A Guide for Choosing the Perfect Driving Shoes

21When it comes to driving, safety is always paramount. This also goes with the kind of clothing you wear and the shoes. An integral part of safety along with your seat belt are the right kind and type of footwear. Most people neglect driving shoes or are not aware that driving requires that you wear a certain type of footwear.

Developed mainly after the 1950s and 60s after the sports car boom, shoe manufacturers started showing a special interest in making shoes that would combine comfort, utility, safety, and also look good outside of the car too.If you are looking for the perfect car shoes, here’s what all you should be looking at

Safety

The prime factor for selecting driving shoes is safety. Since these shoes are purpose built for driving, they offer tremendous protection to the feet in the event of an accident. The common feature of these shoes is that they have a protecting layer which provides safety to your foot, from the toes to the heels. Also, in the event of a collision, there is a high chance that the clutch, brake, and the accelerator pedals might pierce your foot. So these shoes also offer sufficient protection that prevents the pedals from causing damage to your feet.

Comfort

Another important aspect for selecting the right car shoes is comfort. Most shoes which are made for comfort do not offer any protection to the driver and most shoes which are designed specifically for driving, do not offer much comfort. But these days footwear manufacturers have started making shoes which offer both, comfort and protection to the wearer. The utilitarian design of shoes these days manufactured for driving offer the user with comfort for driving and for walking as well. The soft sole design of these shoes ensures that the wearer is at ease while driving and while walking.

Utility

When footwear manufacturers started coming out purpose built shoes for driving in the 50s and the 60s, they were so focussed on making them look driving oriented that the result was that you couldn’t wear those shoes anywhere else except for driving. Plus, they were made out of pure leather which made them somewhat of a shoe for the rich. Recently all this has changed and manufacturers and designers have come out with the concept of ‘one shoe’ which can be used for both driving and walking. Now most driving shoes are elegantly designed which makes them wearable for any occasion and don’t cost an arm and a leg to purchase.

Now-a-days almost every major shoe manufacturer makes shoes which can be used for driving and they look exactly like your everyday shoes like loafers, moccasins etc. So follow this guide before purchasing shoes for driving.

What Makes Driving Shoes a Great Choice?

8Driving shoes are one of the top accessories that men and women can own. These comprise of a soft texture, are made from high-quality leather and can be of either a soft sole or a hard sole. These are versatile shoes that can be worn by men and women both, officially and casually. Their comfortable nature makes them the perfect pair to wear while driving. The special soles assure a better grip while pressing the break or the clutch, making your driving experience much smoother and relaxed.

Designs

These shoes come in a comparatively simpler design since the focus is more on comfort. However, having said that, a number of companies are now making specialised car shoes that come in a great variety and colours that can be matched with any outfit or any occasion. With different kinds of shoe craftsmanship, these will be a precious addition to your collection of shoes.

Car shoes for men and women

Earlier, driving was an activity undertaken majorly by men only. However, with the changing times, women started working and traveling, sometimes even more than men. Keeping this in mind, a number of shoe companies have created exclusive shoes for women as well. Women driving shoes come with a number of different embellishments and colours so that they can match it with their outfits. Some of the more detailed designs include beadwork, laces or even metallic motifs. On the other hand, men’s shoes are low key and subtle, with a striking style and classic look. The men’s colours are usually on the dark side like black, blue or brown while the women’s colours include a complete palette.

Pairing them

The best part about these shoes is that you can pair them up with absolutely anything and it will enhance your fashion statement to an entire new level. You can wear the style as per the occasion and match the colours to your dresses. Men can wear these shoes on an outing with friends, formal dinners or even when going out for a date. They can be paired up with shorts, formal pants and jeans as well. Women can choose their style based on the occasion and outfit and create a complete ensemble in no time!

For those who enjoy driving, these shoes are a must-have accessory to elevate your driving skills, have a simpler driving experience and add some fashion to your wardrobe.

Road Safety with the Right Footwear

When it comes to driving, safety is obviously the most essential concern for all involved. Apart from your ability to operate the vehicle in a safe manner, you need to be sure of the condition of your car, your comfort in handling difficult on-road situations and your overall reaction time while driving. One of the important factors that influence your reaction time is your choice of footwear. Your driving shoes can hamper or enhance your ability to react to diverse road situations.

Here, you take a closer look at the importance of the “right” car shoe and their overall role in safe driving.

Driving Shoes for Women Drivers

While operating their vehicles, most women drivers choose to wear footwear that matches with their overall attire and style—rather than align with their comfort of driving. It is important to steer clear of stilettos and very high heeled shoes as they tend to put the driver at high risk. Platforms or wedged heels are best avoided too. Such shoes tend to reduce the overall grip on the pedals or get stuck under the mat. Choosing flat pumps or removing heels while driving goes a long way in ensuring higher road safety.

Dangers of Choosing the Wrong Car Shoe

Though they personify comfort and are fast becoming a natural choice for people of all ages, flip-flops are said to be the most dangerous footwear for drivers. Along with the constant fear of slipping off, this popular footwear gets jammed on the carpet or gets stuck between the pedal and your sole—thus leading to greater difficulty while releasing pedals or applying pressure.

