Track day boots/shoes - VFC guys, any advice please??

[Facial Hair Optional]

I want to buy a decent pair of boots/shoes for track day driving (also road use in the Asbo)

The Asbo has incredibly light throttle and clutch pedals, so much so that in the wrong shoes you just can't feel them at all. I have no idea what to get. Is there anything in particular I should look for?

Any brand you can personally recommend?

Also does anyone know what is the difference between race boots and kart boots?

I've seen you VFC guys wearing them so they must be good!! 

[Lucky Ed]

I've got relatively cheap OMP karting boots. My pedal box is really tight for space, so these are nice and narrow and have thin soles so you can feel what you are doing. They make such a big difference I wouldn't be without them now.

Kartng kit tends to be cheap as it doesn't seem to have to meet the strict fire retardant regs of the proper racing stuff, but you pays yer money and........

[Facial Hair Optional]

The karting boots don't seem as thin and light as the race boots - at least online they don't. Maybe I should visit Merlin and take a look at some?

So far I have looked at OMP, Sparco and Alpinestars. These are my faves so far based on looks, colour and price....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sparco-Slalom-RB-3-Race-Racing-Rally-Driving-Suede-Boots-Shoes-/361432261314?var=&hash=item54270aa2c2:m:mIiV1ExBGzznLy2BMOVTfuA

I know you can get cheaper but a lot seem to be much more too. I think these may be pretty good value really.

[Iancider]

Mine are Speed brand - an unknown but a bit of a Sparco rip-off.  I have been very pleased with them from e-bay doe about 1/3 the price of Sparco.

Ian

[benchmark51]

Wot not yellow ones! You need a good helmet too.

[Facial Hair Optional]

Wot not yellow ones! You need a good helmet too.

Now that is a scary picture 

[benchmark51]

A lot of years ago we had a customer with a TR4 did that. Trouble was it was on the road and he had no helmet at all.

[Facial Hair Optional]

Mine are Speed brand - an unknown but a bit of a Sparco rip-off.  I have been very pleased with them from e-bay doe about 1/3 the price of Sparco.

Ian

Yes I saw some of them on ebay Ian, also these which apparently are actually made by Sparco....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lico-By-Sparco-Suede-Shoes-Starter-Top-size-36-Blue-Karting-Rally-Sport-Boots-/271093224932?hash=item3f1e6a55e4:g:O~IAAOSwQJhUbG0K

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIA-Lico-By-Sparco-Suede-Black-Shoes-High-Fire-shoes-size-38-Rally-Race-Boots-/291477456745?hash=item43dd690769:g:y9EAAOSw3xJVZwS3

That Polish seller has good prices on most top brands, Sparco, OMP, Alpinestars,

[Facial Hair Optional]

A lot of years ago we had a customer with a TR4 did that. Trouble was it was on the road and he had no helmet at all.

I dread to think 

[Facial Hair Optional]

The weather is looking pretty wet for tomorrow morning Dave. I cant see Queens being very busy can you?

[benchmark51]

Wet now, but think it may improve by 8-9am. Thinking of the square by about 10 'ish, hang about a bit then go on down to Clutton. Last meet of the year so may be popular, not fussed about parking spot. Not tarting up, usual jeans and jumper take it as it comes really.

[Crunchie Gears]

For race bootsI have a pair of Spaco boots and for the road a pair of these only in black:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Puma-Future-Leather-Low-Top-Sneakers/dp/B00PAHIK7I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449966330&sr=8-2&keywords=puma+racing+shoes

The shoes are more comfortable to walk in as the soles are not as rigid.  Both are very narrow and have a roll on the heel so work well in the car.  The puma.strip helps with heeling and toeing and if you drive all day they protect your right pinkie better than the race boots, at least for me.

I always buy leather rather than swede as you can polish them and keep them in good nick. . My Sparco boots have got to be 30 years old and look well used but have improved with age.

I would go for a pair of piloti boots if I were feeling the need for Italian! LOL


https://www.carnoisseur.com/clothing/driving-shoes/piloti-driving-shoes?gclid=CODFjZrM18kCFQsEwwodXDcG5g

[Facial Hair Optional]

Funnily enough Paul I have a pair of black Pumas for the road (and used them last time out at Combe) but they are not as posh as those, no Ferrari logo and they are not lace up. They are quite good though and were quite cheap from Sports Direct shop in Yate.

The Piloti ones are very nice looking.... https://www.carnoisseur.com/products/details/piloti-competizione-fia-approved-racing-boots-suede-and-leather-black-with-red-detail  more than I really want to pay though.

Atm these are looking like hot favourites for me.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sparco-Slalom-RB-3-Race-Racing-Rally-Driving-Suede-Boots-Shoes-/361432261314?var=&hash=item54270aa2c2:m:mIiV1ExBGzznLy2BMOVTfuA  or maybe a pair of SL-3's

Cheers

[Crunchie Gears]

Funnily enough Paul I have a pair of black Pumas for the road (and used them last time out at Combe) but they are not as posh as those, no Ferrari logo and they are not lace up. They are quite good though and were quite cheap from Sports Direct shop in Yate.

The Piloti ones are very nice looking.... https://www.carnoisseur.com/products/details/piloti-competizione-fia-approved-racing-boots-suede-and-leather-black-with-red-detail  more than I really want to pay though.

Atm these are looking like hot favourites for me.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sparco-Slalom-RB-3-Race-Racing-Rally-Driving-Suede-Boots-Shoes-/361432261314?var=&hash=item54270aa2c2:m:mIiV1ExBGzznLy2BMOVTfuA  or maybe a pair of SL-3's

Cheers

The Ferrari Pumas are driving shoes.  They have all the design features of a race boot but the sole is more flexible.  The ones you have found look good to and good value for Nomex boots.

[Facial Hair Optional]

It's weird because I would have thought that race boots would have thinner more flexible soles so you could feel the pedals more. I may end up just keeping my Pumas then cos I like the fact they are flexible, I get good feel with them. I have never seen up close or held a pair of race boots so I have no idea how they compare tbh.

Thanks for everyone's input - cheers.