6 picks · Updated 19 October 2026 · Based on 8 owner posts and reviews
Most car track days only ask for closed-toe shoes. Racing shoes help with pedal feel, and racing groups often require a fire-rated pair. This guide covers shoes and boots with an SFI 3.3/5 or FIA 8856-2018 label, and notes which street driving shoes carry no fire rating.
We do not test gear. One pick, the Simpson Hi-Top, is owner-reported from eight verified-buyer reviews at Pegasus, most of them years old. The other five are spec-checked: we read the maker's or a major retailer's page on 19 October 2026 and recorded the price and label it claims. The order weighs price, label and fit information.
SFI says certification is made by the manufacturer and that products are not approved by SFI. A label describes what the material was tested to. It is not a guarantee of how a shoe will perform in a fire.
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 sells this suede hi-top with a Nomex lining and an SFI 3.3/5 rating. It is the one shoe here with enough verified-buyer reviews to read, eight in all. Owners praise its comfort and how long it lasts, but the reviews are old, so treat them as a view of the shoe's history.
What owners report · from 8 owner posts and reviews we read
Long service life: two owners report pairs that lasted 12 years and about 25 years
Comfortable and well made (five of eight owners)
Slim enough for small pedals in a race car (one owner)
Sizing reports conflict: one owner says they run big, another found them snug and says to size up if between sizes (2 owners)
Most of the eight reviews are old: four date from 2015 to 2017, one from 2021 and three from 2024 to 2026
The first pair lasted 12 years through probably more than 100 race weekends.
Drivers who want a plain, low-cost SFI shoe with a high-top for ankle coverage.
Worth knowing
Sizing is unclear. Pegasus warns that the shoes run large, but one owner found them snug. Pegasus says to order down a half or full size if you will not wear socks under Nomex socks.
Sparco developed the Race 2 for the US market. Competition Motorsport says the wider toe box, Comfort Achilles panel and cushioned sole make it suitable for racing, autocross, HPDE and track days. A 2019 NASA Speed News column pointed to Sparco Race 2 shoes at about $100 as a cheap way into racing shoes; today's listing is $149.
Certification
SFI 3.3/5
Upper
All suede, high-top
Closure
Laces plus wide hook-and-loop ankle strap
Sizes
US 7 to 13
Sole
Cushioned, updated outsole
Best for
First-time buyers who want a roomier fit and an SFI label.
Worth knowing
The page says the sole offers more cushioning than an ultra-thin professional racing sole. That helps comfort and costs some pedal feedback.
Pegasus describes the 303 as an economical mid-top shoe with a molded sole and a fire-resistant lining that carries an SFI 3.3/5 tag. The suede is meant to conform to slightly wider feet after a few days of wear. Pegasus shows three verified-buyer reviews, which is too few to label it owner-reported.
Certification
SFI 3.3/5 (tag sewn to the tongue)
Upper
Flexible suede leather, mid-top
Closure
Single Velcro ankle strap
Sizes
Men's whole sizes 8 to 13
Sole
Molded, tire-tread pattern
Best for
Drivers who want the lowest price that still carries an SFI 3.3/5 label.
Worth knowing
Whole sizes only, 8 to 13. Pegasus says the shoes run large, so you may need a half or full size down.
Pegasus says the v3 drops several redundant reinforcement pieces from the v2 to save weight. The suede tongue is perforated to let sweat evaporate, and the logos are printed rather than embroidered. The mid-top gives ankle coverage without the restriction of a high-top.
Certification
SFI 3.3/5
Upper
Suede with thin flame-retardant liner
Height
Mid-top
Closure
Laces only, no ankle strap
Weight
Lighter than v2 (fewer reinforcement pieces)
Best for
Drivers who want a light shoe from a larger brand and are happy with laces alone.
Worth knowing
No ankle strap, so the laces are all that keep the shoe on. No verified-buyer reviews for the v3 yet.
Pegasus describes the Sport as a mid-top shoe with a microfiber exterior, minimal reinforcement layers and padded fabric in the Achilles area for ankle movement. It is homologated to FIA 8856-2018 and costs less than the next OMP shoes, the FIRST at $229 to $259.
