FIA 8856-2018 Homologation Label and hologram

What FIA Approved Racewear Do I Need? FIA 8856-2018 Guide

What FIA Approved Racewear Do I Need? A Complete Guide to FIA 8856-2018

If you are preparing to compete in circuit racing, historic racing, endurance racing, rallying or another form of motorsport governed by FIA regulations, one of the first things to establish is exactly what FIA approved racewear you need.

Racewear is not simply about choosing a fire-resistant racing suit. Depending on the regulations applying to your competition, your driver equipment can include an FIA approved race suit, gloves, boots, underwear, balaclava and socks.

The current FIA standard for protective clothing is FIA 8856-2018. The FIA maintains a dedicated list of homologated protective clothing under Technical List No. 74, covering overalls, shoes, gloves, balaclavas, undergarments and socks.

But what does FIA approved actually mean, what equipment do you need and how can you check that your racewear is compliant?

This guide explains the essentials.

What is FIA approved racewear?

FIA approved racewear is protective clothing that has been tested and homologated against an FIA safety standard.

For flame-resistant driver clothing, the principal standard is FIA 8856-2018.

The standard covers protective clothing designed to help protect drivers against the effects of fire and heat during a motorsport incident. The FIA describes 8856-2018 as an evolution of its earlier 8856-2000 standard, allowing modern materials and construction techniques to improve protection while also addressing comfort and efficiency.

Importantly, simply describing a garment as "fireproof", "racing", "Nomex" or "FIA style" does not make it FIA approved.

The individual product must be homologated.

The FIA publishes approved products through its technical lists, allowing competitors to verify the manufacturer, model and homologation information.

What FIA racewear do I need?

The exact requirements depend on the sporting and technical regulations applying to your particular competition.

However, a complete set of FIA protective clothing can include:

  • FIA approved race suit

  • FIA approved racing gloves

  • FIA approved racing boots

  • FIA approved fire-resistant underwear

  • FIA approved balaclava

  • FIA approved socks

The FIA's Technical List No. 74 specifically covers these categories of protective clothing under FIA 8856-2018.

Your championship or event regulations should always be checked before purchasing equipment, as different competitions can specify different requirements.

1. FIA Approved Race Suit

The race suit is the most visible part of a driver's protective equipment and one of the most important.

An FIA approved race suit is designed and tested as a protective garment against fire and heat.

Under FIA 8856-2018, approved overalls are included within Technical List No. 74. Approved products carry specific FIA homologation information that identifies the standard and homologation number.

When choosing a race suit, look beyond the specification sheet.

Fit matters.

A race suit needs to provide the required protection while allowing the driver to operate the car comfortably and without restriction. Seat position, steering wheel clearance, harness placement and pedal operation all influence how a suit feels once you are strapped into a racing car.

For bespoke racewear, this becomes even more important.

A correctly fitted suit can be designed around the driver's measurements and intended driving position rather than relying entirely on standard sizing.

What should I look for in an FIA race suit?

Look for:

  • The appropriate FIA homologation

  • Correct FIA labelling

  • Suitable fire-resistant construction

  • A fit appropriate for your driving position

  • Comfortable articulation through the arms and legs

  • Correct sleeve and trouser length

  • Compatibility with your harness and HANS/FHR system

  • A manufacturer and product that can be verified through the FIA technical lists

For drivers looking beyond conventional off-the-shelf racewear, bespoke construction also allows colour, design, sponsor branding and personalisation to be incorporated without compromising the purpose of the garment.

2. FIA Approved Racing Gloves

Your hands are constantly working inside a racing car.

Steering, switches, radio controls and other cockpit functions all depend on precise hand movement, which makes the choice of racing gloves more than a question of protection.

FIA approved gloves are included within the FIA 8856-2018 protective clothing category and are listed within Technical List No. 74.

A good racing glove should provide the required fire protection while maintaining dexterity and a precise connection between the driver and steering wheel.

For this reason, fit and construction are particularly important.

