Most car track days do not require gloves. Racing groups do, and they usually name the label: SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856. This guide compares six rated gloves, explains what the label tests and how seams, palms and sizing differ.
We do not test gear. Every pick here is spec-checked: we read the maker's or a major retailer's page on 19 October 2026 and recorded the price and the label it claims. None of the gloves has enough verified owner reviews to be called owner-reported. The order weighs label, price and design information.
SFI says certification is made by the manufacturer and that products are not approved by SFI. A label describes the test the material passed, not how a glove will perform in a fire. For gloves made only for sim racing, see our best sim racing gloves guide.
We can’t test everything, so each pick is labelled with where the evidence comes from. How we research and test. Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you (disclosure).
Pegasus describes a plain fire-retardant glove with printed silicone grip instead of bulky leather. The seams are internal, which keeps the outside clean. It is the cheapest glove here with both an FIA 8856-2018 and an SFI 3.3 label on the page.
Certification
FIA 8856-2018 and SFI 3.3
Construction
Stretch-knit Nomex
Grip
Printed silicone patches on the palm
Seams
Internal
Cuff
Mid-short gauntlet; SFI tag sewn inside the cuff
Best for
Drivers who want one glove that meets SFI and FIA rules without paying FIA-only prices.
Worth knowing
The page does not give the SFI grade, only 'SFI 3.3'. Check the tag in the cuff for /1 or /5 before an event.
Pegasus lists it as the lowest-priced two-layer SFI 3.3/5 glove in this guide. It has a padded suede leather palm and a strap to adjust the wrist. Pegasus shows three verified-buyer reviews, all positive about fit and value, which is too few to label it owner-reported.
Certification
SFI 3.3/5
Construction
Two layers of knit Nomex
Palm
Padded suede leather
Cuff
Short gauntlet, elastic wrist, hook-and-loop strap
Best for
Drivers who want the lowest price on an SFI 3.3/5 glove.
Worth knowing
This listing covers sizes XS, S and M only. The padded leather palm is bulkier than the printed-silicone palms on the dearer gloves.
K1 says the pre-curved fingers and palm and the minimal external stitching reduce friction and pressure points. The silicone print gives grip and cuts weight. Sizes S to XL are listed in stock.
Certification
SFI 3.3/5
Construction
Lightweight 2-layer bonded Nomex
Grip
Silicone printing on the palm
Seams
Minimal external stitching, pre-curved fingers
Cuff
Elastic opening
Best for
Drivers who want printed-silicone grip at the lowest price from a brand that lists all sizes.
Worth knowing
SFI label only. K1's page does not claim an FIA homologation.
Competition Motorsport calls it Sparco's entry-level competition glove. The suede palm and fingertips are meant to give steering feel without much bulk, and the fingertip suede supports use of paddles and switches. It carries both labels in plain text.
Certification
FIA 8856-2018 and SFI 3.3/5
Palm
Suede anti-slip palm and fingertips
Cuff
Elastic wrist
Stitching
Reinforced in high-contact areas
Best for
Drivers who want a suede-palm glove with FIA 8856-2018 and SFI 3.3/5 on the label.
Worth knowing
Costs $20 more than the OMP Sport, which also has both labels. The page does not say whether the seams are inside or outside.
Pegasus says the RS drops the leather palm and knuckle patch for a lighter glove with a better feel of the wheel. It says the external seams reduce bulk and pressure points between the fingers. The listing shows sizes S, M, XL and 2XL.
Certification
SFI 3.3/5
Construction
Double-layer knit Nomex palm
Grip
Printed silicone, no leather palm
Seams
External, between the fingers
Cuff
Short gauntlet, elastic wrist
Best for
Drivers whose fingers find inside seams uncomfortable and who want an SFI glove at a modest price.
Worth knowing
SFI label only, and the listing's size run skips large.
Pegasus says the v4 has an extended gauntlet to meet the latest FIA requirements. Pre-curved fingers and the one-piece back aim to cut bunching and seams. Even the FIA tag is printed.
Certification
FIA 8856-2018
Construction
Outer aramid layer bonded to inner flame-retardant liner
Grip
Printed grip areas on palm and fingers
Seams
External seams on the palm side of the fingers; one-piece back
Cuff
Extended straight-cut gauntlet with elastic
Best for
Drivers entering FIA-rules events who want a pre-curved, printed-grip glove.
Worth knowing
FIA label only on this page, and the dearest glove here.
Gloves are covered by SFI Spec 3.3, Driver Accessories. The glove grade is set by the top (back) material: /1 needs a TPP of at least 6 cal/cm2, and /5 needs at least 19. SFI's table also sets minimums for the palm side and the finger sides (forchettes) at /5 of 7.6 and 6.0 cal/cm2. Higher grades are /10 (38), /15 (60), /20 (80), /25 (100) and /30 (120) on the top.
SFI says the palm side of a glove may not be made entirely of leather. It must have a layer that the manufacturer represents as fire-resistant between any leather and your hand. Each finger and thumb must be a separate section sewn together. Seams on the fingers are flammability tested, with an average afterflame time of 2.0 seconds or less and no melting, dripping or splitting. Thread must pass a heat test at 260 degrees C (500 degrees F).
