Karting Gloves

Certification Standards for Karting Gloves in Canada

Understanding which certification applies to your racing environment is the first step in choosing the right karting gloves. Two standards are in common use across Canadian competitive karting.

CIK-FIA Level 2 — the established standard

CIK-FIA Level 2 is the certification standard that has governed competitive karting gloves for many years and remains widely accepted at club, regional, and national level karting events across Canada. Gloves certified to CIK-FIA Level 2 have passed abrasion resistance, seam strength, and heat resistance testing defined by the Commission Internationale de Karting under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

Most Canadian karting clubs and provincial series that require certified gloves list CIK-FIA Level 2 as an acceptable standard. If you currently have CIK-FIA Level 2 certified gloves in good condition, they remain legal for competition in the majority of Canadian events.

FIA 8877-2022 — the current standard for FIA events

FIA 8877-2022 is the updated karting apparel standard introduced by the FIA in 2022, replacing the previous CIK-FIA Level 1 and Level 2 system. From January 2025, gloves meeting FIA 8877-2022 are mandatory for all events on the FIA International Sporting Calendar. For Canadian kart racers competing at the national level or in events affiliated with ASN Canada FIA, FIA 8877-2022 certified gloves are increasingly required.

The practical difference for most Canadian club and regional racers: if you are competing in a local or provincial series that accepts CIK-FIA Level 2, your existing certified gloves are still legal. If you are purchasing new gloves now, buying to FIA 8877-2022 ensures you are future-proofed for the direction the sport is moving. Always confirm the specific requirement with your series or club technical regulations before ordering.

What karting glove certification tests for

Unlike SFI-rated car racing gloves which prioritise fire resistance and thermal protection, karting glove certification focuses primarily on abrasion resistance and structural integrity. The main injury risk in a karting incident is sliding contact with the track surface — karting gloves need to protect against that impact, not against fire. Certified karting gloves are tested for outer material abrasion resistance, seam tensile strength, and heat resistance at temperatures a driver would encounter in a normal racing environment.

EPIC Custom Karting Gloves — Construction and Design

Full dye sublimation on the outer shell

EPIC karting gloves are produced using dye sublimation printing on the outer shell panels. Sublimation bonds the design directly into the material fibres rather than sitting on top of them, which means the colours, logos, and graphics are permanent — they do not peel, crack, or fade through use, washing, or exposure to heat. Any colour, any gradient, any sponsor logo or personal design can be reproduced across the glove’s outer surface at full resolution.

Silicone grip palm construction

The palm and finger areas of EPIC karting gloves use silicone grip printing — a low-profile, high-traction surface treatment that maintains secure contact with the steering wheel through the full range of steering inputs. The silicone grip pattern is designed to preserve steering feel and wheel feedback rather than adding bulk between the driver’s hand and the wheel surface. For kart drivers who rely on tactile feedback to manage chassis balance, this construction delivers the sensitivity the driving task requires.

External seam construction

EPIC karting gloves use external seam construction — seams are stitched on the outside of the glove rather than the inside. This removes the pressure points that internal seams create against the fingers during a long stint, improving comfort without compromising structural integrity. External seams are the construction standard used across high-quality competition karting gloves at all levels of the sport.

Stretch upper construction

The upper surface of EPIC karting gloves uses lightweight stretch material that follows the natural movement of the hand without resistance. A pre-curved finger shape supports the natural grip position on the steering wheel, reducing the effort required to maintain a secure hold over the course of a race session. The wrist closure uses hook-and-loop fastening to secure the glove without adding bulk at the cuff.

Matching your EPIC karting suit

If you have an existing EPIC karting suit, the gloves are built to match it. The design file from your suit is the reference point for the gloves — colours, gradients, and graphic elements are reproduced consistently across both pieces so the full kit presents as a coordinated, professional set. EPIC can also coordinate custom karting shoes from the same design file, giving you a complete three-piece kit from a single brief.

Who Needs Custom Karting Gloves?

Club and regional competitive karting

For drivers competing in club-level and regional karting series across Canada — Goodwood Kartways in Stouffville, Mosport Karting Centre in Bowmanville, the Hamilton Karting Complex, SRA Karting in Quebec, and club programs across Alberta and British Columbia — certified karting gloves are required equipment at scrutineering. The scrutineer will check for a valid CIK-FIA or FIA 8877-2022 certification label before the driver is cleared to compete.

Custom gloves from EPIC carry the certification label and arrive ready for tech inspection. There is no guesswork about whether the gloves meet the standard — the homologation is built into the product.

