Racing Underwear- What should I consider before purchasing?
Whether GT, Rallying, or Formula Racing is your cup of tea, you're going to need the right motorsport safety clothing to better protect you out on the track.
Everything from racing balaclavas through to racing socks are therefore required. The best part is we have everything you need, plus some.
We stock racing underwear from the best brands in the business, such as Alpinestars and P1 Racewear.
This means that everything from the FIA-approved range of racing helmets we stock to the comfort tops and bottoms can help you feel more protected during your practice laps or race.
In all motorsport disciplines, there is always the risk of a fire during practice laps or during a competition- this is why you need the right racing clothing; this includes:
• Racing Hoods & Balaclavas
• Fireproof Racing Underwear
• Fireproof Socks
• Fireproof Bottoms / Long Johns
• Fireproof Tops
In this article, we will therefore explain how you can better protect yourself by purchasing the proper racing clothing from us.
It's worth noting we don’t just stock racing underwear; we have everything you need to get race-day ready. For example, we have a massive range of racing helmets, FHR
Devices, Racing overalls, boots and gloves, as well as other accessories for your car across a wide selection of motorsport disciplines.
We will also carefully examine and explain the benefits of innovative new fabrics, such as those used in P1 Racewear's “X-Flo” range of garments, in this in-depth and informative article.
Our experts will explain how these innovative materials now allow the driver and co-driver to feel more comfortable and be better protected when wearing such garments.
Are racing undergarments really needed?
You could just be starting to purchase safety equipment and putting in all available hours into getting your car race-day-ready.
You could therefore be currently burning the midnight oil, slowly perfecting your car and setting up the suspension to the optimum setup.
Therefore, your labour of love at the moment could mean working on your rally spec Mitsubishi Evo or Subaru Impreza and getting it ready to compete. Alternatively, you could be preparing for a major rallying event, such as the Rally GB, the Scottish Rally Championship, or the Roger Albert Clark Rally.
As your parts bill may well be mounting up and the date of your event gets ever closer, you might be questioning, well, do I really need to purchase all that racing underwear?
The answer is a resounding yes!
Even if you’re taking the car out for an odd “quick-spin”, you need to purchase the proper safety kit- this includes racing underwear. Accidents can unfortunately occur at any time, regardless of whether you're taking part in a professionally managed competition or out with friends on private land putting your rally car through its paces.
It's also important to note that some professionally managed rally competitions won't let you compete without wearing the right FIA-approved racing underwear- it's therefore essential!
This means purchasing racing underwear, such as socks, longjohns and long-sleeved t-shirts, as this is your final layer of defence; if a flash fire were to occur.
What does the FIA stipulate as the requirements for motorsport undergarments?
The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) stipulates fire-resistance requirements for a range of racewear, including race suits and undergarments such as long-johns, trousers, socks, and, of course, racing balaclavas.
So you need to make sure that all your fireproof underwear is homologated to FIA 8856-2018 safety standard. All of our Alpinestars and P1 Underwear is homologated to this requirement.
Check our current stock by clicking here.
Tell me more about “Nomex” Why should I trust this fabric?
Nomex is a proven fire-resistant material produced by the company DuPont. It has been proven to protect drivers from fire-related injuries and has undergone rigorous testing.
Nomex is simply an aramid fibre; it's not therefore sprayed onto the fabric - instead, it's woven into the very fabric itself.
This fabric is not just used in motorsport and for pit crews and drivers to wear at say, F1 events; it's also used in military and aviation applications, making it a proven fabric technology.
Nomex doesn’t melt its chars.
Intense heat turns plastics and rubbers into dangerously hot, dripping materials that could cause severe burns. Nomex is therefore designed to protect; when subjected to heat, it doesn’t melt as plastics do; instead, it chars.
The whole purpose of the fabric is to create a thermal barrier between your skin and heat. This is why you see some motorsport racing suits constructed from multiple layers of Nomex.
Why is there so much conversation about P1’s “X-Flo” products at the moment?
It used to be the case in the decades that have passed, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, when drivers and co-drivers had to suffer for their craft!
Safety equipment in the past decades was very uncomfortable and heavy, particularly the helmets. Then some of the undergarments, such as long-johns, just made you itch excessively, as if the racing wear was made of actual fibreglass rather than a more skin-friendly option!
However, there has been significant headway in racing apparel fabrics; for example, helmets are now much lighter due to carbon fibre.
Another breakthrough in motorsport clothing is P1’s super-innovative, ultra-breathable X-Flo range. As we move into 2026 “X-FLO” is going to be talked about more and more by us true petrol-heads. It's already a breakthrough technology in terms of increasing comfort, but watch this space next year as more drivers buy into the comfort of the P1 Racewear X-Flow range. offers.
While FIA approved to the latest standard there is one thing we can't emphasise enough that the race tops and long-johns and balaclavas offered by P1 Racewear X-Flo range are more breathable than other comparable brands. In an independent test of all the best products from other top brands, X-Flo was between 200 to 400% better breathability, that is simply astonishing!
