Finding the right driving shoes

Women are very adaptable.  In fact, so adaptable that author Hanna Rosin theorized in her book, “The End of Men,” that adaptability is the reason behind the steady rise of women’s success in the workforce.

Due to our ever-changing world and the rise of the digital age, we are now in a society where brute strength is not as lauded as staying focused and being smart.

If in the industrial age, women had a big disadvantage because they could not lift weights as much as men, in the information age, their ability to sit and focus enabled them to become stronger players.

GLADIATOR shoes for Cat Antonio

In fact, women are so adaptable they are now  able to be more and to do more; the once one-image stereotype is being broken.

We are able to juggle the roles of domestic goddess, corporate shark and soccer hot mom, while still buying our own vehicle of choice and driving in 5-inch heels.

Even if it feels great to drive with Louboutin heels, there are downsides that you must consider.

First, of course, is that you will destroy your shoes. Second, these will only contribute to varicose veins. And lastly, and most importantly, it’s unsafe.

I know, I know,  driving shoes designs are so limiting in terms of what outfit you can wear, so much so that we women are forced to adapt to this fashion.

PAUL Smith Lace Up Shoes and Tod’s Shoes for Asian Carmakers Corp. president Maricar Par

Although car pedals are designed  to help your legs and feet feel relaxed, driving long distances in the wrong shoes can still take its toll.

Ideally, driving shoes are slip- ons made of breathable materials such as suede, leather and cloth.

The defining factor is that the sole extends to your heel up until the backside of your foot.  This extension provides an angle, which allows you to rest your feet while stepping on the pedal, making long-distance driving bearable.

Another advantage of this design is that the extended rubber soles act as an anchor and prevent your feet from sliding while driving.

Driving shoes are also made in such a way that the material and the shape will give you a feel of the car’s accelerator and brake pedals.

In the following paragraphs, we will be dissecting some alternative driving shoes that women  (and even men) have used. This can be a guide on what will work best for you.

Flip-flops with varying sole height.  This is your Havaianas, Fitflop or any open-toe footwear with a Y-shaped strap.

So far, it has been the most practical option for me because it’s easy to keep and wear.  Even if you wear your heels, changing into your flip-flops is a breeze.

MICHAEL Kors Heels and Butterfly Twists Foldable Ballet Flats for Volvo Philippines vice president Loi Concepcion

However, the disadvantage of wearing this type of slippers is the possibility of it getting  snagged on the matting or the pedal itself, which could lead to an accident or a response delay during an emergency situation.

Another disadvantage, of course, is that your feet are exposed, so much so  that in case of a frontal accident, the possibility of having a foot injury is increased.

Rubber shoes or tennis trainers. If you compare the soles of driving shoes with regular trainers, the former is less than half of the latter.  A thinner sole enables you to feel the gas stream and brake pressure better.

Although you have better foot protection with trainers, it lessens your reaction time on the gas throttle or the brakes.

Cloth slip-on shoes.  Although this variety lessens the possibility of snagging and gives you enough sole thickness to have a good feel of the gas and brake pedals, there is a lack of support for your heels to rest on during those long drives.

Cloth slip-on shoes such as Toms, whose soles do not protrude like Sanuks, may be less prone to snagging.

Kitten heels or 5-inch heels.  Anything with heels gives your feet the relaxed feeling, though at the expense of your beautiful shoes.

Another disadvantage is that the arc produced by the increased heel height lessens the contact of the feet to the pedals, giving you less control during emergency situations.

Although driving in heels is sexy, doable and can help firm up your calf muscle, we wouldn’t  recommend this.

Foldable flats. This is another convenient option.  You can fold the shoes and keep them in your car or bag.  This has the same snug fit of driving shoes, but does not have the correct angle and support for your feet. I use a Yosi Samra, which gives me just the right feel on the car.

Wedges. No matter what height, the wedge has the same effect as the thick soles of rubber shoes. The added danger is that you might feel you have pressed enough—or worse, not enough—on the brakes, which might end up in a not-so-fashionable situation.

The wedge has a major snagging disadvantage, especially in emergency situations where you actually lift the whole feet.

There are a lot of other options in the market. But bear in mind the key factors you must consider when choosing.

First, you must have a good feel of the pedal to be able to gauge the kind of pressure necessary. Second, find a pair of shoes that will provide ample support for your feet to rest on while driving. Third, make sure that the shoes have no parts that can snag on the mat or pedals.

That said, if you think you don’t have any pair that fits the bill, I just gave you an excuse to go and buy another one.

For comments and suggestions, please e-mail me at jnt@chicdriven.com; like  us on Facebook/chicdriven or follow us at twitter @chicdriven. Check out our blog at www.chicdriven.com/wordpress for behind-the-scenes stories and other topics.