The Five Most Affordable Racing Balaclavas
Racing balaclavas from £36
Four of the five cheapest balaclavas on this page are from Sparco or OMP. Both brands cover the entry-level FIA 8856-2018 range under £40, and the cheapest pick in the whole category is a non-FIA Sparco at £36. The FIA-approved entry is £37.20. That £1.20 gap is either the easiest call in racewear buying or proof the non-FIA option does not save you anything useful. For any competition under Motorsport UK or FIA rules, the OMP First at £37.20 is the floor. For track days without regulations, the Sparco at £36 does the job.
Cameron's first question on any balaclava order is what helmet you use. All five picks here are open face cut, which means a larger face opening designed for open-face and jet helmets. If you run a full-face circuit helmet, the cut is different and the fit changes. That question matters more than the price comparison, because the wrong cut under the wrong helmet is uncomfortable over a full event.
- The cheapest pick on this page is the Sparco RW-4 Single Layer at £36 inc VAT. It does not hold FIA approval.
- The cheapest FIA 8856-2018 approved balaclava on this page is the OMP First at £37.20. It costs £1.20 more than the non-FIA Sparco.
- All five picks here are open face cut. Full-face circuit cut balaclavas are available from around £72 in the range.
- The Sparco RW-7 Sock is a head sock, not a shaped balaclava. It is slimmer under a helmet and holds FIA 8856-2018 approval.
- One balaclava in the category is out of stock and not on this page: the Walero Open Face at £52.80.
Open face cut or full face cut
The face opening is the decision that comes before the price. An open face balaclava has a larger opening, designed for rally-style and open-face helmets where the visor does not wrap all the way round. A full face or circuit cut balaclava has a smaller opening that fits tighter against a full-face helmet’s internal padding and visor housing.
All five picks on this page are open face cut. They suit the majority of track day helmets and most open-face club rally helmets. If you run a closed-face circuit helmet, check the balaclava’s cut in the product listing before ordering, because the open face cut leaves more of the face exposed and that gap can press against the visor gasket. Full face circuit cut balaclavas exist higher up the range, the Alpinestars ZX Evo series from around £72 is one option, and Cameron can check which cut fits your specific helmet model before the order goes out.
Five picks from £36 to £64.80
| Balaclava | Price | Approval | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparco RW-4 Single Layer | £36.00 | Non-FIA | Track days, non-FIA events |
| OMP First FIA 8856-2018 | £37.20 | FIA 8856-2018 | All competition |
| Sparco RW-4 Open Face | £38.40 | FIA 8856-2018 | All competition, Sparco kit |
| Sparco RW-7 Sock | £42.00 | FIA 8856-2018 | Minimal bulk under helmet |
| Sparco RW-7 Open Face | £64.80 | FIA 8856-2018 | Long days, high-heat circuits |
Prices inc VAT, verified on the live site 4 October 2026. One balaclava in the category is out of stock: the Walero Open Face at £52.80 would have sat between picks four and five.
Sparco RW-4 Single Layer, £36. Non-FIA. Single layer fire-resistant material, open face cut. For track days and events where regulations do not specify FIA homologation, this is a workable choice. If you are doing any form of regulated competition, the FIA-approved entry price is £37.20 and the step up is £1.20.
OMP First FIA 8856-2018, £37.20. The cheapest FIA-approved balaclava on this page. FIA 8856-2018 homologation, double-layer soft Nomex, flat seams, open face cut. Available in black or white, sizes XS-S and M. Garreth’s view is that £1.20 more for FIA homologation is the easiest call you will make on your kit list. The flat seams are the part worth noting: they do not build up under a close-fitting helmet the way raised seams can over a long stint. What you give up against the next pick is the Sparco brand if that matters for matching kit.
Sparco RW-4 Open Face, £38.40. FIA 8856-2018 approved, open face cut. £1.20 more than the OMP First, with the same homologation. The difference between this and the OMP is the brand and the Sparco construction, not the approval level. If you are already running Sparco across your suit, boots and gloves, this sits naturally alongside the rest of the kit. What you give up against the next pick is the head sock format for drivers who prefer less bulk under the helmet.
