The Best Men’s Driving Shoes of 2025: Our Hands-On Review

1. Aurélien Driving Shoes

The clear winner for “best overall,” Aurélien has built its “Smart Luxury” reputation on this exact shoe.

It offers the premium materials and “Made in Italy” craftsmanship of its high-fashion rivals but at a significantly more accessible direct-to-consumer price. The brand’s signature Softey suede is immediately comfortable out of the box, requiring zero break-in.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: The in-hand feel of the suede is exceptional.

During our driving test, the sole’s pebbles (which protrude through the suede upper) offered fantastic grip and flexibility. The heel provides a perfect pivot point.

For walking, they are comfortable, though, like all traditional drivers, they are best for short distances. Overall, the value proposition here is unmatched.

Pros:

• Exceptional suede quality for the price.
• True Italian craftsmanship and “Sacchetto” construction.
• Excellent pedal feel and grip.

Cons:

• Limited durability for extensive walking (like all true drivers).
• Sizing can run slightly large.

2. Tod’s Gommino Driving Shoe

Tod’s did not invent the driving shoe, but they perfected it and made it a global icon. The Gommino is the definitive luxury driver, and owning a pair is a rite of passage.

The quality is tangible, from the rich, soft suede to the 100+ rubber “gommini” pebbles that define its sole and heel. It is less a shoe and more a statement of “Riviera” style.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: Wearing the Gommino feels like wearing a meticulously crafted leather glove. The flexibility is absolute 10/10. This makes them the ultimate driving shoe, offering unparalleled pedal feedback.

The 2026 “Gommino Club” collection also showcases Tod’s commitment to innovating the line with new materials, such as Pashmy leather and hybrid sneaker soles.

Pros:

• The undisputed benchmark for luxury and style.
• Unmatched flexibility and pedal feel.
• Exceptional material quality and color options.

Cons:

• The highest price point in the category.
• The soft sole is the least durable for walking; these are true “car-to-carpet” shoes.

3. Piloti Shift Sneaker

For the man who actually drives, there is Piloti. Unlike fashion-first brands, Piloti designs its shoes with performance technology, making them a favorite of auto journalists and racing enthusiasts.

The “Shift” is a sneaker-driver hybrid that features Piloti’s patented “Roll Control” heel. This spherical, reinforced design provides smooth, controlled pedal articulation. It also includes a reinforced lateral side for heel-toe downshifting.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: The difference in the car is immediate. The rounded heel feels purpose-built, making heel-toe pivots effortless. The sole has more structure than a Gommino, which sacrifices a tiny bit of pedal “feel” for a massive gain in real-world walkability.

This is the shoe you can wear for a full day at a car show, drive home in, and not have sore feet. The new 2025 “Drift Mid” model offers the same tech in a boot silhouette.

Pros:

• Patented driving-specific heel technology.
• Excellent balance of performance and all-day walkability.
• Durable construction.

Cons:

• Less formal than a traditional loafer style.
• Fit is narrow, as is typical for performance shoes.

4. Oliver Cabell Driving Shoes

Following Aurélien’s “Smart Luxury” model, Oliver Cabell offers a high-quality, Italian-made driver that bypasses the traditional retail markup.

Their take on the classic is traditional, featuring a supple suede upper, full leather lining, and the requisite rubber-pebble sole. It’s a direct competitor to brands like M.Gemi, offering a solid and stylish choice at a competitive price.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: The Oliver Cabell Driver is a strong contender. It feels well-made, and the suede is of good quality.

It lands between the Aurélien and Tod’s on the “plushness” scale. The fit is true to size. It performed well in our driving test, though the pebbles feel slightly firmer than those on the Gommino. An excellent, no-nonsense execution of a classic.

Pros:

• Made in Italy with good quality suede.
• Transparent, direct-to-consumer pricing.
• Classic, versatile aesthetic.

Cons:

• Lacks a unique feature to stand out from the crowd.

5. Car Shoe “The Original”

For the purist, there is only Car Shoe. Founded in 1963 by Gianni Mostile, this is the brand that invented the driving shoe.

They patented the design: a soft moccasin with rubber pebbles (originally metal) protruding through the sole. Now owned by the Prada Group, the brand maintains its heritage and quality.

“The Original” is just that—a faithful, ultra-premium reproduction of the shoe that started it all.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: You can feel the heritage in this shoe.

The construction is robust, and the leather is top-grade. It feels less “delicate” than some of its fashion-house competitors. The driving feel is, as expected, perfect.

This is a great “if you know, you know” choice that demonstrates a deep appreciation for the style’s history.

Pros:

• The original, patented driving shoe.
• Exceptional build quality and materials.
• Iconic, timeless design.

