MotorKwirks

Does it matter what driving shoes you wear behind the wheel? You might think I’ve simply run out of interesting things to talk about. But there is a point to all this. Driving well relies on considered and proportional input to all the controls. Feet are not traditionally the most precise parts of the body. It can therefore take a while to be able to feel the pedals, and provide good and consistent inputs. So what does this have to do with shoes? What difference do they make? Coming up are 4 key areas in which different driving shoes can have an impact on your drive.

Before we begin, don’t forget we still have a few days left for a 20% New Driver Discount for our car finder services. We also still have our 10% refer a friend offer. We really look after you here at MotorKwirks, so let us find you a car.

Shoe Weight
This can be a major issue with the shoes we choose. Car these days have lighter controls than ever, which in theory makes them easier to drive. This is great. Except when you then add in the prospect of very heavy shoes, the situation starts to worsen. In a manual car, you may slip the clutch too much, because it may take longer to fully engage. This hinders progress, and until you get used to it, may even increase wear. Chucking on a pair of lighter shoes will help you be more precise with you pedal inputs. This is key for any sort of driving, especially if the weather is poor. Precise pedal inputs are often the difference between staying on the road, and investigating the local shrubbery.

Shoe Width
This piece has not been written assuming that everyone wears shoes that are better off on a clown, but shoe width carries with it one key implication. This is accidental pedal application. You really don’t want to be in a situation where you are pressing more than one pedal at a time. This can be quite easy to do even at the best of times, with smaller cars quite understandably having their pedals quite close together. Keeping the width of the shoe down to a minimum can ensure that you don’t end up pressing accelerator and brake at the same time, as this could be very costly.

Sole Thickness
I’m not a fan of thick soles for driving. There are the issues surrounding shoes weight that I’ve already mentioned, but also the impact they have on your foot position in relation to the pedals. To me, thicker shoes for driving can muddle the inputs, put unnecessary strain on your legs as they’re now aligned differently, and therefore reduce concentration. To me, anything that reduces concentration while you driving cannot be ideal. A phone ringing, an irritating passenger, a confusing government announcement, you name it. There is another final aspect to consider that relates to the sole thickness.

Sole Material
Two reasons why sole material could cause issues. If the material is too rubbery, then it can cushion your pedal inputs and make them less defined than they should be. This problem is worse if the soles are thick, as there is more material to compress. But another material issue is slipping. I never drive in shoes that have no ‘tread’ or grip. Why would I want to pilot something weighing a tonne in shoes I find difficult to walk in? The impact of a foot slipping off the clutch or the brake pedal is does not make for pleasant thinking. So choose your driving shoes wisely!

Conclusion
Our choice of driving shoes is not often talked about, but can really make a difference to the whole experience. This is especially the case if you’re a new driver, and could maybe use all the help you can get. I know I could back then. Don’t for get to check out our car finder services, and we can help you into your next vehicle. Thanks for reading!