National series competition

Drivers competing in the Rotax Max Challenge Canada and other national-level karting series are subject to the technical regulations of those series, which specify required glove certification. At the national level, FIA 8877-2022 is increasingly the required standard. EPIC builds gloves to the specifications required for national competition — confirm the current season’s technical regulations with the series before ordering.

Junior and youth karting programs

Youth and junior karting programs in Canada require the same certified gloves as senior classes. EPIC produces gloves in youth sizing, built to the same construction and certification standard as adult gloves. Parents ordering gear for junior drivers can coordinate a suit, gloves, and shoes from a single design brief so the young driver’s kit is fully matched.

Karting teams with multiple drivers

Teams running multiple drivers — whether in arrive-and-drive league programs or full competitive programs — benefit significantly from coordinated team kitting. EPIC produces matching gloves for full teams from a single design file, ensuring every driver on the team presents the same professional appearance. Sponsor logos are consistently reproduced across every driver’s gloves at the same resolution and placement.

Ordering Custom Karting Gloves from EPIC Racewear

The design process

Ordering starts with your design brief. If you already have an EPIC suit, the design files are on file and the gloves are built to match. If you are starting fresh, submit your team colours, sponsor logos in vector format where available, and any design references or inspiration. EPIC’s design team produces a digital mockup for your approval — revisions are made until the design is right before production begins.

Sizing

Karting glove sizing is taken by measuring the circumference of the hand around the widest part of the palm, excluding the thumb. Measure in centimetres for the most precise result. Youth sizes are available — measure the young driver’s hand directly rather than estimating from age or clothing size. A properly fitted karting glove should sit snugly across the palm and fingers with no excess material at the fingertips and a secure wrist closure without pressure on the back of the hand.

Lead times and shipping

EPIC karting gloves are produced at the Walkerton, Ontario facility and ship across Canada and to the United States. Lead times vary based on current production volume — contact the EPIC team directly for current estimates, especially if you are ordering ahead of a race season or specific event. Gloves ordered alongside a karting suit or shoes can often be coordinated to ship together as a complete kit.

Complete Your EPIC Karting Kit

Karting gloves are one piece of a complete kart driver kit. EPIC Racewear builds every component of that kit from the same design brief.

Custom karting suits — available in both sublimated and embroidered construction — form the foundation of your kit. The suit and gloves are built from the same design file for a fully matched set.

Custom karting shoes complete the three-piece kit. EPIC builds karting shoes with the same sublimation process used on the gloves and suit, extending the design consistently to the driver’s feet.

If you are also building team apparel for crew and supporters, EPIC’s custom crew shirts can be produced from the same team colour palette, giving your paddock a cohesive look from the driver on track to the crew in the pit lane.

Contact the EPIC Racewear team to start your karting gloves order or discuss a complete kit package. All orders ship from Walkerton, Ontario to Canadian provinces and to the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certification do I need for karting gloves in Canada? Most Canadian karting clubs and regional series require gloves certified to CIK-FIA Level 2 or FIA 8877-2022. CIK-FIA Level 2 remains valid for the majority of club and regional events. FIA 8877-2022 is required for events on the FIA International Sporting Calendar and is increasingly required at national series level. Always confirm the specific requirement with your series or club’s technical regulations before ordering.

Can I get custom graphics on certified karting gloves? Yes. EPIC Racewear builds fully custom CIK-FIA certified karting gloves using dye sublimation printing on the outer shell. Any colour, logo, or graphic design can be reproduced across the glove surface. Custom gloves can be matched to your existing EPIC karting suit design for a fully coordinated kit.

Are karting gloves different from car racing gloves? Yes. Karting gloves and car racing gloves serve different purposes and are built differently. Karting gloves prioritise abrasion resistance and tactile steering feel — they are thinner and more flexible than car racing gloves. Car racing gloves like EPIC’s SFI 3.3/5 gloves prioritise fire resistance and thermal protection and are not appropriate for karting use. Do not use a car racing glove for karting or a karting glove for car racing.

Do EPIC karting gloves ship across Canada? Yes. EPIC Racewear produces custom karting gloves from Walkerton, Ontario and ships to all Canadian provinces as well as to the United States. Lead times for custom gear vary — contact the team directly for current estimates before your season begins.

What sizes are available for karting gloves? EPIC karting gloves are available in adult and youth sizes. Sizing is taken by measuring the hand circumference around the widest part of the palm, excluding the thumb. Contact the EPIC team for a sizing guide before placing your order if you are unsure of your size or ordering for a junior driver.