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Posted by: Eugenio_SS Mar 18 2017, 02:20 PM

Any opinions?
Thinking maybe this
http://simpsonraceproducts.com/sfi-driving-shoes/circuit-pro-shoes-sfi.5-and-fia/

Posted by: SuperMacGuy Mar 20 2017, 01:06 AM

For AX I have a pair of PUMA race shoes, the low kind, ie no ankle support. I like them a lot. I think it's a lot better feel than my street sneakers. They are narrower and the sole is thinner. Pedal feel is improved because of a more direct pedal feel. I try not to wear them for walking since there is just no real foot support. I think any dedicated driving shoe is better than street sneakers. I got mine at Foot Locker, for an OK price. I think the price of those you linked is kind of high for AX shoes. But if you need FIA rated or something for actual road racing, go for it.

Posted by: camarokid91 Mar 20 2017, 04:14 PM

For AX I love wearing puma samba's they are super narrow and comfortable.

Posted by: CrashTestDummy Mar 20 2017, 06:21 PM

I can expect Eugenio is needing something that'll be certified for fire protection. Many racing series, and some venues require FIA, or some other certification.

We got the Pyrotect that the 24 Hours of LeMons series sells in their store. They're okay, but most of the 'driving' or 'performance' shoes I've put on have had little sole padding, and offer little support for pounding around the paddock all day (being a small team, we have to be suited up all day to refuel and be available to hop in when someone gets overheated/penalized out). Early in our autocross career, we got 'driving shoes' (I think they were Simpson low-tops), and I wore them probably twice in spite of the cost. I fail to really see much difference in the 'feel' between these and regular street shoes. In fact, I seem to have better feel of the pedals when competing in the shoes I wear every day. That, and I'm not getting in a car thinking "God my feet sure hurt!"

So for fire-certification, those Simpsons, or our Pyrotect shoes will work fine, but if it's not needed, wear what your feet feel good in.

Posted by: Blainefab Mar 20 2017, 08:29 PM

I like the Simpson hitops, they fit my wide feet well, the soles have the right amount of grip.

Posted by: 79T/A Mar 21 2017, 12:24 AM

I use the Impact Racing mid-tops. Very comfortable, but I have a thinner foot. The Simpson shoes are too wide for me. I slip them on right before I get in the car, wearing them all day in the pits would ruin them pretty quickly.

Shoes are like helmets, though. I always recommend trying to find a racing supply store that has products in stock so you can try different brands on. If there's a circle track near you, there's probably a good local parts supplier that would have shoes/helmets/gloves in stock.

Posted by: landstuhltaylor Mar 21 2017, 01:17 PM

Agreed. I try to buy a new set of Nike Airs about a month before Nationals. They then become my every day shoes for the next year when they then become my course walk shoes.

Posted by: Bad Karma Mar 31 2017, 11:12 PM

I would recommend trying them on it you can. I tried on a few pair before I settled on the one that fit my foot the best. I ended up with a pair of RaceQuip shoes. There may be more expensive out there that are even better, but this was a good start.