What type of shoes do NASCAR drivers wear? Everything you need to know about racing footwear

Racing shoes are a very important part of a NASCAR driver's racing overalls, or the popularly known fire suit. The shoes that the drivers use need to be comfortable, and safe, and help in achieving better performances. They can be of different types, which vary from driver to driver, but the essential feature of them is to provide safety and performance.

A perfect NASCAR driver's shoe should have many things in a nutshell. From comfort, and grip to breathability. In today's article, we'll delve deeper into the kind of shoes NASCAR drivers wear and everything related to their footwear.

Primary features

Grip

The grip of the shoes should be paramount. The driver should be able to break under every circumstance, dry, wet, or sweaty. Since every second counts in motorsport, drivers cannot afford to miss or lose out on the brakes because of bad grips.

Breathability

The skins of the drivers should be able to breathe underneath the socks and shoes. It is vital to make the shoes with such materials that will allow air to circulate and keep the feet's temperature at an optimum level.

Comfort

The shoes should be ultra-comfortable, so much so that the drivers should be able to keep their attention thoroughly on the track and subsequently on the race. It should feel like a second skin and should not restrict any movement.

Material

Material plays an important role in the comfort, grip, and breathability of the shoe. And the go-to material is Nomex fabric. It not only safeguards drivers' feet but also prevents fire. Nomex fabric is highly valued for its fire-resistant feature.

The soles of the shoes are made with lightweight composite materials, which helps in grip. The sole reason behind this is that drivers should feel the pedal underneath and not look around to find the brake.

Brands

As per the available information, three shoe brands are very popular among drivers—Puma, Alpinestars, Sparco, and Nike.

Puma

NASCAR Puma shoe - Source: Imagn Enter caption

The German-based global giant has a firm grip on the driver's shoe-making. Their shoes are made with cutting-edge technology, which promotes durability. The most popular model of Puma is the EVOSpeed Mid Pro.

Sparco

The Italian auto part and accessories company is also a leading brand when it comes to driver's shoes. Their shoes are very lightweight and comfortable. The Sparco Formula RB-8.1 is the best-selling shoe of this brand.

Alpinestars

NASCAR Alpinestars shoe - Source: Imagn

Alpinestars leads the way in drivers' shoemaking because of their innovative design and comfort. The Italian brand's Tech 1-Z is the highest-selling shoe, which provides ultra-grip, endurance, and precision.

Nike

NASCAR Nike Jordan shoe - Source: Imagn

Lately, Nike entered the shoe scene with its elite Jordan sub-brand. Their comfort, grip, and cutting-edge technology provide the drivers with the optimum level of performance enhancement and durability.