That’s absolutely going to be revolutionary- a game changer. Therefore, regardless of whether you're just buying a pair of socks or a full set of race underwear, do consider purchasing X-Flo technology; you will thank us for the recommendation, whether you compete in rallying, touring car championships or another form of motorsport.
What types of racing undergarments do you stock?
Comfort tops
Motorsport comfort tops help protect a significant percentage of your body from burns; therefore, it's essential to select the proper racing clothing to protect you. We stock a wide range of comfort tops, including a line from P1 Racewear, which are handcrafted and meet applicable FIA regulations.
The P1 FIA Modacylic Comfort Top (add internal link) is a great option, and P1 and our team can help you customise your undergarments as well, so that you can make your racewear that extra bit more special by making it bespoke.
This way, your name and national can be added, as well as your sponsors which will keep your sponsors happy when your racesuit is rolled down from your waist.
Comfort Tops / Racing Top
P1 FIA Modacrylic Comfort Top
If you are looking for a comfortable, FIA-approved race top, look no further than the P1 Modacrylic comfort tops. P1 Racewear handcrafts every high-quality racewear at its dedicated manufacturing site in Italy.
P1 Modacrylic Bottoms / Long Pants
We also stock P1 Racewear Modacrylic Long Pants/Bottoms.
These racewear bottoms are FIA-accredited and supremely comfortable. If you are therefore looking for fire-resistant bottoms, say, for GT racing or an upcoming rally event, we have you covered.
With superfast delivery times, whether you need just a pair of fire-resistant bottoms or a complete set of racing apparel, we can help you.
P1 Racing Balaclavas
The helmet's job is to help protect you against impact; however, sometimes there is no impact, yet a flash fire can occur in the cabin. This is why you need a balaclava to protect your face from the heat and a flash flame.
We all know, whether professional or amateur drivers, that there is a real risk of fire due to the pressure the fuel systems often operate under in most race cars.
Therefore, to help protect the face from burn injuries, you will need a racing balaclava. We stock a range of FIA-approved balaclavas from P1 Racewear, available in sizes to fit a wide range of head sizes, and in a range of different colours.
P1 Air Eyehole Nomex Balaclava - FIA 8856-2018
The eyehole balaclava is making a resurgence as people want to get the best protection they can get. The eyehole balaclava covers up to 20% extra skin on your face in comparison to a standard version.
Socks, Boxers and Women’s Briefs
Sock, boxers, and briefs also need to be fire-resistant.
Each part of your body that is protected by these fire-resistant materials buys you time, vital seconds to get you and perhaps help your co-driver out of a burning car.
For women there are also briefs and bras in nomex to make sure they have the protection they require.
What about carbon fibre blends- are these fire-resistant?
Carbon fibre is predominantly used in the construction of lightweight racing helmets.
However, carbon fibre has many beneficial properties, which means it's sometimes used as a fabric blend to improve the longevity of, say, racing suits. Carbon fibre is, on the whole, a more expensive fabric to manufacture; therefore, carbon fibre blends are used in more expensive racing suits and undergarments.
Nomex is often a more widely used fabric in everything from race suits to racing underwear design. This fabric does a brilliant job of resisting heat, and it's less expensive to produce than carbon fibre weaves.
What are flatlock seams?
You may see on specific garments, such as racing underwear and race suits, that the item is described as featuring “flatlock seams”. This is a preference among many race suit and racing underwear wearers, as it helps minimise chaffing and skin irritation.
Just imagine, on certain rally stages, how much the driver and co-driver are jumping around in the racing seats wearing all of their racing apparel.
If the suits and clothing were not designed with flatlock seams, it's possible to get abrasions and for unhappy occupants of that rally car to emerge after long periods spent cruising over rough terrain!
Therefore, in sports such as rally driving and across most motorsport disciplines, drivers look for a “flatlock seam design” for their racing apparel.
Breathability and X-Flo
So, you could just be putting together an order for your first race suit, undergarments, and racing helmet. You therefore need to consider the breathability of these items individually.
Don’t overlook the breathability of each item of race clothing you are buying, and look for statements from manufacturers such as Stilo, P1, or Alpinestars on how the item has been designed to manage airflow.
The breathability of the fabrics is therefore crucial to ensure that, say, a track day event doesn’t turn into a fitness and endurance event due to the heat!
We highly recommend talking to us about investing in the P1 Racewears kit, especially the X-Flo series discussed earlier. We can get you a complete set of underwear, or a customised one if you want.
Tell me more about P1 Racewears X-Flo range of products and what makes them different:
P1 Racewear's X-Flo system uses proven Nomex fabrics to enhance its fire resistance. Whilst most motorsport apparel manufacturers have traditionally used layers of flat Nomex fabric, X-Flo does things differently.
P1 Racewear has engineered Nomex into a woven fabric structure for improved breathability.
This means less heat buildup when wearing the undergarments or race suit, resulting in less sweating and improved driver comfort.
Quality always pays
Come to Nicky Grist Motorsports for the best advice and the best equipment.
If you require further help and assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to one of the team on: 01981 241 040
