Sim-racing, as all fans of the discipline know, typically comprises the following peripherals: a base, a steering wheel and a pedalboard. This applies to all setups, and we consider them to be the basic elements. If you don’t have these peripherals in your setup, you’re not sim-racing.

Of course, there are other products that complement the basic elements to bring more realism to sim-racing sessions, such as a curved screen, VR helmet, cockpit, handbrake, and so on. The aim of these products is to add an extra layer of realism for a more immersive gaming experience. As far as I’m concerned, these products are rather specialized. Let me explain: in rallying and drifting, you’ll need a handbrake to make stylish crosswinds, but this peripheral is useless in F1 or GT. So, on my setup, I add peripherals according to the titles I’m about to play, and that’s why I consider them specialized.

Some racers take realism even further by investing in accessories such as sim-racing shoes and even gloves. These products bring their share of realism, and also allow you to take care of certain peripherals such as steering wheels or gearshifts. Even if some consider them a purely aesthetic investment, they are nonetheless useful in certain cases. In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to the best gloves available on the market for sim-racing.

The best gloves for sim-racing

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: what are the best pairs of gloves for sim-racing? I’ve put together a list of what I consider to be the best products, divided into 3 different budget categories. Because yes, in the end, it’s the price of the gloves that will most influence your purchase.

The best gloves between €20 and €30

SOLO QUEEN

Advantages :

• Very attractive price
• 3 different sizes
• Comfortable

Disadvantages :

• Small, and always go one size up

I’d like to start with a product that I consider to be perfect for sim-racing beginners and even for those looking for gloves on the cheap. Solo Queen gloves are made from a variety of materials, including synthetic leather, PVC rubber, elastane and even lycra. These gloves are rather short, unlike those used in motorsports, but do the job perfectly.

The manufacturer offers them in a range of colors, including red, orange and black. So you’re well served if you’re looking to match these gloves to your setup. Comfort-wise, they’re reasonable, and Solo Queen also offer a good level of grip on alcantara steering wheels. Breathability is also very good, so you won’t sweat too much when wearing them during long sim-racing sessions.

Like many other products of this type, Solo Queens are available in 3 sizes(M, L and XL), which should satisfy a good proportion of the world’s sim-racers. As for price, the Solo Queen is priced at €25.99, making it perfect for beginners and even sim-racing enthusiasts.

The only weak point I find with these gloves is their size, which is a little off. I’d advise you either to try them on at a friend’s, or to size up from what you’re used to wearing on your hands. Apart from that, the Solo Queen are gloves I highly recommend.

The best gloves between €30 and €45

Sparco Meca-3

Advantages :

• Product from a prestigious brand
• Premium materials
• Finger reinforcement

Disadvantages :

• Material tends to fluff up after a while

I don’t need to introduce you to the Sparco brand, as it remains a major player in the world of motor sport, as a quality and above all premium equipment supplier.

Sparco has a wide range of products, including Meca-3 gloves for the general public. Technically speaking, these gloves are designed for mechanics to protect their hands, but they can also be used for sim-racing, since the quality is top-notch.

Design-wise, it’s a success, with the brand logo and Velcro on the wrists, and 5 different colors. Sizes range from S to XL, which should satisfy everyone, without the problem of smaller-than-expected gloves.

The materials used are suede, polyester and elastane, as found in virtually every pair of racing gloves. They’re relatively sturdy, even if linting can be a problem after short periods of use. Incidentally, this is the only flaw in the Meca-3s, and it’s purely aesthetic.

Grip-wise, they’re perfect for sim-racing. The gloves are breathable, so your hands won’t sweat throughout your sim-racing sessions. Another plus point is the price. The Meca-3s come in at under €35, making them an ideal choice for mechanical DIYers and sim-racers. I’m all for it.

FOX Dirtpaw

Advantages :

• Excellent build quality
• Famous brand among sim-breeders
• Tough, durable and breathable

Disadvantages :

• Hardly any

The Fox Racing brand is a world-renowned name in motorcycle and ATV equipment for both men and women. Put simply: anything to do with two wheels, Fox Racing has a product for it.

For this list, I’ve chosen the Dirtpawgloves, which are more motorcycle-oriented, but perfectly suited to sim-racing. So, the design of these gloves is pretty good, with a plain color and just the brand logo standing out. It looks really good, especially if you choose the black version. Speaking of colors, there are 7 different ones in the Fox Racing catalog, including a red one, a green one, and so on. Sizes range from S to 4XL, enough to satisfy every conceivable customer.

When it comes to materials, we take great care. The fiber is high quality, resistant and offers a good level of grip on the wheels. I didn’t have to worry about my hands slipping or anything else with the Dirtpaw, even on the longest sim-racing sessions. What I also liked was that the Dirtpaws are highly breathable, which goes a long way to keeping your hands dry when you’re wearing them.

Dirtpaws are a safe choice, whether for two-wheeled sport or sim-racing. As for the price, it’s very affordable, with a pair costing around €40. If you’re looking for an excellent pair of gloves for sim-racing and/or you’re a fan of motorcycles, ATVs and the whole two-wheeled universe, I recommend these gloves. The Dirtpaw will not disappoint you at all.

