Never really had dedicated shoes for open track days and autocross. Besides fire retardant, any major differences between wrestling shoes (cheaper) and driving shoes? Any brands to stay away from due to quality or comfort?

When I was looking for shoe, I decided to go for wrestling shoes. Guess what, at the shoe store, I found that a pair of wresting shoes that I would want to use cost more than real driving shoes...

My autocross shoes are Birkenstock (closed, regular shoes)

First of all, there's a lot of walking in a day of autocross, even without the course walking.

Second, I've driven in thin, sensitive shoes, but didn't care for it. I prefer firm, stable shoes, and on the occasional course that requires downshifting, the wide toe makes heel-toe easier.

However, while Birkenstocks are orthotic by nature, they don't have much padding. The footbed is actually quite firm, and not really all that thick, so I don't think I'm giving up much pedal feel. A thickly padded shoe would probably feel very dead on the pedals now.

I need to get a real pair.... for now I use a set of vans shors. They work ok.
99% of the time I wear steel toe boots (Carolinas or Red Wings) - they work awesome for driving on the street, but for AutoX it's way too easy to hit the brake & gas at the same time.

I did wrestling shoes for martial arts for a long time. (Twelve years full contact.)

You can get Adidas for 29 dollars all day.

The only problem with wrestling shoes is the ankle on the shoe is meant for your ankle to be bent forward. Not the right angle for driving. They might be okay for autox, but any long drive it is very uncomfortable. (been there done that.) The driving shoes I've looked at seem to be designed for travel in the other direction.

Maybe more expensive shoes are better designed.

I guess my point is make sure they are confortable for standing it too. Unless you are always in a ninja stance then look at the ankle.

My .02 or .0278 Canadian

I've run autocrosses in steel toed Timberlands on more than on occasion. A friend who was going to his first autocross asked "what shoes do I wear"? My reply "whatever you drive to work in everyday". My thinking is, that when I change boots (I have a few pairs of hiking boots and such) it takes me a minute (or a day or so) to get used to the new pedal feel and such. So, I just autocross in my "drive to work shoes" and I've had no issues so far.

My thoughts, your results may vary.

I agree. My boots (also Birkenstock, so huge) are a little too crowded under the dash and on the pedals, but my daily driving shoes are what I practice in and am used to.

I've used wrestling shoes and G-Force racing shoes. Couldn't find wrestling shoes in a low top version. I prefer low top, but for the price the wrestling shoes work fine. I just change back to everyday shoes to work the cones.

I still use the wrestling shoes when I autocross. Can't let that money go to waste.

There's alot of walking around during a day of autocross. I'm usually a cone worker so I'd like to wear some comfortable sneakers. When it is time to drive, I take the insoles/padding out of the shoe to get a better pedal feel.

I always wear Addidas indoor soccer shoes, and when they get flatspotted I retire them to autocross use. I always try and wear more comfortable shoes, though, for walking the course.

Pat

Found out about these recently, but have not gotten around to finding a distributor in Toronto.
http://www.piloti.com
They are designed as a driving shoe, but look like a sneaker/runner so you can wear them with jeans etc.
Apparently they are sold in the U.S through racing shops, automotive specialty catalogues, a few Ferrari dealers, Nordstrom and some other specialty footwear retailers. Also available from the website.
Does anybody have any experiece with these?

Best regardSS,

Elie

You need to slow down!!!! After they flat spot, do you vibrate when you walk???

Accept no substitutes


Sparco has a new line out that I am looking into.

I have a pair of the simpson "high tops". About a $100 and they work fine.

I have been using Worth Racing shoes, not real high zoot, but good quality and have a nice degree of stiffness built into them. They work really nice, and I take care of them by taking them off after I get out of the car in the pit area.

Asics Wrestling shoes. $20

I migth switch back to running shoes though. the asics take some getting used to at first. Heck not driving my car daily takes some getting used to.