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Author	Topic: Drive Right Shoe-Less: Better Pedals-Feel, Lower Fuel Consumption	Post a Reply Back to Topics

FeinDenz Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:43 Points:32,310 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2010 10:36:43 AM Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse It is NOT illegal to drive shoe-less or barefoot unless either impairs foot control. Big boots & high heels would be more "illegal" and wrong. F1 racers, some stock car & truck drivers do use "shoe-sox" or just socks & stockings (females, cross-dressers & transvestites...). Barefoot (not in Canadian winters) and shoe-less gives far better control than any shoes or flip-flops or sandals. A long-term test years ago when I first tried this in my regular commute in Cape Town, showed a measurable 10% increase in mpg from 23 to 26 mpg. Has anyone else already quantified barefoot or shoe-less comparisons? Will you GasBuddy keen & smart members please try right shoe-less for 2011? I haven't commuted or had regular unvariable journeys for many years, biking or busing or walking to my office. Accidents & casualties should go down in quantity & gas mileage/kilometres go up, all else been constant.

FeinDenz

Rookie Author
Ottawa

Posts:43
Points:32,310
Joined:Aug 2002

Message Posted: Dec 10, 2010 10:36:43 AM

Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse

It is NOT illegal to drive shoe-less or barefoot unless either impairs foot control. Big boots & high heels would be more "illegal" and wrong.

F1 racers, some stock car & truck drivers do use "shoe-sox" or just socks & stockings (females, cross-dressers & transvestites...).

Barefoot (not in Canadian winters) and shoe-less gives far better control than any shoes or flip-flops or sandals.

A long-term test years ago when I first tried this in my regular commute in Cape Town, showed a measurable 10% increase in mpg from 23 to 26 mpg. Has anyone else already quantified barefoot or shoe-less comparisons? Will you GasBuddy keen & smart members please try right shoe-less for 2011? I haven't commuted or had regular unvariable journeys for many years, biking or busing or walking to my office.

Accidents & casualties should go down in quantity & gas mileage/kilometres go up, all else been constant.

