What to wear, how to wear it, how much to spend. Everything you need to leave the pit lane properly equipped.
You crash on track. That is not pessimism - it is statistics. Sooner or later, a fall happens. And when it does, what you are wearing is the only thing between you and the asphalt.
The problem is almost never a lack of gear. The problem is the wrong gear, or the right gear worn badly: a riding suit that is too loose and shifts on impact, a helmet chosen for looks instead of fit, boots half-fastened, gloves with the strap left open. Details that go unnoticed on the road. On track they become the difference between a slide and a serious injury.
EN 13595 - guarantees resistance to abrasion, tearing and impact.
A one-piece suit is safer because it eliminates any opening at the lower back. A two-piece (jacket + trousers) is more practical but requires the waist zip to always be fully closed on track, without exception. A two-piece with the zip open offers no back protection on impact. Note: some circuits are adopting stricter policies on two-piece suits, in some cases banning them entirely.
Leather suits are the established standard. Quality homologated technical textile suits are also gaining ground. Avoid suits made from budget textile, cordura or non-EN 13595 certified derivatives.
Standing upright it may feel tight: that is normal. Check it seated on a chair with knees raised and arms forward, as in riding position. No tension points, no excess fabric. Integrated protectors must sit exactly on the points they are designed to protect.
Entry 300-500€ - Mid 500-900€ - Pro 900€+ - Alpinestars, Dainese, REV'IT, VIRUS
Full-face only. Not an open-face, not a flip-up. A full-face helmet protects the chin and jaw - the most exposed areas in frontal crashes.
ECE 22.06 (current European standard) or FIM. Indicated on the inner label.
Fasten the strap, then turn your head firmly to each side and tilt it forward. If the helmet shifts relative to your head, it is too large. If it leaves deep marks after a few minutes, it is too small. Uniform pressure across the entire head, with no concentrated load points. Each brand has its own head shape reference: the same size can fit completely differently between brands. Always try it on before buying.
Tight enough that two fingers just fit under the chin. Not three, not a whole hand: two. A helmet that comes off in a crash is useless.
Clean, no scratches in the central zone. Always carry a spare visor. On track the visor stays down at all times: never ride with the helmet open or visor raised, not even on the straight. Some circuits do not accept very dark mirrored visors.
Entry 250-400€ - Mid 400-700€ - Pro 700€+ - AGV, Shoei, Arai, Shark. The helmet is the one item you never cut corners on.
CE certification, rigid knuckle protection, reinforced palm with anti-abrasion insert, wrist retention strap. Track gloves often feature carbon or titanium inserts on the knuckles and kangaroo leather reinforcement on the palm. Longer models reaching mid-forearm with additional protection are preferred. Some manufacturers link the ring and little finger with a seam to reinforce an area that is statistically more vulnerable in a crash.
Snug across the whole hand, no excess space on the fingers. Long fingers in gloves are the first to bend and break on impact. The knuckle protector must sit exactly over the knuckle.
Always fastened. It prevents the glove from coming off on impact. A glove that comes off is useless.
Entry 60-120€ - Mid 120-250€ - Pro 250€+ - Alpinestars, Dainese, REV'IT
Technical motorcycle or dedicated track boots, with rigid ankle and malleolus protection, rubber sole with good grip, reinforced toe and heel. Track models often feature an articulated system that allows flexion while limiting lateral rotation - the movement that causes fractures.
Snug around the foot and ankle, with no lateral play. A boot that moves around the ankle does not protect: in the rotation of a crash it behaves as if it were not there. Fasten all clips or buckles from top to bottom. Do not leave any open for comfort: if the closure feels uncomfortable, the problem is the size.
Entry 150-250€ - Mid 250-400€ - Pro 400€+ - Alpinestars, Dainese, SIDI
For dorsal protection there are two valid options: a back protector or an integrated airbag. Having one of the two is sufficient to access the track.
Rigid insert homologated CE EN 1621-2 level 2. The level is indicated on the protector label. Level 1 (often already included in suits as standard) offers significantly lower protection and is not sufficient for track use. Check the level of the insert in the dorsal pocket of your suit: if it is level 1 or absent, replace it or add an external back protector to wear under the suit.
Many suits are pre-fitted or come with an integrated airbag system. If you already have a level 2 back protector, an external airbag vest is not mandatory at track days - it only becomes compulsory in official competitions. That said, it is worth considering for amateur use too: it adds a level of protection for the shoulders, collarbones and ribs that a back protector alone does not cover. Both mechanical lanyard systems and electronic motion-sensor systems are available. Both are valid; electronic systems are more convenient but require a fully charged battery.
Long leggings + long-sleeve top in breathable fabric (Coolmax, Lycra). Worn directly against the skin, before everything else.
In a crash, the suit slides along the asphalt. Without an intermediate layer, it can also slide against the skin causing abrasions even beneath the protection. A base layer eliminates this friction. It also manages sweat actively: drawing it away from the skin rather than retaining it.
Close-fitting, with no folds. Folds become pressure points or friction zones during riding.
20-80€. No need to spend much: the entry-level products from major technical brands work very well.
There is no fixed budget. You can start track riding without spending a fortune. The one rule that is non-negotiable: never cut corners on the helmet.
| Item | Entry | Mid | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riding Suit | 300-500€ | 500-900€ | 900€+ |
| Helmet | 250-400€ | 400-700€ | 700€+ |
| Gloves | 60-120€ | 120-250€ | 250€+ |
| Boots | 150-250€ | 250-400€ | 400€+ |
| Total | 760-1,270€ | 1,270-2,250€ | 2,250€+ |
Indicative prices, excluding back protector and airbag. The second-hand market for suits is a good option for beginners: it allows you to start with a higher-grade item at a third of the new price. Always check that the suit has not sustained any significant crashes and that the integrated protectors are at an adequate level.
Thirty seconds before every session. Every time.
The helmet is the one item you never cut corners on, even when starting from scratch.
If you have questions about what to buy, what is homologated or want advice on brand and model, message us on WhatsApp. We know what works on track.