Certification
FIA 8856-2018
Upper
Microfiber exterior, fire-resistant lining
Height
Mid-top
Sole
Oil-resistant, molded for traction
Sizes
European 37 to 47
Best for
Drivers who need an FIA 8856-2018 shoe for a Motorsport UK or FIA-style rulebook.
Worth knowing
Pegasus names the FIA standard but no SFI rating on this page. If your club asks for SFI 3.3/5, choose another shoe. FIA Technical List 74 shows the OMP SPORT.01 shoe homologation (DC.046.19-Z) closed to new production in October 2024, so check the 'valid until' date on the FIA label.
Competition Motorsport describes a slim profile built for closely spaced pedal boxes and a lightweight outsole that gives direct feedback through the pedals. It is listed as approved for both FIA and SFI use. It is the priciest of the six.
Certification
FIA and SFI approved (page does not name the versions)
Upper
Suede, mid-top
Sole
Slim, lightweight rubber; anti-slip, anti-static, fuel and oil resistant
Sizes
European 28 to 48
Best for
Drivers with a tight pedal box who want one shoe for both rulebooks.
Worth knowing
The page names neither the SFI grade nor the FIA standard. Read the label on the shoe before you rely on it.
Price seen at competitionmotorsport.com, 19 Oct 2026.
How to choose
Racing shoes, racing boots and driving shoes
A racing shoe has a fire-resistant lining or upper, a thin sole and a close fit. SFI Spec 3.3 covers shoes and boots as driver accessories. A shoe must include fire-resistant material in the non-sole area, with a minimum back height of 0.15 times the shoe length plus 3 inches. SFI says a boot must extend at least 6 inches up the leg, measured at the rear from the bottom of the sole. Shoes and boots must reach a minimum TPP rating of 19.0 cal/cm2 on the material from the non-sole part, which is why they are listed as 3.3/5.
Soles and leather are treated differently. SFI says a non-fabric material such as leather is not required to pass the flammability test when it is used for the soles of shoes or as the outer layer of gloves. The thermal test applies to the non-sole material. The SFI spec also says a driver accessory must stay as the manufacturer built it and must not be altered.
'Driving shoes' sold for the street are a different product. The Sparco Martini S-Drive ($109 at Competition Motorsport) says on its page that it is not fire-retardant and should not be used for competition driving. Piloti's Shift ($198 at piloti.com) is sold as an everyday driving sneaker, and its product page makes no SFI or FIA claim. Pegasus says it stocks Piloti among other brands, in styles 'with or without FIA or SFI certification', so check the label before you buy. Street driving shoes are fine for a track day only if your organiser does not ask for a rated shoe; most ask only for closed-toe shoes.
SFI 3.3/5 and FIA 8856-2018 on shoes
SFI 3.3/5 is the grade you will see on most US shoes. Certification is made by the manufacturer. The SFI Foundation says products are not certified, endorsed or approved by SFI under this program, so the tag shows what the maker claims against SFI's published spec.
FIA 8856-2018 is the FIA standard for racewear. Demon Tweeks reports that shoes under 8856-2018 have an 11-second heat transmission figure and are cut higher than under the old 8856-2000 standard. FIA labels carry a date, and FIA says the label governs validity. Some shoes carry both labels.
SFI's spec list shows no recertification period for 3.3 shoes. Look at the condition: split seams, worn linings and hardened soles are reasons to replace a pair. One long-time RaceQuip owner at Pegasus wrote that the old pair's soles had grown so hard they slipped on the pedals, which is one owner's account of a 14-year-old pair.
Do you need racing shoes for a track day?
For most car HPDE and track nights, no. NASA's Club Codes and Regulations section 5.6, as quoted by NASA Speed News, requires shoes with no open toes. Track Night in America requires full closed shoes on track. Chin Track Days says closed-toe shoes are always required. The SCCA's Race Experience rules ask for shoes with uppers of leather or non-flammable material that cover at least the instep, plus fire-resistant socks.
