Original Message

Hey all I'm a student pilot. My instructor says I should change my shoes and get a more traditional pair to fly in.  Thing is I can feel the pedals better in my 5-toe shoes. Maybe it's all in my head. Do you guys have a favorite pair of shoes for flying? 

40+ years of flying in everything from 'combat' boots to flip-flops to bare feet... you can wear anything that doesn't keep you struggling to keep your feet properly located. Flip-flops sucked, less in something with boosted pedals, but still somewhat.  Sandals worked okay if the sole was substantial, stiff enough. I preferred the boots for that reason and because they were better hiking/walking boots.

Here in the Southeast we have some prickly-type plants, not just briars, they're in LZs and everywhere else. 

Remember- you will have to walk to get help at some point in your career. Even if it's just down the road to a phone...