The best sim racing gloves in 2026 are the Alpinestars Sim Gloves at $56.95. The Sparco Hypergrip+ at $49 is the safe second choice, and the Logitech G Racing Gloves at $24.99 are the cheapest pair I would buy.
I checked every price in this article on the maker's own website on 8 October 2026. Prices move, so look again before you pay.
I have not worn all seven. I picked them the way I would pick a race glove: thin palm, good grip, no thick seams under the fingers, and a fair price.
The 7 best sim racing gloves in 2026
Graphic: solox.gg. Photos: Alpinestars, Sparco, VIRAGE, Sim Hound, Logitech G, Trak Racer.
| Glove | Price (8 Oct 2026) | Made for | Touchscreen fingers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpinestars Sim Gloves | $56.95 | Sim only | Thumb, index, middle | Best overall |
| Sparco Hypergrip+ | $49.00 | Sim only | Thumb, index | Safe choice |
| VIRAGE PB2 | €54.90 | Sim only | Thumb, index, middle | Lightest |
| Sim Hound External Stitching | €33.95 | Sim only | Index | Best value |
| Logitech G Racing Gloves | $24.99 | Sim only | Yes | Cheapest |
| Trak Racer Multi-Use | $49.00 | Sim, karting, bike | Not stated | Sim and karting |
| Alpinestars Tech-1 Start V4 | $139.95 | Real cars (SFI) | Not stated | Track days too |
Sim Hound and VIRAGE showed me prices in euros because I am in Italy. The others are US prices in dollars.
1. Alpinestars Sim Gloves: best overall
Image: Alpinestars
Price: $56.95 on alpinestars.com.
Alpinestars makes gloves for real race cars. This one has no fire protection at all. It is built only for the sim, and that is why it is good.
- Perforated palm and back, so the hand stays cool.
- Printed grip on the palm.
- Thumb, index and middle finger work on a touchscreen.
- Short cuff. Nothing rubs on the wrist.
- Sizes XS to 2XL, in three graphics.
The label says it clearly: sim racing only. Do not take it to a kart track.
Verdict: the one I would buy first. It costs a bit more than the others, and you get a glove from a company that knows how a glove should fit.
2. Sparco Hypergrip+: the safe choice
Image: Sparco
Price: $49.00 on sparcousa.com.
The Hypergrip+ is the newer version of the Hypergrip, Sparco's sim racing glove.
- Perforated microfiber palm with grip pads.
- Printed grip zones on the fingers.
- Stretch fabric on the back.
- Thumb and index finger work on a touchscreen.
- Sizes XS to XL, four colours.
The older Hypergrip is still on sale at $45. For $4 more, take the Plus.
Verdict: you cannot go wrong here. It is cheaper than the Alpinestars and it has two touchscreen fingers, not three.
3. VIRAGE PB2: the lightest
Image: VIRAGE
Price: €54.90 on virage.gg.
VIRAGE is a French brand that only makes sim racing gloves. If you look for the old Freem SIM21 that was on this list, the Freem sim racing address now sends you to VIRAGE.
- 19 grams per glove on average, says VIRAGE.
- Microfiber palm with a grip pattern, plus extra grip on the ring finger.
- Thumb, index and middle finger work on a touchscreen.
- Comes in a reusable case.
The older PB1 is on sale at €39.90, down from €49.90. VIRAGE calls it final stock, so sizes will run out.
Verdict: the one to buy if you hate the feeling of wearing gloves. At 19 grams you forget they are there.
4. Sim Hound External Stitching: best value
Image: Sim Hound
Price: €33.95 on simhound.com.
Sim Hound sells two versions. This one has the seams on the outside, like a modern race glove. With the seams inside, you feel them under your fingertips for the whole stint.
- Microfibre suede palm with a rubber grip pattern.
- Light, stretchy, breathable back.
- The wrist tab sits at an angle, away from the thumb.
- Index finger works on a touchscreen.
The version with internal stitching is €30.95. Pay the €3 more.
Verdict: the best glove here for the money. External seams at this price are hard to find.
5. Logitech G Racing Gloves: the cheapest
Image: Logitech G
Price: $24.99 on logitechg.com.
- Silicone dot pattern on the palm for grip.
- Perforated palm for airflow.
- Touchscreen fingertips.
- Thin palm, so you still feel the force feedback.
