[Closed] Driving in flip flops

Dont google image motorbike flip flop

Holy crap, I just did. 😯

parkesie - Member

Dont google image motorbike flip flop

I just did too ... 😯

Going to have my dinner now ...

Been on the back of a motor bike in the US wearing T shirt and shorts... no helmets and bare feet.
Although we only went around the block at 20-30mph the sight of tarmac 'rushing' under my feet scared the crap out of me 😯

Learnt a lesson trying to ride a motocrosser in flip flops, the gear change isn't very smooth and rips your feet to bits

Used to have major problems with the old Volvo floor mats - they used to be like a hard plastic tray and would occasionally slide forward and jam the accelerator - not much fun in a t5-r...

Occasionally drive barefoot in the van now, but never checked the legality of that....

This is a good thread.

Flip flop.

FWIW I generally don't, but would if the need arose.

Flip flops don't kill people; people who crash cars whilst wearing flip flops kill people.

Where do we stand on driving in wellies ?

Drive barefoot often- often walk about bare foot too.... Bad habit i picked up in nz. Ozzies dont like the bare foot thing either. Seem to think im a bogan.

I bloody love cycling in flip-flops. They're a godsend in tropical climate trips, and if it's going to rain on a warm days ride.

They work a treat on DX flats. Sadly my DMR's tend to feel too lumpy underfoot.

The secret is to buy ones with rubber soles, or just a rubber bottom layer.

I drove 100 miles today in flip flops. Didn't kill anyone, or have any near misses either. I once did a summer ascent of Snowdon via Crib Goch in them (admittedly while in my slightly less-responsible youth), which was great fun - very tactile feeling on the rocks. And I also once went for a ten mile run in the Chilterns in flip flops when I forgot to bring my running shoes in the car. No one was harmed in any of these escapades.

I think they are possibly the ultimate footwear - as billions across Asia wearing them right now - will attest to.

Attempting to race some mountain guides back down the Mt Rinjani volcano on Lombok, Indonesia in the late 90s was an eye-opener. I was wearing my new natty Merrell hiking shoes, while they were in $1 flip flops and carrying 20kgs of cooking equipment strapped to bamboo poles over their shoulders. Despite my best efforts, I could barely keep up with them - as they leapt downhill at speed on greasy rocks and gravel.

Flip flops didn't seem to impinge their performance one iota.

Manual car - flip flop would get caught under the clutch pedal, making it feel a bit unsafe, like something could go wrong (so I didn't).
Auto - no problem.
That's what I've found.

I think they are possibly the ultimate footwear - as billions across Asia wearing them right now - will attest to.

I think the argument is suggesting that Asia would see a reduction in road fatalities if they stopped driving in flip flops.

Possibly.

I still don't see how you're supposed to get your flip flop (I'm gonna call 'em jandals for the rest of the thread, not that I intend to comment further) stuck under the pedal..

unless perhaps you forget that you're wearing jandals, or forget you're piloting a motorised vehicle, or forget what species you are

Just because you can't see it does not mean it's not true, dude; that's a logical fallacy right there.

EDIT - basically, because there is a good chance they can move off your foot and under the pedal [owing to not actually being strapped on] or, perhaps worse, if you bring your foot onto the pedal [especially in a hurry] the pedal can catch the lip of the 'flop, projecting beyond your toes, guiding the pedal between your foot and the pedal.

Depending on the travel of your pedal to lock and the thickness of the 'flop's sole, this might mean you cannot depress the pedal all the way. In an emergency situation there would not be time to react, withdraw your foot and replace it on the top of the pedal.

If there was an accident you may be in the shizzle for not being able to be in full control of the vehicle, and regardless of that, if you injure/kill someone, your quality life is going to take a very sharp downturn.

I suspect a lot of dangerous drivers don't think what they are doing is dangerous.

Nickjb..

have you ever tried it?

In fact.. I don't need to know the answer to that..

The miniscule percentage of people that can't operate a car safely in jandals (as opposed to the billions that manage it day in and day out all across the world) seem to have spoilt it for the rest of us in the eyes of a few people..

I can't change that, so I'm gonna give up trying..

