11 Distinctly Stylish And Best Driving Shoes
I love driving. It helps that I have had the privilege of driving a couple of luxury sports cars on the Sea To Sky Highway, one of the most spectacular roads in the world. Even when I hop into my family SUV and head off to do errands in my city, I can't help it - I feel happy behind the wheel. This is especially true when I put on my driving shoes.
In this article, I going to list and discuss eleven of the most stylish and best driving shoes for men. If you want to take your driving experience to the next level, or simply want to wear the best shoe for the safest driving experience, then one of these shoes is meant for you.
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The Most Stylish And Best Driving Shoes (2020 Reviews)
How The Reviews Are Organized
You don't have to spend a fortune to get a stylish and high quality pair of driving shoes. Of course, you can, but with some of the top men's designers offering gorgeous shoes at reasonable prices, there's simply not the need. Nonetheless, there is always a range. In these reviews, I have grouped together the best driving shoes into styles - plain loafers, loafers with accents, moccasins with tassels, everyday, and sporty. Within each group, I provide a couple of options, with at least one being moderately priced.
Best Driving Shoes: Plain Loafer
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Geox Ascanio 2 shoes are one of the best driving shoes for not only its premium quality leather but also its patented rubber driving sole.
The leather upper is soft and supple and easy to slip on and off. Combined with its leather lining and insole, they offer breathability and comfort from sweaty feet.
The patented breathable waterproof sole is flexible for ultimate manoeuvrability while driving. It also offers an excellent grip in key areas. The perforated sole and the breathable and waterproof membrane allow for natural temperature regulation that also helps keep feet dry and comfortable.
Geox Ascanio 2 driving shoes are very stylish and would compliment many everyday outfits. They come in men's shoe sizes 6-12.5 and in three colours - navy blue, pink and brown - offering practicability and fun, depending on your mood.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Clarks Ashmont driving shoes are a sleek premium leather driving shoe that offers a lot for an excellent price.
In addition to the leather upper, these loafers offer a cow leather sock liner to improve breathability and keep feet cool and dry. For additional comfort, there is also an Ortholite footbed that not only supplies padding, but also moisture wicking capabilities.
The outer sole of the Clarks Ashmont shoes are made from TPR rubber that offers durability with flexibility. Its textured bottom allows for excellent grip on the pedals and also, structure to enhance your control while driving.
Clarks Ashmont driving shoes are a stylish choice that comes in black or brown, and men's shoe sizes 7-13 with many wide and half size options. For all of this, they are moderately priced and one of the best driving shoes for men.
Best Driving Shoes: Loafers With Accents
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Polo Ralph Lauren Reynold driving shoes are a classic driving leather loafer with an ergonomically molded footbed for extra comfort. They are slip on and slip off, with a padded collar and leather insole for comfort and breathability. The outer sole is rubber and flexible, with nubs to provide grip for the pedals.
Polo Ralph Lauren Reynold shoes come in four colours - black, navy, beige, deep saddle tan and in men's shoe sizes 7-15. They are one of the best driving shoes that not only offer comfort, but also a stylish look that would compliment most outfits.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Go Tour Penny Loafers are a very budget friendly driving shoe that makes the list as a good looking economical option for the best driving shoes.
They offer everything that you need to have for fantastic driving shoes. They include leather uppers for breathability and comfort, and flexible rubber soles with texture for grip. They are lightweight with a cushioned foot bed.
Go Tour Penny Loafers come in 7 colors, many of them fun and adventurous, and they are offered in men's shoe sizes 6.5-15. They offer an elegant look for your style.
However, craftsmanship is not equal to other brands and they may wear out sooner than others. If you are not looking to spend too much, but still want a well reviewed driving shoe, then the Go Tour Penny Loafers are a great choice for you.
Best Driving Shoes: Moccasins With Tassels
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Cole Haan Gunnison shoes are a good looking casual pair of driving shoes with a slight nautical look. The uppers are 100% leather and the outer soles are rubber with nubs to grip the pedal. They are lightweight and the soles are flexible.