Too much bulk can affect feel.

Too little structure can compromise comfort over a long stint.

The ideal glove should effectively disappear once it is on.

What makes FIA racing gloves different from normal driving gloves?

A premium road-driving glove and an FIA homologated racing glove serve different purposes.

Road-driving gloves can be designed primarily around leather quality, grip and comfort.

FIA racing gloves are protective equipment and must meet the relevant homologation requirements.

For competition, always check the specific FIA approval of the product rather than relying on a general claim that a glove is "racing" or "fire resistant".

3. FIA Approved Racing Boots

Footwear is another important part of a driver's equipment.

Inside a racing car, the relationship between the driver's foot and the pedals is extremely precise. Brake pressure, throttle modulation and heel-and-toe techniques all depend on control and feedback.

FIA approved racing boots are included within the 8856-2018 protective clothing system and are listed by the FIA under Technical List No. 74.

A good racing boot therefore has to balance protection with pedal feel.

Important considerations include:

  • Fire-resistant construction

  • FIA homologation

  • Secure fit

  • Pedal sensitivity

  • Sole construction

  • Heel protection

  • An appropriate level of flexibility

  • Comfort during long periods of driving

The best racing footwear should feel like part of the car rather than something sitting between your foot and the pedal.

4. FIA Approved Racing Underwear

One of the most overlooked parts of a driver's racewear system is the layer underneath the suit.

FIA protective clothing can include fire-resistant underwear designed to provide an additional layer of protection between the driver and the outer race suit.

The FIA's Technical List No. 74 includes undergarments and personal underwear among the products homologated to FIA 8856-2018.

Depending on the regulations applying to your competition, this can include:

  • Fire-resistant tops

  • Fire-resistant bottoms

  • Balaclavas

  • Socks

Ordinary cotton underwear should not automatically be treated as an equivalent substitute for FIA approved protective underwear where the regulations require homologated equipment.

The underlying principle is simple: every layer between the driver and a potential fire should be considered part of the protective system.

5. FIA Approved Balaclava

The balaclava protects the driver's head and neck area beneath the helmet.

It is another component covered by FIA 8856-2018 and listed by the FIA as part of its homologated protective clothing system.

As with the rest of your racewear, the exact requirement depends on the regulations applying to your event.

A properly designed racing balaclava should be comfortable beneath the helmet and integrate naturally with the rest of the driver's equipment.

Fit is important.

A balaclava that bunches around the neck or creates pressure beneath the helmet can become distracting over a long session.

6. FIA Approved Racing Socks

Socks are another small component that can easily be overlooked when assembling a complete set of racewear.

FIA 8856-2018 covers approved socks, which are separately identified within Technical List No. 74.

The purpose is consistent with the rest of the driver's clothing system: providing appropriate fire-resistant protection while remaining comfortable inside the race boot.

A complete racewear system should be considered from the inside out.

How do I know if racewear is FIA approved?

This is one of the most important questions to ask before buying.

Don't rely solely on a retailer's product description.

The FIA publishes lists of homologated protective clothing so competitors can verify approved products.

For FIA 8856-2018, this is Technical List No. 74. The list identifies approved manufacturers, models, product categories and homologation information.

Approved equipment also carries specific FIA labelling.

The FIA's published examples show homologation labels identifying the relevant standard, manufacturer and homologation number, together with validity information.

Before buying, check:

1. The FIA standard

Check which standard the product is approved to.

2. The homologation number

Approved equipment has a specific homologation number.

3. The product

Make sure the exact model you are purchasing corresponds with the homologated product.

4. The label

Check that the garment carries the appropriate FIA homologation label.

5. Your championship regulations

A product can be FIA homologated without necessarily being the exact equipment required by every championship.

The regulations applying to your event should always be the final reference.

What is FIA 8856-2018?

FIA 8856-2018 is the FIA standard for protective clothing for automobile drivers.

It covers flame-resistant protective clothing designed for use in motorsport.

