The Five Most Affordable FIA Race Boots
FIA 8856-2018 approved from £108
The Sparco Slalom is our bestselling race boot in the showroom. That is not a sponsored claim on the listing, it is the reality of what people buy when they come in and try several on the same day. At £108 it is the entry point for this guide, and on that basis alone it would make the list, but it would make the list if it were the fourth cheapest too.
This page covers the five cheapest FIA 8856-2018 approved race boots on gsmperformance.co.uk, from £108 to £141.60. Each one holds the current FIA boot standard. The spread of £33.60 across the five is not about safety levels, it is about materials, colour range, and a few practical differences in construction.
Garreth's view is that the Slalom is the right boot for most people at this budget, and the jump to the OMP First at £141.60 is the one step in this range worth taking without much argument. The three boots in between have their reasons, and the page will go through each of them.
- FIA 8856-2018 approved race boots start at £108. Unlike the Racing Gloves category, there is no filter trap here: all five cheapest products are genuine race boots.
- The Sparco Slalom at £108 is the shop's bestselling race boot in the showroom.
- The Sparco Slalom and Slalom+ both carry SFI 3.3/5 dual approval alongside FIA 8856-2018, covering European and American championship requirements.
- The OMP Sport at £116.40 is the only boot in this range available down to UK 3.5 (EU 36). All other boots here start at UK 5.5 (EU 39).
- The OMP First at £141.60 is where Garreth would spend it for a first set, and it is the one drivers come back for a second pair.
What is on this page
What a race boot actually does
A trainer has a thick sole to cushion impact. A race boot has a thin one, which is not a design flaw; it is the specification. The sole needs to be thin enough for you to feel the pedal surface through it, to sense when your foot is at the bite point of the clutch or at the top of the brake travel. A normal shoe puts a centimetre of foam between your foot and that information, and on a track that matters.
FIA 8856-2018 is the current generation of the fire resistance standard for race boots. It covers the outer material, the inner lining, the sole construction and how the boot is assembled. Motorsport UK regulations for UK club racing reference it directly. A scrutineer at an MSA event will check the tag inside the boot, not take your word for it, so the approval attribute on each listing below is what matters.
The five boots, cheapest first
| Boot | Price | Approval | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparco Slalom Racing Shoes | £108 | FIA 8856-2018 / SFI 3.3/5 | EU 39-48 | Bestseller in-store, 5 colour options |
| OMP Sport Race Boots | £116.40 | FIA 8856-2018 | EU 36-47 | Only boot here with sizes down to EU 36 |
| Sparco Slalom+ Race Boots | £122.40 | FIA 8856-2018 / SFI 3.3/5 | EU 39-48 | Leather ankle cuff, dual approval |
| Sparco Top Racing Shoes | £126.60 | FIA 8856-2018 | EU 39-48 | Higher leg, 3 colours |
| OMP First Race Boots | £141.60 | FIA 8856-2018 | EU 39-48 | 7 colour combinations, consistent fit across sizes |
Prices inc VAT, verified on the site 19 September 2026.
Sparco Slalom Racing Shoes, £108. The entry point and the shop’s bestseller. A single-layer suede upper, Nomex lining and the thin carbon-rubber sole that handles the actual job. It comes in five colours: white, blue, red, black, and black with fluorescent yellow, and the size run covers EU 39 to EU 48. For most drivers coming to race boots for the first time, this is the one.
OMP Sport Race Boots, £116.40. £8.40 more than the Slalom, and the meaningful difference is one most buyers would not notice first: the size range starts at EU 36, which is UK 3.5. The Slalom does not go there. The Sport has a suede upper, the same FIA 8856-2018 standard as everything on this page, and comes in four colourways. If you are EU 36, 37 or 38, this is your boot.
Sparco Slalom+ Race Boots, £122.40. The Slalom+ is the Slalom with a leather ankle section added. The suede stays on the toe box and the thin sole is unchanged, but the ankle cuff uses leather for extra durability and a slightly stiffer fit around the ankle. It also carries SFI 3.3/5 alongside the FIA approval, covering both the European and American standards in one boot. Colour options reduce to three: black, blue and red.
Sparco Top Racing Shoes, £126.60. At £126.60 the Top sits between the Slalom+ and the OMP First. The suede upper is the same material family as the Slalom but the boot runs higher on the leg, giving more ankle coverage in a car where the footwell is tight or the harness routing brings the lap belt close to the ankle. FIA 8856-2018 is the sole approval. Three colours: black, blue and red.
OMP First Race Boots, £141.60. The First is the OMP boot that people come back for a second pair. Garreth’s view is that the £25.20 jump from the Sport to the First is the one step in this range worth taking without much argument: the fit is more consistent across the size run, the ankle closure is a little fuller, and the shaped internal padding holds your foot more positively than the flat construction of the Sport. It comes in seven colour combinations, more than any other boot on this page. Above this, the OMP range moves into lighter materials and different sole constructions, and most club racing drivers will not feel the difference in the car.
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From £108.00 Incl. VATPayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Try in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £116.40 Incl. VATPayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £122.40 Incl. VATPayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £126.60 Incl. VATPayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £141.60 Incl. VATPayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The steps worth taking
If the budget is fixed at £108, the Sparco Slalom is the right answer, and the shop’s sales data backs that up. The question arises when someone is weighing the Slalom against the OMP Sport at £116.40. The extra £8.40 does not buy a different level of safety or a better sole. It buys a size range that starts at EU 36, and if you need that size, the Sport is the only option on this page.
Above £116.40 the two worth considering are the Slalom+ and the OMP First. The Slalom+ at £122.40 makes sense if you want the leather ankle cuff or if SFI 3.3/5 matters for the series you are entering. The OMP First at £141.60 makes sense for almost everyone else who is willing to go past the £108 entry. £25.20 is not a difficult number to justify on a piece of kit you will wear at every event.
The Sparco Top at £126.60 sits in the range for a specific reason: the higher leg. If that does not apply to your car, the choice at this budget is essentially Slalom+ or First, and Garreth would pick the First.
Getting the size right
Race boots size like trainers for most drivers. OMP and Sparco both recommend ordering your usual street shoe size and most people find that works. Cameron will confirm the size against the brand’s current chart when you call, because OMP and Sparco run slightly differently from each other at the edges of the range.
The OMP Sport is the only boot on this page that goes down to UK 3.5 (EU 36). All others start at UK 5.5 (EU 39). For drivers at the smaller end of the size range, call us before ordering; Cameron keeps the counter samples and can pull the right one to check against the chart in front of you.
Can I use FIA race boots for non-competitive track days?
Yes. FIA 8856-2018 boots are suitable for track days and most track day operators are happy with any motorsport footwear that meets or exceeds their minimum standard. These boots will typically exceed that standard. The thin sole is also an improvement on ordinary shoes for pedal feel, which makes them useful on track even if your event does not require them.
What does FIA 8856-2018 mean for a race boot?
It is the current generation of the FIA fire resistance standard covering race boots. The standard specifies the material requirements for the outer, the lining and the sole, along with construction and assembly requirements. Every boot on this page carries it. Motorsport UK regulations for UK club racing reference this standard directly, and it is the one scrutineers check.
What size should I order in race boots?
Start with your normal street shoe size. Most drivers find it matches well. OMP and Sparco size slightly differently from each other, particularly at the smaller end of the range. If you are between sizes or ordering for the first time, call us and Cameron will go through the current size charts with you before you commit to a size.
We stock all five of these and the counter samples are in the Nottingham Road showroom. Ring us on 0115 647 8650 and Cameron will go through the sizing with you, or come in and try them on the same day.