I guess there's a few people who interpret cycling data in a similar way, but we have to ignore their stupidity too 🙂

Millions of people fail to operate their cars safely everyday. I'm sure most if them think they are driving safely. Flip flops might be small factor but they are a factor. Why make something more dangerous than it needs to be. Selfishness? Laziness? Ignorance?

Bungalows with padded walls and cycle paths for you if you risk assess every task to that level

For most people driving is the most likely way they will kill someone else. It's worth putting a little effort into. Unfortunately the attitude to driving in this country sucks.

Nickjb.. If you really want to save lives, campaign for something that will make a difference..

Stop young people driving, or angry people, or old people, or tired people, or incompetent people..

The biggest killer of cyclists this year, has been err... cyclists, filtering up on the left I think, so stop cyclists maybe?

Here's two simple questions:

Is it more or less likely a flip flop will slip off your foot than a trainer or shoe?

Is it more or less likely a flip flop could get caught under a car pedal than a trainer or shoe?

Please answer either more likely or less likely only.

Is the shoe laced up.

Does it fit correctly.

Is it a massive boot ?

Friend at school took out a wall in morisions during stoping with size 14 cat boots in a 106

Accelerator and brake at once

Is the shoe laced up.

Does it fit correctly.

Is it a massive boot ?

Phd student or yougov employee ? Guiding the answer with your question.

With the particular flip flops i wear . Neither more likely nor less likely

Infact as i alluded to before ive had more issues with wellingtons getting stuck so i stopped wearin them.

Yeah, I can't drive in my walking boots cos they catch the other pedals on the way back up. So by the logic of this thread; nobody should drive in walking boots.

Maybe flip flops suit smaller feet better than large feet? Mine are large and they barely stay on when walking so i wouldn't dream of trying to drive in them. In my youth i wore them on holiday while riding mx bikes, complete with safety hair and safety shorts and although i did fall off, it wasn't due to poor footwear (just testing how far knobbly tyres could lean on a freshly laid tarmac road. 😀 )

Phd student or yougov employee ? Guiding the answer with your question.

With the particular flip flops i wear . Neither more likely nor less likely

Not really. Simple questions, simple answers. The fact that you may not want to answer that question is a different issue.
What flip flops do you wear? Are they actually sandals? Flip flops by their design are meant to be easy to slip on and off.

Billabong > Havaianas - much better handling..

Ok..
As I said at the start of the thread, I'm a recent convert to flip flops..
I started wearing them whilst on holiday in NZ earlier this year, because they're pretty much the required uniform there, because it's the most practical choice of footwear due to the heat and beach orientated lifestyle..

I was wary..

I last wore flip flops as a kid, orrible rubbery things that squirmed about on your feet, fell off every other step and had straps like elastic bands so your toes were hanging off the end of the footbed and dragging on the floor..

Buy cheap, buy twice was the advice from the kiwis.. I still wasn't convinced..
Cheap flip flops are a nightmare, good quality flip flops will change your life bru..

Still not quite sold on the idea, I spent some dosh on a recommended brand (I was there for a month) and took the plunge..
It took me about 20 minutes to get the hang of walking in them, and considerably less time to adapt to driving in them..

And like I also said at the beginning of the thread, they changed my world..
Like half the population of New Zealand, I climbed mountains in them, went clubbing, drove hundreds and hundreds of miles, worked, rested and played in them.. I liked them so much I brought them home..

I can see how some people, would struggle, and I can see how a cheap flip flop is a different experience, some vehicles wouldn't be safe due to pedal configuration, clutch height etc..
But for me, in my present car, with the flip flops I bought, I would have to be doing something extraordinary with my feet for them to be a hazard..
The statistics don't add up, and a handful of blinkered dogmatists on a mtb forum aren't gonna change my view

....so that's "more likely"? 😉

Nah bru.. Statistically less likely in a driving situation

Nope they are flipflops.

Birkenstocks

My merrell sandles used toget the massive open sole stuck under the brake when usin either clutch or accelerator

I chose not to answer your questions because they were shit questions guided to get the answer you wanted rather than a fair representation.

I chose not to answer your questions because they were shit questions guided to get the answer you wanted rather than a fair representation.

Heaven forbid it was because it completely voids your argument at source.

Do flip flops slip off more easily than standard laced up or fitted shoes?
Out of context of this argument you'd have to be a bit odd to state that they stay on your feet better.

