When it comes to performance driving, adding enhancements to your vehicle can make a huge difference in how your ride feels. Upgraded suspension, brakes, tires and other components will turn any everyday driver into a solid canyon carver. But what about upgrades that benefit the driver rather than the car?
An instant upgrade that comes to mind starting from the foot: driving shoes. When treating the rider as an upgradeable component, better shoes are like a quick improvement. Aside from the possible respite, branded shoes can provide a sensation right out of the box.
Chicane Racing
This good shoe is built with a narrow upper, slim sole, heat-resistant heel and — if you’re on the road — Nomex fire-resistant to keep your feet safe. Narrow edges increase your dexterity when your foot hops on the pedals, like when shifting gears with heels and toes, and the slim sole provides better feedback on brake and throttle response. These two perks alone help connect the driver to the vehicle, allowing them to unlock a few tenths with renewed confidence.
Knowing the importance of these clothes, Dave VanderWerp, Vehicle and DriverMy car test director and I tried Chicane Racing’s Queue. The entry-level Speedster is a more basic driving shoe, while the GT3, GT2 and GT1 race shoes step up in performance. For true racers, the GT3, GT2 and GT1 shoes are SFI and FIA certified, but they won’t be available until later this spring.
Designer Michael Fontanarosa has described the shoe as tailor-made – and it’s easy to see why. Steve Swartzendruber, co-owner and engineer at Chicane, detailing the shoe’s manufacturing process, including a unique collaboration with Michelin: The Chicane Racing outsole pays homage to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires both aesthetically and functionally. Swartzendruber explains that a lot of effort has gone into the rubber compound on the sole; they tested with softness, stickiness and density.
Driver Dylan Murry – who has done a lot of real-life shoe testing – also praised the shoes, noting that the GT1s were excellent during his podium drive at 12 o’clock Sebring. Murry talked about how, before he finished in that second place, he unboxed his GT1 shoes at the track, threw them in, walked along the lawn for a bit, and then jumped in the car. to go FP1. A minimal breakout stage for a top-notch racing shoe? How can that be?
Time to try chicane shoes for ourselves. Dave was able to review the entire lineup in Vehicles and Drivers’S Lightning Laptop track date at VIR, in increasing order from Speedster to GT3, GT2 and GT1 in manual transmission Camaro SS 1LEtheir long term Chevy Corvette (cars only), and a sequentially handcrafted Ginetta race car.
I chose the walking route, spending 8 hours for a couple Blue Speedster and another three-hour hike in a pair GT1 shoes. While I don’t ride a track like Dave, the winding Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia offers plenty of twenty miles, and the long stretches on the way there have tested the shoe’s comfort. My test mule is an automatic mule Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Prestige and has proven that, even without the need to shift clutches, racing shoes add excitement to the pedals.
Regarding the feel of the shoes, our notes are similar. All of them, including the Speedster, have the stiff soles and narrow surfaces you want when driving precisely for maximum feel and control on the brake and gas pedals. The low-top Speedster is also very comfortable for a day on the beach when you don’t have to drive. Other convertible variants aren’t as comfortable outside of a car, so you’ll want a pair of street shoes for extended walks.
Dave noted that, while driving, GT3 It’s basically a high-end Speedster and the two feel very similar. Skin is softer on GT2 and the GT1 shoe is immediately obvious and feels more flexible than the GT3.
Speaking of leather, the GT1 shoe is made of kangaroo leather. I asked Swartzendruber why they chose that, and he noted that it was lighter and sturdier than cowhide. Interestingly, California has banned the import of products made from kangaroo skin since 2015, which makes purchasing them in the state impossible.
I’m worried about the laces on the Speedster and GT1 shoes — they’re very thin and a little hard to tie. Swartzendruber explains that the GT1 lanyard is made from Nomex; Speedster’s lanyards are designed to look like them, but they’re not made of flame-retardant materials.
Overall, Dave and I agreed on our findings — great pedal response, narrow edges, and comfort to ride. The build quality is superb and the proof of thoughtful engineering is evident. They look good, too, with several color options to match your run day outfit. The entire product line is created to provide more enjoyment in the excitement of driving.
The GT1 shoes are only available until later this spring, but Murry has made a name for them with success; champagne stains from 12 o’clock Sebring podium proves that.
Driving shoes to buy, recommended by Hearst Autos staff
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