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Posted by: trekkor Jul 13 2004, 11:51 PM

I'm looking for some nimble shoes, right?

I go to the race track and look at the $120-$180 pairs.

The guy says: " Let me give you a little advice. Go buy wrestling shoes. They are exactly the same as karting shoes".

I went to SportMart in Vacaville on Sat afternoon and found Nike's for $40.

Very good fit. They feel like stiff socks.

I put them on in the parking lot and drove to Winters, over the hill on 128 to Lake Berryessa and into Napa. SPIRITED ALL THE WAY.

Look out.

KT

Posted by: Joe Ricard Jul 14 2004, 06:25 AM

Yup and if you want to whipp someones ass you are all set.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Jul 14 2004, 08:22 AM

heheh, my racing shoes

*converse all stars
*vans old skools......

Posted by: Randal Jul 14 2004, 12:04 PM

Do they have rubber soles and if so how thick?

We need a picture Mr. T.

Posted by: URY914 Jul 14 2004, 12:17 PM

I've seen guys wearing them at autox's. Always found it odd that a Mustang driver needs to change shoes to drive the course.

But I guess it looks faster, therefore it is faster...

Paul

Posted by: jandro62 Jul 14 2004, 01:04 PM

Yeah, the wrestling shoes are pretty much the same thing. Alternatively, Puma has started selling speedcats through local retailers, and they are basically a lowtop racing shoe, and more comfortable imho than the wrestling shoes all around.

Posted by: djm914-6 Jul 14 2004, 04:04 PM

What about the Piloti that Griot's Garage has been pushing? They look ok though my preferance is a leather moc style.

Normally I just wear my well broken in Sperry Boat Shoes.

Posted by: jandro62 Jul 14 2004, 04:49 PM

The piloti's look a little bulkier to me, but I don't know about their comfort level.

Posted by: TimT Jul 14 2004, 06:30 PM

I had pilotis...there is nothing about them makes them any better or worse than any other driving shoe Ive owned...

but please dont buy them from Griots...Im sure you can get them for much less than the price you see in griots... that is if you want to buy them

Ive seen lots of guys use wrestling shoes at DE's Aisics etc..

You cant race with wrestling shoes... well maybe you could, but if they ever scrut you you may be SOL

Posted by: seanery Jul 14 2004, 06:50 PM

Simpson Lowtops are reasonable at $79 list
http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/catalog/shoes/lowtop.asp

Posted by: Mueller Jul 14 2004, 07:03 PM

thanks for the link Sean...those are pretty reasonable...and they have Nomex® liners, which the wrestling shoes do not have

Posted by: jgiroux67 Jul 14 2004, 07:03 PM

If you want good racing shoes that are cheap go with the adidas tuscany gt, monza, or monaco. They can all be had for under $80 and they look great. The tuscany's are lowtop but the monza and monaco are high tops.


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Posted by: drew365 Jul 14 2004, 07:12 PM

I've always wondered why I bother wearing Nomex socks when the engine is behind me. I guess if I run straight into a wall they might come in handy, but I'd probably have more problems at that point than socks will cure.

Posted by: Mueller Jul 14 2004, 07:14 PM

ummm.....gas tank sitting damn near on top of your feet ??? a crash could cause leakage????

Posted by: carreraguy Jul 14 2004, 07:40 PM

If you bike, try using your biking shoes - works great for me since you have a much narrower shoe and reinforced sole it makes heel and toeing much easier. Of course I'm assuming your bike soles are flat and not the clip on/quick release kind.

Posted by: Rob Ways Jul 14 2004, 08:23 PM

Yep... wrestling shoes.... Big 5

Posted by: trekkor Jul 14 2004, 11:29 PM

I've driven in these for about one hour so far and they are very comfortable.

They are extremly lightweight also. When I pick up the shoebox it feels like the box is empty.

Randal, firm rubber soles, semi flexible.

here's some pics

KT


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Posted by: trekkor Jul 14 2004, 11:31 PM

uno mas, amigos


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Posted by: RoadGlue Jul 15 2004, 12:31 AM

I drive with Adidas Sambas - they are an indoor soccer shoe that's been around since the 80's. Thin soles, comfortable and narrow.

Posted by: KenH Jul 15 2004, 09:08 AM

Hummmm - if you are going to be in a situation where there may be fire...

HOW MUCH ARE YOUR FEET WORTH???

Ken

Posted by: ArtechnikA Jul 15 2004, 10:02 AM

because as you stand there, fire extinguisher in hand, as the burning fluids begin to seep toward you, you will thank youself that you had the foresight ...

when i bought my Simpson lowtops i really had no other suitable competition driving shoes, so i had to buy -something- anyway. i just don't like the idea of buying stuff twice, and as i expect that someday i will be in an environment that requires the Nomex, it just made sense to buy them the one time. i do have some Nomex Pilotis that i like pretty well.

the thing about racing shoes at an Autocross is that they really suck when it's your turn to go work the course, standing on the hot asphalt for hours at a time. they work for driving, but not for that ... the Pilotis are much more versatile in that regard.

and while it's not required, i do in fact have and wear Nomex turtlenecks at AX and DE events. longsleeve is required at DE, and i like the additional sun protection at the AX - again for those hours working the course. i have never been exposed to serious fire, but i understand skin grafts are painful, and proper protective clothing is not that expensive...