Verdict: less than half the price of the Alpinestars. If you are not sure you will like driving with gloves, start here. They go well with one of the budget wheels I recommend.
6. Trak Racer Multi-Use Gloves: for sim and karting
Image: Trak Racer
Price: $49.00 on trakracer.com for the Blacked Out and Grey Camo colours.
Trak Racer sells this as one glove for sim racing, karting, flight sims and mountain bikes.
The blue and the yellow were $15 when I checked. Same glove, different colour. If you do not care about the colour, that is the deal to take.
Verdict: worth it if you also do rental karting and want one pair for both. For the sim alone, the Sparco is the same money and built only for the wheel.
7. Alpinestars Tech-1 Start V4: a real race glove
Image: Alpinestars
Price: $139.95 on alpinestars.com. The older Tech-1 Start V3 is $89.96.
This is a glove for real cars, with an SFI rating. Alpinestars says the single upper panel and the finger construction cut the extra material in the fingers and the weight.
A real race glove is built for fire first. It is thicker and warmer than a sim glove, and Alpinestars does not list touchscreen fingers for it.
Verdict: only buy it if you also do track days or race for real. For the sim alone it is money spent on protection you do not need.
Why Do Sim Racers Wear Gloves?
In a real race car, gloves are fireproof safety gear and you are not allowed on track without them. I wore them in every kart and every single-seater I raced.
Nothing is going to catch fire in a sim rig, but I still put a pair on for most sessions. There are five reasons.
Better grip on the wheel
Hands sweat, and a sweaty hand slips. Gloves keep the grip the same from the first lap to the end of a long stint.
This matters most on a direct drive base. A strong one can push back harder than the steering of many real cars, and holding it with bare hands for an hour is hard work.
Clearer feedback
When the glove does the gripping, you can hold the wheel with lighter hands. Light hands feel more of the small details in the force feedback, like the front tyres starting to slide.
They protect the wheel
A lot of expensive rims are wrapped in Alcantara. It grips very well, but the oils and sweat from bare hands flatten it and wear it out much sooner.
A pair of gloves costs far less than a new steering wheel, and it keeps the one you have in good shape for years.
Less soreness and fatigue
A wheel that vibrates and kicks for two hours rubs the skin. That is how you get sore palms and blisters. Gloves cushion the hand and take the friction instead of your skin.
More immersion
This one is personal, but it is real. With gloves on, the rig feels more like a race car and I drive it more seriously. You also look the part.
How to choose sim racing gloves
- Thin palm. You want to feel the wheel. Thick padding hides the feedback.
- Seams on the outside. Internal seams press on the fingertips. After an hour you notice.
- Touchscreen fingers. You will use a phone, a tablet or a dash screen between sessions. Taking the gloves off every time gets old fast.
- Breathable back. A sim rig has no airflow. Mesh or perforated fabric keeps the hand dry.
- Short cuff. Long cuffs are there to overlap a race suit. In the sim they only add heat.
- Tight fit. Measure your hand and use the maker's size chart. A loose glove bunches up in the palm and you lose the feel.
If you are building the full kit, I also have a list of sim racing shoes.
FAQ
Do you need gloves for sim racing?
No. You can be fast with bare hands. Gloves help with grip when your hands sweat, they protect an Alcantara rim, and they stop sore palms in long races. With a strong direct drive base I would wear them.
Can you use real racing gloves for sim racing?
Yes, they work. They are thicker and hotter than sim gloves, they cost two or three times more, and most do not work on a touchscreen. Only buy them if you also drive on a real track.
Can you use sim racing gloves in a real car or kart?
Not the sim only ones. They have no fire protection and no abrasion protection. Alpinestars marks its Sim Gloves as sim racing only. For karting, use a karting glove or a multi-use glove like the Trak Racer.
How much do sim racing gloves cost?
From about $25 to $60 in October 2026. The Logitech G pair is $24.99, the Sparco Hypergrip+ is $49 and the Alpinestars Sim Gloves are $56.95.
Can you still buy the F33L gloves?
Barely. Sim-Lab still lists the F33L Sim Gloves at €40.28, but when I checked on 8 October 2026 only the blue in size XXL was in stock. That is why they are not in the list above.
How do you wash sim racing gloves?
Follow the label. For most of them that means a hand wash in cool water and drying in the air. Keep them away from the dryer and the radiator, because heat ruins the grip print on the palm.