Crew Gear

What Pit Crew Gear Arm Protection Can You Choose From?

You can choose from four arm protection products here: three heat-resistant Kevlar pieces and one leather sleeve set. Each one is built for a specific task, so match the product to the hazard you face most.

Here's how the lineup breaks down:

• The Longacre Racing Hot Sleeve (part 441-11230) is a single heat-resistant Kevlar sleeve that fits your right or left arm.
• The Lisle Tools Hot Sleeve (part 616-18700) adds double-wall construction for added heat protection and works on either arm.
• The Lisle Tools Arm Glove (part 616-21260) covers your hand and arm to 24 in., with vinyl tread on the glove for grip.
• The JEGS Leather Split Sleeves (part 555-81646) come as a set of 2 and cover you from wrist to bicep.

The three Kevlar pieces are made for working around hot engines. The leather set is made for spark and splatter protection while welding, grinding, or plasma cutting.

Should You Choose Kevlar or Leather Sleeves?

Choose Kevlar when heat is the main threat, and choose leather when sparks and splatter are. The Kevlar hot sleeves and arm glove are built for reaching around hot engines and exhaust parts. The leather split sleeves are made to block sparks and splatter from welding, grinding, and plasma cutting.

Think about where your arms spend the most time. If you're swapping plugs or checking headers between rounds, a Kevlar sleeve is the better fit for the job. If you're fabricating brackets or cutting tubing in the shop, leather gives you wrist-to-bicep coverage from flying debris.

If your crew does both kinds of work, keep a set of each in the trailer. Crew gear sits inside our wider driving suits and clothing category, so you can pair sleeves with the apparel your team already wears.

How Do You Choose Heat-Resistant Sleeves for Engine and Exhaust Work?

Pick heat-resistant sleeves based on how much coverage you need and how close you'll get to hot parts. A single hot sleeve works on either arm, so you can switch sides as you move around the engine bay. The Lisle Tools Hot Sleeve uses double-wall construction for added heat protection when you're reaching past headers or a hot manifold.

If you want your hand covered too, the Arm Glove gives you total hand and arm protection. Lisle Tools says it lets you work on hot engines and exhaust systems without waiting for them to cool. The vinyl tread on the glove portion gives you grip while you work.

These product listings don't include a temperature rating, so keep contact with hot parts brief. Setting up a home shop for project work too? Our guide to car modification supplies covers the other basics you'll want on hand.

What Protects Your Arms During Welding and Grinding?

Leather sleeves protect your arms from the sparks and splatter that welding, grinding, and plasma cutting throw off. The leather split sleeves come as a set of 2 in supple leather with a natural finish. Each sleeve combines 18 in. of leather with elastic ends for a total length of 20 in.

That length runs from your wrist to your bicep, which covers the stretch of arm closest to the work. The elastic ends sit at your wrist and upper arm. The sleeves are universal fit, so you don't need to pick a size before you order.

Leather sleeves handle your arms, but a full welding station needs more than that. Plan for hand, eye, and face protection that matches the process you're running. Round out the bench with the rest of our welding tools and supplies so you're ready for the next fabrication job.

How Does Crew Gear Fit With Your Racing Safety Equipment?

Crew gear covers shop and service tasks, while your fire protection comes from SFI-rated suits, gloves, and underwear. The sleeves on this page don't carry SFI ratings, so they don't replace fire-rated apparel at the track. Start with the full lineup of racing safety equipment and build out from there.

Your hands need their own protection, so compare racing gloves by rating and fit. Match the rest of your crew's apparel to the rules your sanctioning body sets for pit lane. Deciding what to buy first on a tight budget? Read how to prioritize race safety equipment before you order.

SFI-rated parts also need replacing or recertifying over time. Our article on SFI-rated parts expiration and recertification explains when to check your gear. Shop Crew Gear now to add heat and spark protection for the work around the car.