Rules differ by organiser and track, so check yours. A racing shoe is not required at these events, but NASA Speed News argues they are minimalist and form-fitting, and work the pedals better. That is an opinion from a NASA columnist, not a rule.
Sole thickness and pedal feel
Thin soles transmit more through the pedal. Makers describe their own: Alpinestars calls the SP v2 outsole 'ultra-thin' and F1-specification, Sparco describes the Slalom+ sole as slim and lightweight, and Sparco says the Race 2 sole adds cushioning compared with an ultra-thin professional sole. None of the makers publish a sole thickness in millimetres on the pages we read.
Width and shape matter as much as thickness. A shoe that is too wide can catch two pedals, and a heel with a squared-off shape feels different from a rounded one. One Simpson owner said the sole was more squared off at the heel than his old shoes but felt fine after a couple of laps. Try the shoes on in your car, or in a seat with the pedals set up as you drive.
Sizing
Pegasus says Simpson and RaceQuip shoes run large because they are sized to fit over athletic socks plus Nomex socks. It recommends going a half or a full size down if you do not wear socks under your Nomex socks. For women, Pegasus suggests subtracting 2 from your normal shoe size to estimate the men's size.
Sparco and Alpinestars use their own sizing. Sparco lists the Race 2 in US sizes 7 to 13 and the Slalom+ in European 28 to 48, and OMP sells the Sport in European 37 to 47. Use each maker's size chart. Wear the socks you will drive in when you try on, and check your heel stays put when you press the pedals.
Sizing is a safety-gear fit issue. A shoe that is too tight can numb the foot, and one that is too loose can let your foot slide on the pedal. Neither a rating nor a price helps if the shoe does not fit.
Sim racing and shoes
Sim racers often wear thin shoes for pedal feel, but fire ratings do nothing for them. Alpinestars sells a Tech Gaming Shoe for sim racing at $89.95 at Competition Motorsport. See our sim racing setup guide for pedals and the rest of a rig.
Questions buyers ask
Do I need fire-rated shoes for HPDE or a track day?+
Usually not. NASA's CCR section 5.6 requires shoes with no open toes, Track Night in America requires closed shoes, and Chin Track Days says closed-toe shoes are always required. SCCA's Race Experience, which is racing, asks for shoes with leather or non-flammable uppers covering at least the instep. Check your organiser's rules.
What is the difference between SFI 3.3/5 and FIA 8856-2018 shoes?+
SFI 3.3/5 is a US standard where the maker certifies the shoe's non-sole material to a minimum TPP of 19.0 cal/cm2. FIA 8856-2018 is the FIA's standard, and its shoes carry a label with a date. Some shoes have both. Use the one your rulebook names.
Are Piloti driving shoes fire-rated?+
The Piloti Shift page on piloti.com sells it as an everyday driving sneaker and makes no SFI or FIA claim. Pegasus lists Piloti among the brands it stocks, in styles with or without FIA or SFI certification, so check the model and label before you rely on one.
Can I use sim racing or street driving shoes on track?+
For a track day that only asks for closed-toe shoes, a close-fitting shoe may do. Sparco says its Martini S-Drive is not fire-retardant and should not be used for competition driving. If your rules ask for SFI or FIA shoes, buy a rated pair.
How should racing shoes fit?+
Close, with the heel held in place and your toes free to move. Pegasus says Simpson and RaceQuip shoes run large and suggests ordering down a half or full size if you do not wear socks under Nomex socks. Check the maker's size chart and try them with the socks you will wear.
How often should I replace racing shoes?+
SFI's spec list shows no recertification period for 3.3 shoes. Replace them when the lining, seams or sole show wear. FIA 8856-2018 shoes carry a label date, and the label governs validity.
What is the difference between racing shoes and racing boots?+
SFI Spec 3.3 treats boots as extending at least 6 inches up the leg, measured at the back from the bottom of the sole. Shoes must meet a minimum back height of 0.15 times shoe length plus 3 inches. Both are rated on their non-sole fire-resistant material.
