New Balance Driving Shoes

Driving is a basic daily activity, yet it can pose many dangers and even cost our lives in seconds.

Being able to drive properly and comfortably, for that matter, is vital for your safety and the safety of others.

One thing that many individuals do not take into consideration much is the shoes they wear for driving.

Certain shoe types can be dangerous for driving and place you at great risk.

New Balance athletic shoes are an excellent choice for Driving, as most athletic shoes offer many ideal qualities.

New Balance shoes for Driving have a grippy rubber sole, light and flexible cushioning, and a very comfortable fit to give you a better feel of the pedals and good resistance to slipping.


How Your Footwear Affects Your Driving

When driving, your shoes need to allow you to feel the pressure to accelerate or drive easily. They should never obstruct your feeling of the pedals.
The fit should also prevent you from pressing two pedals at once or the shoes slipping around on your feet.

Driving for longer distances can cause foot fatigue and pain; thus, some support and comfort features from your shoes can help.

Then the most important factor is the sole of the shoe. It should provide a flat surface with a good grip on the pedals.

  • Flip Flops – Flip Flops are unstable and can easily become lost or hook on to the pedals. They are one of the most dangerous shoe choices for driving.
  • High Heels – High Heels will affect how you place your feet on the pedals, and you will not be able to apply the right pressure. They may also get hooked on the car mats or the pedals.
  • Barefoot – Driving barefoot may give you a much better feel for the pedals, but your feet will start to hurt after a while. Your feet may sweat and slip off the pedals, and in the case of an accident, they are completely exposed.

Tips on Good Shoes for Driving Safely

We have discussed some of the risks of driving with dangerous footwear, yet, what is a good choice in footwear for Driving?

  • Choose shoes that fit wearing, and are comfortable without too much bulk, but just enough for protection during an accident.
  • Athletic Shoes and loafers designed for Driving are your best driving shoes.
  • Shoes should be lightweight and allow your feet to move easily.
  • The sole should have a good balance of stability and light flexibility.
  • The Sole should not be very thick or too thin.
  • The sole needs a grippy tread to prevent your feet from slipping off the pedals.
  • The Sole needs to be the correct width, so you do not accidentally step on two pedals simultaneously.

Features of a Good New Balance Shoe for Driving

New Balance for Driving

  • Uppers – New Balance shoes for Driving come in many choices for uppers, such as genuine leather, Engineered Mesh, Mesh, and Leather, or even knit models. You can choose from more sleek and flexible options or a more stable and relaxed fit. New Balance shoes do come with a moisture-wicking lining.
  • Insole – For Interior Comfort, the New Balance shoes will have a soft NB insole, a PU foam insole for firmer support, or a Molded and more supportive insert. There are also models with an Ortholite Sock liner that provides cushioning and wicks away moisture.
  • Midsole – The Midsole cushioning of New Balance shoes is designed to reduce impact in various ways. However, for Driving, we want to look at a Midsole with more flexible and softer cushioning and less cushioning for a better underfoot feel. Thys, The IMEVA cushioning and ACTEVA cushioning are versatile and more flexible midsole. Whereas your PU midsoles offer stable cushioning, and your ABZORB midsole has better shock absorbency, The Fresh Foam Midsole is a very plush and soft midsole that can come in single or double densities. The ENCAP midsole is a softer foam midsole with a firmer PU rim. Then there is the very lightweight REVlite midsole, which I recommend for driving.
  • Outsole – Most New Balance shoes will have a rubber outsole with grippy patterns and a high traction tread, with a slight heel-to-toe drop, which is ideal for driving. There are also models with the more durable NDurance outsole or the Ground contact EVA outsole that has rubber pods for contact.
  • Options – New Balance shoe models are available in normal, wide, and some models, extra wide width options. You will also find that most of their shoe models do offer many color options from which you can choose.
  • Support Features and Technology – Other support features may include forefoot pads or an internal shank for stability. Some of the New Balance shoe models are Medicare / HCPCS code = A5500 and may be eligible for Medicare reimbursement

Reviews: The Best New Balance Shoes for Driving

In our list, we have some exceptional New Balance shoe models that are perfect to use for Driving;


1

  • The New Balance 1540 is an athletic shoe that has a grippy sole and a comfortable fit for driving.
  • The ENCAP Midsole is lightweight foam with a Pu rim that is more stable and allows you a better feel of the pedals.
  • The sleek and stylish fit is comfortable and easy to drive with.
  • It has high traction and a durable rubber sole to grip the pedals.


2

  • The New Balance 577 is a lightweight shoe for driving.
  • It has fabric uppers, a relaxed, roomy fit, and a more rounded toe.
  • The sole is not too wide for the pedals, and a high traction rubber,
  • There is light cushioning for a good feel of the pedals.
  • The shoe is available in more fashionable colors to make it suitable for more occasions.


3

  • The 481 is a Trail shoe with a very grippy outsole for driving.
  • It has leather and mesh uppers that are quite durable.
  • There is a CUSH midsole for soft comfort and an NB insole.
  • The shoe is ideal for long-distance Driving and more rugged Driving.


4

  • The Fresh Foam 680 is a comfortable all-around shoe that is also perfect for driving.
  • It has soft mesh uppers and a roomy fit to allow you to splay out your toes.
  • The sole has a rounded toe that is not wide to interfere with using your car’s pedals.
  • It has a grippy outsole and a Fresh Foam midsole for underfoot cushioning.


5

  • The 990 is a comfortable sneaker for driving.
  • It has the more stable and thinner ENCAP midsole for a better feel of the pedals.
  • The outsole is a high traction rubber for grip.
  • It also has a dual-density ankle that supports your ankles while driving.
  • The uppers are comfortable and breathable, with a more rounded toe design.


6

  • The New Balance 520 is a more basic running shoe you can use for driving.
  • The outsole is a grippy rubber with light flexibility for handling the pedals.
  • There is light EVA cushioning for a better feel of the pedals.
  • The outsole does not have a wide design, so it will not step on two pedals once.
  • The NB insole is removable and your choice for added cushioning.


Index Table: Top Rated New Balance Shoes for Driving

No.ShoeImageFeaturesBrandScore
1New Balance Men's 1540V3 - Shoes for Driving
  • Wider Widths
  • Roomy Fit
  • Breathable
  • Cushioned
  • ENCAP Midsole
New Balance98
2New Balance Men's 577V1 - Training Shoe for Driving
  • Mesh Uppers
  • Lined
  • Cushioned
  • Wider Widths
New Balance97.9
3New Balance Men's 481 V3 - Shoe for Driving
  • Cushioned
  • Rubber Sole
  • CUSH Midsole
New Balance97
4New Balance Men's 680V7 - Driving Shoes
  • Mesh Uppers
  • Molded Insert
  • Fresh Foam Midsole
New Balance97.5
5New Balance Women's 990V5 - Shoe for Driving
  • ENCAP Midsole
  • wider Widths
  • Mesh Uppers
New Balance97.7
6New Balance Women's 520V7 - Driving Shoe
  • EVA Midsole
  • Breathable
  • Wider Widths
New Balance97.7


About the Author

Eliza Ward

Eliza Ward is a running enthusiast, nature lover, and full-time mother for 3 lovely kids in South Africa. She has always had a fetish for shoes and has the best product recommendations for all her friends and family. So she turned what she loved into her full-time job - by testing and recommending the best shoes for our online readers. Read her reviews to know how detailed her observations are.