Cole Haan Gunnison driving shoes come in brown and in men's shoe sizes 7-13 with half and wide sizes. They have a lovely casual flair that would make them perfect for a pair of jeans or chinos.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Sperry Hamilton II 1-Eye Loafer has everything that you want for one of the best driving shoes. It offers 100% soft leather uppers with genuine rawhide laces that offer a secure yet comfortable fit. They also deliver a fantastic casual look.
The footbed is padded and the rubber sole is light and flexible so that you can easily manoeuvre between the pedals. In addition, the footbed is removable in case you wish to add your own orthotics.
The outer sole is rubber with nubs with molded "Wave-Sipping" which provides excellent traction and grip.
Sperry Hamilton II 1-Eye Loafer is offered in men's shoe sizes 7-13, with lots of half and wide sizes. They also come in three different shades of brown, easily ensuring they compliment any outfit that you may have.
Best Driving Shoes: Everyday
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Twisted X Original shoes are one of the best reviewed and most popular driving shoe available.
They are made from premium full grain leather for breathability complimented with a moisture wicking and antibacterial footbed to keep your feet cool, dry and fresh.
They are slip on and off, lightweight and have a flexible rubber outsole with textured grip for an excellent driving experience.
It is normally frowned upon to wear your driving shoes anywhere other than in the car because most driving shoes are not designed to withstand the wear and tear from constant use on hard surfaces. The rubber nubs or other textured facets to the sole will wear down, and toes will poke through the soft and supple leather uppers. However, Twisted X Original driving shoes are the exception. They are durable and offer not only an exceptional driving experience, but also the ability to wear them everyday.
Twisted X Original shoes come in men's shoe sizes 7-15, with lots of wide and half sizes. They also come in two shades of brown, and one beige.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Cole Haan Tucker Venetian driving shoes are a budget friendly yet stylish and sleek driving shoe that offers a lot.
They are 100% leather with a padded sock liner and collar for comfort. They are lightweight, and its' dual elastic goring enhances breathability and its' easy slip on and off style.
The rubber sole of the Cole Haan Tucker Venetian driving shoes is textured with durable rubber nubs for all day traction. In addition, the sole offers medium thickness to ensure a connection between your foot and the pedals.
The attractive shoe is offered in men's shoe sizes 7-16 with lots of half and wide sizes. In addition, they come in three very attractive colors - black, tan and a dark burgundy. For the price, they are one of the best driving shoes available.
Best Driving Shoes: Sport Style
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
The PUMA Ferrari Drift Cat 5 shoes are a sleek and fun driving shoe that offers many features that make it one of the best driving shoes.
The upper is not leather, but it is soft and moulds to your foot. In addition, the material is perforated to ensure breathability. The lace closure ensures a tight fit to the shape of the foot and a mid sole EVA cushions supplies padding and comfort. Overall, the shoe is lightweight. Finally, the rubber outer soles are flexible and textured, offering excellent grip for the pedals.
PUMA Ferrari Drift Cat 5 driving shoes are offered in men's shoes sizes size 4-14 and in three racing colours - black, red and white. Stylistically, if you are going for a more athletic look, these shoes are a great choice. For those of us who love the Ferrari brand of car (and who doesn't???), the Ferrari logo on these shoes is definitely a plus!
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Puma Vedano driving shoes are stylish yet casual shoes that offer an amazing driving experience. They are race car inspired, and 100% leather and suede uppers with a streamline silhouette.
Puma Vedano shoes have easy slip on and slip off access, and hook and loop closure. The leather and suede are supple and soft, and overall, the driving shoes are lightweight and breathable.
As for the rubber sole, it is flexible with textured colored accents that not only give it excellent grip on the pedals, but also gives the shoes an exciting flair.
Puma Vedano driving shoes come in two colors - black or reddish brown. They look as good as they feel and would work well with most casual and stylish outfits.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Skechers Citywalk Malton is a budget friendly sporty looking driving shoe. It is made from leather and man-made materials with detailed stitching and laces for a fashionable look.
This is one of the best driving shoes because of all of its features and its low budget price. Skechers Citywalk Malton driving shoes offer a padded collar and tongue, soft fabric lining and a memory foam cushioned insole, all supplying comfort. The lacing means that the shoe is not slip on and off, but instead offers a secure fit for more control.
