Shoes, Feet, and Pedals aargh

[Paul_308]

Common daily frustration which lessens my Ferrari driving pleasure: -

When I lift, the right shoe catches on the corner of the brake pedal to the point of almost coming off. When I attempt pushing the clutch to the floor my left toe hits something...when breaking my foot hits the steering apparatus.

I do wear loafers (Salvatore Ferragamo) and foot size at 10.5 isn't big. But the confines of the drivers foot well sometimes scares me.

Nothing magic about the Ferrari...Porsches give me the same fits. I've yet to find adequately red driving shoes (which are mostly loafers) on eBay so haven't pressed this answer. I know if I drive nothing else for a long period my feet 'learn' the area and somewhat ease the problem.

Way back I recall making some sales visits with my representative in Copenhagen in his Porsche and he changed his shoes from business clogs to (can't recall) for driving. That impressed me about keeping special shoes in the car but he was also big on impressing chicks too.

I knowing I cannot be unique with this but I've not heard it discussed. How do you cope with the problem.

[TheBigEasy]

I have a few pairs of these and they work just fine.
http://www.piloti.com/products/product_list.aspx

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Paul_308

I do wear loafers (Salvatore Ferragamo) and foot size at 10.5 isn't big. But the confines of the drivers foot well sometimes scares me.

No need to be scared, you are using the wrong shoes. Even sneakers, including the fancy-pants named ones, for me, do not cut it. Proper driving shoes like racers wear is THE way to go. While they do not need to be Nomex, you know you found a real driving shoes when it has Nomex (or perhaps Carbon X, but not sure they make carbon X shoes).

There are other benefits to proper driving shoes besides not getting your feet all tangled up are a better formed bottom heel angle plus the side of the heel section on the shoe is usually smooth to reduce side rubbing. Like you, am a 10.5-inch foot and normal shoes just do not cut it. The first time i drove using proper driving shoes it was a revelation and i never looked back. Now have a few pair here. They make proper driving shoes in many styles, colors, and ankle heights. The Piloti are too wide IMO, try OMP, Sparco, etc.

[BwanaJoe]

I have the Piloti Spyders and they are fine. Of course I only have a size 9 foot so that may be it. But at around $70 bucks for the Spyders, can't really go wrong.

[Jack Russell Racing]

Puma Speedcats come in a variety of colors, and seem to work quite well for many folks in a similar predicament. (i.e. ME!)

[BigAl]

I can't wear regular shoes and drive either the 308 or Pantera, don't have the problem in the TR8. I wear my mountain cycling shoe on the left foot and just a sock on the right.

[wetpet]

1 have size 13 puma speed cat's. they are awesome. look good too.

[RMDC]

I have Cole Haan driving shoes, more like slippers than shoes. Use them for driving only because if I'm going to a car show I do dot find them to be a comfortable walking shoe

[BwanaJoe]

Big Al if you ever want to sell that TR8, let me know. I'd love to get one in my garage next the to the TR6 and the 308!

[prance]

Originally Posted by Jack Russell Racing

Puma Speedcats come in a variety of colors, and seem to work quite well for many folks in a similar predicament. (i.e. ME!)

I wear size 10.5 and have an assortment of Puma speedcats for my vintage Ferraris. They work great and I would not try driving without them. they are also comfortable when walking aroud, if you have to.

[ferrari sulla pellicola]

Originally Posted by Paul_308

Common daily frustration which lessens my Ferrari driving pleasure: -

When I lift, the right shoe catches on the corner of the brake pedal to the point of almost coming off. When I attempt pushing the clutch to the floor my left toe hits something...when breaking my foot hits the steering apparatus.

I do wear loafers (Salvatore Ferragamo) and foot size at 10.5 isn't big. But the confines of the drivers foot well sometimes scares me.

Nothing magic about the Ferrari...Porsches give me the same fits. I've yet to find adequately red driving shoes (which are mostly loafers) on eBay so haven't pressed this answer. I know if I drive nothing else for a long period my feet 'learn' the area and somewhat ease the problem.

Way back I recall making some sales visits with my representative in Copenhagen in his Porsche and he changed his shoes from business clogs to (can't recall) for driving. That impressed me about keeping special shoes in the car but he was also big on impressing chicks too.

I knowing I cannot be unique with this but I've not heard it discussed. How do you cope with the problem.

i learned early on that big feet and Ferrari pedals arent a very good mix!!those that have had the foot down on the go-pedal and while lifting off the throttle a bit that foot gets stuck UNDER the brake pedal..aka "unintended cruise control"..can relate!!....so to avoid that situation theres a pair of well-broken in VANS slip-on tennies sitting on the drivers floor in each of my F-cars

[vandevanterSH]

I use Arkansas driving shoes with my stick 575; bare feet.

Steve

[Dom]

IIRC, you can buy aluminum pedals from places like ultimate pedals, etc., that are smaller than the standard size for guys with big feet.

Dom

[Jeff328]

Puma Future Cats size 14 work great for me in my 328.

[smg2]

Originally Posted by Jeff328

Puma Future Cats size 14 work great for me in my 328.

WOW, and i thought i'd be the sporting the bigger shoe. 13 EEE, hard time driving some cars but the mondial is perfect. although i don't own a single pair of sneakers, my favorite driving shoe are these slip-on style deck shoes by tommy bahama that are more 'driving' shoe than anything. full leather and rounded heal, even the sides meet flush so there's no gripping point. my only concern is that tommy never keeps a style they always change, so when there worn out i'm SOL.

[Bullfighter]

Originally Posted by Jack Russell Racing

Puma Speedcats come in a variety of colors, and seem to work quite well for many folks in a similar predicament. (i.e. ME!)

Same. And they're not expensive. Unfortunately I'm not a big fan of wearing athletic shoes around outside the gym or tennis court.

Originally Posted by Jeff328

Puma Future Cats size 14 work great for me in my 328.

Wow. Those are Peterbilt feet.

I'm a size 7, so I could probably drive my 328 wearing wellies. But for day to day driving I have no problem with rubber-soled venetian loafers (current pair are from Polo, but I think the non-slip sole is the key).

For times when I don't want to go out wearing athletic shoes, these are a nice compromise.

Good dress shoes with smooth leather soles are dicey in the 308/328. Maybe if you're just driving two blocks to the restaurant...

[stuckinkuwait]

I use Puma future CATS, size 11 with no problem. I can't drive my 348 with regular sneakers.

[Para]

I bought a pair of these a few months ago and love them. They look much better in person than they do on the web.

http://www.piloti.com/prod_images/large/PR16-6.jpg

[BigAl]

Originally Posted by BwanaJoe

Big Al if you ever want to sell that TR8, let me know. I'd love to get one in my garage next the to the TR6 and the 308!

I'll keep you in mind Joe, but I'm the original owner so I don't see parting with it anytime soon. I bought new off the showroom floor back in early '81 in Richmond, Virginia.

[riverflyer]

Originally Posted by vandevanterSH

I use Arkansas driving shoes with my stick 575; bare feet.

Steve

Good one, I knew there was a reason that we are friends!! Down home style.
In my viper and the 355 I often drove barefoot. Its quite nice, except when you need gas.

I have no problem in the 360 with any kind of shoes, plenty of room for heel/toe etc.