anyone try on Piloti shoes?

racing shoes like sparco's are made for formula cars where there is minimal space around the pedals inside the cockpit as the body slims towards the nose, which is why the shoes fit so slim. personally I dont like wearing these when im walking around, and dont feel as if the slim profile helps any for stuff like heel toe action and pushing the pedals, and there certainly is no lack of foot space inside the cockpit of a sedan. I would prefer if I could race with my normal sneakers on, and not have to change shoes during the raceday (of course i have to in order to take off my suit anyway so that point is moot). these piloti's seem to suit what im looking for, and i think theyre kinda stylish.

so, anyone ever use em and comment on specifically my concerns?



http://www.piloti.com


[Modified by Tyson, 3:14 AM 12/17/2002]

 

This note on their site kind of worries me:

"Imola R Coming in 2000. Our FIA and SFI legal race boot"

I'd make sure that the Monaco (pictured) is legal before I got it.

 

Last I heard, the Imola R was not going to be produced...dont quote me, but thats what I was told.

I personally like the DTM myself and will be wearing a pair this next season for autocross...

http://www.soloracer.com/pilotidtm.html




[Modified by Brett@SoloRacer.com, 5:48 AM 12/17/2002]

 

Brett, or anyone else, do you know of any manufacturer that produces a size 16??? I'm having a hard time get a set of track shoes.

 

ACK!

 

I run HPDE's and I wear these shoes all day with no problems.

they are VERY comfy and I prefer these to normal sneakers.

 

SCCA does not require racing shoes, only fireproof shoes - so a lightweight pair of leather loafers should be legal (just use cotton or nomex laces).

Why would you have to walk around in your racing shoes? I have to take mine off to change out of my suit, so I just slap on some sandals between sessions.

 

I have some of the lowtops (forget what they're called) and I'm quite happy with them, they're very comfortable, you can walk around in them no problem (walking courses at AutoX etc) and while you're not going to have the same feel you'd get from a true racing shoe (fancy sock) there's more than adequate pedal feel. The "Piloti Red" is barely a salmon pink tho, so get ready to talk up your killer pink & black bowling shoes ahead of time if you get ones that have the color (i was waiting for the DTMs to be in stock, but ran outta time). I say tho.

Oh, and they said to try out soccer shoes made by...um....puma maybe? to find the right size. I called Piloti and they told me exactly what shoe was a close fit comparison, they were absolutely right.

EDIT: Oh yeah, i have a website
http://www.sandmracing.com/spilotis.html



[Modified by Aleph, 11:25 AM 12/17/2002]

 

I found these at OG's new website recently and was wondering the same thing.
---------------
StateOne:
I seem to remember Simpson making extremely large sizes. I wear a 14 and I know that wasn't the largest size.

 

good point about the non SFI rating allowable. but you know anywhere that sells nomex laces? did a search, google only gives me other shoes that come with nomex laces.

 

Anyhow, the Piloti Imolas will be out in APRIL! I was told my piloti drectly.





[Modified by disordeR, 4:28 PM 12/17/2002]

 

 

I use these nike shoes that eastbay had on sale for like $12 or something.

they work great. I bought a bunch of pair of them. They are "racing shoes" but have thicker soles, like those all black pilotis pictured in the first post.

If you are looking for something cheaper than the pilotis, go to foot locker and look at thier wrestling shoes. They have thin soles, so you will get lots of feedback, and a lot of them look cool.

 

I had a pair of those Nikes too, but the soles were too thick for me. Those are mechanics/pit crew shoes by the way, not at all similar to the Piloti's.

 

Very cool, I always wondered why they never produced them. Piloti makes good stuff, and an FIA and SFI legal race boot from them would be sweet.

 

Nike Prestos

 

For autocrossing I wear wrestling shoes. You can buy them for $20 at Foot Locker during the off season.

 

i wear a 16 as well. since i do mainly autox with some hpde's in there as well, i just picked up a set of wrestling (or 'raceling' as my friend calls them) shoes for like 40 bucks at eastbay.com. there is a place in canada i think that carries sfi-spec shoes in large sizes. i have to see if i still have the link on my home computer.

-spenc

 

For HPDE or racing, wrestling shoes are usually not a good idea because they are (in most cases) made purely of plastics (polyester, I think).
Lightweight - yes.
Comfortable and thin soles to feel the pedals - yes.
Melt on your feet and be very hard to get off once they've burned the flesh off if you were to have a fire in the car - yes.

my .02

 

good point about the plastics and whatnot. when i did the limerock hpse, the classroom instructor told us to get a pair. i know there no good for racing tho.
-spenc

 

Yeah I know, but I feel they are fine for AutoXing.

 

Have been tempted-BUT then again we wear nothing but Simpson. The shoes comes in enough styles to fit most anyones desire. As to sizes, they do have an 800# and the catalog is online too. Personal preference is their lowtop with a suede leather upper. If you want the shoes certified (tagged) it costs you an additional $5 for the race shoes/boots only. Our "crew" shoes have tags inside stating very specifically that they are made of nylon and are not fire retardant. Either shoe is great for use in the cars and for walking around in the pits for a day.

I will note that Piloti does have a fine reputation. Other brands may well have their shoes crafted by a common supplier. What is important from the SCCA, NASCAR, CART and IRL perspective is the materials they are made of - the GCR does say leather for the upper and a suitable sole material as well.

Happy holidays