Certification is made by the manufacturer. The SFI Foundation says products are not certified, endorsed or approved by SFI under this program. A rating describes the test the material passed. It is not a promise of performance in a fire.
FIA 8856-2018 is the FIA's standard. The FIA's June 2022 update added 1.5 seconds of heat transmission protection on the palm and 2 seconds elsewhere on the glove, and added touchscreen designs. Demon Tweeks says FIA 8856-2018 gloves are longer than before, and that FIA labels carry a date. Some gloves carry both an SFI and an FIA label.
Do you need racing gloves for a track day?
Most car track days do not require them. The pages we read from NASA Mid-Atlantic, Track Night in America and Hooked on Driving list a helmet, long pants or long sleeves, and closed shoes, with no gloves requirement. Chin Track Days lists gloves only among general things you may want to bring. Organisers differ, so check yours.
Racing is different. SCCA's Race Experience rules ask for gloves made of leather or accepted fire-resistant material with no holes. We could not open NASA's national Club Codes and Regulations to check its time trial or wheel-to-wheel rules.
Many HPDE drivers still wear gloves for grip. If you only want grip, a thin leather glove may do; for sim racing, see our sim racing gloves guide. If your rulebook names SFI or FIA gloves, buy a rated pair.
Outer seams versus inner seams
Seams are where fingers meet fabric. Inside seams leave the outside smooth and the inside bumpy against your skin. Outside seams put the ridge on the outside, so the inside is smooth against your fingers. Makers say external seams reduce bulk and pressure points: Pegasus says this of the G-Force G-Limit RS, the OMP FIRST and the Alpinestars Tech-1 Race v4 (palm-side finger seams), and K1 says its Track 1 has minimal external stitching.
Internal seams are the other design. Pegasus says the OMP Sport my25 and the Alpinestars Tech-1 Start v4 have internal seams for a neat look. Neither is a safety grade. SFI Spec 3.3 includes a flammability test of the finger seams on gloves, whichever side the seam is on. Choose by how it feels on your hand and the wheel.
Grip, palm material and feel
Palms come in three types. Printed silicone, used on the OMP Sport my25, K1 Track 1 and G-Force RS, adds grip with little bulk. Suede or suede leather, used on the Sparco Land and RaceQuip 355, feels more traditional. Fabric palms with small suede patches, like the Sabelt TG-2.1, split the difference. Pegasus notes that Nomex is used as a generic name, and that most makers now use proprietary fire-retardant fibre blends that may or may not include Nomex.
Thinner gloves give more steering feel and less insulation. Check the wheel material you drive with: a thick leather or suede wheel grips differently from a smooth rim.
Sizing
Pegasus gives a chart for all brands: measure around the widest part of your hand over the knuckles while making a fist, leaving the thumb out. 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 inches is a Small, 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 a Medium, 9 1/2 to 10 1/2 a Large and 10 1/2 to 11 1/2 an X-Large.
Makers differ, so check the brand's own size chart too. Fingers that are too long bunch on the rim, and fingers that are too short pull the seams. Wear the glove with your suit sleeve in place and check that the cuff overlaps it.
Care and replacement
Follow the care label. Pro-Racing.nl says gloves generally should be washed by hand unless the label allows a machine. SFI's spec list shows no recertification period for 3.3 gloves. Replace gloves with holes, worn palms or split seams; SCCA's rule asks for gloves 'containing no holes', for example.
A glove is only one part of the kit. See the racing suits and racing shoes guides for the rest.
Questions buyers ask
Do I need racing gloves for HPDE?+
Usually not. The NASA Mid-Atlantic, Track Night in America and Hooked on Driving pages we read do not require gloves, and Chin Track Days lists them only as something you may want to bring. Racing groups do, so read your organiser's current rules.
What does SFI 3.3/5 mean on a glove?+
It is a grade in SFI Spec 3.3 for driver accessories. A /5 glove's top material must reach a TPP of at least 19 cal/cm2 in SFI's test, and the palm side and finger sides must meet lower minimums. The maker certifies it.
What is the difference between SFI 3.3/1 and 3.3/5 gloves?+
SFI 3.3/1 requires a TPP of at least 6 cal/cm2 on the top covering. /5 requires at least 19, plus minimums on the palm side and finger sides. RaceQuip sells a single-layer glove at /1 and a two-layer glove at /5.
Are outer seams better than inner seams?+
Neither is a safety grade. SFI Spec 3.3 includes a flammability test of finger seams on gloves. Outer seams are said to reduce pressure on fingers, and inner seams look cleaner. Pick the one that feels better on your hand.
How do I size racing gloves?+
Measure around your hand over the knuckles in a fist, leaving out the thumb. Pegasus's chart maps 7.5 to 8.5 inches to Small, 8.5 to 9.5 to Medium, 9.5 to 10.5 to Large and 10.5 to 11.5 to X-Large. Check the maker's chart as well.
Can I use sim racing gloves on track?+
Gloves sold only for sim racing generally carry no SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856 label. For a fire-rated glove, check for an SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856 label. For sim-only gloves, see our best sim racing gloves guide.
How often should I replace racing gloves?+
SFI lists no recertification period for 3.3 gloves. FIA 8856-2018 gloves carry a dated label. Replace gloves with holes, thin palms or split seams.
