Cheap Nomex race suits

[A.Wang]

Do such things exist?

I am after a double/triple-layer FIA/MSA-approved Nomex race suit, nothing fancy like the ones they use in F1/international race series...

I have found ones on the Demon Tweaks website for 200 quid or so - are those good enough, and more to the point, safe enough to protect me should the worst happen?

[stifler]

When thinking about safety equipment, do not try and skimp money on it. Go for the best that you can afford. Find your budget and spend to it. If it is 3 layer and has the FIA logo embroidered into the back of the collar, it will be to that safety standard. Ask the people at Tweeks or where-ever you go, what all the different numbers mean.

[woof]

agreed - never skimp on safety gear. Three layer and nomex underwear - no matter how hot it was i'd always wear it all.

[anonymous-user]

i have sprinted in single layer proban overalls and not worried about it, primarily because it was all i could afford and also because i know and trust marshals will do their job should the situation arise.

find out what you need before going into the shops as racing will have different requirements in comparison to sprinting. demon tweeks will inevitably try to sell you the most expensive thing in the shop, tug on your conscience and say "how much is your life worth?" etc etc...

if it has passed the necessary safety tests, its as good as the top of the range stuff, it might not be as breathable, as comfy or as designer looking but if you are on a budget, it might be the difference between racing or not..

have a look at AWS, their stuff is cheaper than the posh brands like OMP and Sparco and i think the advert on their webpage (youtube vid) says it all
http://www.advanced-wear.co.uk/page4.html - proban
http://www.advanced-wear.co.uk/page3.html - nomex
http://www.advanced-wear.co.uk/page4.html

[speedychrissie]

pablo said:

if it has passed the necessary safety tests, its as good as the top of the range stuff, it might not be as breathable, as comfy or as designer looking but if you are on a budget, it might be the difference between racing or not..

While I agree with a lot you have said I'm not sure I fully agree with that. The fact it has passed a safety standard test means it meets the same minimum safety standard that the top of the range suits do. You are right that the big selling points of the expensive suits are that they are more comfortable, more breathable and lighter, but some of them also offer a higher protection against heat and flame. More expensive suits have different materials (such as CarbonX which is a nomex/carbon fibre mix) which is much more flame resistant than plain nomex.

I am in a similar quandry to the OP as I am starting racing next year. I am lucky that my father has bought me a racing car which is virtually ready to race but I know that I will need to spend a lot of money on other kit before racing starts. I will need a new suit, helmet, underwear, shoes, license etc. I often look through all the catalogues and try and work out what kit to get but it is a difficult decision as I could potentially get basic kit and save a grand or save up and get better stuff that I will expect to keep going for a few years more.

[clubracing]

Generally you have to spend £600 or more to get a 3 layer suit. The cost difference between cheaper and more expensive 2 layer suits comes from 'comfort' features like floating sleeves, elasticated panels and fancier colours. So just on safety I don't think its worth the extra money unless you do go for a 3 layer suit.

ETA I'd consider spending any extra money on a HANS device rather than a better suit, as fires are very rare and survivable where as a broken neck/head injuries are not.

Edited by clubracing on Friday 26th June 14:27

[A.Wang]

Thanks for everyone's comments so far!

What's the difference between a 2-layer and 3-layer suit? I am guessing the 3-layer ones keep the heat out for longer...but are the benefits worth the premium?

[bikemonster]

Another thing to bear in mind, is that everything that I have read says that you really need to add Nomex underthings to your race suit to be really firesafe.

James

[Rude-boy]

IMO you should be looking for a set like these:-




Not sure about what overalls you should get though....

[Nero601]

Rude-boy said:

IMO you should be looking for a set like these:-




Not sure about what overalls you should get though....

i feel the need to do my ards course

[Dan Friel]

AWS 3 layer suits start from £239+VAT, so that combined with Carbon X underwear (£120ish, so perhaps £40 more than nomex) may well prove to be the best cost / safety compromise..

[Nick_F]

I'm not sure that the 2/3 layer thing counts for much - my bottom-of-the-range Sparco is 3 layer.

I suspect that there are different qualities/weights of nomex; the cheaper materials require three layers to achieve the minimum FIA standard the more expensive ones will do it with two.

Given the choice between a £600 suit and a £300 suit plus a 'clubmans' thermoplastic HANS device, I'd go for the latter every time.

[stifler]

A.Wang said:

Thanks for everyone's comments so far!

What's the difference between a 2-layer and 3-layer suit? I am guessing the 3-layer ones keep the heat out for longer...but are the benefits worth the premium?

Put simply another layer of protection. Although, as someone said above, some 2 layer suits are rated the same as a cheaper 3 layer suit.

Work out what budget you have, then see what the best equipment that you can get for that budget.