Quick answer

Sim racing gloves give you a steadier grip on the wheel, protect the rim and your hands from sweat and wear, and add a layer of comfort during long stints. If you drive regularly, a breathable poly-spandex pair with a silicone palm pattern is the practical starting point; sizing matters more than price, and a snug but not tight fit is what you want.

Most sim racing gloves questions come down to three things: do they actually help, what size do I need, and which style should I pick. This FAQ answers those directly, using the details that matter on a real rig rather than marketing language.

The answers below apply to GSI AeroFlex gloves and to sim racing gloves generally. Where a specification isn't published, that's noted as a limitation rather than guessed at.

Do sim racing gloves actually make a difference?

Yes, for most drivers who race more than casually. Gloves improve grip consistency by giving your hands a predictable surface against the rim, and they keep sweat and skin oils off the wheel material. That matters most on long stints, in hot rooms, or with alcantara and suede rims that absorb moisture and wear quickly.

The benefit is smaller if you only drive short sessions in a cool room and already have dry hands. In that case gloves are more about protecting the wheel than improving your lap times.

  • Biggest gains: long sessions, warm rooms, textured or suede rims, high-torque direct drive wheels

How should sim racing gloves fit?

Snug across the palm and knuckles, with no loose fabric bunching when you close your hand around the rim. Your fingertips should reach the end of the glove without pressing hard against it. If the palm material wrinkles when you grip, the glove is too big and will rotate under load.

Too tight is also a problem: restricted knuckle movement causes fatigue and numbness over a long race. GSI AeroFlex gloves are sized, so check the size options on the product page and measure your dominant hand before ordering.

  • Measure your dominant hand, since it does most of the steering work
  • If you are between sizes, size up for long stints and down for maximum grip feel

What material should sim racing gloves be made of?

Look for a lightweight, breathable material with a grippy palm surface. GSI AeroFlex gloves use a poly-spandex construction with a silicone surface pattern on the palms and fingers, which is the combination that keeps hands cool while maintaining control on the rim.

Breathability matters more than most people expect. Non-breathable gloves turn sweaty within twenty minutes, and sweat reduces grip, which defeats the purpose. A silicone pattern also holds up better than plain fabric against repeated wheel contact.

  • Breathable poly-spandex plus silicone grip is a solid all-round combination
  • Touchscreen-compatible fingertips let you use GSI wheels without removing gloves (phones not supported)

Shorty or long gloves: which should I choose?

Shorty gloves end at the wrist and suit drivers who want maximum airflow and don't mind a bit of exposed forearm. Long gloves extend past the wrist and give more coverage, which helps if your rig has sharp edges nearby or if you prefer a more enclosed feel.

There's no performance penalty either way. It comes down to climate, comfort, and how much coverage you want. GSI offers both in the AeroFlex line at different price points, so you can match the cuff to your setup rather than your budget.

  • Hot room or short sessions: shorty
  • Cooler room, longer stints, or more coverage: long

Can I use sim racing gloves with a touchscreen?

Some can. GSI AeroFlex gloves include touchscreen compatibility for GSI wheels, which means you can interact with the wheel's screen without pulling a glove off mid-session. Note the limitation: phones are not supported by this touchscreen feature, so don't expect to scroll your phone with them on.

If touchscreen use on your wheel is important to you, confirm the compatibility note on the specific product page before buying, since it applies to GSI wheels.

  • Touchscreen works with GSI wheels; phones are not supported
  • Check the specific product page if your wheel is a different brand

How many pairs do I need, and how do I care for them?

One pair is enough for most drivers. A second pair is useful if you race daily, since gloves need to dry fully between sessions and a damp glove loses grip and smells. Rotating two pairs also extends the life of both.

Wash them by hand in cool water with mild soap, rinse thoroughly, and air dry away from direct heat. Avoid machine drying, which can degrade the silicone grip pattern and the elastic in the fabric.

  • Air dry completely before the next session
  • Skip the dryer and harsh detergents to protect the grip surface

Quick answers at a glance

Do gloves improve my driving?

They improve grip consistency and protect the wheel and your hands, especially in long or warm sessions. Worth it if you race regularly; optional for short casual sessions.

What size should I order?

Measure your dominant hand and pick a snug fit with no bunching in the palm when you grip the rim. Between sizes? Size up for long stints.

Shorty or long?

Shorty for airflow and warm rooms; long for more coverage and cooler conditions. No performance difference, only coverage and comfort.

What material is best?

Lightweight, breathable poly-spandex with a silicone palm and finger pattern for grip. Breathability keeps grip from fading as your hands sweat.

Will they work with my touchscreen wheel?

GSI AeroFlex gloves are touchscreen compatible with GSI wheels; phones are not supported. Confirm compatibility on the product page for non-GSI wheels.

AeroFlex glove facts worth knowing

  • "Pop Rock" AeroFlex Shorty Gloves: Lightweight, breathable poly-spandex with a grippy silicone surface pattern on the palms and fingers, plus touchscreen compatibility for GSI wheels (phones not supported). The silicone pattern is what gives you consistent grip on the rim, while the breathable fabric keeps sweat from building up during longer stints.
  • "Monochrome" AeroFlex Long Gloves: Same AeroFlex construction and silicone grip as the shorty version, with a longer cuff that extends past the wrist. Choose the long version if you want more forearm coverage or race in a cooler room; the grip and breathability are the same as the shorty.
  • https://gomezsimindustriesem.com/products/interlock-ultra-simucube-2-pro-bundle-a100bead09a0439acd14c99b-1687161Interlock Ultra + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle: The Interlock Ultra is the flagship of the system, with a unique rim design and an LED Matrix built seamlessly into the rim for a clean, integrated experience out of the box. If you run a high-torque direct drive base like this bundle, gloves matter more, since the wheel can fight back harder and grip consistency becomes a safety and comfort factor.

Start with fit and material, not price. A breathable poly-spandex glove with a silicone grip pattern, sized snugly to your dominant hand, covers the vast majority of sim racing needs. From there, shorty or long is a comfort choice, and touchscreen compatibility is a bonus if you run a GSI wheel.