Whaddya reckon?

At what point did i stay they stayed on better.

I said no better no worse......if they were prone to falling off my feed id have binned them as not fit for purpose. If you put up with shit foot wear then thats your own issue

Bored of this game. Off to cut the grass.... Now thats one that boils my piss- morons who hold a fast spinning sharp blade inches from their flip flops/trainers/bare feet !!!!

I keep a pair of these in the van, and another in the car, which I always change into before driving.
[img] http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-63999469945013_2269_12138539 [/img]

And in the context of this argument your question is void..
A flip flop should slip off your foot easily [i]when you want it to[/i] and in a driving context I would have to be doing something extraordinarily stupid for my feet to slip out or get stuck

your argument sounds powerful but is meaningless

Yeah, but what about the open toed bit, where they can trap the pedal between your foot and the 'flop?

Off to watch F1 now. Might text in to find out why they don't consider a flip flop racing shoe.
Imagine the weight saving!

How? Why would your feet ever be in a position for that to happen!!?

It's ridiculous

aah.. An f1 fan.. That tells me everything I need to know 😆

Bored of this game. Off to cut the grass.... Now thats one that boils my piss- morons who hold a fast spinning sharp blade inches from their flip flops/trainers/bare feet !!!!

No problem with this as it's only a danger to yourself. In a car, it's just blinkered.
"I've texted whilst driving for years and never had a crash, must be safe then"

If you ever put your foot on the footwell, or pass below the level of one pedal and then transfer to the next one, ie acellerator depressed below level of brake pedal then suddenly have to transfer to brake pedal. If the ff catches the brake pedal you are then unable to use the brkes correctly, and in that case it's possible that instant reactions are vital and having to untangle the foot would lead to injury or a crash.

In Iceland, driving a motorised vehicle whilst wearing flip flops is illegal.

And like I also said at the beginning of the thread, they changed my world..
Like half the population of New Zealand, I climbed mountains in them, went clubbing, drove hundreds and hundreds of miles, worked, rested and played in them.. I liked them so much I brought them home..

World changing flip flops? Needs pictures.

Amazed this has made it to page 4.

Not really a question of whether you can or cant, should or shouldn't.
Driving barefoot is safer and easier (imo) and more comfortable, flip flops take a second to kick off.
Just kick them off :s

Is it right that the reports from Silverstone are true? They are saying that Hamilton ballsed up the start because he's wearing flipflops. His decision was based on reports here from the driving gods that only the best drivers can wear flipflops.
Unfortunately it failed on this occasion, but Hamilton is sure that his decision is correct and will be proven correct as the race progresses.

I'm going to have to bow out of the debate at this point I'm afraid.. I've come to the conclusion that I'm mainly up against petrolheads and driving enthusiasts.. not a group renowned for their intellectual prowess 😆

First rule of pro level inane internet debate: I refer you to George Carlin's famous quote on the subject

World changing flip flops? Needs pictures.

I did say that they changed [i]my[/i] world.. It's not very big 🙂

I'm mainly up against petrolheads

I don't drive, or have a license 😛

It shows gofasterstripes. 🙂

Dont run across the road in your flip flops either they might fall off and you trip.

Flip flops are a menace to society......

Buy crocs. Much safer

I think the answer has to be for people to use common sense and if your foot doesnt feel as secure on the pedal while wearing flip flops then don't do it. It's basic risk assessment that one should carry out automatically without even realising it.

Sadly a lot of people lack common sense.

There is not a lot of difference between flip flops and a lot of foodwear women wear and also are things like high heals safe?

Personally I have not had a problem driving in flip flops in the past but I prefer keeping a pair of trainers in the car for driving, partly as it feels more secure but also in case there is an accident as then I am wearing something far more sensible.

....but I have driven, a hundred hours or so.

I have also been advised by a driving instructor not to drive in flipflops. When I met him for the first time, I was wearing a pair,and we made a joke out of it. I wear them a lot, on and off the bike.

I would say overall they would increase the likelyhood of having an accident related to proper control of the pedals, especially in an emergency situation. I have described some way in which this is possible, and would say that either secure moderately sized footwear or perhaps bare feet would be statistically safer than flipflops.

Am I wrong?

I'm curious, please explain if you can be bothered.

