Last updated: 10 Feb 2023

Best Driving Shoes

Concern for our vehicles’ safety features is natural, essential, and mostly illegal and not in the least bit sensible if we don’t.

However, equally crucial to driving safely in any vehicle is the driver, and it seems to me that not enough emphasis is on this aspect of driving. An easy and straightforward way for any driver to enhance the safety of their daily driving is by wearing the correct footwear.

Of course, as all you ladies know only too well, it makes perfect sense to have a pair of driving shoes to change into when you jump in the car. In fact, there isn’t a lady driver I know that doesn’t have an extra pair of shoes, in their car, in some cases five or six pairs, but that’s another story. 

But for some reason, it offends the male masculinity to have a spare pair of shoes for driving. It just doesn’t sit right somehow to get in the car and waste two or three precious minutes switching shoes before we roar off into the distance. But driving shoes shouldn’t be something we don’t just consider, no we should buy them.

So we have to find a compromise between not having to switch shoes in the car and finding a pair that are not only safe for driving but we aren’t embarrassed to be seen wearing in public.

But footwear is such a personal choice, and we all have different personalities. So I’ve chosen ten pairs of the best driving shoes that are versatile enough to be worn outside the car yet are excellent for safety, comfort, and affordability.

Check out our buying guide of the best driving shoes; I’m confident that at least one pair on the list will suit you down to the ground.

Best Driving Shoes

1

Skechers Men's Expected Avillo Relaxed-Fit Slip-On Loafer

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Sketcher’s shoes are always an excellent choice, and the Expected Avillo slip-on loafer is no exception. They look pretty stylish and would easily pass for a day shoe, so no embarrassment to pop into the local mall wearing these.

They are a combination of canvas and suede, two materials that are comfortable and wear exceptionally well. You’ll get a feel for the car pedals when you’re wearing these with no problem.

Assuring you of a fit that you’ll find very relaxing, they are a slip-on design which is just what you need if you decide to use them as an extra driving shoe you leave in the car. They are lightweight but made to stand up to plenty of use. Surprisingly shoes can wear out pretty quickly even if you only use them for driving, but you’ll get your money’s worth with the Skechers. 

They are available in a range of nine colors and a whole slew of sizes; there’s definitely a size for everyone.

2

Sperry Men's Hampden Venetian Slip-On Loafer

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Sperry shoes had the reputation as deck shoes, but even so, they make top driving shoes. They feature an excellent thin sole that gives brilliant feedback from the pedals, and they look great to wear as an everyday shoe.

The Sperry Venetian slip-on loafer is 100% leather, light as a feather, and exceptionally comfortable. In fact, if you wear a pair of soft leather moccasins like these for too long, they will spoil your feet for stiffer shoes, but for driving in, they are perfect.

You’ll get some excellent feedback from the car’s pedals, and the ridged rubber soles will ensure your feet will not slip.

You have a choice of three colors amaretto (a chocolate red), black, and Sahara; there’s also a multitude of sizes.

3

adidas Performance Men's Samba Classic Indoor Soccer Shoe

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These Adidas shoes are on sale as indoor soccer shoes, but they really do a great job doubling as a driving shoe, and they look so much like classic trainers you’ll have no worries about wearing them outside.

The shoe is 100% full-grain leather upper with suede overlays and rubber soles.

One feature of these shoes by Adidas is the high arch support. Some people love that idea but others not so much. If you like the shoes, but the high arch concerns you, here’s a quick workaround for you.

Remove the insole that creates the high arch and turn them over. You’ll find a piece of white rubber that is held in place by some adhesive. Peel off the full arch support and put the insoles back inside the shoe. Now you’ve got a great-looking, lightweight pair of driving shoes with a lot more comfortable insoles.

There’s a vast number of sizes and three color choices, Schwarz/White, White/Black/White, and blue.

4

Cole Haan Men's Gunnison Driver Moccasin

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The Cole Haan men’s driver moccasins are top-quality 100% leather uppers with leather and rubber soles. These are classic driving shoes, and you’ll get unparalleled grip and feedback when driving. They don’t require you to spend hours running around the house trying to break them in, although they are a little stiffer than most moccasin-type shoes.

But if you like to feel your feet in a pair of shoes and not the kind that is so soft and lightweight it’s challenging to know you’re even wearing shoes, then these are an excellent choice.

Featuring a 1.25-inch rubberized driver’s heel for that extra bit of support, and if you’ve ever checked out the driver’s floor mat and seen how deep the indentation is, you’ll agree just how much you need that support on your heel.

5

Go Tour Men's Penny Loafers Moccasin Driving Shoes

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Go Tour men’s penny loafers have an upper suede calfskin leather, and a pigskin leather cushioned man-made footbed. Ideal if you love an all-singing, all-dancing leather shoe. But even if you don’t, these shoes are super comfortable for driving. The inners are known as hygroscopic, which is a fancy way of saying they retain moisture. 

Quick question. Do you know why these shoes are called Penny Loafers? Originally this type of shoe was known as “Weejuns,” short for Norwegians because the shoes came from there. 

All penny loafers have a strap across the top of the shoe with a slit that was the ideal location to stick two cents for making a call from a public payphone. That’s it!

The soles are interesting; they are highly-flexible rubber with enlarged particles that evenly stress your feet and ensuring the soles are less slippery, which translates to better grip on the car’s foot pedals.

