Looking for track shoe tips

[Nvrfinished]

Hey everyone. I'm looking to purchase my first set of track shoes and I'm not quite sure what to look for. I'm installing a set of SRP pedals to help improve my heel toe shifting and I think it's time to ditch my tennis shoes. Not racing, but regular HPDE type of driving. Nike shoes always fit me like a glove. I have a foot that is a little bit on the narrow side. I'm looking to stay under $200.

Do you guys have any tips and/or recommendations? Also, a 9.5 shoe seems to fall between a 42 and 43 UK size. Should I size up if a 9.5 is not available? I found these below and they look to be a good deal.

https://www.ogracing.com/alpinestars-tech-1-t-racing-shoes-6

 

[302BOB]

I drive the Boss with my NIKE flex experience RN3's.....But I'm not racing either.....The racing boys will surely help you out..

 

[TMSBOSS]

Puma makes affordable shoes suitable for driving. Light weight, narrow soles that allow you to feel the pedals.

With your $200.00 budget you should be able to buy a dedicated racing shoe. Best advice is to to find a shop which was shoes in stock and try them on.

 

[Nvrfinished]

Puma makes affordable shoes suitable for driving. Light weight, narrow soles that allow you to feel the pedals.

With your $200.00 budget you should be able to buy a dedicated racing shoe. Best advice is to to find a shop which was shoes in stock and try them on.

Thanks, I will check those out. My problem is that there isn't anything closer than 100 miles away for me try on for fit.

 

[Kevin Guzniczak]

I use Merrell barefoot shoes for HPDE. Light weight and very flexible sole do you can feel thru them better


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[bpracer]

Puma Drift Cat and their motorsports series of shoes are narrow, probably run about a half size small. They have some pretty cheap sale prices right now on the US Puma website.

Mail order is a bit of a guess I know. Even within the Puma brand some of the toe area is tighter.

They were running a sale on Drift Cat Carbon 5 model and with an email coupon from being on their email list, I got two pair for under $50. I had a previous pair that a wore out in a year. They are not ultra durable, but they fit me well.

On a side note, I bought some Piloti shoes recently and they are HUGE in comparison. A lot more durable, wider in foot area and soles, stiffer and heavier. Maybe they will break in.... Not really what I was expecting before I tried them on. They're ok once I struggle to get them on, but the stiff soles may not give the feel you want.



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[Nvrfinished]

Puma Drift Cat and their motorsports series of shoes are narrow, probably run about a half size small. They have some pretty cheap sale prices right now on the US Puma website.

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Yes, I just saw that. There is a store near me that might actually carry this shoe for me to try on.

 

[byronj]

Before I got my Piloti shoes I really likes my Converse Chuck Taylor’s. The grip was good and I like the feel in them.

 

[Nvrfinished]

I have to say that I'm actually surprised by all the responses from people wearing what seems to be low cut tennis shoes with a thinner sole. I have always seen people walking the paddock or getting out of cars while wearing shoes such as Sparco, OMP, RaceQuip, and etc. I just assumed that was the style of shoe that was needed. I may have to rethink this.

 

[bpracer]

I have to say that I'm actually surprised by all the responses from people wearing what seems to be low cut tennis shoes with a thinner sole. I have always seen people walking the paddock or getting out of cars while wearing shoes such as Sparco, OMP, RaceQuip, and etc. I just assumed that was the style of shoe that was needed. I may have to rethink this.

For HPDE I would just use what's comfortable. I do have a full driving suit, nomex underwear, gloves, HANS, and true Nomex lined racing shoes. Maybe I should wear it all when instructing...especially some of the students vehicles I'm in...

I would say the width of the soles may change your heel-toe method. Most racing shoes are quite narrow so your pedal spacing is critical. My open wheel car has pedals very close together, I actually bought smaller size shoes because it's so confined.

Size 11 Piloti vs Puma
Size 42 Sparco, vs Puma

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[Nvrfinished]

Excellent presentation with the pics! The spacing with the pedals on my S550 was a bit far and is why I purchased the SRP pedals. I went with the medium width for the accelerator and not the extra wide. I don't think the very narrow sole is a must, but I do want something more narrow than the Nike cross trainers I've been wearing.

The Piloti looks to be about the same width so I think I will rule those out for HPDE. However, I always develop a hot spot on my right heel on longer road trips, so I may just buy a pair for road trips. So I think I will look for some Pumas or reasonably priced racing style shoes for HPDE then.

 

[Kevin Guzniczak]

Here are the merrell shoes I rock. Work great.





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[Nvrfinished]

I've always liked Merrell's, but they always tend to be too wide for my foot. That looks like a shoe that would work though.

 

[VoodooBoss]

I have a pair of Sparcos entry level shoe. They were about $100. I wear a size 13 in Nike and the size 13 fits me well. I also have a narrow foot. For an entry level shoe I’ve been pleased with them.

Although I’m not going racing I wanted a fire rated shoe.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Sparco/879/0...MI5NSE1dTw3gIV6R-tBh3f8QlYEAQYFSABEgKMpfD_BwE

 

[Kevin Guzniczak]

I've always liked Merrell's, but they always tend to be too wide for my foot. That looks like a shoe that would work though.

I pretty much only wear Merrell shoes now. Very comfortable and their part of Wolverine which has their world headquarters just 30 minutes from me.


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[Swiss Boss]

I have the shoes that you posted on your first post. Great shoes. Makes it easier for heel toe and I have better sensations compared to regular shoes.

I wear Adidas Superstar as my everyday shoes and ordered the Alpinestar in the same size and no issue. They run narrower as they're racing shoes.

I would check with the dealer their return policy just in case.

 

[ROC1ROB]

Here are the merrell shoes I rock. Work great.





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Merrill website says these are out of stock, but I just bought a pair off Amazon for 48 bucks.

 

[VoodooBoss]

How’s the sizing on the drift cats compared to Nike?

 

[bpracer]

How’s the sizing on the drift cats compared to Nike?

I would say you need to go up a half size. Some that have a more pointy toe, maybe a full size. I think the ones that have a one piece toe area can be a bit more cramped and might need a full size bigger. They have so many variations of their motorsport lifestyle shoe that is difficult to tell what all they change.

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[Nvrfinished]

I have the shoes that you posted on your first post. Great shoes. Makes it easier for heel toe and I have better sensations compared to regular shoes.

I wear Adidas Superstar as my everyday shoes and ordered the Alpinestar in the same size and no issue. They run narrower as they're racing shoes.

I would check with the dealer their return policy just in case.

Thanks for the feedback on that. It really helps.