Driving barefoot, yay / nay?
 

I've never really given this too much thought, but I absolutely prefer driving barefoot. I think it traces back to the fact that I wear flipflips most of the time when I'm not at work, and flipflops are horrible for driving a manual.

Anyways, had a friend ride-along and observed how 'weird' it is to drive barefoot. So I was curious, what are everyone's thoughts on this? Poll attached to make it scientific.

Don't see a poll, but I'll always kick off my flip-flops before driving. I can handle an automatic in flip flops, but the long travel of a clutch pedal will always get the heel of the flip flop caught against the carpet and pull it away from my foot, which is very uncomfortable/unsafe.

Poll is up now.

Yea I agree about the flipflops. I actually take off my work shoes now though lol. They're just slip-on dress shoes so its easy.

I mostly don't...simply because its against the law in Ohio. Obviously not a primary offense, but I'd rather avoid the extra upcharge on any tickets I may get.

Wow really? Thats crazy. I wonder who thought of that.

this

No idea. I've gotten used to driving with shoes, only time I haven't is when I am moving around cars in the driveway. I drive just fine with shoes, flipflops, whatever.

Only when I'm leaving the beach or if I've stepped in a huge puddle and soaked my shoes do I drive barefoot.

It's illegal in most states to drive barefoot.

Either way, I don't do it. When I drive I slide my foot on and off the clutch pedal (pivot with my heel) and my foot is too grippy for that to work barefoot. In fact when I play Gran Turismo with my pedals and steering wheel I can't do it barefoot either. I wear socks:D

I don't have much of a problem driving around in my flops, never seems to be an issue. However if I'm driving a long distance and know that I may encounter a lot of stop and go traffic then I'll wear sneakers instead.

I love dirty hippie sandals in the summer when not working.

They don't drive well, so they get taken off.

80% of the time I drive barefoot/socks ... you are that much closer to the feel of the car this way..

I do when I forget I am wearing flip flops. I have size 12-13 flip flops and they get stuck between the pedals and carpet easily.

I drive with my hands :burnrubber:

I don't drive barefoot but this is the first car I've owned that caused me to buy a pair of driving shoes. The spring in the throttle and the clutch are so soft that the shoes help with the feel of the sensitivity.

Driving barefoot is illegal in a lot of places.

For a motorcycle maybe, but for a car, I think very few states ban it. At least that is what a quick Google search showed:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_ille...cle_barefooted

I wear Pumas when I drive most of the time, that's as close to barefoot as you need really. Great driving shoes

-Nick C.

Anyone else always have an urge to grip the pedal with your toes when you driver barefoot? That's just one of the many reasons I don't like driving barefoot.

That's crazy. It's way safer to drive barefoot than in flip flops.


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I do occasionally, but on longer drives in traffic I make sure I wear shoes.
In my state from what I have heard, it is illegal to drive barefoot, but it seems much safer than flip-flops to me.

Correct. There are no state or federal laws against driving barefoot.

There is only one item of foot wear a man ever needs and it covers all bases....chuck taylors.

This used to be the case for me, but the older I get, the more arch support I need in my shoe. I miss my Chucks. :(

Wear vibrams fivefingers, also I'm curious to know how cops know you're driving barefoot.

My wife runs in these sometimes, and that is a good idea for driving.. Might pick up a pair...

You should drive how you like and whatever makes you the most comfortable. I like to be barefoot most of the times but for me its just weird in my car.

I've always wanted some alpine stars driving shoes

http://www.alpinestars.com/auto/shoes.html

But they are super expensive! I guess you get what you pay for

-Nick C.

I only drive barefoot if I'm wearing flip flops. Then I kick them off, otherwise I MUCH prefer to use thin-sole driving shoes like the Pumas. Same reason I don't feel comfortable riding the motorcycle without gloves.

I have a set of Speedwell low cut driving shoes, and they are incredible, but no longer sold in the US. sadface.

I do this a lot on long trips.. The vibrations coming thru keep u awake and it feels good.

I drive in minimalist shoes like my vibrams, new balance minimus 2's, or even my tom's shoes, all the time. I like the feel they give me for the pedals. When wearing flip flops or slip on shoes though, off they come as soon as I'm in the car.

Thanks for the info. Apparently its not illegal anywhere lol. Or am I reading it wrong

No, it looks legal in every state from what I can tell. They might say "not recommended" but that does not make it illegal.

I tried barefoot driving a few times, the pedals are too hard to comfortably press along with the rubber studs pressing uncomfortably against the bottom of my feet.

I have to wear certain shoes to drive the car right. Normal tennis shoes work fine but I typically wear a 7+ year old pair of new balances that feel best for pedal feel.

I normally drive with shoes, unless I'm wearing flip flops. Then they come off immediately. I won't change shoes specifically because I'm going to go drive though.

If I'm not sporting my pumas I'm barefoot usually. I learned stick that way. Easier to get a feel for the gas clutch transition. Also driving in heels can be dangerous ;)

The reason it is illegal to drive barefoot in so many regions has to do with safety
1. getting out of car in emergency barefoot isnt safe
2. slamming on the breaks barefoot isn't safe
3. getting into an accident barefoot isn't safe
4. people's feet are different sizes, so wearing shoes helps provide a wide flat surface to control the pedals with - more predictable than a bare foot. basically pedals are designed to be used with a shoe

etc etc etc

THIS. From experience, this hurts. I was just wearing socks in my last car (09 GTI w/ DSG) when I got t-boned. Both feet were near the pedals because I was plling away from an itersection and the force of the impact slammed my feet against the side of the pedals. I didn't break anything, but my feet were very sore, had some major bruises and some minor cuts, and walking was really really uncomfortable for about 2-3 weeks.

I never drive barefoot anymore after that. Sure, my chuck taylors are probably not a lot better, but I feel better about it.

If I'm wearing flip flops I drive barefoot, that being the case I can't say it's a preference as the lack of shoes makes heel-toeing difficult.

Taken from my local police department...


Q) Are you allowed to drive with bare feet?*
A) The short answer is yes.

The more complex answer is that while legal, driving with bare feet or other, less sturdy footwear may compromise your ability to control your vehicle should you be faced with changing road conditions, a collision or some other emergency.Here are a couple of examples:

• Going bare foot – some of you love to drive with bare feet. Please keep in mind, though, that it’s all about protecting your feet should you need to get out of your vehicle onto unstable or debris covered ground. An example would be if you were involved in a collision and the only way to a place of safety was across glass-littered ground.

• High heels may look nice, but they change your foot position and alignment. The foot is pointed and the heel is not fully resting on the floor (instead, it’s balanced on the heel point), which may make it more difficult for you to move your foot from pedal to pedal.

• Flip-flops are the go-to summer sandal, but they are less sturdy than shoes. They also live up to their name by flip-flopping around, which may not be conducive to safe driving.

• Wearing flip-flops while driving a motorcycle - it’s legal, but your feet will have no protection should you need to put your foot down quickly, and a flip-flop would simply disintegrate on the pavement – ouch! Beware of extreme road rash.

*So while the decision of what to wear on your feet while driving is up to you, please take into consideration what you will do if the road conditions change or if you are involved in a collision.This advice carries over into other seasons as well, and the same can be said for driving in ski boots. Legal, but perhaps not the best decision.

Happy driving, everyone!