Which Racing Gloves to buy? (NASA, SCCA legal)

[TurDz]

I read some old threads on racing gloves but didn't find what I was looking for. I want a good price on gloves with good enough quality for occasional road racing.

I think gloves are actually a really good invesment. I could always use better grip on my stock steering wheel. I'm really into the ones that provide good feel.

Anyway, does anyone know any NASA/SCCA legal gloves that are affordable?

GForce, Sparco, and Pyrotect seem pretty good, but I'd like to hear from people who own gloves that they like.

Also, could someone explain SFI ratings? It's tough to search for a three letter term on google.

thanks everyone.

[Phlip]

I will say, as I have before... For autocrosses and such I use a pair of Nike football receivers' gloves... Tight-fitting, DESIGNED for grip and I have never paid more than 30 bucks for a pair, as long as it was during football season when I bought them

[ZK]

Well, for a driving glove you want something that has a thin palm to transfer the feel of the wheel/knob to your hand... which is why stuff like mechanix gloves won't work very well.

I have no idea about SFI ratings, but I believe they are there for fire proofing if your car catches fire.

I just have a set of FET racing gloves I bought at Autobacs last time I was in Japan. They don't have any SFI ratings or anything but it has a thin and grippy palm. Gloves are also great for hot or cold days where gripping your metal shift knob fries/freezes your skin.

Here's a pic of them:
http://speed.streetracing.org/thill1/gear.jpg

[A Spec Products]

I just have a set of FET racing gloves I bought at Autobacs last time I was in Japan. They don't have any SFI ratings or anything but it has a thin and grippy palm. Gloves are also great for hot or cold days where gripping your metal shift knob fries/freezes your skin.

Here's a pic of them:
http://speed.streetracing.org/thill1/gear.jpg

http://www.aspecproducts.com/all_products/gloves/BLUEgloves.jpg

FET gloves are kinda small, that's the only downside. It's a "japanese" large.

On a side note, we had 3 in stock, 1 red, 1 blue, and 1 black. "Supposedly" they were the only 3 pairs in the USA. At our display this year at Rim of the World Rally, someone stole the black pair. So if someone else (besides ZK) has a pair, we're on you like glue. And no ZK, I'm not accusing you of anything :)

[TurDz]

Cool, I know with G-Force sizing, I measured my hand and it sized as XS, haha, maybe a perfect fit for me.

How much do the FET ones go for?




edit: looking at the post below me, can people who have the thin "feel" type of gloves tell me which ones you're using? So far, FET and Signal. thanks for all the input so far.

[atom]

I don't think most SCCA events require any SFI rating for the gloves as long as they are made from fire retardent material. But if you're worried about SFI rating try looking for the G-Force G5 gloves. SFI 5 rated and they are about $50. Just remember usually the higher rated gloves are generally thicker. You may or may not like the feel of thicker gloves so you have to decide if you really need the SFI rating. Personally I like thin gloves and don't care about SFI ratings so I have a set of signal gloves.

[S14DB]

The FET ones I saw at autobacs looked like kids gloves. Way to small for anyone IMHO.

Sparco gloves are very comfortable to me.

[TurDz]

The FET ones I saw at autobacs looked like kids gloves. Way to small for anyone IMHO.

Sparco gloves are very comfortable to me.


Well, I know Kei Office models are "one size fits all," but are expandable. It may be the same case as the FET ones.

[SochBAT]

Kazama's KeiOffice gloves are chill. its insulated, absorbant, and still gives that grippy, feely touch to the wheel. I 'testdrive' them from my buddy. Kinda pricey, but it works. Philip was right on tho, those nike football gloves are golden. And you look cool. 2 birds with one stone.

[ZK]

http://www.aspecproducts.com/all_products/gloves/BLUEgloves.jpg

FET gloves are kinda small, that's the only downside. It's a "japanese" large.

On a side note, we had 3 in stock, 1 red, 1 blue, and 1 black. "Supposedly" they were the only 3 pairs in the USA. At our display this year at Rim of the World Rally, someone stole the black pair. So if someone else (besides ZK) has a pair, we're on you like glue. And no ZK, I'm not accusing you of anything :)

Haha, well mine are actually a different design. It only has the white on the one finger, no white on the back of the glove and says FET on the back of the hand, not at the bottom of the glove. My "Large" size fit me fine. I think I paid 8000 yen (about $80) at Autobacs but this was 6 years ago.

I am actually in the market for some gloves as well. After moving I can't find it anywhere. Something similar would be fine for me. Don't need all the fire proofing stuff. I tried on a Sparco one and it actually make the glove thicker. A friend of mine is going to Japan, I'm sure I can ask him to bring me back another pair of FETs.

[A Spec Products]

Cool, I know with G-Force sizing, I measured my hand and it sized as XS, haha, maybe a perfect fit for me.

How much do the FET ones go for?


FET's are $59.95 retail.

Greddy Mechanic gloves (or any other brand, heck, even Sears maybe) would work decently well. Similar to the reason why Nike football gloves are cool.

Edit: I forgot to mention that FET's are sold out on a semi-permanent basis. I'd need to order a ton to make it happen if even possible.

[Yoshi]

WooHoo!
FINALLY and advantage to my girly japanese mitts :)
I can wear JDM gloves! w00t :D

So do we know what JDM ones are good? or no experience cuz all you anglo-descendants have decent sized hands that don't fit?

maybe I should ask OJ.... ;) LOL

[slappythehomelessclown]

i would try alpine star's, that's what the pro's use.

i.e. rally, formula one..etc.

