Women’s FIA Race Underwear: Why Female-Specific Fit Matters

Women’s race underwear should be designed for women.

That sounds obvious, but much of the technical racewear market has historically been developed around male body patterns, with women’s garments created through adaptations or size adjustments.

At Fyshe, we took a different approach.

The new Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Collection has been developed using dedicated female patterns, designed specifically around the proportions and shape of the female driver.

The result is a technical base layer that sits closer to the body, works naturally beneath a race suit and is designed to provide the protection, comfort and freedom of movement required in motorsport.

FIA 8856-2018 approved. Made in Italy. Designed specifically for women.

What Is Womens FIA Race Underwear?

Women’s FIA race underwear is a technical base layer worn underneath a FIA-approved race suit.

Its primary purpose is to provide an additional layer of fire protection while also helping with comfort, breathability and moisture management inside the race suit.

The Fyshe Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear is constructed from lightweight Nomex fabric and is certified to FIA 8856-2018, making it suitable for drivers who require approved fire-resistant underwear for motorsport.

But certification is only part of the equation.

For Fyshe, the fit is equally important.

Why Is Womens Race Underwear Different From Mens?

The female body has different proportions through the shoulders, chest, waist, hips and legs.

A men’s race underwear pattern is generally developed around a straighter torso and different waist-to-hip proportions. Simply reducing the dimensions of that pattern does not automatically create the correct female fit.

That is why Fyshe developed the Delfino collection around a dedicated female pattern.

Rather than taking a men's garment and making it smaller, the pattern has been considered specifically for the female form.

This allows the garment to follow the body more naturally and reduces unnecessary fabric and bulk underneath the outer race suit.

The difference is in the pattern.

A correctly developed female pattern can provide a more considered fit through:

• The chest and upper torso

• The waist

• The hips

• The upper legs

• The overall body length

• The relationship between different garment proportions

For a driver spending long periods seated in a race car, these details matter.

Why Does the Fit of Race Underwear Matter?

Race underwear sits directly against the skin and underneath the race suit.

That means poor fit can become noticeable very quickly.

Too much material can create unnecessary bulk beneath the suit. An unsuitable waist or hip shape can cause the garment to move. Incorrect proportions can create pressure points or friction.

A well-designed base layer should do the opposite.

It should remain close to the body, move with the driver and work as part of the overall racewear system.

The Delfino Women’s collection has therefore been designed to be close-fitting without being restrictive, with stretch incorporated into the construction to support natural movement while driving.

The objective is simple:

You should notice the performance of your racewear, not the underwear underneath it.

Women’s Nomex Race Underwear for Motorsport

The Delfino collection uses Nomex, a technical fire-resistant fibre widely used in professional motorsport and other high-temperature applications.

The fabric provides a lightweight layer of protection between the driver and the outer race suit while remaining breathable and comfortable enough for use throughout a race session.

For female drivers, this technical performance is combined with a female-specific pattern.

The result is a base layer designed around both requirements:

fire protection and female fit.

FIA 8856-2018 Approved Women’s Race Underwear

The Fyshe Delfino Women’s Race Underwear Collection is FIA 8856-2018 approved.

FIA 8856-2018 is the FIA standard covering protective clothing used by drivers in motorsport, including requirements for garments designed to provide protection against heat and flame.

For drivers purchasing race underwear, FIA approval is therefore an important consideration.

The Delfino collection combines this required technical standard with Fyshe’s approach to fit, construction and Italian manufacturing.

Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Top

The Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Top has been developed around a female-specific pattern to provide a close, comfortable fit beneath the race suit.

Its lightweight construction helps minimise bulk while the stretch fabric allows the garment to move naturally with the driver.

It is designed to work as part of the complete racewear system rather than as a standalone garment.

Shop the Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Top.

Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Pants

The Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Pants use the same female-specific approach through the lower body.

The pattern has been developed to accommodate the natural relationship between the waist, hips and legs, creating a more considered fit beneath the race suit.

The lightweight, stretch construction is designed to remain close to the body without restricting movement.

Shop the Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Pants.

Why Choose Female-Specific FIA Underwear?

For a female driver, choosing women’s race underwear is not simply about selecting the correct size.

The underlying pattern matters.

A female-specific garment can be designed around the proportions of the female body from the beginning, rather than relying on a modified men's pattern.

That can mean a more natural fit, less unnecessary material and a cleaner interface between the driver, base layer and race suit.

At Fyshe, we believe technical racewear should be engineered around the person wearing it.

That applies to the outer race suit.

And it applies just as much to the layer underneath.

Designed in Italy. Made for the Driver.

The Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Collection forms part of Fyshe’s wider approach to bespoke and technical motorsport apparel.

Developed with a focus on fit, performance and construction, the collection is made in Italy and designed specifically for female drivers.

No unnecessary detail.

No adaptation of an existing men's garment.

Just a properly considered technical base layer for women who race.

Discover the Fyshe Delfino Women’s Collection

Women’s FIA Nomex Race Underwear Top
Shop the Delfino Women’s Top

Women’s FIA Nomex Race Underwear Pants
Shop the Delfino Women’s Pants

FIA 8856-2018 approved.
Nomex construction.
Female-specific pattern.
Made in Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does women’s race underwear fit differently from men’s?

Yes. A properly developed women’s race underwear garment uses a female-specific pattern to account for differences in body proportions, including the chest, waist, hips and legs. The Delfino Women’s collection has been developed specifically around the female form rather than simply resizing a men's pattern.

Can women wear men’s FIA race underwear?

Women can wear men's race underwear, but the fit may not be optimised for the female body. A men's pattern is generally based around different proportions, which can result in excess material or less appropriate shaping through the waist and hips. A female-specific pattern is designed to address these differences.

Is Fyshe Delfino women’s race underwear FIA approved?

Yes. The Fyshe Delfino Women’s Nomex Race Underwear Collection is FIA 8856-2018 approved.

What is women’s Nomex race underwear?

Women’s Nomex race underwear is a fire-resistant technical base layer worn underneath a race suit. It provides an additional layer of protection while helping with comfort, breathability and moisture management inside the race suit.

Why wear Nomex underwear under a race suit?

Nomex race underwear provides an additional layer of fire-resistant protection between the driver and the outside environment. It is designed to work alongside FIA-approved outer racewear as part of the driver's protective clothing system.

What should I look for when buying women’s FIA race underwear?

Look for the correct FIA approval for your intended use, appropriate fire-resistant materials, a comfortable close-to-body fit, breathability, freedom of movement and, importantly, a pattern designed specifically for the female body.

The Delfino Women’s Collection is available now from Fyshe.

Designed around the female form. Built for motorsport. Made in Italy.