The FIA describes the 2018 standard as an evolution of the earlier FIA 8856-2000 standard, incorporating modern materials and technology.

The FIA currently maintains separate technical lists for clothing homologated to 8856-2018 and 8856-2000.

The distinction is important because competitors should not simply assume that any older FIA-labelled clothing meets the requirements of their particular championship.

Always check the current sporting regulations.

FIA 8856-2000 vs FIA 8856-2018

If you are buying new racewear, you may come across both standards.

The important point is that they are not simply two different names for exactly the same standard.

FIA 8856-2018 is the newer standard and was developed as an evolution of 8856-2000.

The FIA currently publishes:

  • Technical List No. 74 — protective clothing homologated to FIA 8856-2018

  • Technical List No. 27 — protective clothing homologated to FIA 8856-2000

The FIA has also stated that, from 2029, only 8856-2018 approved clothing will be permitted in competitions registered on the FIA International Sporting Calendar.

For that reason, drivers purchasing a new set of racewear should pay close attention to the standard required by their competition and the longevity of their equipment.

Is FIA approved racewear mandatory?

There isn't one universal answer for every form of motorsport.

The requirement depends on the regulations governing the particular competition.

FIA guidance specifically recommends checking the sporting and technical regulations for the relevant competition to determine the clothing standard required.

This is particularly important because motorsport covers an enormous range of disciplines.

Circuit racing, historic racing, rallying, hill climbs and other forms of competition can have different equipment requirements.

The safest approach is therefore straightforward:

Check your event regulations first. Then select equipment that meets those requirements.

What is the difference between FIA approved and fire-resistant racewear?

This distinction is important.

A garment can be made from a fire-resistant material without being FIA homologated.

FIA approval relates to the complete approved product and its compliance with the applicable FIA standard.

In other words, knowing that a suit uses a particular fire-resistant fabric isn't enough to establish that the suit itself is FIA approved.

The homologation applies to the product.

This is why checking the FIA technical list and the product's FIA label matters.

Do I need a complete FIA racewear set from one manufacturer?

Not necessarily.

FIA homologated products can be purchased individually.

Your race suit could be made by one manufacturer, your gloves by another and your boots by another, provided each item meets the requirements of the regulations governing your competition.

This gives drivers the opportunity to select equipment based on:

  • Fit

  • Protection

  • Comfort

  • Weight

  • Construction

  • Driving feel

  • Design

  • Personal preference

For many drivers, the result is a complete racewear system assembled from individual pieces rather than a single package.

Why fit matters in FIA racewear

Safety is the starting point.

But racewear also has to work inside a racing car.

A driver can spend hours in a fixed seating position, strapped into a harness, wearing a HANS or other frontal head restraint and operating a car at high speed.

That makes comfort and mobility important.

A race suit that pulls across the shoulders can restrict movement.

Sleeves that are too long can interfere with gloves.

Trousers that are too loose can bunch beneath harness straps.

Boots that are too bulky can reduce pedal feel.

Gloves that are too loose can reduce steering precision.

Premium racewear should therefore be considered as a system rather than a collection of individual garments.

Bespoke FIA racewear

For drivers, teams and manufacturers who require something beyond standard catalogue equipment, bespoke racewear offers another approach.

A bespoke suit can be developed around the individual driver's measurements, intended driving position, team identity and design requirements.

This is particularly relevant for:

  • Professional racing drivers

  • Historic racing drivers

  • Race teams

  • Manufacturer programmes

  • Driver ambassadors

  • Motorsport collectors

  • Automotive brands

  • Limited-edition collaborations

Bespoke does not mean sacrificing homologation.

Where FIA approval is required, the finished product still needs to meet the relevant homologation requirements.

The design is simply developed around the driver and project rather than selected from a standard catalogue.

Fyshe FIA Racewear

At Fyshe, racewear sits at the intersection of motorsport engineering, craftsmanship and design.

Our approach is deliberately different from mass-market racewear.