Boots, knee-length and ankle shoes are quite restrictive with regards to free ankle movement and prove to be highly dangerous for drivers too–especially those driving on the highway. Driving barefoot is a much preferred choice for many; however, it’s always more sensible and safer to wear protective footwear. If at all you choose go barefoot, then do know that perspiration may lead to lower grip and make your feet slip. Also, over time, you will start experiencing cramps and acute pain in the balls of your feet.

Here, it’s worthwhile to mention that trainers and sneakers have proved to be nearly perfect options; with the exception of those having thick soles.

Recommended Safety Precautions

After understanding the dangers of wearing the wrong shoes while driving, it is well advised to check the levels of pressure applied by your heel while driving barefoot. Thereafter, try to apply the same pressure with the footwear that you wear normally. If you feel that it is less than required, then switch to better shoes that ensure safer driving practices.

Be safe, drive safe!

A Brief on Designer Shoes

Custom shoes have always been the fancy of many style enthusiasts across the globe. While the primary functionality of a shoe is to render protection to the feet, the looks and style must also compliment the personality and purpose of the user. Technically, shoes are an important element of our routine dress code – be it professional/official or casual.

The design, shape and structure of the conventional shoe has evolved over the years and has reached advanced levels of designing. The demand and market for shoes will continue to develop in the future.

Designer Description

Designer shoes are basically premium shoes designed by renowned designers. They are known for their uniqueness and purpose oriented nature – each designer line caters to a specific functional requirement. They are attractive in general and usually comes with a hefty price tag. The price is exclusively based on the reputation of the designer, company or brand. Nonetheless, even a designer shoe maker creates variants for different categories such as driving shoes, trekking boots, casual, party, office, and car shoe etc.

In the light of common understanding, most shoes end up getting used in various activities except for designer ones. The superior design aspects contribute towards its premium quality. Certain fundamental features of identifying a designer shoe are as below:

• Styling

• Looks

• Glam & Glitter

• Fit

• Finish

• Price

As evident from the above mentioned list, designer shoes are beyond the comprehension of common users. It is primarily the design, followed by the brand or designer tag which accounts for the higher price tag.

Practicality & its Advantages

In addition to the elegant styling, some designer shoe lines are extremely functional and serves the purpose flawlessly. Driving Shoes, for instance, is subjected to intensive wear and tear regularly. But the quality of the designer wear can endure the stressful circumstances and emerge as a winner. Some of the benefits include:

• Built Material – Leather, Advanced Grade Rubber, Metals, Alloys, etc. are of superlative quality.

• Design – Ubercool Design add to the overall attractiveness.

• Durability – It can endure harsh conditions without cracking.

• Longevity – It lasts longer than most other ordinary counterparts. Some even have the record of keeping designer shoes for decades.

• Low Maintenance – They do not require frequent maintenance as opposed to common ones which needs a stitch after every busy day.

• Social Status – Not everyone is capable of wearing a designer brand because of its exorbitant prices. The ability to afford one itself is a social statement about the richness of the owner. Respect and salutations are inherent characteristics.

Starting from the commonest car shoe to an extravagant range of fashionable sneakers, designer labels have flooded the market because of the unprecedented demand. Besides, the affordability of most consumers is rising by the day.

Understanding the Importance of Driving Shoes

13Shoes are technically in existence since time immemorial. The whole concept has passed through various evolutionary phases and today we have different types of shoes for numerous purposes. Every shoe design is based on the specific set of functionality it is going to render.

Definition & Practicality

Shoes are an integral part of our overall grooming/clothing, and hence it is frequently used. The fundamental aspect of a shoe is the protection and safety of our feet although comfort and functionality are equally significant.

Few examples of shoe types are:

  • Skating Shoes
  • Driving Shoes
  • Riding Boots
  • Trekking Shoes
  • Jogging Shoes
  • Sneakers
  • Casual Shoes
  • Industrial Boots
  • Waterproof Boots, and many more.

The list can go on but the fact that a shoe protects our feet from any harm makes it an inseparable element of our regular dressing. The availability of variants is primarily aimed at providing usage comfort while an individual is engaged in a particular activity. E.g. A trekking shoe cannot be worn to a party or event just because of the fact that it would not fit the grooming profile required in a typical party. Likewise, a party shoe does not have the slightest chance of being used for climbing mountains as it lacks certain pre-requisite features such as grip, ruggedness, flexibility etc.

Shoes in Driving

Driving is an art or skill of an individual. While the facets of maneuverability, presence of mind, reflexes, traffic sense etc. count the most, proper driving gear/wear is an equally complimenting factor that facilitates the former. Many enthusiastic folks use proper shoes for driving. The two predominant reasons for the same are as follows:

  1. Comfort – Driving a vehicle barefooted is unimaginable nowadays. Shoes are a must but not all shoes provide the necessary comfort in involving ourselves in the footwork pertaining to clutch, brake or acceleration. It is extremely painful and strenuous to drive without proper shoes.
  2. Safety & Protection – Needless to say, shoes offer superior protection than ordinary slippers. Adequate layering is of utmost importance to protect the skin from bruises in case of a fall. Furthermore, shoes meant for driving are usually made of leather or mixtures that include leather and similar thick components. This invariably increases the resistive capabilities of the shoe.

