FAQs
1. Why do I need racing gloves?
In racing, you only have a few points of direct and constant contact between yourself and your machine: the steering wheel, the seat, and the pedals. With each, you want to increase the amount of feedback you get as best as possible while also being comfortable.
When it comes to racing gloves, they’re padded in the highest abrasion areas so you don’t get blisters halfway through your track day, while also having high levels of grip so your hands don’t accidentally slip when you’re going 110 at Thunderhill East’s Turn 8 sweeper.
2. What features should I look for in racing gloves?
When you’re choosing your racing gloves, you should consider factors such as material, padding, style (some come with pre-curved fingers, while others don’t) and stitching (some gloves have external stitching while others have internal). Let’s also be honest - it’s even better if it looks cool, too.
3. Are racing gloves fire-resistant?
Nearly all modern driving gloves are fire resistant - most are made of Nomex and/or leather.
4. Can I use regular gloves for racing?
While it might be tempting to use your work gloves or Mechanix gloves on the track, we highly advise against it. You’ll get blisters (we know from experience - not fun!) and the grip levels won’t be as good as they should be. Trust us, get a pair of racing gloves, even if it’s the cheapest set you can find. You’ll be happy you did!
Your work gloves also most likely don’t offer fire protection… Keep this in mind!
5. How do I choose the right size racing gloves?
To find the right size, measure the circumference of your hand around your knuckles. Use this measurement to select the appropriate size according to the manufacturer's sizing chart (which can be found here!). Racing gloves should fit snugly but not be too tight. At the same time, if they’re not snug enough, blisters can form. With that said, we usually recommend that if you’re in-between sizes, opt for the larger size.
As far as taking the measurement goes, if you don’t have a flexible tape measure, you can wrap a piece of string around your knuckle, then unfurl it and lay it out against a ruler to determine fitment.
6. How should I care for my racing gloves?
We always recommend following the manufacturer’s care instructions - few know better than those who make the product to begin with. Typically, washing them by hand in mild detergent and allowing them to air dry is what we recommend. Avoid exposing them to excessive heat or sunlight, as this can degrade the fire-resistant properties of the material.
When you’re in-between on-track sessions, do your best not to leave them on top of the car or in direct sunlight. Most drivers we know tend to stuff them in their helmet.