From your last post I suppose you're saying it doesn't make much difference and life is too short etc etc, which is OK I guess, I just seem to take it more seriously for whatever reason.

I probably just need to go on a bike ride 🙂

partly as it feels more secure but also in case there is an accident as then I am wearing something far more sensible.

Seems like something I would do!

Well that was easy.

Pretty common in Oz. Mind, so is auto transmission. Personally I don't like driving in thongs. Size 13 and sandy / wet beach feet makes things uncomfortable for me. When you have to move your feet from one pedal to another in an emergency situation just adds risk.

Often drive in flip flops, feels safer than barefoot. I thought barefoot was illegal!?!

Riding fixed in flip flops.....that felt bonkers!

sorry to bump, but i was just about to drive to my mum's and i had me flip flops on.
So,i googled
"highway code footwear"

One of the links was from the IAM saying don't wear em. I think they are the authority on proper driving in the Uk. They know a damn site better than the numpties on here anyway.
so I've put trainers on even though I have an auto.
🙂

IAM = Institute of Advanced Morons?

International Advocates of Moccasins.

This thread's clearly still got legs.

I don't need a coat *closes door*

Corny

I can drive in flip flops, I have driven in flip flops, I dont like driving in flip flops.
They arent as secure and my feet move around in them too much for me not to be certain that they wont get caught or fall off.
I drive barefoot quite happily, I'll wear pretty much ANY footwear to drive in these days, except flip flops and bike shoes.
I might be a spanner in the eyes of some, but I couldnt care less. I'd rather know that my feet arent going to get tangled up down there whilst propelling 1.5 tonnes of steel.
I've got size 12 feet, so there isn't much room anyway.

excellent thread summary bigyinn 🙂

Just wanted to add a footnote.

Not all flip-flops are created equal. I have a TNF pair which I'm very happy to drive in, and do so regularly. The sole is thicker and stiffer and they have far more substantial straps than the cheap ones, so the sole isn't about to fold and they're not about to fall off my feet. I don't think I'd want to drive wearing standard cheap flip-flops with flimsy straps and floppy soles.

I'll also happily ride a uni wearing my TNF flip-flops, which isn't something I'd do wearing leather soled shoes, and wouldn't choose to do wearing some running shoes - yet people are happy to drive in those...

I won't drive in bike shoes with cleats though - normally I have flip-flops in the car to change into, but otherwise bare feet is preferable.

While driving to a bbq yesterday but before i left my private road.....i tried my hardest get my flip flop stuck....even deliberatly taking my foot half out and traping it behind the brake.....

It just flopped round the brake pedal back onto my foot...l

How ever i struggled to heel toe and make good progress while doing scandinavian flicks everywhere in my octavia.

Perhaps thats why we are getting so het up , i know the minimum car you need on here is at least the vrs spec , nothing else cuts the mustard.

I can drive in flip flops, I have driven in flip flops, I have had an accident* because of flip flops. I will no longer drive in flip flops.

*Reversing car at walking pace on a camp site to park near my mate's car. Lifted foot off accelerator to apply brake, only to find flip flop hooked under pedals and unable to move foot to brake. Sufficient momentum to coast into said mate's car. Bent metal and broken lights. Extremely embarassing, but could have been a lot worse.

Kids: Just say No!

Will happily drive barefoot.

Perhaps thats why we are getting so het up , i know the minimum car you need on here is at least the vrs spec , nothing else cuts the mustard.

Oh shit!

I drive an Up!

I think there must be a difference between cheap, thin flip flops that just waggle around loosely on your feet and good quality ones that have a thicker sole and tend to fit better/tighter.
I always pay more for good ones (such as Teva) and they feel much more comfortable and 'fitted', therefore feeling more secure for driving.

So. In conclusion....

Dont buy shit fiting footwear an use common sense.

Carry on as normal for most of us - for those incapible of judging how well their shoes fit. You should stay at home and not venture out side for safetys sake

I drive in flip flops but sometimes I slip them off and drive barefoot while I'm using the inbuilt bottle opener to crack another Stella open.

I always pay more for good ones (such as Teva) and they feel much more comfortable and 'fitted'

You guys kill me 😆

I just found it an amusing vindication of my point that someone had had exactly the accident I predicted 😀