The best gloves for over €40

Sparco Hypergrip

Advantages :

• Rubber coating for excellent grip
• Highly ventilated gloves thanks to perforated material
• Smartphones/tablets can be used without removing gloves

Disadvantages :

• Price a little high

Second entry in this list concerning the Sparco brand, but this time we’re focusing on a product aimed at runners with the Hypergrip gloves. English speakers will quickly understand that this name implies grip taken to the extreme.

Hypergrip is a product specifically designed for sim-racers and motorsport enthusiasts. Which makes sense, given that Sparco is a motorsports equipment company. But back to the Hypergrip. These gloves are made from perforated material, allowing your hands to breathe easily, whatever the situation you find yourself in.

While the Meca-3s were excellent all-rounders, the Hypergrips are aimed solely at sim-racing and racing, and it shows when you pick them up. The finger linings are reinforced with rubber, allowing the Hypergrip to grip – or seize, if you like – virtually any surface, and to a high standard. If you’ve tried sim-racing gloves before and the steering wheel slipped through your hands, that won’t be the case here at all.

The material used for the gloves is perforated, allowing natural ventilation of the hands. So forget sweaty, clammy hands after a sim-racing session. Your runs with Hypergrip gloves will be immersive and, above all, your hands will be dry. As for the design, it’s rather sober, with the color black dominating almost the entire pair of gloves. There are also red and gray accents, and a Velcro strip on the wrists. I like it, anyway.

Let’s talk about price and sizes. Hypergrip are sold for less than €49, with a single color available, but in several sizes (from 8 to 12). So you’ve got a good choice of sizes, but not of color. It’s a bit of a shame, but I’d still recommend Hypergrip for sim-racers who want to add a big plus to immersion.

Freem SIM21

Advantages :

• Good build quality
• Gloves made in Europe
• Excellent driving feel

Disadvantages :

• High prices

Let’s finish with a product that is good, but with a high price tag, the Freem SIM21. These gloves are, like virtually all the others we’ve seen, made for sim-racing and car racing. If you’re a fan of either of these disciplines, this is the glove for you.

The design is unique, to say the least. Honestly, I’m not a big fan, but as long as the function is there, I’m not going to complain too much. And speaking of function, the Freem SIM21s do their job very well. On the manufacturer’s website, there’s only one model available in black, with the brand’s logo and a kind of mottled white dress.

The material used is breathable, which will keep your hands dry during sim-racing sessions, whatever your discipline. Between the thumb and forefinger, there’s a reinforcement that adds extra grip to the gloves, leaving your hands on the steering wheel and gearshift.

Size-wise, this is one of the most generous pairs of gloves, with 7 different sizes, from 2XS to 2XL. You won’t have any problems here, that’s for sure. However, there’s one stain on the Freem SIM21 picture, and that’s the price. These gloves are listed at €55 on the brand’s website, which is expensive compared to others we’ve seen. But hey, if you can part with that kind of money for this pair of gloves, why not.

Why use gloves for sim-racing?

Even if sim-racing gloves are considered by many racers to be a fashion accessory, it’s important not to forget that professional racers wear a whole range of equipment when they race. You’ve got a helmet, gloves, overalls, shoes and other clothing designed for the rider’s safety and comfort. I don’t know if you’ve ever set foot in a racing car, but these are designed purely for performance. Air conditioning, heating, adjustable seats and the rest don’t exist in a race car. As a result, the few comforts we can give drivers are a considerable advantage, enabling them to make the difference on the racetrack.

Let’s get back to sim-racing gloves. Many high-end steering wheels are made from premium materials such as aluminum, leather and alcantara. If you know anything about cars, you know that these materials are delicate, especially alcantara, which can easily deteriorate in the presence of perspiration. And so, using gloves in sim-racing also serves to prolong the life of the peripherals you have, while giving you driving comfort and better grip, especially during long sim-racing sessions (endurance or rallying, for example).

Which ones to choose?

Even if sim-racing gloves are more or less identical, there are still certain elements that differentiate them, and this can alter the choice of a pair.

• Price. We’ve seen that many pairs of gloves are sold for around thirty euros, which is quite reasonable, especially when you consider that other sim-racing products easily cost 10 times more. You can find more expensive gloves, but the choice is yours. Personally, I’d put a priority on other sim-racing peripherals before choosing gloves that cost quite a bit.
• Comfort. Not all gloves are the same, at least when it comes to comfort. That’s why it’s important to choose a pair of gloves that you can wear comfortably without feeling uncomfortable. It’s very important to choose gloves you’re comfortable with, as you’ll almost certainly be wearing them for hours on end when sim-racing.
• Size. Even though most pairs of gloves come in several sizes, you need to choose a model that fits you well. If it’s too tight, it’ll bother you during sim-racing sessions, and it’s the same when it’s too big. Another important point is that some sizes may be distorted by the manufacturer, especially if it’s outside the EU. So pay attention to this, and also read reviews of the gloves you have in your sights. Customer reviews can be an invaluable source of information about a product.
• Color. A purely subjective point, glove colors can have an impact on the mind and therefore on race performance. Personally, if I run with gloves I don’t find stylish, my times will be affected.