[Drunk Bastard]

i bought a set of signal auto gloves to use for drift events....huge waste of money. my bare hands grip 10x better than the gloves do. maybe its cause i'm running stock s14 steering wheel and not an alacantra wheel...but i thought the gloves would provide atleast SOME decent grip. :duh:

[TurDz]

uh oh...why did you post that drunk bastard. I just bought some... :stupid:

[Phlip]

WooHoo!
FINALLY and advantage to my girly japanese mitts :)
I can wear JDM gloves! w00t :D

So do we know what JDM ones are good? or no experience cuz all you anglo-descendants have decent sized hands that don't fit?

maybe I should ask OJ.... ;) LOL
No, I already posted the "resident black guy" answer, and it included a glove DESIGNED to be light, thin, grippy and that happens to be cool at the same time.

[MovinUp-1]

If you want NASA/SCCA legal gloves they have to be made of nomex and carry an SFI rating. I use Simpson Talon gloves.

http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/products/product_detail.aspx?cat_id=120&prod_id=948

[nightwalker]

I use SHIFT kart gloves. Good grip because of this sticky material they use on the palm. I like them, plus the look aggressive. (black and grey) They don't have a strap like sparcos and kei office gloves so get ones that FIT or you'll always be pulling your gloves down.

[sykikchimp]

I have the Sparco nomex f1 type gloves, and they are a bit much. I like the Gforce kangaroo skin palm nomex gloves. Kangaroo leather is very thin, and makes for a nice tactile feel.

[KA24DESOneThree]

I like the Gforce kangaroo skin palm nomex gloves. Kangaroo leather is very thin, and makes for a nice tactile feel.

Not to mention that G-Force's most expensive glove is only $90, if you shop around. I'm not quite sure why the Pro RS isn't SFI-certified, but it is Nomex and G-force claims it "exceeds most sanctioning bodies requirements for gloves." It also features reversed seams for ultimate comfort.

My gloves will be ether the Pro RS or GFPro 5.

Links:
GF Pro RS
http://www.racerwholesale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=518&osCsid=3964fb7ee1ad621ce5610fe13cf299a1
$89.99
GF Pro 5
http://www.racerwholesale.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=83&products_id=157
$79.99

[sideview_180sx]

5zigen gloves AFAIK are the only jdm tyte gloves that are FIA rated SFI rating is not as stringent as FIA if anything got with something FIA rated since you get a 5 year legal use of the products. SFI is like 2-3 rated and not as protective against fire. serious when it comes to safety, don't cheap out.

[MadScientist]

Alpine Star F1-T Glove all the way!

Developed by professional drivers Jarno Trulli and Christian Fittipaldi.

FIA approved.

Complies with ISO6940 standards.

2 layers of 180 gram Nomex protects the back of hand and wrist.

Palm constructed with 2 layers of Pittards Fireproof Digital leather for maximum protection.

Minimum palm padding for improved feel and grip.

Cost about a bill ($100) but worth it, IMO.

Peace
Drew

[sideview_180sx]

That's cheap for Alpinestars. My dream would be to get a pair of the Takuma Sato Edition ones in BAR colors. Last time I heard $300-400/pair. If driving for long periods of time or you get blisters and sores from the seams on your fingers get the sparcos with reversed stitching.

[JaeTea]

i bought a set of signal auto gloves to use for drift events....huge waste of money. my bare hands grip 10x better than the gloves do. maybe its cause i'm running stock s14 steering wheel and not an alacantra wheel...but i thought the gloves would provide atleast SOME decent grip. :duh:

I bought a pair of Signal gloves and they rock. :bigok:

I had a pair of G-Force before that and they were HORRIBLE. They don't grip for shit. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. :down:

However I'll probly go with Alpinestars when I need to buy a new pair of gloves.

[TurDz]

JaeTea, what kind of steering wheel material are you running, and what kind of G-Force gloves did you get though? there are about 5 different variations...I'm thinking the Pro's since they're non-SFI approved, but have a very thin leather, which according to sykik is grippy.

I have Signal Auto gloves now, and they fit PERFECTLY, but they are not grippy with my stock steering wheel.

edit
btw, Drunk Bastard told me...

suede gloves (i.e Signal) are for suede steering wheels (i.e JGTC :naughty:)
leather gloves (kei-office, i'm assuming g-force too) are for leather or stock wheels

maybe that's why the g-force's didn't work well for your JaeTea?

[JaeTea]

maybe that's why the g-force's didn't work well for your JaeTea?

I have a basic MOMO Comp steering wheel.

http://store1.yimg.com/I/ltbmotorsport_1853_8526701

I had the a pair of G-Force G5 gloves http://www.saferacer.com/gfg5ragl.html so thats probly why they didn't work for me.

[TurDz]

I wouldn't mind wrapping my stock wheel with some sort of alcantra fabric if it's high quality. that would be awesome..then I can keep my jdm signal gloves lol

[revat619]

Alpine Star F1-T Glove all the way!

Developed by professional drivers Jarno Trulli and Christian Fittipaldi.

FIA approved.

Complies with ISO6940 standards.

2 layers of 180 gram Nomex protects the back of hand and wrist.

Palm constructed with 2 layers of Pittards Fireproof Digital leather for maximum protection.

Minimum palm padding for improved feel and grip.

Cost about a bill ($100) but worth it, IMO.

Peace
Drew

I have those gloves too! Paid about the same price as well.

Alpine Star F1-T kicks ass! :bow: