These Crockett & Jones driving shoes will shift your summer roadtrips into a new gear
Flexible and lightweight – the Northampton label shows its softer side
Words: Josh Lee
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Which set of wheels do you have in your garage? An aggressive sports car, all exaggerated curves and angles, with a ferocious engine and a wild paint job? Or is it a low-slung, modest design that appears to have been whisked from the mid-century? Perhaps an all-conditions SUV? Regardless of the model you own, a pair of driving shoes will shift your cruising experience into a completely different gear.
Less structured and less formal than a Goodyear-welted loafer, our choice in this department comes courtesy of Crockett & Jones, the storied Northampton shoemaker whose slip-on styles possess a much coveted easygoing spirit that goes in tandem with languorous summer evenings behind the wheel.
Though reputed for its tough and hardy boots that are suited for the worst of the British seasons, Crockett & Jones also has a softer side, as is evidenced by these unstructured moccasins, with each model made by specialists in Italy with breathability and flexibility in mind, given the warmer months in which they’ll be worn.
Moreover, two soles are at hand – what the brand calls a Pedrosa rubber unit, which is to say a substantial one-piece design that offers firm support; and a softer, cleated rubber sole made with a rubber heel that prevents rocking on the pedals – with each one not only ensuring comfort when in action, but also providing feedback and feel when driving into tight corners. (If your summer activities are geared towards something a bit more slow paced – lazy lunches by the harbour, say – then they’re equally as suited for such occasions, too.)
Ideal without socks and best paired with cotton shorts or straight-fit chinos, and an easy-breezy linen shirt, notable options within the range include the Genoa, crafted in a rich, luscious shade of Polo Brown; the Napoli, whose grain leather will add subtle texture to your overall look; and the Roma, adored for its pared-down aesthetic that appeals to the purists.
Of equal note is the fact that because of their lightweight, flexible build, you can stow away numerous pairs in your suitcase or holdall, a move that irons out some of the wrinkles that come with packing. After all, the last thing you want to do is burden your summer with the tough decisions in life.
Want more from the brand? Read about its Harvard 2 loafers…
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