The best sim racing gloves

Get to grips with your racing sim using the best racing sim gloves. More than just a style choice, these will help you keep traction when you need it most. Read on for our top sim racing glove choices.

Driving gloves on steering wheel

by Seth Walton |
Updated on

If you think taking a jolly around the Nürburgring in a BMW Isetta packing the 6.3L V12 from an FXX-K sounds hysterically entertaining, you’re right. Trust us, we’ve done it.

There are plenty of racing titles out there ready to sate your most profane and dastardly automotive fantasies – you’ll find no judgment here – but if it’s the world of hardcore sim racing that captures your imagination, we find it best enjoyed when taken a little more seriously. After all, as the name would suggest, sim racing is all about simulating the experience of being in a proper race car, and for the highest quality immersion value, the right kit is essential.

After you’ve gotten to grips with your sim racing game and driving rig– the fundamentals of any sim racing set-up – you may want to consider investing in some racing kit to enhance your experience, starting with a decent set of gloves.

Will racing gloves improve my sim racing?

Yes. Driving gloves for the sim rig may seem like a bit of an affectation but in truth their benefits exist for sim racers just as they do for those in the seats of real racing cars.

When the racing gets dicey, say, a head-to-head into Eau Rouge, you’ll no doubt experience some palm perspiration – an indication that you’re really in the game. Donning a set of driving gloves will ensure constant purchase on the wheel, improving grip and tactility on the paddle shifters to keep your wits sharp and your reactions fast.

Along with the physical benefits, wearing gloves can also benefit the immersion value of sim racing, taking you closer to the experience of being a real racing driver. This is, after all, what sim racing is all about.

Need some gloves to wear around the garage? Check out our favourites here.

Things to consider

Real racing gloves - While it might be tempting to go all out on the same fire-resistant, FIA-approved gloves worn by your racing heroes, we recommend staying clear. Real FIA-approved racing gloves are manufactured using expensive materials that serve no purpose in the comfort of your own home. These gloves may also cause your hands to overheat if they’re designed for open-wheel racing and used without adequate airflow.

Touch screens – Some glove types such as cycling gloves are designed to be compatible with touch screens. While this capability may not benefit every sim rig, the ability to operate tablets and other devices without having to remove your gloves could aid in live streaming and the efficiency of your broadcast. You might just want to get your phone out every now and then to check Instagram – something to keep in mind.

If you like the idea of adding a set of gloves to your sim racing kit, check out our picks of the best below.

Editor's Choice

Description

If you fancy jumping straight in at the deep end with a set of high-performance, purpose-built sim

Pros

  • High quality from experienced manufacturer
  • Purpose built for sim racing

Cons

  • Expensive

Top Pick

Description

Like the previous Sparco set, these gloves from Sim Hound are purpose-built for sim racing.

Pros

  • Lightweight and breathable
  • Purpose-built

Cons

  • Not the most expensive but cheaper options

Best Value

Sparco Meca Gloves
Price: £33.99

Description

These Sparco gloves are designed for mechanics, but don’t be fooled – by virtue of their sporty

Pros

  • Great value
  • Quality materials for an authentic feel through the steering wheel

Cons

  • Touchscreen compatibility unknown

Great Buy

Ozero Cycling Gloves
Price: £17.99

Description

If you’re after a lightweight solution that won’t bust the bank, check out these cycling gloves

Pros

  • Great value

Cons

  • Lacking in racing aesthetic

Best Style

Omp Ks-3 Gloves

Rrp: £54.00

Price: £54.00

Description

Like cycling and mechanic’s gloves, these karting gloves also have the potential to make for some

Pros

  • Real racing glove without the price tag

Cons

  • Potentially overkill

For verdicts, scoops, news and analysis from the team, delivered direct to your inbox, subscribe to the CAR newsletter.

You can enjoy CAR in its traditional print format, or one of the swelling number of digital editions, optimised for Apple iPhones, Android devices, iPads, tablets and desktop computers.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us