slipon loafers. And racing shoes at autocross is way lower on the tryhard ladder than the average guy out there, shit on miatas at your own risk! At least they have real suspension and not shitbox struts like a BMW or porsche (germans btfo).

[@williamearnest8359]

I honestly just drive my manual cars barefoot… yes I’ve gotten used to the judgement lol

[@Segafishy]

UK in atleast 2008 you could sit your driving test in socks as thats what I had to do as the Mazda 2 I was using didn't have enough gap between the clutch and footrest plate, since though always been the same Vans or DC skate shoes as they come in my size (UK 15/US16) and once worn in a bit would work perfect for me doing heel toe etc, favourites being the Vans Skink 2s which they don't make anymore and I just can't find anywhere now.

[@pvalin]

Hi Casey, what do you think of shoes like Pilotis? Have you ever checked them out?

[@ravioli2646]

got a pair of vans they work pretty well

[@BennHerr]

Used wrestling shoes while karting for several years. Price wasn't bad compared to full on race shoes. Terrible in the pits between sessions. No support, no thickness in the soul at all, you felt every rock or edge you walked on.

[@nobodynoone2500]

But the brakes speak to you in english with a sexy accent whlike staring deep into your eyes. The quality of pedal feedback would make Hendrix blush.

[@lusoamericanpatriot1984]

How about👟👟’s for Continuously Vulnerable Transmissions⚙️⚙️(CVT’s)?

[@nobodynoone2500]

heels.

[@irdmoose]

I can't speak to being a racing driver, because I'm not one outside of a middling career in iRacing. However, my favorite shoes for driving are simply no shoes at all. I've driven barefoot for years, and it makes me a far safer driver because I can get a better feel for what the car is doing. Especially with the clutch in a manual car, or as one of our former great and glorious leaders once called them "a clutch car".

[@CaseyPutsch]

I go socks on a simulator

[@irdmoose]

@@CaseyPutsch Yeah, socks are cool, but I just go barefoot everywhere anyway.

[@Lessenjr]

@@CaseyPutsch wow. I was just about to comment how I cannot wrap my head around socks in the sims. Obviously everything is subjective, but no support seems wild to me. I would think folks using load cells would certainly want some kind of shoe, but thats doesn't seem to deter some from socks. I find it very interesting.

[@irdmoose]

@@CaseyPutsch I forgot to mention, driving barefoot is 100% legal in all 50 states. However, some states do ban driving in flip flops. I'll come meet you at cars & coffee barefoot when I can finally afford my manual Gallardo.

[@forresttm]

Yes dad shoes. I say this as a dad. That has those shoes 🤣

[@GThOe]

I was just thinking to myself “I wish I could ask Casey which driving shoes to buy”

[@Fernand0_]

I use converse for simracing

[@AutobahnVault]

Onitsuka Tiger for me. They're awesome.

[@augustopinochet6899]

What about canvas shoes?

[@craigdry9522]

When I was young Loved wearing Wrestling sneakers when driving

[@CaseyPutsch]

Haiku?

[@craigdry9522]

@@CaseyPutsch Asics

[@nobodynoone2500]

Wrestling shoes are legit good driving shoes. Like a beefed up boxing shoe. Usually mid or hi-top for that luchador flair.

[@emmanuellehuu8818]

THIS is why I wear skate shoes. not ANY skate shoes. but converses, and Vans that I remove the soles from.

[@HateCrewReaper]

Bare foot, I'm in flip flops all summer long, so when I drive my sports cars I'm bare foot, it's awesome.

[@nashidaperv2351]

how about converses/vans?

[@nobodynoone2500]

Theyre ok, but a bit grippy and floppy. Hard to side-foot the gas.

[@realtalk4689]

Appreciate this video

[@gaydes1012]

idk why I need to know this information, the pedals in my VW are not set up with heel toe shifting in mind, and I drive in black Nike airforce 1s because hee hoo crime shoe!

[@theswartz4218]

Are racing shoes more comfortable for long term driving in any car?

[@nobodynoone2500]

Usually. Think of it like a thin leather glove instead of a snow glove. Like any other shoe, fit is important for comfort.

[@aurora_flair]

Casey, have you ever tried jazz ballet shoes? They’re like socks but have a sole and a bit of a heel. I reckon they’d work well for racing!

[@williamheinbuch]

I was considering getting driving shoes until I watched this. I think I’m just going to get a nice pair of shoes and break them in instead.

[@rickc2102]

Somewhere out there, there's a band that doesn't yet realize they should be called the Clunky Nubs.

[@AoiKaze2000]

Sign Casey is becoming a dad: Recommends dad shoes for racing AND yard work!

[@lronSausage]

I like to wear vans slip on typeshoes.

[@tkskagen]

Maybe get yourself some ""VISION STREET WEAR" Skateboarding Shoes?...

[@johvanortiz6267]

I used to own a pair of Nike Air Pippen 1s and tried to drive stick in it. If you know basketball shoes, you know that these were some of the clunkiest shoes ever. I usually drive in thin soled basketball shoes like Kobes or Currys.

[@umbraelegios4130]

People who wear Italian loafers with nubby soles *cough* Ed Bolian *cough*.

[@LBNMKRS]

Ferragamo Gancini Drivers when i drive my overpriced GeeTeeFowty replica. 😅

[@cyril.figgis]

i have the same airmaxs and im 30!!

[@gakiddo]

I literally hate modern shoes. With such a thick sole, very often in the city traffic you don't understand whether you are pressing the gas pedal or a tube of toothpaste. Zero feedback. The best thing you can buy for an ordinary person who wants comfort and does not want to look like a racer is a Porsche Design Sneakers. They make low-top sneakers and they have a high-top version that's like a racing shoe with calf support. The only downside is that it's expensive. But at least you won't get kicked out of the restaurant in shoes like these.

[@klonidier]

Piloti makes a good (albeit a bit overpriced) driving shoe.

[@expofcam]

i love it very fun video

[@darrenit7498]

Puma driftcats wear them everyday

[@rileyhance318]

Always like vans or converse with how flat they are

[@mikejones-nd6ni]

Why not five finger shoes. i would think that's a good option

[@BOB70TX]

Dad shoes, lol I can still out run you

[@CaseyPutsch]

Get off my lawn!

[@implodingbaby]

My best shoes are my trusty crocs with a racing stripe :)

[@nobodynoone2500]

Do you drive that sweet two tone red and yellow fischer-price parked out front?