If you’ve been go-karting a few times, you might have noticed your hands getting sore afterwards. Maybe some blisters on your palms, or that raw feeling from gripping the wheel for twenty minutes straight. This is where gloves come into the picture.
But let’s start with the honest question: do you actually need them?
The Short Answer
For casual hire karting every few months? No, you don’t need gloves. The tracks are designed for people to show up empty-handed, have fun, and go home. Millions of people kart without gloves and have no issues.
But if you’re becoming a regular, doing multiple sessions, or just find yourself getting blisters, gloves make things more comfortable. They’re not essential, but they’re a nice-to-have.
What Gloves Actually Do
The benefits are pretty simple:
Blister protection. The constant grip and vibration through the steering wheel wears on your skin, especially during longer sessions or hot days.
Better grip when sweaty. Your hands get sweaty faster than you’d expect in a hot kart with adrenaline pumping. Gloves help you maintain grip.
Feel more like a proper racer. Half the fun of karting is feeling like you’re in a real race. Gloves add to that experience.
Gloves That Work
You don’t need to spend much. These karting gloves are solid options in the $40-60 range:
- TENOL Karting Gloves - Good entry-level option, works for karting and sim racing
- SOLO QUEEN Leather Karting Gloves - Leather palms for better grip, popular choice
- Oshhni Karting Gloves - Budget-friendly, gets the job done
These are designed for the task, so they get the details right. Grip material where you actually hold the wheel, seams positioned to avoid pressure points, and materials that breathe so your hands don’t turn into swamps.
What to Look For
If you’re buying gloves, here’s what matters:
Fit. Gloves should be snug, almost like a second skin. Too loose and they’ll bunch up under your grip. Too tight and your fingers cramp after ten minutes.
Grip material. The palms should have leather or grippy synthetic. Smooth fabric won’t give you grip when things get sweaty.
Breathability. Look for perforated materials or mesh panels on the back. Your hands get hot in a kart.
The Verdict
For occasional karting, you can skip gloves entirely. For regular sessions, a $30-50 pair of karting gloves makes things more comfortable and helps prevent blisters.
Don’t overthink it. If your hands hurt after karting, get some gloves. If they don’t, you’re fine without them.
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