Stylish heels and toes for the road in 2023's top driving shoes

Sign up for the newsletter

Driving footwear is a contentious issue. You probably have a sweet sports car, enjoy taking corners quickly, and want more control at the pedals if you're looking to buy a set.

However, there is a thin line between "attractive, comfortable shoes with a thin sole for added feel" and "hey, why are you wearing bright red karting boots to the supermarket?" ’

To help you stay in line, we've compiled a list of the best driving shoes money can buy.

Tips on Buying Safe Driving Shoes

Why T3 is Reliable So that you can make an informed purchase, our professional reviewers put in countless hours of research and testing. Read on to learn about our testing procedures.

I've never heard of a pair of shoes called "driving shoes" before. The idea behind these shoes is straightforward: their thin soles will allow for a more direct connection between your feet and the pedals. Their names, such as Maranello, straddle the line between hip and nerdy, and their palettes range from subdued to garish, from brown and navy to LaFerrari-screaming red and yellow.

Some of these styles are moccasin-inspired, with a sole and upper constructed from a single piece of leather or suede and a rubber outsole sewn directly onto the upper.  

While a traditional sole is more comfortable for walking long distances, such as from the paddock to the podium or the house to the newsstand, a 'pebbled' sole allows for greater flexibility and pedal feel.

11 Top-Rated Pairs of Driving Shoes

More than 35 years have passed since Tod's first introduced the Gommino, making these suede slip-ons a veritable classic in the driving shoe industry. They are navy blue all the way through, and they have a full black rubber sole, so they can handle some rain and regular wear. They are the perfect pair of shoes for a Sunday drive.

These driving loafers by Dune of London are a great buy for the price. They have laces, making for a more secure fit than with most driving shoes. The bottom of the shoe is covered in supple brown leather, and the sole is made up of 12 individual pieces of rubber that are stitched together at strategic intervals for visual interest.

Aware, yes Although Ugg is more commonly associated with the fluffy boots of the mid-2000s, we insist that you give these tan leather driving shoes a chance. Instead, they provide a sophisticated casual style that doesn't make you feel obligated to introduce yourself, talk about your car, and ask if anyone would like to see a picture of your RS. The soles are pale and stand out against the leather, which wraps completely around the bottom. These are equally at home on the deck of your boat as they are in the trunk of your Lotus.

Look no further than Tom Ford's for the trendiest pair of driving shoes. His signature 'York' shoes were worn with nearly every outfit at the SS18 presentation in Milan, and they can be seen all over the brand's Instagram. This one is made in Italy with a soft navy suede and hand-polished gold chains. That's because they're leather-lined for optimal coziness.

While Herring makes a wide variety of driving shoes, the Maranello brand is what really sets these apart for those who live and breathe gasoline. These shoes have a traditional moccasin design and come in a wide variety of colors, from the understated blue, brown, and black to the flashy Gulf Racing Aqua and Rosso Corsa red (both of which come with yellow soles to match your brake calipers, of course).

We still miss the Puma Speed Cat, our go-to driving shoe throughout the 90s and 00s that was inspired by the racing boots seen on the F1 grid. The modern analogue, the Drift Cat 7, maintains the flat sole and low-slung aesthetic of its forerunner while also providing ankle support during extended driving sessions with a rounded heel. Our advice is to steer clear of the bright red ones emblazoned with the Ferrari logo.

Check out our Puma promo codes if you want to save money on some fresh kicks.  

Car Shoe was founded in 1963, but was acquired by Prada in 2001; the company now sells its wares at the Goodwood Revival. In addition to the eye-catching red and blue laces, the soft leather lining, and the pebble-style sole that extends the entire length and width of the shoe to improve flexibility and feel, these suede moccasins feature a classic moccasin construction.

We'll cut to the chase and explain that Ayrton Senna wore these shoes, so we're including them. The Herbert family became household names thanks to a viral video of the Brazilian Formula One champion driving a Honda NSX around the Suzuka GP circuit while performing pedal ballet.

Anyway In contrast to Senna's glossy leather shoes, these Herberts look great in brown or tan suede with a pebbled sole and white stitching.

These driving shoes by the renowned Italian designer channel the elegance of 1950s Riviera living. They're loafers, in the traditional sense, and they're decorated with the Gucci logo in green and red. They have a pebbled sole and look great with rolled-up jeans or untucked slacks and no socks.

These shoes by Reiss, a classic moccasin style, are exquisitely crafted in Europe from high-quality suede. The grip soles and threaded laces with metallic eyelet detail give these shoes a seafaring vibe.

We apologize if you were hoping to find a quick summary before diving into articles about actual motorsport shoes. Regardless, these boots won't fool anyone into thinking they're a pair of chic Italian loafers. Alpinestars' Tech 1-Z boot is constructed from lightweight kangaroo leather and is approved to the FIA 8856-2000 standard, making it fire resistant in the event that you exhaust all of your other resources. You'll look like The Stig if you buy them in white. Honest

• All other dash cams are inferior to these.