Which "Casual Shoes" to wear with Jeans?

[j]

Unfortunately, Speedcats are awful for driving in, and I wear a size 11 in them. I can't imagine trying to heel/toe in a smaller size. The sole is so narrow. Also, anything but slim jeans pretty much dwarf them.

 

[Aureus]

Originally Posted by j

Unfortunately, Speedcats are awful for driving in, and I wear a size 11 in them. I can't imagine trying to heel/toe in a smaller size. The sole is so narrow. Also, anything but slim jeans pretty much dwarf them.

Try rotating your foot a bit so that you're not just using the width of the sole. The issue for you can be the spacing of the pedals or the width of your shoe. Its called heel-toe because you could actually end up having your toe on the break and your heel on the throttle. While such a situation requires some extreme pedal placement it is the theory.

Most full on racing shoes aren't really that much wider, if at all, than speedcats.

 

[j]

I know, but in most shoes I can use the edges of my foot for a much less awkward position and better control, and AFAIK most race drivers do the same. I "heel-toe" every downshift by habit now, no matter what I'm wearing, and Speedcats are the hardest of all.

The soles of Adidas Sambas or a similar soccer shoe are a much better shape IMO for driving in.

 

[Aureus]

Originally Posted by j

I know, but in most shoes I can use the edges of my foot for a much less awkward position and better control, and AFAIK most race drivers do the same. I "heel-toe" every downshift by habit now, no matter what I'm wearing, and Speedcats are the hardest of all.

Race cars also have next to no space between the pedals. It is likely the spacing of your pedals, not the shoes, that is giving you the trouble. The amount of control you get is down to personal preference and your experience. And like I said, you'll find no real difference between sole width between speedcats and many professional racing shoes (I don't use speedcats as my racing shoes). And you won't find any sort of special width that is preferred for racing shoes.

The soles of Adidas Sambas or a similar soccer shoe are a much better shape IMO for driving in.

There is more to a driving shoe than the width of sole (in fact I find that issue to be kind of trivial really). Sensitivity to the pedal (thickness), weight, support in the heel while resting it etc... are all far more important.

Its down to personal preference and what you're familiar with in this case.

 

[j]

Yeah, I'm not taking about real racing, and I've never worn real racing shoes. I'm just saying for driving a normal car, whose pedals most people will not adjust, the Pumas don't work as well as a lot of shoes (for me).

Anyway, maybe they rule, and I just don't know how to drive. I have them, I wear them, but I'd rather drive in something else.