Well, I think I’m going to do this. Does anyone else? I have a hard time buying shoes/boots, as I’m a wide and have to order online. It’s such a hassle, ordering and sending back. Plus, my choices are limited. So, anyway, I found two pair of extremely comfortable grey suede boots and the heel is suede. Another pair of boots it’s killing me to buy, as they cost $149 and I like them a lot, but don’t love them. They are so comfy, I’m going to keep them, as I literally can’t find anything else that fits well…and believe it or not, the season for buying wide shoes is almost over…as they go very quickly.
So, I’m taking the hits. However, I get tired of heels or back of heels being ruined driving, and am worried about the suede in particular. I’ve decided to keep a pair of driving shoes in my car. AT least I’ll start it. I wonder if I’ll get sick of it, then stop.
Does anyone do this? Or maybe I’ll do it for just these extremely expensive ones.
I actually bought a pair years ago because the only car we had was a stickshift, so I was wearing out the heels of both shoes! Now they’re a fashion item. I don’t remember my mom wearing them (although she did a lot of driving). I do remember her buying a “car coat” (short enough to make getting in and out easy).
I wear different shoes to drive & walk into work, then change when I get there. It is both ruining the back of the shoe and walking (hard on the shoe and my feet). I have been doing this for over 25 years…but don’t remember my mom doing it.
One of my SILs has kept/worn driving shoes in her car for as long as I can remember. My mom wore tennies most of the time, so probably didn’t need driving shoes. When wearing pumps, etc, dad was probably driving.
I don’t like driving in heels. I’ve had my foot slip off the pedals.
I don’t remember my mom doing it but my H has several pairs of driving shoes that he uses when he drives his sports cars, and especially on long trips in them.
@conmama I, too, have a wide foot and have difficulty finding comfy shoes and boots. If you wouldn’t mind sharing the kind of boots you mention, I would love a link! Feel free to PM. Thanks!
When working in Manhattan in the 80s, I kept a few pairs of pumps in my desk and wore sneakers to and from the office. Just about everyone did. I was told it dated from the 1980 transit strike.
My mom never had driving shoes. I only wear different shoes (usually sneakers) when driving long distance because they are just more comfortabke. Around town or short distances I don’t bother.
I don’t wear heels so no driving shoes. I do have a funny story though. My boss years ago borrowed my car. It was a stick shift and she had no problem leaving, but when she tried to come back she could not get it to go. We finally figured out that the problem was that the heels meant she was not getting the clutch all the way down.
@alwaysamom …They are true wides. I can’t tell you how many I’ve bought and sent back this month. I would have liked the heels maybe a 1/2 inch higher, but the comfort wins.
Here’s another fun one I bought that is a true wide. I’ll wear all of these sometimes with skinny jeans with socks that come up to show,
Tod’s driving moccasins? They have the rubber thing that comes up behind the heels, but they will set you back 300-400.
I wear ballet flats with rubber sole and heels when I am driving. I drive over 250 miles/week.
A good non-skid, cusioned floor mat is the answer to shoe damage. I think walking damages the soles much more than keeping a foot on the pedal! But I still prefer walking.
Gosh, when running out to pick someone up or something (meaning, I don’t have to get out of the car/be seen) I wear my “wicked good slippers,” $69 and last for years! I can’t imagine spending $300-400 on “driving shoes.”
We don’t tend to drive for long distances, tho sometimes we are in the car for a good portion of the day. We are fine with driving barefoot. The foot doesn’t seem any the worse for it.
I picked up a pair of the Tod’s Gommini driving mocs from the Saks Off-Fifth
website for $249. They run big and have absolutely no support–I put in a pair of inserts that helped a great deal with the fit and offered a little more support. I drive in whatever I have on my feet.
I was not aware that this was a passé concept. Not only does my mom still wear driving shoes, so do I (plus my dad and brother). Automatic transmissions are in the distinct minority in Europe, and all the shifting wears/scuffs dress shoes.
I don’t know about the women’s shoe side of things, but men’s driving shoes are pretty common as regular wear. I love driving mocs personally, and wear them with business casual for work. Only problem is the soles tend to wear out pretty fast. I have wide feet too and the softer leather and less rigid construction of the mocs lets them squish into my foot shape nicely.