Sparco RW-7 Sock, £42. FIA 8856-2018 approved. A different format to the three below it: the RW-7 Sock is a tube that goes over the head and neck. It is slimmer and sits flatter under a close-fitting helmet than a shaped balaclava does. The RW-7 material is a Nomex blend with Elastane for stretch. Some drivers prefer the sock for long stints because there is less material to press and shift. Cameron would ask whether you have tried the format before, because the tube fit is different to a shaped balaclava and worth checking in person if you can. What you give up against pick five is the shaped face opening and collar of a proper balaclava, and a significant chunk of the thermal rating.
Sparco RW-7 Open Face, £64.80. The biggest jump on this page: £22.80 more than pick four. FIA 8856-2018 approved, open face cut, two-layer Nomex with 2% Elastane. The Elastane in the RW-7 range means it moves with you rather than pressing the way a straight Nomex balaclava can when it is damp. On a long circuit day that difference shows. Garreth would spend the extra here on a car you use regularly, because you feel the material every time you put the helmet on. The Walero Open Face at £52.80 would have sat between this and pick four, but it is currently out of stock.
The decision on this page is two questions: do you need FIA approval (almost always yes for competition), and is the £22.80 step to the RW-7 Open Face worth it over the sock format at £42. For occasional use, pick three or four will serve you well. For someone wearing a balaclava every weekend, the RW-7 Open Face at £64.80 is where Garreth would put the money.
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Racing balaclavas and fireproof underwear
A balaclava is usually the last item bought on a racewear list, added once the suit, boots and gloves are ticked off. The regulations that cover the balaclava are the same regulations that cover the rest of the underwear: most FIA and Motorsport UK classes that require FIA-approved kit require the balaclava to hold FIA 8856-2018 as well. Our FIA fireproof underwear guide covers what the regulations actually say, including which items are mandatory and which are recommended. If you are asking whether the balaclava requirement also covers a neck sock, the fireproof underwear mandatory guide has the detailed breakdown by class.
If you want to see the Alpinestars balaclava options above the price range on this page, the Alpinestars balaclava comparison covers the ZX Evo V2 and V3 in detail. Both carry FIA 8856-2018 and SFI 3.3 dual approval and start from around £72 inc VAT.
If you are not sure which cut fits your helmet, or you want to check approval against your specific series regulations, give us a call on 0115 9893488 and Cameron can go through it with you.
What is the cheapest FIA-approved racing balaclava on this page?
The OMP First FIA 8856-2018 at £37.20 inc VAT. It holds FIA 8856-2018 homologation, uses double-layer Nomex, and is available in black or white. The Sparco RW-4 Single Layer at £36 is the cheapest pick on the page but does not hold FIA approval.
Do I need an FIA balaclava for a track day?
No. Track days run by private operators do not require FIA-approved kit. The Sparco RW-4 Single Layer at £36 provides fire-resistant protection without FIA homologation. For any competition running under a Motorsport UK or FIA licence, the FIA 8856-2018 requirement applies, and the entry price for that is £37.20 on this page.
What is the difference between open face and full face balaclava cut?
An open face balaclava has a larger face opening designed for open-face and jet helmets, where the visor does not wrap fully round. A full face or circuit cut has a smaller opening that fits tight against the internal padding of a closed-face circuit helmet. All five picks on this page are open face cut. If you use a full-face circuit helmet, check the cut in the product listing or contact us before ordering.
Is a head sock the same as a balaclava for FIA purposes?
A head sock that holds FIA 8856-2018 homologation meets the same standard as a balaclava with the same approval. The Sparco RW-7 Sock on this page holds FIA 8856-2018 and qualifies for any class that accepts FIA 8856-2018 head protection. The format is different but the approval is the same. Some drivers prefer the slimmer tube format; others prefer a shaped balaclava.
What does FIA 8856-2018 mean on a balaclava?
FIA 8856-2018 is the current FIA standard for racing underwear including balaclavas. It replaced FIA 8856-2000 and specifies fire resistance, heat transfer and seam strength. Most UK club championships that require FIA-approved kit specify FIA 8856-2018. Check your series supplementary regulations if you are unsure whether 8856-2018 or an older standard applies to your class.
