Before you all jump on me with "use the search function", let me say I did that. Read all the posts and did not find the info I was looking for, hence the reason for my question.

I am about to order a suit. I am wondering what you all think of the sprint 5? I would like to know what you think of this suit for the money and if you think the 3 layer would be better than the 2 layer? Is there any advantage to the 3 layer over the 2 other than lasting a bit longer in a fire? Are there any downfalls to the getting the 3 over the 2 layer? The difference is about 40 bucks, so is the 3 worth the extra 40?

Would spending a bit more on a different suit be that much better? Obviously I am on a budget here, and would like to get the best bang for buck suit. But if I can spend an extra couple hundred and get a suit that is MUCH More comfortable, I will.
I would just like to know your opinions about the sprint 5, and if I should spend more money on a different suit or will the sprint fit my needs? Those are of the HC racer!

Thanks Ya'll. Hoping to order when I receive a collective answer!

 

isn't one of the differences between 2 and 3 meaning having to wear nomex underwear with it or not?

This would be reason enough for me to want to get the 3.

 

I say go with the 3 layer. It will allow you precious seconds of protection in a fire. You may also want to wear some underwear if you can stand it. All those layers add up to a better chance of your nutz not melting off. That in itself *may* be worth $40.

On a side note: I opted for the x-light and am VERY glad I forked the extra dough....this suit is super nice...very light.

 

I guess I should also add that the sprint 5 is rated FIA & SFI 3.2a/5 in 2 layer, so the nomex undies are not required for NASA and SCCA.

 

I know a couple guys that wouldn't even consider getting into a two layer suit without nomex underwear.

I am wearing underwear with suit right now, but I think it would be worth it to spend the extra money and get a 3 layer and ditch the exta pieces. But of course it is all about what you wallet will let ya do.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DMF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know a couple guys that wouldn't even consider getting into a two layer suit without nomex underwear.

I am wearing underwear with suit right now, but I think it would be worth it to spend the extra money and get a 3 layer and ditch the exta pieces. But of course it is all about what you wallet will let ya do.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i actually went with the opposite idea.. and bought a 2 layer to wear with nomex undies(which does end up costing more, up front).. figured it'd be cooler, and require cleaning less often, and hopefully be just as safe..

 

How about the sparco sparco 5 suit? Any opinions?

 

[QUOTE=prkiller]The difference is about 40 bucks, so is the 3 worth the extra 40?
[QUOTE]

The answer sometimes comes after the in car fire. Think about what you are willing to sacrifice and live with. $40 comes and goes pretty easily.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How about the sparco sparco 5 suit? Any opinions?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Im looking at the same decision that you are right now,
go with the cheaper sprint 5 or the more expensive Sparco 5.

Right now Im leaning towards putting out the extra $$ for the Sparco 5, because it is significantly lighter and cooler

 

Take a glimpse at this G-force suit: http://www.racerwholesale.com/...d=245

That suit in my opinion, and expierence is the equivlent of even the Sparco xlight. it weighs within grams of the xlight at a Quarter of the price. Also meets the standards by both SCCA, NASA, and even FIA. This would be the best option. it has all the "styling" of the sprint 5 and has the lightweight characteristics of an Xlight. So this suit with under wear you come out cheaper, with as much protection, and have a more durable suit.

Pm me if you have any questions, or i can give you my work umber through pm.

 

Just a general FYI.

NASA REQUIRES a one-piece suit, SCCA only recommends it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iggyracer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Take a glimpse at this G-force suit: http://www.racerwholesale.com/...d=245

That suit in my opinion, and expierence is the equivlent of even the Sparco xlight. it weighs within grams of the xlight at a Quarter of the price. Also meets the standards by both SCCA, NASA, and even FIA. This would be the best option. it has all the "styling" of the sprint 5 and has the lightweight characteristics of an Xlight. So this suit with under wear you come out cheaper, with as much protection, and have a more durable suit.

Pm me if you have any questions, or i can give you my work umber through pm. </TD></TR></TABLE>
interesting.
I saw that they came out with the euro style suit, but I dismissed it as an oven-suit just like their other ones. Is it really that light / cool or are you just saying that because you are affiliated?

One big drawback I see of this suit is that its only letter-sized. That could be a deal killer for me

 

Naw i actually have expierence with both suits. I just bought a house so im in a sort of cost saving mind frame i guess. but im a doubter. So when new things come out i do my home work on the product or device. In this case i called BS on g-force claims. so i took an xlight and a GF 545, weighed them and put them through thier paces.
For the money go with the 545, for the name brand recognition, go with sparco. but like i said i like saving money over spending my hard earned money on a name.

