Custom SFI 3.3/5 Racing Gloves

What SFI 3.3/5 Means — and Why It Matters at Tech Inspection

The SFI 3.3 specification covers driver hand protection, and the “/5” suffix indicates a two-layer construction — the higher protection tier within the standard. To earn SFI 3.3/5 certification, gloves must pass timed flame exposure tests and meet minimum thermal protection requirements set by the SFI Foundation, the same body that governs driver suit ratings like SFI 3.2A/1 and SFI 3.2A/5.

What the two-layer construction delivers

A single-layer SFI 3.3/1 glove provides basic fire resistance but gives your hands minimal buffer time in a fire scenario. The two-layer SFI 3.3/5 construction adds a second Nomex layer, increasing the Thermal Protection Performance (TPP) rating and giving a driver meaningfully more time to exit the car safely. Most sanctioning bodies that require gloves — including CASC Ontario, NASCAR Pinty’s, and NHRA — either mandate or strongly recommend SFI 3.3/5 as the baseline for competitive driving. If you’re already wearing an SFI 3.2A/5 suit with SFI 3.3 undergarments, pairing those with SFI 3.3/5 gloves completes a coordinated fire safety system that performs consistently across all contact surfaces.

How SFI 3.3/5 compares to FIA glove standards

Canadian racers competing in events governed by ASN Canada FIA — including formula car classes, GT events, and international road racing — may encounter requirements for FIA 8856-2018 certified gloves instead of or in addition to SFI ratings. SFI 3.3/5 and FIA 8856-2018 are separate certification systems with overlapping intent; always confirm which standard your specific sanctioning body requires before purchasing. EPIC’s team can advise on the right specification for your race series.

EPIC’s Custom SFI 3.3/5 Gloves — Built Around Your Design

Off-the-shelf racing gloves come in stock colours with no customization. EPIC Racewear builds gloves to your design from the start — the same fully custom approach that goes into every race suit, set of shoes, and piece of gear that ships out of Walkerton, Ontario.

Full dye sublimation on the outer shell

The outer shell of EPIC’s SFI 3.3/5 gloves uses dye sublimation printing, the same process used on EPIC racing suits. Sublimation bonds the ink directly into the fabric rather than sitting on top of it, which means your colours, team logos, and sponsor graphics stay sharp through heat, abrasion, and repeated wash cycles. There is no peeling, cracking, or colour fade — the design is part of the material.

Matching your existing EPIC gear

If you already have an EPIC race suit, the gloves are built to match it exactly. The design file from your suit becomes the reference point for your gloves, so colours, gradients, and graphic elements line up across your full kit. This matters particularly for teams running multiple drivers — a uniform, coordinated look from helmet to shoe communicates professionalism to sponsors and race officials alike.

Materials built for grip and control

EPIC’s SFI 3.3/5 gloves combine a knitted Nomex outer shell with silicone grip reinforcement on the palm and fingers. The silicone grip zones maintain contact with a steering wheel through long stints and high-heat cockpits without the glove bunching or shifting. The inner liner uses soft Nomex knit against the skin, which wicks moisture and keeps hands comfortable across extended race sessions. The gauntlet cuff extends over the suit sleeve and secures with hook-and-loop closure, sealing the gap between glove and suit without restricting wrist movement.

Who Needs SFI 3.3/5 Racing Gloves?

SFI 3.3/5 gloves are required or recommended for drivers competing in any sanctioned event where fire risk is a regulatory consideration. In practical terms, this covers the majority of competitive oval and road racing in Canada and the United States.

Stock car and oval track racing

Dirt oval, asphalt oval, modified, and late model classes almost universally require SFI-certified gloves. In many provincial and regional series, the scrutineering sheet specifically lists SFI 3.3/5 as the acceptable standard. Drivers in these classes who show up with non-certified or out-of-spec gear can be turned away from tech or excluded from competition — custom EPIC gloves arrive with the SFI tag attached and the rating printed on the cuff.

Drag racing

NHRA and ANDRA safety regulations require SFI 3.3/5 gloves for drivers running in any class with a fire suppression requirement. At faster elapsed times, the safety gear requirements escalate — gloves are part of the base layer. EPIC builds gloves that meet NHRA contingency standards, supporting racers who rely on sponsor recognition as part of their competition funding.

Road racing and circuit events

CASC Ontario and other provincial road racing clubs require certified hand protection for all competitive classes. The specific required standard varies by class and vehicle type, so confirming with your club’s technical regulations before ordering is always recommended. EPIC’s team is familiar with Canadian road racing requirements and can help clarify which specification applies to your series.

Karting

CIK/FIA karting regulations specify their own glove standards separate from SFI. For karting applications, check your specific series rules. EPIC also produces custom karting gloves designed for kart racing environments — see the dedicated karting gloves category for options specific to that discipline.

Ordering Custom SFI 3.3/5 Gloves from EPIC Racewear

The process for ordering custom gloves follows the same workflow as ordering any custom gear from EPIC: submit your design brief or reference files, receive a digital mockup, approve the design, and the gloves go into production.

Sizing your gloves correctly

Racing glove sizing is measured around the widest part of the hand, across the palm, excluding the thumb. Measure in centimetres for the most precise result. EPIC provides a sizing guide with every order and can assist with measuring questions before production begins — a properly fitted glove should feel snug without restricting finger movement, with the fingertip material sitting flush against the end of each finger rather than bunching.

Lead times and shipping

EPIC Racewear ships custom racing gloves across Canada and to the United States from Walkerton, Ontario. Lead times depend on current production volume; contact the team directly for current turnaround estimates, especially if you are ordering ahead of a race season or specific event. Orders placed alongside a race suit or full gear package can often be coordinated to ship together.

Ordering for safety teams and pit crews

EPIC also supplies SFI-rated gloves for pit crew and safety team applications. Safety teams operating within sanctioned events are often required to wear SFI-certified hand protection, particularly in roles with direct fire suppression responsibilities. Custom printed safety team gloves in coordinated colours are available — see the safety teams section for full options.

Complete Your EPIC Safety Gear System

Custom racing gloves are part of a complete driver protection setup. EPIC Racewear builds every component of that system in-house with the same custom design process.

Racing suits certified to SFI 3.2A/1, SFI 3.2A/5, SFI 3.4 (NASCAR), and FIA 8856-2018 standards give your upper body, lower body, and arms coordinated fire protection that works with your gloves to cover every surface.

SFI 3.3 undergarments — Nomex tops, pants, and socks — form the base layer under your suit, adding thermal resistance at the skin level and extending the protection window in a fire scenario.

Custom SFI 3.3/5 racing shoes complete the contact point protection system. EPIC builds shoes with the same sublimation customization as gloves, so your feet match your hands match your suit.

Each piece is built to the same design file, the same colour references, and the same production standards. The result is a complete custom kit that looks professional, performs consistently, and passes tech inspection at any sanctioned Canadian or American race event.

Contact the EPIC Racewear team to start your gloves order or to discuss a full gear package. Custom orders ship to all Canadian provinces and to the United States.