Racing boots and gloves, worth it?

[Dw25]

As in the title

Been taking my car up to knockhill quite a lot over the past year and plan to get even more done in 2022

Question is, is it worthwhile investing in a pair of track gloves?
It’s a leather steering wheel at the moment but due to be retrimmed In Alcantara incase that makes any difference

Also are the racing boots worth it? Or are they more just for show?

Thanks everyone

[Far Cough]

Boots not so much. A comfortable thin pair of trainers that allow feel of the pedals will suffice.

Gloves I would say definitely "IF" you have an alcantara steering wheel and dont want to mess it up with a greasy / sweaty hand. Otherwise , no , no point at all for a "trackday".

[Jamescrs]

I second the above re gloves, with an alcantara wheel they are needed to keep the material getting worn and generally messed up.

I wore gloves when I was tracking an MX-5 simply because my hands got bloody cold on the colder days but I don't bother now i'm back in a tin top car.

[EDE 7N]

I'm opposite, always worn racing boots but never gloves. That's changed now as my track car has a wooden motorlita steering wheel so I think gloves work better with it.

I've tried some very expensive racing gloves, it might make you look like Ari Vatinnen but to me it felt like shagging with your socks on.

[upsidedownmark]

Wear boots in the caterham 'cos the pedal box is silly small and they're the only thing where I don't have to work to wriggle my foot past the brake.
Can't say I've noticed any improvement/difference from regular trainers, barring the size. I wouldn't bother if it's not an issue.

[Jim Spencer]

just a little extra to add ref the boots, pukka racing ones definitely not worth the dosh as they're fireproof etc etc,
But
IMHO - The 'feel' is better and the rounded heel design helps.
Fortunately Karting boots are a fraction of the cost and a few trainer brands do the rounded heel design too (Puma speedcat, IIRC. was one.) I'd suggest these are worth a look.
HTH

[EDE 7N]

Jim Spencer said:

just a little extra to add ref the boots, pukka racing ones definitely not worth the dosh as they're fireproof etc etc,
But
IMHO - The 'feel' is better and the rounded heel design helps.
Fortunately Karting boots are a fraction of the cost and a few trainer brands do the rounded heel design too (Puma speedcat, IIRC. was one.) I'd suggest these are worth a look.
HTH

Agreed, although pukka racing boots are usually sold off if the stock sticks as the dates are obviously important-I picked up some OMP tan leather FIA approved "classic" racing boots as they are a few years old for £115.

For me, the thin soles (although a PITA in the paddock) give you an extra level of feel if you're driving anything that needs care with braking.

[nickfrog]

Gone are the days when you could buy Puma Speedcats for £15 off Sport direct. I wish I had bought all the stock then...

I really value a specialist shoes from a feel point of view.

RRS had a cheap boot recently.

Edit. They've gone up but decent stuff. https://rrs-direct.com/bottines-noires-non-fia.htm...

[SpudLink]

I finally decided to buy a pair of Puma Speedcats a couple of years ago. For me they are worth the extra over cheap thin trainers.

I also prefer gloves when using the alcantara wheel.

They should last for as long as I continue doing trackdays, so can be considered a one-off expense.

[brillomaster]

Puma drift cats are my preferred shoe, about £30. Comfy as a daily, and subtle enough if you get plain black ones.

As for gloves i prefer doing circuit driving with them on. Stops sweaty palms going slick on leather steering wheels, and as mentioned, essential for alcantara wheels. I dont run anything fancy mind, just cheap mountain bike gloves is fine for me.

[upsidedownmark]

FWIW mine are these - they're a 'proper' boot and approved for national use / nomex lined, but not FIA approved, They are however sensibly priced! My take on that is that they're proper but lacking a sticker/process. In any case, my jeans aren't terribly fire retardant, so I guess it's not worth getting too hung up on the boot having a sticker

https://www.nickygrist.com/turn-one-basic-boots

[Megaflow]

upsidedownmark said:

FWIW mine are these - they're a 'proper' boot and approved for national use / nomex lined, but not FIA approved, They are however sensibly priced! My take on that is that they're proper but lacking a sticker/process. In any case, my jeans aren't terribly fire retardant, so I guess it's not worth getting too hung up on the boot having a sticker

https://www.nickygrist.com/turn-one-basic-boots

Wow, they are cheap. Wish I’d seen those earlier this year when I needed new ones.

As others have said neither are essential, but nice thin soles make a lot of difference, and personally I prefer gloves on track. Comes from years in a Seven and it is a hard habit to break.

[braddo]

upsidedownmark said:

FWIW mine are these - they're a 'proper' boot and approved for national use / nomex lined, but not FIA approved, They are however sensibly priced! My take on that is that they're proper but lacking a sticker/process. In any case, my jeans aren't terribly fire retardant, so I guess it's not worth getting too hung up on the boot having a sticker

https://www.nickygrist.com/turn-one-basic-boots

Do the RRS shoes and these above have a more rigid sole (across the forefoot) than a normal shoe?

That is what I’ve found to be key, especially for a Caterham where the brake pedal needs a lot of force and is the size of a 50p piece.

[CABC]

Pumas are good. dare I mention SportsDirect.... plenty of Lonsdale shoes in there that are narrow and thin soled, even Caterham-ready. from £15

[Dw25]

Thanks for all the input folks!

I reckon I’m gonna purchase a decent pair of gloves to if nothing else save the wear and tear on the steering wheel

I see a lot of chat about very thin soled shoes and reckon the Ryder lifting boots I have might actually be a great stand in for racing shoes!

[Hol]

CABC said:

Pumas are good. dare I mention SportsDirect.... plenty of Lonsdale shoes in there that are narrow and thin soled, even Caterham-ready. from £15

That’s where I went when my long suffering karting boots wore out. The ones I bought had Velcro fasteners too, which make them easier to swap over in muddy paddocks.

I still use a pair of karting gloves though.

Edited by Hol on Friday 29th October 08:00

[brillomaster]

Lonsdale camdens were nearly my choice, but stuck with pumas as i know them. But the black suede ones look very nice and are only £25.

[anonymous-user]

I have racing shoes and gloves but only use the gloves. I find no benefit with the shoes but in something like a Caterham or Atom no doubt their delicate touch would help.

Gloves, I feel they give far better grip and stop sweaty hands whilst making you feel more equipped.

[fred bloggs]

Elatino1 said:

whilst making you feel more equipped.

Im perfectly well equipped thank you very much.

[944 Man]

Hol said:

CABC said:

Pumas are good. dare I mention SportsDirect.... plenty of Lonsdale shoes in there that are narrow and thin soled, even Caterham-ready. from £15

That’s where I went when my long suffering karting boots wore out. The ones I bought had Velcro fasteners too, which make them easier to swap over in muddy paddocks.

I still use a pair of karting gloves though.

Ive used Lonsdale boxing boots for fencing and for track driving. I have FIA leather boots, but why wear them out? A bit of Nomex makes zero difference when youre wearing a hoodie!