Eight colors and multiple sizes make up the Go Tour range.

6

Ablanczoom Women’s Comfortable Leather Driving Loafers

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The Ablanczoom women’s driving loafers are 100% cowhide leather, with a pretty floral print design. They come in a range of ten colors, so there’s bound to be a color to suit most of you ladies. They are so soft and flexible they can be bent and curled through 360 degrees.

With the thick rubber sole with a substantial tread, you’re not going to worry about grip, whether you decide to wear them out of the car or while you’re driving. The inside of the shoe has a memory-foam lining, which is both comfortable and breathable.

You might need to buy one size up because they tend to be smaller fitting and don’t wear in the wet; the stitching is not waterproof.

7

Puma Women's Sneaker, Raindrops Silver, 5.5 M US

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When we spoke earlier about owning driving shoes that are brilliant and safe for driving but look just as good walking around in them, well, the Puma Women’s Prowl Alt Sneakers are a pair we want to bring to your attention.

The shoes look sleek, stylish, and ultra-modern, and they will feel terrific on your feet, whether you’re walking around or sitting behind the steering wheel—no need to carry a spare set of shoes around with these Pumas.

The Alt Sneakers are available in a choice of seven colors and several sizes. You get a nicely cushioned midsole, and the whole shoe is so lightweight you will not experience any leg fatigue while driving in these, even if you drive a stick-shift vehicle.

8

Merrell Men's Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe

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The Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc is a suede casual driving shoe available in a massive choice of sixteen colors. There’s also the M-Select fresh odor-resistant breathable lining and a shock-absorbing air cushion heel. All of which makes the Merrell a hugely popular driving and walking shoe.

If you’re the kind of shoe buyer that’s always searching for shoes offering terrific arch support, buy these. You’ll find the arch support is excellent right out of the box, without having to purchase additional support.

You might even discover these are a brilliant pair of shoes if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. For safer driving, the M-Select grip durable traction outsole will give feedback from the foot pedals without the risk of your foot slipping.

9

PUMA Men's Redon Move Fashion Sneaker

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PUMA Men’s Redon Move Fashion Sneakers are 100% dynamic synthetic leather with a breathable ortholite sock liner. They are available in two colors White/Dark Shadow/Black and Black/White/High-Risk Red.

All Puma shoes are a little narrower than the average shoe, so if you don’t have wide feet, they would be a good choice.

The shoes are super lightweight, easy to get on and take off; the one velcro strap secures them tightly enough and doesn’t come off when you’re exercising. They are a highly durable pair of driving shoes, and they look terrific when you’re out and about.

If you go through airport security several times a year, these shoes are a life-saver, so easy to slip on and off.

10

PUMA Men's Roma Basic Sneaker

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The Puma men’s Roma sneakers are available in an astonishing twenty-three color choices. If you enjoy the classic sneaker from a few years ago, then you’ll love the retro 1968 styling of these Pumas. There is a T-toe construction with a cushioned midsole and arch support.

The rubber sole tread gives fantastic grip, no sliding off the foot pedals in these sneakers. Plus, they are a terrific shoe; when the weather turns icy, there’s no slipping on ice; the grip on the soles works excellent.

These Pumas are marketed as men’s, but they’ll suit some lady buyers because of the narrow fit.

Best Driving Shoes Buying Guide

Shoes are all the same, uppers, soles, and inners, right? Not really. Driving shoes are very different from each other, and you need to check out the features thoroughly before you make your choice. Even the sizing can be different. For example, one shoe in nine might fit you, but another brand in size nine will not. Plus, your shoes say a lot about your personality, as they should; we are all individuals are we not?

What Material is In The Construction Of Driving Shoes?

What material is the shoe? Of course, there are many materials available and distinct materials for each part of a shoe. What you’re looking looking for in any shoe is, first and foremost, comfort. Yes, the style is crucial, but if the shoes kill your feet every time you wear them, the kind will not be uppermost in your mind. But assuming you have the style you like, then what comes next is durability. You want them to last a reasonable amount of time. Driving shoes are not cheap.

They might cost more, but if you want a comfortable shoe that’s going to last for a long time, then you should pick a shoe with uppers made of leather. It will last the test of time, but the more you wear them, the more supple the leather will become, and if you treat them well, they will fit like a glove.

The next step down in cost would be suede. Once again, it’s a durable and soft material. You need to be more careful with suede and try not to get it wet. You might opt for suede on leather uppers which is also a popular choice.

Driving shoe soles tend to be rubber. Mainly because they offer the flexibility and grip a driving shoe needs, one style that is ultra-comfortable, flexible, and has excellent grip are the soles that are a combination of leather and rubber. There is one shoe in our buying guide like this, and that pair even has enlarged rubber particles to spread the stress your feet are under evenly—a terrific choice of driving shoe.

I think it’s worth reiterating about the grip your shoe provides. How many times has your foot slipped off the brake or clutch pedal under severe braking? I know mine has. Luckily I avoided running into the back of the vehicle in front by the smallest margin. For me, the biggest culprit was shiny leather soles or, even worse, when the leather sole was brand new.

So double-check the sole’s quality and try to choose shoes that have textured or grooved rubber soles. We all come across emergency braking situations, it’s part and parcel of driving, but the proper grip on the soles of your driving shoes might save your life. 

I am confident this best driving shoes buying guide has given you some excellent shoes to choose from and at affordable prices.

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