Karting Shoes

Certification Standards for Karting Shoes in Canada

CIK-FIA homologation — the accepted standard

Karting shoes for competitive racing in Canada must carry CIK-FIA homologation. This certification is issued by the Commission Internationale de Karting under the FIA and confirms that the shoe has passed abrasion resistance, structural, and heat resistance testing appropriate for kart racing environments. CIK-FIA homologated shoes are accepted at club, regional, and national level karting events across Canada.

FIA 8877-2022 — the current standard for FIA-affiliated events

FIA 8877-2022 is the updated karting gear standard introduced in 2022 that extended certification requirements to shoes and gloves in addition to suits. From January 2025, shoes meeting FIA 8877-2022 are mandatory for events on the FIA International Sporting Calendar. For Canadian kart racers competing in events affiliated with ASN Canada FIA or national-level programs, FIA 8877-2022 certified shoes are increasingly required.

For drivers competing at club and regional level in Canada, confirm the specific certification required with your series or club technical regulations before ordering. EPIC’s team can advise on the correct specification for your racing environment.

What karting shoe certification tests for

Karting shoe certification focuses on abrasion resistance, structural integrity under impact, and heat resistance. Unlike SFI-rated car racing shoes which prioritise fire resistance and thermal protection, karting shoes are designed primarily to protect the foot from sliding contact with the track surface in an incident. The sole is also tested for grip and pedal sensitivity — a karting shoe needs to transmit throttle and brake inputs clearly without slipping on the pedal surface.

EPIC Custom Karting Shoes — Construction and Design

Dye sublimation outer panels

EPIC karting shoes are produced with dye sublimation printing on the outer panels. Sublimation bonds the design permanently into the material — colours, team logos, sponsor graphics, and personal markings do not peel, crack, or fade regardless of use, washing, or heat exposure. Any design that appears on your karting suit can be carried through to your shoes, creating a fully matched three-piece kit from a single design brief.

Thin high-grip sole for pedal feel

The sole of a karting shoe is one of its most critical performance features. EPIC’s karting shoes use a thin, high-grip rubber sole with differentiated grip zones — firm enough to stay planted on the pedal surface, flexible enough to transmit throttle and brake pressure with the sensitivity that precise kart control requires. The sole profile is kept as low as possible to maximise the driver’s feel of the pedal position throughout its travel.

Breathable upper construction

The upper of EPIC karting shoes uses breathable synthetic leather and mesh panel construction. Karting generates significant foot heat — engines and exhaust run close to the driver’s feet, and kart sessions in warmer weather can be physically demanding. The breathable upper manages heat and moisture to keep feet comfortable through a full race day without compromising the snug, supportive fit the shoe needs to deliver.

Ankle support and flexibility

The ankle area of EPIC karting shoes is constructed to provide support without restricting the range of motion required for pedal operation. A flexible rear ankle panel allows the natural forward flex needed for throttle and brake application while maintaining lateral stability that keeps the foot positioned correctly in the pedal box. The fit at the ankle is close but not constrictive — no pressure points that build over a long session.

Closure system

EPIC karting shoes use a secure closure system combining lacing and hook-and-loop fastening. The combination keeps the shoe firmly positioned on the foot without creating bulk at the top of the foot that would interfere with pedal feel. The closure system is designed to be adjustable quickly between sessions and stays secure through the full range of movement that kart driving requires.

Matching your EPIC karting kit

If you have an existing EPIC karting suit and karting gloves, the shoes are built to match them. The design file from your suit and gloves is the reference point — colours, gradients, and graphic elements are reproduced consistently across all three pieces so the complete kit presents as a professional, coordinated set from the driver’s hands to their feet.

Who Needs Custom Karting Shoes?

Competitive club and regional karting

At most Canadian competitive karting clubs and regional series, certified footwear is required equipment at scrutineering. The scrutineer checks for a valid CIK-FIA certification label on the shoe before clearing the driver to compete. Stock karting shoes in generic colourways are available from multiple suppliers — but they do not match your team’s colours, carry your sponsor logos, or coordinate with your suit and gloves.

EPIC karting shoes arrive with CIK-FIA certification and your custom design. There is no compromise between compliance and presentation.

