Driving shoes is not quite a requirement for everyday drivers. They can be a worthy investment for people that enjoy motocross or racing. A good pair of racing shoes for driving will definitely be a plus. They can also come in handy for regular drivers.
You do get many professional-style driving shoes that are designed specifically for driving. However, for the purpose of our article today, we are going to be looking at a more regular and casual style driving shoe, such as Nike driving shoes.
Choosing Good Driving Shoes
A good driving shoe should provide you with easy mobility and give you a better feel of your car’s pedals to enable you to control them more precisely. They should be comfortable to drive with, and they should also be suitable for after-driving activities.
Here are a few characteristics that you can look for in a shoe that is easy to drive with;
- Sole – The sole of the shoe should be flexible and give you the optimal feel of the pedals. It is always the best choice to choose driving shoes that have a rubber sole with a high traction tread, that will not easily slip off the pedals.
- Heel – A rounder heel that has a slight heel-to-toe drop is ideal to stabilize your feet and create an anchor point for them on the surface of the car.
- Construction – Flexible and snug-fitting uppers with breathable materials such as leather, mesh, or knit fabric are ideal. You want a shoe that is ventilated and that will not build up moisture. The lining is also important as it needs to reduce friction.
- Comfort – The shoes need a roomy and comfortable fit for you to easily spread your toes in, with light underfoot cushioning for comfort and foot support.
- Style – Choose a style of shoe that you are happy with. You may want to wear your shoes casually when not driving.
Athletic shoes and sneakers, such as Nike shoes for driving can be an excellent choice for casual and more professional drivers.
Shoes to Avoid When Driving
- Flip Flops – Flip flops are one of the worst shoe choices you can make to drive with. They can easily interfere with breaking and accelerating, and they can become stuck under the piddles, which could affect your ability to drive safely.
- Slippers – Slippers are designed for lounging in at home. They are usually loose and fit and have a malleable sole that will not provide good traction for you to engage the pedals properly, and they will easily slip off your feet.
- Wedges – Shoes that have a wedged soul, or a very thick, solid soul, can give you a full sense of pressure when you need to apply pressure to the brakes and accelerator. They can create more of an obstruction, and they can also alter your perceived distance between the bottom of your foot and the top of the pedal. They may also end up sideways and get stuck underneath the petals.
- High Heels – High heels will interfere with your ability to pivot your foot on your heel, which you need to do from the accelerator to the brake pedal, which is key to driving safely. Driving with heels will also cause you to hover your foot between the accelerator and the brake, which can cause foot fatigue and it can likewise eliminate critical contact and pivot points that you need for a safe reaction time.
- Work Boots – Thick and heavy work boots, especially industrial work boots, are quite large and tricky to drive in. And they can also prevent you from, accurately feeling where your petals are and applying the right pressure.
- Barefoot – Driving barefoot may seem like the most comfortable method and give you the most control. However, you need to keep in mind your feet can get sweaty pretty quickly and easily slip off the pedals. Your feet may also become tired from having to exert much more pressure and using your muscles much more than if when you were wearing shoes. On the other. Ultimately, if you crash and have an accident, there’s nothing to protect your feet.
Features of a Good Nike Shoe for Driving
- Uppers – Driving shoes can have leather or mesh uppers, or sock-like fit knit uppers. The uppers must be breathable and offer a very secure fit.
- Midsole and Cushioning – Midsole and cushioning will be slightly firmer and more lightweight.
- Outsole – A flat outsole is more suitable however a slight heel-to-toe drop is acceptable. The outsole must be a grippy rubber.
- Options – Nike driving shoes are available in different sizes and color options.
Reviews: The Best Nike Shoes for Driving
Here are a few shoe models from Nike that are ideal to drive with;
1
- The Nike Varsity is a training shoe that is perfect for driving.
- It offers a stable fit and a wider sole for better pedal control.
- It has light foam cushioning and versatile traction in the rubber outsole.
- The uppers are comfortable and breathable.
2
- The Nike Killshot is a casual shoe for driving.
- A fashionable leather and mesh sneaker that you can wear when driving, and for any occasion.
- They are leather with a flat grippy outsole.
- The shoe is lightweight with soft padding.
3
- The Nike Revolution is a running shoe with perfect features for driving.
- It is a simple design with mesh uppers and overlays.
- There is light cushioning and more flexibility.
- The outsole provides a good grip on the car pedals.
4
- The Tanjun sneakers are casual driving sneakers for daily wear.
- They are lightweight and breathable with a fashionable design.
- The sneakers have mesh and synthetic uppers and lightweight cushioning.
- The midsole and outsole are integrated and offer good traction.
5
- The Flex Trainers are also perfect for driving and racing.
- They offer proper flexibility and a stable fit as needed.
- They are ideal for driving with a light foam cushioning midsole and a secure heel strap to stay on your feet.
- The outsole is flat with a very slight heel and high traction tread.
6
- The Nike Free is a comfortable and fashionable trainer for daily driving.
- It has leather and mesh uppers with no-sew overlays.
- There is comfortable cushioning and a durable rubber outsole.
- The sock-like fit makes them ideal to drive with.
Index Table: Top Rated Nike Shoes for Driving
No. | Shoe | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nike Men's Varsity Competer TR 3 - Driving Shoes |
| Nike | 97.9 | |
2 | Nike Men's Killshot 2 - Driving Shoes |
| Nike | 97.8 | |
3 | Nike Men's Revolution 6 - Shoes for Driving |
| Nike | 97 | |
4 | Nike Men's Tanjun - | Nike | - | ||
5 | Nike Men's Flex Control TR4 - Cross Training Shoes for Driving |
| Nike | 96.9 | |
6 | Nike Women's Free 5.0 - Running Shoes for Driving |
| Nike | 96.9 |
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