Market Trends

Modernization has brought in plenty of online opportunities for sellers and manufacturers. Though the retailers, showrooms and stores are abundantly present, many buy driving shoes online in today’s age. This is because of the incomparable convenience of sitting at home and shopping via the cyberspace. Another notable fact is that a majority of the individuals who buy driving shoes online are working and are from the urban settlements.

Selecting the “Right” Driving Shoes—the Right Way!

slideshow_men_underIt’s not very often that the diverse worlds of road safety and fashion intersect, but then, from the time that driving shoeshave started becoming popular, fashion houses and the more proponents of trends have started giving this essential accessory a serious thought. Yes, as wearing the wrong shoes while driving can lead to serious safety implications, modern day drivers are now striving to make the “right” choices for their footwear. Read on for what to lookout for.

Choosing the “Correct” Car Shoe

It’s being increasingly seen that people are encountering difficulties while driving. This is mainly because of the improper shoes that they end up wearing. Quite a few claim that their poor footwear had led to losing control,driving dangerously, or having an accident.Driving – especially in erratic traffic conditions that involves constant usage of pedals – can surely take its toll on feet and ankles of the drivers. So, it’s best to invest in the right footwear that manages to keep your feet relaxed and goes a long way in aiding your footwork, improving controls and allowing you to react in a faster manner to the conditions related to the road or changes in traffic. In a nutshell, with the right shoes protecting your feet, you can definitely find yourself becoming a smoother and more efficient driver.

Heels and Soles

In general, your driving shoes should have a thin sole and not be too wide. The heels and soles of the product chosen by you are the key to success. As a rule, thicker soles indicate that it is difficult for your feet to “sense” the pedals properly—thus leading to wrong judgments in the case of applying pressure, accelerating quickly, or braking abruptly. Along with having the right effect on the moods and fears of those seated in your car, presence of the “right” soles and heels will also alleviate the chance of any wears and tears on your vehicle. Choose shoes that have soles with a maximum thickness of 10mm (1cm); withsomething in the tune of 4mm being even better. Avoid wide soles at all costs, as you may end up pressing two pedals at a single go. The most important thing is to know exactly how much pressure to apply and the ways in which your shoes are equipped to manage the same.

Taking a look atthe heels. A car shoe with high ones is the least recommended. Appropriately, the heel of your foot has to be on the car floor to achieve the right position for correct pedal action. High/ platform heels tend to elevate your feet and distort the ability to calculate how much pressure is necessary for controlling the pedals –so choose accordingly.

All the best!

Do you Require Driving Shoes for Good Quality Driving?

When it comes to driving, the role of proper shoes cannot be understated in any manner. For instance, it’s common to hear of people who have found themselves in a mess while driving with new shoes on. They often get caught in the process of transition from one pedal to the other –especially during critical times. Some drivers manage to get their full throttle and brakes at the same time; which is certainly not the right way to go either.

Fortunately, with the ease at which you can now buy driving shoes online, you can now look forward to safer ways of driving around town; without the fear of stepping down on the wrong foot. Read on for a closer insight into why first timers as well as professional drivers require proper and dependable car shoes.

Importance of Footwork

New drivers are often caught unaware in regard to the role of footwork—and how tough it is to learn the same. In fact, there are plenty of licensed racers globally who will gladly admit that their skills in footwork need further development. This rings all the more true for those who do not have the proper shoes in place, as they keep struggling with the right moves, their cramped shoes and the varied skills that goes into driving a vehicle smoothly. Remember, if you are planning to learn the act the right way, then you need to get the right driving shoes on. In a nutshell, this essential accessory is important for your overall safety and quick learning of driving skills alike.

Guidelines for Using the “Correct” Car Shoes

• While planning to drive on tracks, you need to give a thought to the kind of shoes that you plan to wear. By all means, steer clear of sandals or any shoes that do not have closed toes. You may end up hurting yourself.

• The shoes chosen by you should permit a “feel” of the pedals from under their soles.

• The soles of your driving shoes should be capable of gripping the surface of the pedals in the right way and should not shift away or slip while in action.

• Go in for shoes that promise a secure fit and come packaged with reliable closures (like Velcro) or concealable laces. In other words, the ways in which you close your shoes around your feet should not interfere with your driving movements in any manner.

• Avoid the products that have very high heel elevations –it is better to wear flat soled shoes or the ones that have comparatively flatter heels. So, stiletto heeled boots are a complete no-no for women drivers!

• Its best to forget about construction or cowboy or boots, penny loafers and vibram-soled shoes—instead choose footwear that comes with Nomex lining, is fire resistant and which has a curved heel—you will be safe.

Are you ready to buy driving shoes online—the “ correct” one?