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,305 Points:3,191,680 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2011 5:58:03 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Amusiclover Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,095 Points:728,965 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2011 3:27:23 PM Ignore Amusiclover Report Abuse Did you get better mileage because you left your heavy shoes at home? How did you come up with a 10% increase in mpgs? Unless someone wears thick heavy boots and cannot feel the pedals, there is no reason to drive barefoot, just hoping to get better mileage.
rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:23,072 Points:3,551,075 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2011 5:25:56 AM Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse Whether you like to drive shoeless or not, it is downright silly during a Prairie winter. Do you warm up your car for 20 minutes in the cold weather, or do you actually start out shoeless when it is still cold enough in the car to freeze water?
silverG Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,050 Points:1,371,335 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2011 5:32:30 PM Ignore silverG Report Abuse My dad told me when I was young that racecar drivers drove shoeless on their gas pedal foot.
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,305 Points:3,191,680 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2011 5:57:04 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse Would driving bare foot make you a Darwin Award candidate?
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:23,608 Points:1,075,890 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2011 12:41:13 AM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse => "Although driving barefoot is not specifically illegal, it may result in carelessness and cause the driver to be charged with reckless driving or other offenses at an officer's discretion." <= Where exactly is that line of hokum quoted from? It doesn't appear anywhere in the thread. Nor should it. "May result in carelessness", my foot. "Other offenses"? Seriously? Like what? Does somebody actually believe that upon seeing an unshod driver, a police officer can charge them with embezzlement?
FeinDenz Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:43 Points:32,310 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2011 12:23:52 AM Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse OK, JoRobins538, what are Zories?! However, I'm sure nothing can be as sure in driving as barefoot.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,758 Points:2,863,990 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2011 9:58:03 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse "Although driving barefoot is not specifically illegal, it may result in carelessness and cause the driver to be charged with reckless driving or other offenses at an officer's discretion." At an officer's discretion.....OK, I'll continue to wear shoes while driving.
katexas Sophomore Author Baton Rouge Posts:104 Points:351,060 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 1, 2011 10:52:44 AM Ignore katexas Report Abuse Shoes off a lot of the time, partially because I don't like driving in heels, and yes if one comes off, they both come off. I use cruise control most of the commute and in the winter I have heat blowing on my feet and defrost.
FeinDenz Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:43 Points:32,310 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Jan 31, 2011 11:11:21 PM Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse Now I am in winter, in both Ottawa & Winnipeg, I endure my right heel getting wet from the melting snow from shoes on the protective rubber mat. Not much of a discomfort, worth the more sensitive pedals control. I may take a friend's idea of placing a flip-flop or sole on the floor for my right heel, to keep my foot dry. So when will a GasBuddy turn up with a measurable report on fuel consumption change - or none, like Bochevy mentioned?
RetiredD3 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,428 Points:815,160 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2011 12:13:42 PM Ignore RetiredD3 Report Abuse Hey, it was good enough for Fred Flintstone - and he had to foot-start his ride. ;)
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,742 Points:643,570 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2011 10:28:28 AM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse Can't imagine how much fun that would be in our winter weather, but maybe in the summer. Have to wash my feet more often. How about zories rather thn completely barefoot - does that work?
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,862 Points:1,058,800 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2011 10:20:23 AM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse I'll rely on my tachometer and speedometer
1993SC2 Rookie Author Grand Rapids Posts:89 Points:39,485 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jan 26, 2011 6:35:32 PM Ignore 1993SC2 Report Abuse I drive barefoot when I wear sandals in the summertime...
rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:23,072 Points:3,551,075 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jan 26, 2011 5:37:41 PM Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse bochevy, as much as I detest driving barefoot (and yes I tried it many years ago), I am happy you take your flip-flops off, they are probably the most dangerous footwear to have on while driving.
bochevy Champion Author Sarasota Posts:3,435 Points:262,790 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2011 6:24:02 PM Ignore bochevy Report Abuse I drive barefoot all of the time in my Suburban. I was driving barefoot in my manual Jetta as well, but I had to give that up because I was having some foot pain. I never noticed a difference in mpg. I do it because I live in Florida and only where flip flops.
vic168 Champion Author New York Posts:3,297 Points:604,335 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2011 3:46:11 PM Ignore vic168 Report Abuse lmao
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,285 Points:123,500 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 22, 2011 11:53:12 AM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse +1 with OilerFan
