Did you know that the shoes you wear while driving could potentially impact your driving skills and your response in an emergency?
There are a few shoe types; going barefoot could be very dangerous when driving.
Though you do not need specific driving shoes, some shoe models are safer and more comfortable for you to drive in than others.
Clarks driving shoes are excellent options as they are more specific with an easy slip-on style and specially designed outsole for driving.
Where do Driving Shoes Come From
Driving shoes are shoes created specifically for driving; they are usually a moccasin style, with leather, suede, or nubuck uppers and a very grippy grommet-style rubber outsole that will extend to the back of the heel/
Most driving shoes are laceless and easy to slip on and off, with a relaxed and more comfortable fit that is lightweight on your feet and fit like a glove.
The original driving shoes can be traced back to 1963 when an Italian footwear company patented the first car shoe designed especially for driving. Many wealthy gentlemen did not want to dirty or damage their very expensive shoes while driving, and they wanted something that had a better feel for the pedals of their cars. Thus driving shoes became the answer to this problem.
Driving shoes are sturdy and durable enough for long road trips, and they have a thinner rubber outsole for grip and better tactile control,
Over the next fifty years, the slip-on driving shoes went in and out of fashion; however, they have always remained a European fashion statement.
The original driving shoes are available in three types, leather, suede, or nubuck leather; they are a bit more dressy with a relaxed fit.
The smooth and patent leather styles are more formal and dressy, with Nubuck leather in the middle and suede much more casual. However, today, we also have fabric options for more casual driving shoes.
Driving shoes are generally leisure and casual shoes so that you can use your driving shoes for driving and overall casual wear.
Driving shoes come in interesting designs and have many decorative features that could make them ideal for wearing for most occasions and for driving.
Best and Worst Shoes to Drive With
Here are a few of the best and worst shoe models that you could wear to drive with;
- Heels – Shoes with very high heels, particularly lady’s pointer heels and block heels, are extremely dangerous to drive with as the heels can easily get caught on the floor mates or the pedals, and they place your feet in an unnatural and uncomfortable position for driving.
- Flip Flops – Flip flops are flimsy; they are loose and could easily get caught on the pedals or fall underneath them. Flip Flops generally create more distraction when driving than any other shoes. You should likewise not remove your flip-flops and try driving barefoot as many of us do. These are the two most dangerous driving methods, as your feet are completely exposed.
- Platforms – Shoes with very thick Platforms of flatform soles are heavy on the pedals, and you will not be able to apply the right pressure as the weight of the sole of the shoes may be quite misleading.
- Loafers – Loafers, or specially designed driving loafers with a slip-on design, leather or textile upper, and a light rubber outsole, are the perfect comfortable and versatile driving shoes.
- Athletic Shoes – Most athletic shoes are comfortable and suitable for driving, with a grippy and light rubber sole. Just make sure that they are laced up properly.
Features of a Good Clarks Shoe for Driving
- Uppers – Clarks shoes for driving may have genuine or synthetic leather uppers. There are likewise models with textile or fabric uppers. Their shoe models come with a breathable and smooth lining and a nubuck or suede leather insole.
- Comfort and Support – Depending on the specific shoe models, they may feature Cloudstepper technology, which employs the anatomically targeted dual-density footbed or the contoured and cushioned Cushion soft footbed. Most driving shoes will have a lightweight OrthoLite footbed that wicks away moisture or EVA cushioning.
- Outsole – Clarks driving shoes feature a durable, grippy rubber outsole and non-marking for driving.
- Options – Clarks driving shoes will mostly be available in neutral colors. They offer half-full sizes and wider width, which fits most of their shoe models.
Reviews: The Best Clarks Shoes for Driving
In our list below, we have some of the best available Clarks shoe models that are perfect for driving with;
1
- The Dameo Swing is designed specifically for driving with a higher tread at the back.
- The shoe has a decorated loafer style that is 100% genuine leather.
- It has a durable rubber outsole and comfortable OrthoLite insole.
- The shoe has to Cushion soft contoured technology for comfort and support.
- There are a few more neutral color options available in this range.
3
- The Clarks Dream Loafer, Carly, is the ideal driving shoe for women.
- It has stretchable fabric uppers and is available in solid colors and camo prints.
- The shoe is a slip-on design with an Ortholite insole, Cloudstepper support, and cushioning technology.
- There is a lug rubber sole for better control of your car’s pedals.
3
- The Clarks Circuit Hunt are leather loafers for men.
- They are the ideal casual wear and driving shoes.
- The shoes are 100% leather with a lug rubber outsole with a tire tread design for driving.
- They have a cushioned and breathable arch support insole.
4
- The Clarks Markman Plain is a more formal-styled driving shoe for all occasions.
- They are leather and have a durable rubber outsole.
- The shoes featured an Ortholite footbed for comfort and targeted cushioning.
- They are available in more neutral colors.
5
- Here we have specific driving shoes from Clarks, the Markman Brace.
- They are leather loafers with an easy slip-on design,
- The shoes have a rubber soles and are very lightweight.
- For comfort, there is an OrthoLite insole and a cooling textile lining.
6
- The Clarks Hamilton Way Driving shoes are stylish loafers.
- They are full-grain leather with an adapted rubber outsole for driving.
- There is an EVA molded footbeds of comfort and smooth sock liner with arch support.
- The shoes are available in a few neutral color models.
Index Table: Top Rated Clarks Shoes for Driving
| No. | Shoe | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clarks Men's dameo Swing - Driving Shoe |  |
| Clarks | 98 |
| 3 | Clarks Women's Carly - Loafer for Driving |  |
| Clarks | 97.5 |
| 3 | Clarks Men's Circuit Hunt - Driving Shoe |  |
| Clarks | 97 |
| 4 | Clarks Men's Markman Plain - Driving Shoe |  |
| Clarks | 96.7 |
| 5 | Clarks Men's Markman Brace - Loafer Driving Shoe |  |
| Clarks | 97 |
| 6 | Clarks Men's Hamilton Way - Driving Shoe |  |
| Clarks | 97.5 |
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