Many sim racers spend hours comparing wheelbases and pedals, then drive in socks on a smooth pedal face while sweating through long sessions. It works… but it is not optimal.
Gloves and shoes are “low drama” upgrades that can significantly improve consistency, especially when you drive longer stints or use higher brake forces.
Why gloves help (even if you are not a pro)
- Grip consistency. Your hands don’t slide as you sweat, so your steering input stays cleaner.
- Less death-grip. Better grip means you can hold the wheel more lightly, reducing fatigue.
- Skin comfort. Alcantara and textured rims feel better with gloves over long sessions.
What to look for
- Thin palm material for better feedback
- Breathable back panel (heat is the enemy)
- Secure wrist closure so the glove does not twist
- Touchscreen-friendly fingertips if you use dashboards/tablets
Why shoes help your braking
Braking is where most beginners lose time. Shoes help because they make your foot position repeatable and reduce “pressure drift”.
- Repeatable contact point. You hit the brake the same way every lap.
- Better modulation. Thin, stable soles improve feel on load cell pedals.
- Less foot pain. High forces in socks can create hot spots.
What to look for
- Thin sole with minimal cushioning
- Support around the heel
- Not too wide (wide soles can clip adjacent pedals)
Small ergonomics tweaks that make shoes work better
If shoes feel awkward, it is usually not the shoes. It is the spacing:
- Adjust pedal spacing so your shoe does not rub the brake pedal when you throttle
- Set pedal height so your ankle can rotate naturally
- Consider a heel support surface for stability (if your heel plate is not live yet, keep this bookmarked: Heel plate.)
Heat and hygiene: make your setup “daily usable”
If you drive often, comfort becomes performance. SIMGASM Atlas seat cushions are washable, and the scratch-resistant coatings on the rigs are easy to keep clean. That means you can treat your simulator like a real training tool instead of a fragile hobby project.
Recommended SIMGASM gear
All SIMGASM simulators are built for broad compatibility and a clean, durable finish. If you want a quick “buy the right once” shortlist for this topic, start here:
Simulator
- Hobby simulator: an affordable entry with a stable base to learn proper braking habits
- Club simulator: better match for load cell brakes and heavier hardware
Seat
- Core recline seat: comfortable for long sessions and easy to share
- Atlas GT seat: stable posture helps consistency when you start using higher brake forces
Monitor solution
- Core integrated single stand: simple, tidy setup that fits most rooms
- Core integrated triple stand: more vision, less strain, more consistency
Useful add ons
Tip: if you are unsure which tier fits your hardware, start with Club for “works with almost anything” and jump to Sport or Pro if you plan motion, very high torque, or want maximum adjustability with a clean cable route.