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,184 Points:2,458,325 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2011 8:02:29 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse much ado about nothing. IMHO.
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:23,608 Points:1,075,890 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jan 20, 2011 10:55:04 PM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse => what am i missing here? <= The realistic likelihood of your car catching on fire? (Am I right? Did I win?) What I was missing, until now, was the "right" shoe part. Now I see the OP is advocating removing only the right shoe. Well I don't agree with that. If one comes off, they both come off. (- and in the million-to-one chance the car ignites, I doubt my lack of shoeage will slow me down. Actually it should be faster without them- of all the reasons to wear shoes, none of them is speed) [Edited by: sluggopyle at 1/20/2011 10:56:29 PM EST]
pacecar68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,772 Points:889,420 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jan 20, 2011 11:31:57 AM Ignore pacecar68 Report Abuse i don't understand how this would make any difference.... when i drive i do so gently so the car "floats". i guess i could do that barefoot, but what if you are in an accident/the car catches on fire/whatever. i want to be able to run FAST away from the car if necessary. what am i missing here?
Dale Jr. Champion Author Illinois Posts:16,369 Points:3,264,750 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2011 8:38:49 AM Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse I feel more comfortable with shoes/sneakers on.
GManCo Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,131 Points:978,315 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Jan 17, 2011 9:44:13 PM Ignore GManCo Report Abuse It is better to drive using cruise control and maintaining a constant speed.
FeinDenz Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:43 Points:32,310 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2011 8:15:22 PM Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse No, Bar1035, this is NOT a joke, it's a serious investigation for me. Rumble seat, I'm from Winnipeg too, ran the 1980 Marathon barefooted, one reason I am comfortable driving shoe-less, hardened soles... An advanced driving course I took in Petersfield years ago got me into the habit of leaving the left back window (right back when in South Africa or Britain) open a few centimetres (an inch) to hear sirens, engine, flat tire etc. re your good point on also listening to your driving. MertieMan, I've checked often with the constabulary, not unsafe or illegal with no shoes unless the blisters or problem with one's foot or feet, e.g. grit or snow, reduce the effectiveness of pedal controls. Genie Racing, I've learnt about 3 or 4 new shoe choices in these Forums: Piloti, Nike Cortez, Simpson, & flat thin-soles. Socks only for me, having tried many methods. Or as Dave Christianson in Winnipeg wrote in his excellent weekly column, I'd say with my still-South African accent: "Once you try sock, you never go bock". I hope that someone out there will have a year's record or more with shoes & now tries (or has tried) shoe-less or barefoot for a long record with only that variable & s/he will report back to us.
rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:23,072 Points:3,551,075 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2011 3:29:27 AM Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse Would never drive barefoot, prefer to wear a good pair of walking shoes. that gives lots of support for the foot and ankle, but still allows for good feel of the car. For those that tout "pedal feel", I say I have always driven with my hearing tuned to the car, and let my senses direct my feet, not the other way around.
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:23,608 Points:1,075,890 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2011 11:38:34 PM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse Hell, I do this all the time if I'm going to be driving a couple of hours or more. Of course you get a better feel. Just common sense. The season doesn't matter; I have this really clever device called a "heater" or something- warms it up wherever I tell it. I never thought to compare shod and unshod mileages though. This is just plain wacko: => Driving shoeless doesn't give you the needed pressure for the brakes and accelerator and it is completely unsafe for highway driving. If caught you can be cited for unsafe driving practices by doing this. <= Uh-huh ::rolls eyes:: => Even here in Tennessee most everyone wheres [sic] shoes when they drive. <= um- how would you know that? [Edited by: sluggopyle at 1/14/2011 11:42:03 PM EST]
chipote Champion Author Washington Posts:1,274 Points:393,305 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2011 11:08:57 AM Ignore chipote Report Abuse I don't use heavy boots and try to use my driving shoes (light slippers), whenever possible. I don't know if it helps improve the mileage but I feel more in control.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,081,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2011 9:28:15 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Whatever floats one's boat...
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,343 Points:1,325,920 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2011 9:20:42 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse Is this just a joke from FeinDenz
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,928 Points:2,923,310 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2011 7:55:16 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse Driving shoeless doesn't give you the needed pressure for the brakes and accelerator and it is completely unsafe for highway driving. If caught you can be cited for unsafe driving practices by doing this.
tricky69 Sophomore Author Ohio Posts:241 Points:33,770 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2011 4:03:29 AM Ignore tricky69 Report Abuse NO Never tried have to give it a go.
genie_racing Champion Author Colorado Posts:6,279 Points:835,755 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2011 12:46:08 AM Ignore genie_racing Report Abuse I found out a long time ago that I love driving with my 'old school' Nike Cortez shoes. Leather construction. Thinner soles. Great pedal feel. Even better: Simpson driving shoes. Great padding. Good heel for rolling the gas peddle.