The outer sole is flexible with rubber traction and its rubber "cleat" tractions ensure grip on the pedals.
Skechers Citywalk Malton driving shoes are offered in 5 colours and in men's shoe sizes 6.5-14, in many half and wide sizes.
Buyer's Guide To The Best Driving Shoes
Unlike other kinds of boots and shoes, it is relatively straightforward to understand what makes the best driving shoes.
Style
As already highlighted in this article, there are lots of different shoe styles from which you can choose that make a fantastic driving shoe. I have loosely categorized them into "loafers", "everyday", and "sporty". However, they all share similar characteristics.
- They are easy to take on and off. Ideally, you want your driving shoes to be slip on and slip off. You want to avoid lace ups or any other type of shoe style that requires you to sit down and use two hands to secure them.
- They are below the ankle and sleek. You want to avoid thick soles because you want to be able to feel the pedals. You also want to avoid thick uppers because they will impact your foot's mobility.
- Boots are not recommended unless they are specifically designed for driving. You want your ankle to have the flexibility to move between the pedals and its full range of motion to have the best driving experience.
- They are distinctive. The best driving shoes are not meant to be anything other than that - a driving shoe. You are not trying to find the best shoes for walking on concrete all day or something that is professional enough to match your business suit. Rather, you are creating a personal experience. So, feel free to pick a pair with wild colors, or a style that you would not normally buy because they are not otherwise compatible with your day to day life.
Material
For the upper, you want a soft and supple material that easily conforms to the shape of the foot while also allowing breathability. Accordingly, leather and suede tend to be the most popular options. However, there are synthetic materials that compare to leather and suede. If you prefer these, make sure that they are soft and include vents.
Sole
The sole is one of the more important and unique parts of the best driving shoes. Ideally, your sole will:
- be approximately 4 mm (0.15") thick;
- offer some flexibility;
- be made of rubber; and
- provide a good grip.
You want to avoid thick soles as you won't be able to feel the pedals, a key aspect to a great driving experience. Similarly, you want to avoid thin soles as they do not offer you enough support for safe driving.
A rubber sole provides traction so that your feet do not slide off the pedals. Ideally, you want to find one that offers a textured bottom, like "rubber nubs", "pebble soles", or other shapes and patterns, to allow you to grip the pedals and apply pressure in crucial areas.
Comfort
Like any pair of shoes, you want them to be comfortable. If they are too tight, they’ll pinch and be unpleasant to wear. If they are too loose, you won't be able to feel the pedals the way that you should and you risk slipping on the pedals.
You also want them to be lightweight for ease of movement.
Socks
For the best driving experience, you do not have to wear socks with your driving shoes. However, from a practical perspective, it is a good idea.
Regardless of the quality of the shoe and the materials used, your feet will likely get hot and sweat in your driving shoes. In addition, unless you are getting out of your shower directly and putting on your shoes, you will most likely have dirty feet prior to slipping on your driving shoes. In both situations, without socks, and no matter which of the best driving shoes you choose, they will not last.
Accordingly, you should wear a thin "no show" sock or liner. A sock with moisture wicking abilities will keep your feet, and your driving shoes, cool, clean and dry, thus ensuring a more durable lasting driving shoe. For more information about the best socks for sweaty feet, please take a look at my article 12 Best Socks For Sweaty Feet For MEN and WOMEN.
Why A "No Show" Sock?
The best driving shoes have a cool, sleek design that normally sits below your ankle bone. The most appropriate outfits to match should also have a relaxed stylish design. In these cases, you want the focus to be on the shoe and the look, not the knee high socks under your pant leg or below your shorts.
Should You Walk In Driving Shoes?
Ideally, you should not walk for long distances in driving shoes.
Normally, the uppers of the best driving shoes are made of soft and supple leather or suede. Further, the soles are medium thick, flexible and with specific textured rubber bottoms to grip the pedals. Accordingly, the best driving shoes are not durable - they are not meant for walking on hard surfaces for extended periods of time.
If you do, the shoes will wear out faster than normal. Your toes will eventually poke through, and the soles will lose its texture and grip. Basically, the driving shoes will lose the essence of why you purchased them.