We've written about the basics below, and we also asked the professionals at Grand Prix Racewear, who kindly gave us their own buying guides to share with you.
Race gear is crucial for keeping your little one safe on track. When we started karting with Zenico, we quickly realised how important the right equipment was, especially after seeing other racers in Sparco suits while Zenico wore the club's basic boiler suit. As Christmas approached, we decided to get serious, and Santa's list was packed with racewear!
What we chose
Kart suit
Our first stop was a junior kart suit. The cheapest options started at about £70, which is reasonable for basic protection. The suit must fit well and be comfortable for long race days.
Helmet
By far the most important purchase. Zenico wanted a matte black helmet, so we explored our options carefully. Buy a kart-specific helmet, as motorbike helmets aren't designed for the same impacts. Prices range from £90 to well over £1,000. We chose an Arai CMR kart helmet, which meets the CMR certification needed for UK motorsport events. Don't compromise on a helmet. Protecting your child's head is priceless.
Gloves
Thankfully an easy and affordable purchase. They come in lots of styles and colours, so it's about finding the pair that feels right for your child.
Shoes
You don't need fancy karting shoes to start. High-ankle trainers are fine early on. As your child progresses, look at karting boots for extra grip and comfort.
Saving on gear
We bought a brand-new helmet, but for the suit and shoes we looked at second-hand options on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Families are always selling gear as kids grow out of it or leave the sport, and we found a Sparco suit and matching shoes for under £100. Buying second-hand is a great way to save money without losing quality, but be very careful with used helmets, as they may have been damaged.
Planning ahead
Think about your child's long-term goals. Are they sticking with hire karts, or heading for an ARKS licence and proper racing? That tells you what level of kit to invest in. As my mother-in-law wisely says, "Buy once, buy right."
Neck braces and rib protectors
Neck braces are a mixed bag. Some drivers find them restrictive, but they can save lives. I've seen drivers take hard hits where a neck brace prevented serious injury. Zenico didn't like the foam wrap-around type, so we chose an over-the-neck brace he's comfortable in, which gives us peace of mind.
Rib protectors are especially useful in owner karting, where racing is more intense and drivers can take a beating to the upper body. We chose a fitted Tillett rib protector that Zenico finds comfortable even after a full day on track. Comfort is key, as they're worn for long periods.
That's our story of gearing up. It's all about your child's safety and comfort on track. Happy racing!
Buying guides from Grand Prix Racewear
Grand Prix Racewear have been selling race and kartwear for over 30 years, from their showroom at Silverstone, the home of British motorsport. They gave us these guides to help parents understand the basics of choosing kartwear.
Helmets
Do I need a full-face or open-face helmet?
For any open-cockpit racing, such as single-seaters or karts, always wear a full-face helmet. It gives more protection to the chin and jaw in an accident and shields the driver from the cold. Open-face helmets are typically used for track days, rallying and closed-cockpit driving.
How much should I spend?
As much as you can afford. Of all your safety equipment, the helmet is the most important, protecting you from debris, fire and impacts that could be life-changing or life-threatening.
How do I get the perfect fit?
It needs to be snug without being uncomfortable, and must always give a clear line of sight. Each brand sizes slightly differently, so always check the manufacturer's size guide. GPR will collect, exchange and re-deliver for free if a helmet over £200 ex VAT doesn't fit (UK mainland only), and you can try helmets on at their Silverstone showroom.
What is the current homologation standard?
For lower-level racing, FIA 8859-2015 (Snell SA2020) is the current standard, and helmets, unlike race suits, have no expiry date. Higher levels of motorsport, such as British GT and above, require FIA 8860-2018. Helmets meeting FIA 8860-2018ABP also have anti-ballistic protection and a narrower aperture.
Are older homologations still valid?
Older homologations have expiry dates. FIA 8858-2010 and Snell SA2010, SA2015 and SAH2010 expired on 31 December 2023. FIA 8860-2010 expires on 31 December 2028.
FIA or Snell?
