Oakley Driving Boot Mid
If you wear your driving shoes to walk around the mall, you aren’t a real enthusiast. First, the soles of real driving shoes won’t stand up to many laps walking around your local shopping center. Second, they are so uncomfortable you wouldn’t want to try anyway. Third, what are you doing walking around the mall when you could be out turning your very expensive tires into black marks on some canyon road? I won’t even get into fourth and fifth, but sixth; stop giving real drivers a bad name and just get yourself some of those pointy loafers that all the other guys in their girlfriend’s jeans wear.
For people looking for more than a fashion statement, Oakley makes several varieties of race boots that are FIA certified. We tried out the Mid-cut boot that provides a decent amount of ankle protection and support while still allowing full range of motion. Available in three colors; black, red and blue they are built out of Oakley’s proprietary Carbon X fire retardant material.
These boots kept our feet cool all day at the track in a stripped out racecar. The soles are firm enough that the pedals didn’t dig in to the bottoms of our feet yet soft enough that pedal feel is awesome. Heel-toe shifting is easy, operating brake and gas with one foot. The sticky sole gives you plenty of confidence to dive into the braking markers with only half your foot on the pedal. The heels of the shoes are substantial enough that you won’t end with bruises from pivoting on them all day. The sides of your foot are also protected from heat and abrasion from the transmission tunnel and wheel wells.
The Oakely Mid-Race Boot is selling for about $170 at most retailers. You might be able to find them cheaper if you look around. You can find cheaper shoes out there, but you will probably notice a difference in heat insulation. Luckily, we haven’t had a chance to test the fire resistance, but we have full confidence in them. If you are looking for something to wear with your girlfriends hip hugger jeans, these aren’t them. You will be crying about your pedicured girly feet just from walking into the espresso bar. If you are looking for a race boot to wear in your car at the track or even for canyon driving, these will definitely fit the bill.
Oakley Racing Collection
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