SFI Racing Suits

Understanding SFI Ratings: 3.2A/1, 3.2A/5, 3.2A/15, and 3.4

The SFI Foundation sets the safety specification (SFI 3.2A) that every racing suit you buy in North America is tested against. The number after the slash refers to the suit's Thermal Protective Performance — how long it shields you from a flash fire before second-degree burns occur. Higher numbers mean more protection time.

• SFI 3.2A/1 — Around 3 seconds of thermal protection. Single-layer construction, typically FR cotton or Pyrovatex-treated cotton. Best for entry-level, club racing, dirt track, lawn mower racing, and tractor pulling.
• SFI 3.2A/5 — Around 10 seconds of thermal protection. Two- or three-layer construction in Nomex or hybrid materials. The standard for most stock car, circle track, late model, and sprint car series in Canada.
• SFI 3.2A/15 — Around 30 seconds of thermal protection. Multi-layer Nomex with reinforced thermal liners. Required for top-tier drag racing classes.
• SFI 3.4/5 — The NASCAR-spec rating, combining high thermal protection with NASCAR-specific fitment and material rules.

A higher rating is not automatically better for you. The right suit is the one your governing body's rulebook actually requires — and one that fits well enough for you to drive comfortably for a full race. Always confirm the certification listed in your series rules before you order.

How to choose the right SFI suit

Three factors decide which suit you should buy.

Your sanctioning body. Every Canadian series — from local short tracks to ASN Canada FIA road courses — publishes a rulebook with a minimum SFI rating. Check it first. A suit rated below your series spec will fail tech inspection.

Your discipline. Drag racers spend brief, high-intensity stints in the cockpit and often pair lighter suits with fire-resistant underwear. Circle track and stock car drivers run longer races, so weight, breathability, and freedom of movement matter as much as the raw rating. Karting has its own specs entirely — see our Kart Racing Suits collection for those.

Your fit and finish preference. Every Epic Racewear SFI suit is built to your measurements, with your sponsor logos and team colours done in either embroidery or full-body sublimation. You're not picking from a few off-the-rack sizes — you're getting a suit that fits the way racewear should.

Materials: Nomex, FR cotton, and what's actually under the patch

SFI does not dictate the fabric — it dictates the performance. That's why two suits with the same 3.2A/5 rating can use very different materials.

Nomex is DuPont's aramid fibre. It does not melt, does not drip, and chars at extreme temperatures instead of igniting. It is lightweight, breathable, and the gold standard for multi-layer suits. Our Ultralight Premium Nomex 2-layer and 3-layer suits use it.

FR cotton, including Pyrovatex-treated cotton, is a more affordable alternative that delivers genuine flame resistance through a permanent chemical treatment. It is heavier than Nomex but performs reliably in 2-layer SFI 3.2A/5 builds — like our 2-Layer FR Cotton Custom Suit.

Combination layers mix a Nomex outer shell with FR cotton or aramid liners to balance cost and weight. This is a popular path for drivers stepping up from a single-layer entry suit without doubling their budget.

Built for Canadian racing

We work with drivers across every Canadian discipline — drag at Toronto Motorsports Park and Grand Bend, circle track at Sauble Speedway and Flamboro, dirt at Brighton and Merrittville, road course at CTMP, plus kart, lawn mower, and tractor pull events at tracks throughout Ontario, Quebec, the Prairies, and the Maritimes. Every suit ships from our Walkerton, Ontario workshop, with no cross-border duty, no exchange-rate surprises, and direct support if you need a sizing tweak or a design change before production starts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SFI 3.2A/1 and SFI 3.2A/5?
SFI 3.2A/1 is a single-layer suit rated for around 3 seconds of thermal protection. SFI 3.2A/5 uses two or more layers and is rated for around 10 seconds. The /5 is the more common requirement at higher-level Canadian short-track and stock car series.

Do I need SFI underwear under my racing suit?
For 3.2A/1 single-layer suits, yes — SFI 3.3 fire-resistant underwear effectively doubles your thermal protection. For 3.2A/5 and above, base layers are optional but strongly recommended. We stock SFI 3.3 undergarments separately.

How long does a custom SFI suit take to build?
Most custom suits ship in 6 to 10 weeks from order approval, depending on artwork complexity and current production load. We confirm a firm date when we accept your order.

Will my Epic Racewear suit pass tech inspection in Canada?
Every suit carries an official SFI patch with its certification level. As long as the rating matches what your sanctioning body's rulebook requires, you will pass tech. If you are unsure, send us the rule spec and we will confirm before you order.

Can I customize colours and add sponsor logos?
Yes — that's the point of a custom suit. You choose base colours, panel layout, and either embroidered or fully sublimated sponsor graphics. We work with your artwork or build a design from scratch.

Do you ship across all of Canada?
Yes. Every suit ships from Walkerton, Ontario, to every Canadian province and territory. Shipping cost and time depend on your location.

Related collections

Pair your SFI suit with the rest of your safety kit:

• SFI 3.3 Racing Shoes
• SFI 3.3/5 Racing Gloves
• SFI 3.3 Undergarments
• Custom Crew Shirts

Why Canadian racers choose Epic Racewear

Built in Walkerton, Ontario. Shipped from Canada with no cross-border duty and no exchange-rate guesswork. Custom-fit to your measurements. SFI-certified and series-rules ready. Direct support from a team that races.