Fyshe develops premium racewear for drivers, teams, manufacturers and automotive brands, combining modern FIA requirements with a more considered approach to fit, materials, construction and design.

Our racewear is produced through our Italian atelier, where specialist manufacturing and garment-making experience are applied to modern motorsport equipment.

The result is racewear designed to perform in competition without losing the character and attention to detail expected from a premium garment.

Fyshe racewear includes:

Stingray Race Suit

A premium FIA race suit developed for drivers who want the performance of modern protective racewear with a more considered approach to construction and design.

Gecko Race Gloves

FIA approved racing gloves designed around precision, grip and driver control.

Squalo Corsa

FIA approved racing footwear developed around lightweight construction, pedal feel and protection.

Delfino Race Underwear

Fire-resistant driver underwear designed to form part of a complete FIA protective clothing system.

Together, these pieces create a complete approach to premium driver equipment.

FIA Racewear Checklist

Before heading to the circuit, check that you have the equipment required by your regulations.

Driver

☐ FIA approved race suit
☐ FIA approved gloves
☐ FIA approved racing boots
☐ FIA approved underwear
☐ FIA approved balaclava
☐ FIA approved socks

Before the event

☐ Check your championship regulations
☐ Confirm the required FIA standard
☐ Check FIA homologation labels
☐ Verify the exact product against the FIA technical list
☐ Check that your equipment remains within its permitted validity period
☐ Make sure your racewear fits correctly when seated in the car
☐ Check compatibility with your helmet, FHR/HANS system and harness

Frequently Asked Questions About FIA Approved Racewear

What does FIA approved racewear mean?

It means the specific item has been homologated against an applicable FIA safety standard. For flame-resistant driver clothing, FIA 8856-2018 is the current standard used for approved protective clothing, with products listed by the FIA under Technical List No. 74.

What is FIA 8856-2018?

FIA 8856-2018 is the FIA standard covering flame-resistant protective clothing for automobile drivers. It includes categories such as overalls, shoes, gloves, balaclavas, undergarments and socks.

Do I need an FIA approved race suit?

If the regulations for your competition require FIA homologated protective clothing, then you need an appropriate FIA approved race suit. Always check the regulations for your specific championship or event.

Are FIA racing gloves mandatory?

This depends on the regulations governing your event. Where FIA approved protective clothing is required, the relevant requirements should be checked for gloves as well as the other driver equipment.

Do racing boots need FIA approval?

Where FIA homologated footwear is required, the boots must meet the relevant requirements. FIA 8856-2018 includes approved shoes within Technical List No. 74.

Do I need FIA approved race underwear?

If your regulations require FIA homologated protective clothing, check whether FIA approved underwear is specified. FIA 8856-2018 includes undergarments, personal underwear, balaclavas and socks within its homologated protective clothing categories.

Can I use an old FIA 8856-2000 race suit?

This depends on the regulations of your competition and the validity of the particular garment. FIA 8856-2000 and FIA 8856-2018 are separate standards and are maintained on separate FIA technical lists.

How can I check whether my racewear is FIA approved?

Check the FIA label on the product and compare the manufacturer's product and homologation number with the relevant FIA technical list. For FIA 8856-2018 protective clothing, this is Technical List No. 74.

Will FIA 8856-2018 become the required standard?

The FIA has stated that from 2029, only 8856-2018 approved clothing will be allowed in competitions registered on the FIA International Sporting Calendar. Individual event regulations should still be checked.

The right racewear starts with the right standard

FIA racewear is protective equipment first.

Before considering colour, branding or design, establish the standard required by your competition and make sure every relevant item is properly homologated.

From there, fit, construction, comfort and driving feel become increasingly important.

For drivers who spend significant time in a racing car, racewear should not simply meet a regulation. It should work with the driver, the car and the demands of competition.

Fyshe creates premium FIA racewear for drivers, teams and automotive brands, produced through our Italian atelier.

Explore the Fyshe racewear collection and build a driver equipment system designed around performance, protection and individuality.

Back to blog