National series competition

Drivers competing in the Rotax Max Challenge Canada and other national karting programs are subject to the full technical regulations of those series. At the national level, FIA 8877-2022 certified footwear is increasingly required. EPIC builds shoes to the specification required for national-level competition — confirm current season requirements with the series before ordering.

Junior and youth programs

EPIC produces karting shoes in youth sizes, built to the same construction and certification standards as adult shoes. Parents ordering gear for junior competitors can coordinate a full kit — suit, gloves, and shoes — from a single design brief so the young driver’s complete set is matched. Youth sizing is taken by measuring the foot length directly — contact the EPIC team for a sizing guide before placing the order.

Teams ordering coordinated kit

For teams running multiple drivers, coordinated footwear is part of a professional team presentation. EPIC produces matching shoes for full teams from a single design file, ensuring every driver on the team presents the same look from head to toe. This matters particularly in programs with sponsor visibility requirements — sponsors want their logos reproduced consistently across every piece of gear every driver wears.

Sizing Custom Karting Shoes from EPIC Racewear

Karting shoes are sized in European shoe sizing. To find your size, measure your foot length in centimetres from the heel to the tip of the longest toe and compare to the EU size chart. Women ordering karting shoes should note that karting shoe sizing follows men’s EU conventions — women typically order one to two EU sizes smaller than their standard women’s size.

Youth sizes are available — measure the young driver’s foot directly rather than estimating from age or standard children’s clothing size. A properly fitted karting shoe should sit firmly against the heel with no slippage, a snug fit across the width of the foot without pressure points, and the toes sitting naturally without compression at the toe box. The shoe should feel secure without the need to lace tightly — a relaxed lacing that holds the foot in place is correct.

Contact the EPIC team before ordering if you are between sizes or ordering for a junior driver for the first time. Getting the fit right before production begins avoids delays.

Ordering Custom Karting Shoes from EPIC Racewear

The design process

Ordering starts with your design brief. If you already have an EPIC suit and gloves on file, the shoes are built to match them — no additional design work is required beyond confirming you want the three pieces coordinated. If you are starting fresh, submit your team colours, sponsor logos in vector format where available, and any design references. EPIC’s team produces a digital mockup for your approval before production begins.

Lead times and shipping

EPIC karting shoes 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 team directly for current estimates, especially if you are planning ahead for a race season or specific event. Shoes ordered alongside a karting suit and gloves can often be coordinated to ship together as a complete kit.

Complete Your EPIC Karting Kit

Custom karting shoes complete the three-piece driver kit that EPIC builds from a single design brief.

Custom karting suits — available in sublimated and embroidered construction — form the foundation of the kit. The suit is the largest canvas and typically sets the colour direction for the gloves and shoes.

Custom karting gloves carry the design from the suit to the driver’s hands. CIK-FIA certified construction with dye sublimation outer shell, silicone grip palm, and external seam construction matches the shoes in both design and quality.

For teams building a full paddock presence, EPIC’s custom crew shirts extend the team’s colour palette to crew and support staff, and custom canopies and trailer curtains bring the same branding overhead and to the hauler.

Contact the EPIC Racewear team to start your karting shoes 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 karting shoes need in Canada? Karting shoes for competitive racing in Canada must carry CIK-FIA homologation. For events affiliated with ASN Canada FIA or on the FIA International Sporting Calendar, FIA 8877-2022 certified shoes are required from January 2025. For most club and regional series, CIK-FIA homologated shoes are accepted. Always confirm the specific requirement with your series or club technical regulations before ordering.

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

Are karting shoes different from car racing shoes? Yes. Karting shoes and car racing shoes serve different purposes. Karting shoes prioritise a thin sole for pedal feel, abrasion resistance, and CIK-FIA certification. Car racing shoes like EPIC’s SFI 3.3/5 shoes prioritise fire resistance and thermal protection under SFI certification. Do not use car racing shoes for karting or karting shoes for car racing — they are different products for different applications.

Do EPIC karting shoes ship across Canada? Yes. EPIC Racewear produces custom karting shoes 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.

How do I size karting shoes from EPIC Racewear? Karting shoes are sized in European sizing. Measure your foot length in centimetres from heel to toe and compare to the EU size chart. Youth sizing is available — measure the young driver’s foot directly. Contact the EPIC team for sizing guidance before placing your order if you are unsure of your size or ordering youth sizes for the first time.