FIA homologations are used in the UK, while Snell standards are more common in Europe and the USA. GPR's helmets are labelled with both.
What are helmets made from? Are they fireproof?
The newest FIA 8860 helmets are carbon fibre. FIA 8859-2015 helmets can be carbon, fibreglass or a composite. Carbon is the lightest and strongest, and the price reflects that. GPR's motor racing helmets have Nomex interiors for fire protection, and a Nomex balaclava is always recommended.
Visors, comms and looking after your helmet
Helmets come with a clear visor, and some have a dual screen for anti-fogging. Tinted and anti-fog visors are sold separately. Helmet driers remove sweat after racing, and a helmet bag protects against scratches and dings.
Questions? Call GPR's customer service team on 01327 855 585, or visit the Motorsport UK resource centre.
Kart suits
What does homologation mean?
It's the process a piece of equipment goes through to be certified for a given series. In the UK, motorsport standards are set by the FIA, the world governing body for motorsport on four or more wheels. Standards change over time, and each change gets a new reference.
Level 1 or Level 2?
Unlike race suits made from Nomex, kart suits are not fire-retardant. FIA CIK Level 1 suits are usually a single layer of cotton and suitable for indoor use only. FIA CIK Level 2 suits are designed for outdoor racing, with two layers of more abrasion-resistant material to protect the skin in an accident.
Do I need a Level 2 suit to race?
Yes. Level 2 suits are mandatory at any organised club or national event that needs a karting licence.
Do kart suits expire?
Yes. Every kart suit has an expiry date on its label, five years from manufacture, after which it can't be used in FIA-sanctioned competition.
Getting the right size
Each manufacturer has its own size guide, and very few of us match on every measurement. Choose on height first, then get as close as you can on the rest. GPR stocks suits for bambino, cadet, junior and lady youth karters, and you can try them on at Silverstone.
Are race suits and kart suits the same?
No, they're quite different. Race suits for cars are fire-retardant Nomex.
Kart boots
Is there a homologation for kart boots?
No, there's no homologation for kart boots.
What matters most?
In karting your feet are exposed, so outdoors you want boots that keep them warm. In hot weather and indoors, cooling matters more.
Materials and design
Kart boots are plastic or leather. Better boots are thinner, lighter and more ventilated. Pull cords or a Velcro strap over the laces stop them loosening mid-race. Look at the cut of the rear collar for ankle movement, and consider waterproof boots and grippy rubber soles for wet days.
Are race boots and kart boots the same?
No. Race boots for cars are a different product with different standards.
Neck braces and HANS devices
In karting, drivers use a kart neck brace. A HANS (Head and Neck Support) device is the head restraint used in car racing, mandatory with most major motorsport bodies since 2016. It reduces the risk of head and neck injuries, including the often-fatal basilar skull fracture, in a crash.
How does a HANS device work?
It's a U-shaped collar, usually carbon fibre, that sits behind the neck with its arms flat over the chest. It attaches only to the helmet, and the harness belts pass over it, holding it in place. In a crash it stops the head whipping forward, transferring the load to the much stronger chest and shoulders.
Types and sizes
The most popular come in 20-degree (upright seats, closed cockpit) and 30-degree (reclined seats, open cockpit) versions, in medium or large depending on neck size. If you're between sizes, go larger. The Simpson Hybrid is a harness-style alternative sized by chest measurement.
Gloves and underwear
Why do gloves matter?
Car racing gloves are Nomex for heat and fire protection. Karting gloves aren't fire-proof, but they're made from abrasion-resistant materials to protect hands if a driver is flipped over.
What do more expensive gloves give you?
Feel, comfort and function. Entry-level gloves have stitching inside, which presses into the fingers, and little elastic at the wrist. Better gloves have external stitching, silicone grips, a snug wrist and better breathability.
Do I need special underwear?
For Motorsport UK car events, yes: Nomex tops, bottoms, socks and a balaclava under your race suit. It's not compulsory for track days, but GPR recommends it. It's also more comfortable and breathable, which helps with the heat.