Sim Racing Gloves: Why You Need Them and How to Choose

Quick answer

Wear sim racing gloves to protect your hands from blisters and heat, keep a consistent grip on the wheel, and reduce wear on your rim's grips. For most direct-drive users, a breathable poly-spandex glove with a silicone palm pattern—like the GSI AeroFlex Shorty or Long—gives you the best balance of feel, comfort, and control. Choose shorty gloves for maximum ventilation and long gloves if you want more wrist coverage.

If you drive a direct-drive wheel for more than a few laps, you already know the feeling: hot palms, slipping grip, and the start of a blister. Sim racing gloves solve that. They add a thin, grippy layer between your skin and the rim so you can hold the wheel firmly without squeezing harder than you need to.

This guide explains why gloves matter, what to look for in fit and material, and how to pick between the GSI AeroFlex options. You will also find clear decision rules so you can stop second-guessing and get back to driving.

Why wear sim racing gloves?

Direct-drive wheels can transmit sharp force feedback and generate heat through the rim. Bare hands get sweaty, which reduces grip and forces you to tense up. Gloves absorb moisture, add a consistent friction layer, and protect your skin from repeated rubbing. They also keep oils and sweat off your wheel's grips, which helps the material last longer.

There is a performance angle too. A grippy palm lets you apply steering input with less effort, so your hands stay relaxed and your inputs stay smooth. That matters most in long stints or when you are fighting for tenths.

• Protects against blisters and hot spots during long sessions
• Improves grip consistency when your hands get sweaty
• Reduces wear on your wheel rim's grips

What to look for in a sim racing glove

Material matters. A lightweight poly-spandex build breathes well and moves with your hand, while a silicone pattern on the palms and fingers adds grip without bulk. Touchscreen compatibility is a small but useful bonus if you need to tap a phone or tablet between sessions—just note that GSI's AeroFlex gloves support touchscreens for GSI wheels, but phones are not supported.

Fit is the other half of the equation. Gloves should be snug but not tight: no fabric bunching at the palm, no restriction when you make a full lock-to-lock turn. If you are between sizes, size up for comfort or down for a tighter, more direct feel—just avoid wrinkles that can cause pressure points.

• Look for breathable poly-spandex and a silicone grip pattern
• Check touchscreen compatibility only if you need it
• Aim for a snug fit with no bunching at the palm

Shorty vs long gloves: which one?

Shorty gloves end at the wrist, so they offer maximum airflow and a free feeling for your wrists. They are a great default for most sim racers, especially in warmer rooms or during longer sessions. Long gloves extend past the wrist, adding a bit more coverage and a slightly more connected feel if you like your sleeves and gloves to work together.

Neither is better across the board. Pick shorty if ventilation is your priority. Pick long if you want more wrist coverage or you prefer the feel of a full glove. Both use the same grippy silicone pattern, so the main difference is coverage and airflow.

• Shorty: cooler, lighter, less coverage
• Long: more wrist coverage, slightly warmer
• Choose based on climate and personal comfort, not hype

Fit guidance: how to get the right size

Measure your dominant hand around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles. Compare that to the size chart, but treat it as a starting point. The glove should slide on without rolling or twisting, and the fingertips should reach the ends without pressing hard. You want full finger mobility with no loose fabric at the palm.

If you are between sizes, think about your priorities. A slightly larger glove is easier to put on and take off and gives you a bit more room if your hands swell. A slightly smaller glove feels more direct but can restrict circulation over time. For most people, a snug-but-not-tight fit works best.

• Measure around the widest part of your palm
• Check for bunching when you grip an imaginary wheel
• Between sizes? Size up for comfort, down for a tighter feel

Do you need gloves with a direct-drive wheel?

With a direct-drive base like the Simucube 2 Pro, force feedback can be strong and fast. Gloves help you keep a light but secure grip, which reduces fatigue and lets you react more precisely. They also protect your hands from the rim's surface if the wheel snaps during a crash or aggressive correction.

Simucube 2

If you use a lower-torque wheel, gloves are still useful for comfort and grip, but they are less critical. The more torque you run, the more a good pair of gloves earns its place in your setup.

• High-torque direct-drive wheels benefit most from gloves
• Gloves help you stay relaxed and precise under load
• Lower-torque users can still gain comfort and grip

Decision rules for buying sim racing gloves

• If you want maximum ventilation: Choose a shorty glove like the "Track Camo" AeroFlex Shorty Gloves or "The Geek" AeroFlex Shorty Gloves. They end at the wrist and let heat escape. Best for warm rooms and long stints.
• If you want more wrist coverage: Choose a long glove like the "Graff" AeroFlex Long Gloves. They extend past the wrist for a more connected feel. Best for cooler environments or personal preference.
• If you are between sizes: Size up if you value comfort and easy on/off; size down if you want a tighter, more direct feel. Avoid any fit that bunches at the palm. A snug fit without pressure points is the goal.
• If you use a high-torque direct-drive wheel: Gloves are strongly recommended. They protect your hands and help you maintain a light, precise grip under strong force feedback. Prioritize grip and fit over style.

GSI AeroFlex gloves at a glance

• "Track Camo" AeroFlex Shorty Gloves: Made with a lightweight and breathable poly-spandex material, these gloves feature a grippy silicone surface pattern on the palms and fingers for improved control. Plus, stay connected with touchscreen compatibility for GSI wheels (phones not supported). The breathable build and silicone grip make this a strong choice for long, hot sessions where you want maximum airflow and a secure hold on the wheel.
• "The Geek" AeroFlex Shorty Gloves: Made with a lightweight and breathable poly-spandex material, these gloves feature a grippy silicone surface pattern on the palms and fingers for improved control. Plus, stay connected with touchscreen compatibility for GSI wheels (phones not supported). Same performance as the Track Camo shorty, with a different look. Pick this if you want the shorty fit and a design that matches your rig's style.
• "Graff" AeroFlex Long Gloves: Made with a lightweight and breathable poly-spandex material, these gloves feature a grippy silicone surface pattern on the palms and fingers for improved control. Plus, stay connected with touchscreen compatibility for GSI wheels (phones not supported). The long version adds wrist coverage while keeping the same grippy palm and breathable material. Choose this if you prefer more coverage or drive in cooler conditions.

Who should buy which glove

Best for

• Sim racers who want breathable, grippy gloves for direct-drive wheels
• Drivers who need touchscreen compatibility for GSI wheels
• Anyone looking for a budget-friendly upgrade to their comfort and control

Not for

• Drivers who prefer bare hands and accept the trade-offs in grip and protection
• Those who need phone touchscreen support, since phones are not supported

Gloves are one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to your sim racing setup, and they pay off in comfort, consistency, and wheel longevity. Match the fit to your hands and the coverage to your environment, and you will wonder why you waited so long.