Cons:

• High price point.
• Can be harder to find than other brands.

6. PUMA Speedcat

A classic in the motorsport world, the Puma Speedcat is the budget-friendly version of the Piloti.

Originally a collaboration with racing equipment manufacturer Sparco, the Speedcat is designed for one thing: driving.

It features a very thin, low-profile sole for maximum pedal feel and a rounded driver’s heel. Its narrow silhouette is ideal for operating in tight pedal boxes.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: This is a pure performance shoe.

The pedal feel is 10/10, second to none. The sole is so thin you can feel every texture of the pedal. However, this comes at a steep cost: walkability. There is zero arch support, and the thin sole transmits every pebble you step on.

This is the shoe you keep in your car and change into for a spirited drive, not the shoe you wear to the office.

Pros:

• Unbeatable pedal feel and control.
• Very affordable.
• Iconic, slim racing silhouette.

Cons:

• Terrible for walking; zero support or cushioning.
• Runs very narrow.

7. Cole Haan Wyatt Bit Driver

Cole Haan’s strength is infusing traditional silhouettes with modern comfort technology. The Wyatt Bit Driver is less a “pure” driver and more a hybrid moccasin inspired by it.

It sacrifices the flexible-but-flimsy pebble sole for a more durable, segmented rubber sole with ample cushioning and arch support. This makes it one of the few drivers on this list that can be comfortably worn all day.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: This was, by far, the most comfortable shoe for walking.

The cushioned footbed feels more like a sneaker. In the car, it’s a trade-off. You lose much of the fine pedal “feel” that you get from a Tod’s or Puma. However, the rubber sole still provides excellent grip. For the daily commuter who wants the style of a driver with the comfort of a loafer, this is the top choice.

Pros:

• Excellent “out of the box” comfort and arch support.
• Durable sole suitable for all-day walking.
• Accessible price point.

Cons:

• Lacks the flexibility and pedal feel of a true driver.
• Bit hardware can be polarizing.

8. Salvatore Ferragamo Drivers

If the Tod’s Gommino is “old money” luxury, the Ferragamo driver is “new money” fashion.

Instantly recognizable by its Gancini hardware, this shoe is a status symbol. Ferragamo has updated its classic Parigi driver (the 2021 model is now outdated) with a new, full-sole design that replaces the discrete pebbles with a custom-molded rubber sole, providing more structure and a modern look.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: This shoe is all about the hardware and the name. The craftsmanship is excellent, as expected at this price.

The new-style sole is a great compromise, offering better durability than a pebble sole while retaining good flexibility. It’s a comfortable shoe for casual wear and a perfectly competent driver.

Pros:

• Iconic Gancini hardware and brand prestige.
• High-quality Italian leather and construction.
• More durable sole design than traditional pebbles.

Cons:

• Premium luxury price.
• Less focused on driving performance.

9. Allen Edmonds Super Sport Penny

For a classic, American-heritage take on the driver, Allen Edmonds offers the Super Sport Penny Loafer.

This shoe uses a durable, segmented rubber sole (similar to the Cole Haan) rather than pebbles, making it a robust choice for daily wear. As a handsewn loafer, it is built for comfort and will mold to your foot over time. It is a workhorse, not a show pony.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes: The Super Sport feels substantial. The leather is thick and structured, requiring a short break-in period, unlike the soft suedes.

The sole is firm, prioritizing walking comfort over pedal feel. This is a solid, everyday moccasin for the man who likes the driver style (penny loafer, beef roll) but needs a shoe that can handle a commute and a day at the office.

Pros:

• Durable, recraftable construction.
• Good all-day walking comfort.
• Classic, timeless penny loafer aesthetic.

Cons:

• Stiffer than other drivers; requires break-in.
• Limited pedal feel.

10. M.Gemi The Felize Uomo

M.Gemi, another direct-to-consumer brand, built its name on the Felize. It is a traditional Italian pebbled driver, available in a massive array of suede colors.

It is the brand’s perennial bestseller for a reason: it’s a simple, elegant, and well-made execution of the classic form. It is particularly known for its glove-like, sock-optional fit.

Bespoke Unit’s Testing Notes:The Felize is exceptionally soft. It’s a “summer-in-a-shoe” feel. The fit is true to size and designed to be worn without socks.

It’s very similar to the Aurélien in its value proposition, offering Italian-made quality at a sharp price. The driving performance is excellent, with a flexible sole and good grip. A top-tier choice for a warm-weather, casual driver.

Pros:

• Glove-like fit and immediate comfort.
• Excellent range of colors.
• Genuine Italian craftsmanship.

Cons:

• Not for all-weather wear.
• Thin sole has limited walking durability.