Which kart suit should you choose? In leisure, most tracks lend you one; buying your own becomes worthwhile as soon as you drive regularly. In competition, you need a CIK-FIA homologated suit (today the FIA 8877-2022 standard), designed above all to resist abrasion in a slide. Here is how to choose well.
The lent suit does the job in leisure, even if it is often the wrong size and hygienically questionable. As soon as you drive once a month or more, your own makes sense: not just for comfort, but because fitted gear protects better.
What is a kart suit really for?
First thing to set straight: unlike a car racing suit, a kart suit is not made to resist fire. The risk in karting is not a blaze, it is the slide. Its job is to protect your skin from abrasion when you spin and scrub the tarmac. That is precisely what the karting homologation tests.
The standard to know: CIK-FIA / FIA 8877
The reference for karting is the CIK-FIA homologation, today under the FIA 8877-2022 standard (technical list no. 101). It tests abrasion resistance by zone and guarantees product traceability. It is mandatory in competition and recommended for any serious driver. In leisure, some tracks accept covering, non-homologated clothing, but for real protection, the homologation remains the right benchmark.
Level 1 or Level 2?
The karting homologation distinguishes two levels, which come down to abrasion resistance:
Level 1 is the standard for everyday practice and national competition. Good abrasion resistance, it is what the vast majority of amateur drivers wear.
Level 2 reinforces resistance on exposed zones and is required in top-level competitions, international championships and pro series. For the amateur, Level 1 is more than enough.
| Use | Expected clothing |
|---|---|
| Leisure (public track) | Lent suit, or covering non-homologated clothing |
| National competition | Homologated CIK-FIA / FIA 8877, Level 1 |
| Top-level competition | Level 2, reinforced abrasion resistance |
The materials
Forget the 'Nomex' reflex inherited from car racing: in karting, what matters is abrasion resistance and comfort, not fireproofing. Good suits use technical, abrasion-resistant fabrics, with reinforcements at the contact zones (shoulders, elbows, hips, knees) and stretch panels to move freely. Entry-level models are warmer and less breathable; higher models gain in lightness, ventilation and freedom of movement.
Choosing your size
Suits fit differently from one brand to another, so rely on the maker's size guide, not your usual street-clothing size. Measure your chest, waist and height. The suit must be fitted without being tight: too big, it creases and reduces protection at contact points; too tight, it restricts your movements at the wheel. Check that the sleeves stay long enough with arms outstretched and that the zip goes right up to the collar.
The accessories that complete it
The suit alone is not enough. Plan for homologated karting gloves (our gloves guide), which protect the hands and improve feel at the wheel, and karting boots: not mandatory in leisure, but they protect the ankles and sharpen pedal feel. In competition, add technical underwear beneath the suit; in leisure, simple natural-cotton clothing is enough. And the helmet remains the centrepiece (our helmet guide).
Well-fitted gear means more confidence on track and real protection if something goes wrong. All that is left is to try it in good conditions: find a track near you on Kart-Map.