FeinDenz Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:43 Points:32,310 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2011 7:50:21 PM Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse I had to research Piloti shoes, thanks WTM, never heard of them. There's probably an outlet in Toronto, maybe not in Ottawa, but I'll ask, or tell, my Subaru Club members this Wednesday night at our regular monthly meeting. Probably once you've tried barefoot in comfort, i.e. not in freezing cold or rain or when you struggle to take shoes off, you'll prefer the better contact, sensitivity & control that is the absolutely logical result. I put up with a wet sock-heel from melted snow because I dislike the interference of footwear, boots sometimes. I hope some other Gas Buddies have tried or will try socks, stockings or bare feet to substantiate, or refute, my experiences.
WTM Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,545 Points:968,650 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2010 4:15:07 PM Ignore WTM Report Abuse Ummm, I prefer to wear "Piloti" driving shoes...mostly because I like the style, but the 'roll-control' heel DOES help make long distance driving more comfortable. I also wear sandals while driving during the Summer, but never bare feet. IMO, I can never get the correct braking leverage while driving bare-footed, so that's a safety issue in my book. [Edited by: WTM at 12/31/2010 4:15:51 PM EST]
FeinDenz Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:43 Points:32,310 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2010 11:54:07 PM Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse Thanks for your comments, even Maintroll's who knows my feet smell... What most overlook is that I am the only one with a documented measure, albeit 40+ years ago, where theory became QED = proof. Now we need this popular forum & site to have some analytical members compare with & without shoe in their constant driving over many trips, distances & months. That alone can prove fuel economy - or none. Also desirable: experiences about shoe-less improving driving efficiency with stories about car control, like braking better and less tire spinning on wet, icy or snowy roads.
airduct Champion Author Florida Posts:11,319 Points:293,020 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2010 12:48:52 PM Ignore airduct Report Abuse Does that mean that everyone "Down South" gets better gas mileage?
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,774 Points:1,730,835 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 15, 2010 8:47:10 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse Keep your shoes on your feet as your feet smell.
comptiger5000 Sophomore Author Connecticut Posts:135 Points:37,420 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Dec 15, 2010 8:40:32 AM Ignore comptiger5000 Report Abuse Barefoot or thin soled shoes does improve pedal feel. For some drivers (the already more efficient type), this can improve mpg. However, others will drive the way they drive, and it won't matter much, if at all, for them.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,111 Points:1,871,725 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 15, 2010 1:51:20 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse pedals are covered in rubber... no chance in stubbing your toe agree this has nothing to do with fuel economy... should have moved to car talk only I know others have done this, especially women with those high heels that takes them off to drive barefoot; they agree that it gives you better feel/ control [Edited by: ricebike at 12/15/2010 1:51:34 AM EST]
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,874 Points:3,134,850 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2010 12:07:07 PM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Is this over the top humor or what??? barefoot saves nothing on gas, unless leaving heavy shoes at home & can be dangerous should you stub your toe while hitting the brakes - first reaction will be to the pain, second to the crash after not braking.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,081,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2010 10:46:47 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Shoe on for me.
bluenvoy Champion Author Nashville Posts:15,171 Points:1,900,615 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2010 9:47:25 AM Ignore bluenvoy Report Abuse Even here in Tennessee most everyone wheres shoes when they drive.
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,609 Points:2,049,025 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Dec 11, 2010 9:04:27 PM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse I really doubt this. I do not see shoes making that much difference if any. Send it to Mythbusters and see what they come up with.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,081,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 11, 2010 8:18:18 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Strange doings.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,111 Points:1,871,725 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 11, 2010 5:22:45 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse lol i thought i wasn't the only one who had done this... especially in the summer when i wear flip flops; i don't want them to hang up on the pedals so i remove them, toss them to the passenger side, and go bare-foot on the pedals heck, some people get thin-sole shoes just for the same type of feel! or driving-moccasins I don't quantify the MPG savings with barefoot-driving at all so i can't reply on that part of your post
Dennis783 Champion Author Des Moines Posts:13,735 Points:2,730,835 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2010 12:04:43 PM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse I've done that a few times when I have been on my feet all day at festivals. Feels odd.
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,285 Points:123,500 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2010 10:46:00 AM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse Race car drivers in most classes including F 1 wear light weight fireproof shoes.