Driving Shoes for the Discerning Motorist

I think I’ve made a ‘schoolboy error’ committing to this compilation of motoring footwear for this month’s Kitbag. The more I delve into the confusing world of fashion and start Googling for what passes as ‘driving shoes’ the less comfortable I feel. At one end of the spectrum we have the triple-layer Nomex super-boots as sported by Messrs Hamilton and Vettel; at the other we have the gaudy overpriced Gucci slip-ons that any self-respecting modern gentlemen wouldn’t be seen dead in (which, in this instance, means upside down, in a hedge … on fire). What I’ve tried to do in this month’s kitbag is find that middle ground: driving shoes that’ll help the more skilful wheelmen dabble in the dark arts of heel ‘n toe, and yet won’t look ridiculous in the BRDC clubhouse with a post-race tipple.

Nicolas Hunziker Driving Shoes

This quirky line of driving shoes follows Hunziker’s successful line of t-shirts. He has used five famous racing liveries as his muse and created a pretty stylish design for each. But they don’t just look good; they feel good too, thanks to the use of real cow leather and suede uppers, plus soft full leather linings with removable insoles.
The tyre tread sole gives good peddle grip and a rolled heel offers support where long haul commuters need it most. An outside abrasion panel also helps with heel-toe shifting, apparently. Added bonuses include a stylish gift box that features different Hunziker paintings, a flannel shoe bag for travelling, an extra set of insoles and contrasting coloured laces.

Nicolas Hunziker driving shoes are available in men’s sizes 8 –13 (sorry ladies) and you can choose from Le Mans Blue, Scuderia Red, Jim Clark Green, McQueen Gulf Blue & Orange or Stirling Moss Blue.

Priced from £99.95
From: Nicholas Hunziker at Amazon UK

Puma Vedano

We’ve long been a fan of Puma’s Speed Cat range. We love the snug fit and rolled heel support; those bad boys have been a godsend with the tight pedal boxes of the Morgan 3 wheeler and Caterhams we’ve driven recently. However, they aren’t the smartest daisy roots. Thankfully, the Puma Vedano now sits at the posher end of Puma’s ‘motorsport lifestyle’ range and is marketed as the perfect all rounder – the ‘hot-hatch’ of footwear, if you will.
Available in black or brown the Vedano uses a blend of leather and suede on the upper, stuck to Puma’s patented non-slip rubber sole.

Priced £82.00
From: Puma at Amazon UK

Pikolinos Fuencarral Driving Shoe

Now here’s something you may not have seen before. These beauts, in baseball glove stitched brown leather, are from Spain and are, according to an old Mallorcan friend of mine, the footwear of choice amongst Iberia’s more fashion conscious petrolheads and are a personal favourite of Fernando Alonso, no less … according to my mate anyway. They remind me of the baseball leather seats found in the old Audi TT; and while they may be a bit more golf club than Club Corner, I think I’d plump for these over anything else on show here.

Priced £84.99
From: Pikolinos at Amazon