 

I would wait for the CarbonX material. Currently only Simpson and Impact offers them. From what I've been reading and hearing if the safety suit company just use this material for their inner liner, the fire resistance is increased tremendously.

 

You could wait for the new CarbonX suit. Don't know when they will be available or at what price. Saw one at Simpson's booth at PRI but can't find it on their website. Also, every manufacturer and sanctioning body recommends underwear with any suit.

As far as Sparco goes, unless you are ready to buy now (before 12/31/04), you will be paying a good bit more for anything Sparco. They have announced price increases as of 01/01/05. The XLight will go up to $1,400. The Sprint 2-layer will go up to $499 and the 3-layer will go up to $575.

When shopping for a suit, in addition to how it looks, check what comes with the suit (such as knit armholes, knit back panel, epaulets, belt), how is it built (nomex, Euro nomex, nomex knit, other materials), but also check the TPP rating.

The Sparco Sprint suit is a real nice suit. The Xlight is a very nice suit but the liner is a little fragile (I don't know if fragile is the correct word). The liner is a little like polyester clothing. It wil nick and pull like crazy. Most dealers will not take it back if you have tried it on and there are any pulls in it.

While at the PRI show, I compared the G-Force GF545 to the Sparco XLight. The GF545 does not give up much to the XLight. It is barely noticeable when holding them both by hand. The big difference would be in price and TPP rating. Sparco will only say that their suits meet SFI-3.2A/5 spec's which is a TPP rating of 19. The GF545 has a TPP rating of 23.

I sell both G-Force and Sparco and I'm really not trying to sell you anything but I want to make sure you get all the information you need to make a decision.

Howard Bennett
Racer Wholesale

 

A lot of good opinions here.

Still, it would be nice to hear from somebody who has actual experience wearing the Sprint 5 and/or Sparco 5... the two suits mentioned in the thread's opening post.

 

So, would you say that the GF 545 is better than the sparco 5? At roughly 250 more than the GF, would the sparco be better or the GF?

The X light is a bit out of my price range. It is nice, and I have seen it first hand, but a bit to much for me to spend.


What about sizing on the GF? They only have a XL size that would probably be what I would need.
I am gonna order a 62 sparco, so it should be good. I am 6'0", 225~ I tried on a 60 and it fit ok, but I would rather it be a bit bigger, than smaller!

 

Sparco 5 is $749 until this Friday, $799 starting on 01/01/5. The GF545 is $370 until this Friday and $400 on 01/01/05. Try $380-400 more than the GF545, not $250. Euro size 62 is between a Large and Extra Large. The GF545 is comparable in weight to the XLight, has more options than Sparco (360 degree knit arm holes, knit back panel and has a higher TPP rating). Which do you think is a better buy? Like I said before, I sell both and pretty knowledgeable about both product lines. For sizing issues, you really need to call someone to discuss proper fitment. You don't want the suit to fit tight as this takes away some of the protection built into a multilayer suit. A multilayer suit is constructed with "air pockets" between the layers. It takes a little more time for these "air pockets" to heat up before it passes it on to the next layer of fabric. If your suit is too tight, these "air pockets" are diminished.

My posting here is really not to try to sell you something from Racer Wholesale. I am just trying to give you the best information I can to base your decision on. For me, G-Force is a better buy.

Howard Bennett
Racer Wholesale

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hbennett76 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sparco 5 is $749 until this Friday, $799 starting on 01/01/5. The GF545 is $370 until this Friday and $400 on 01/01/05. Try $380-400 more than the GF545, not $250.


Howard Bennett
Racer Wholesale
</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is if you pay retail. But who pays retail anymore! I was just saying what I can get it for.


I don't consider your posts as advertising. I don't think you are trying to sell me something either. I am taking your post to mean what they are, simply information, good information. I for one am happy that you are posting about it. It is now something that I am considering, but what does worry me is that you say my size 62 is "between the L and XL. The 62 was already gonna be a bit baggy I am sure, but not bad at all. It sounds as tough the L will be to small, and the XL will be to big. Does that sound right to you?


Thanks for your posts Howard!

I edited to put this in.
I see that the suit is only available in Blk and blue right now. When will the red be available to ship?

 

It depends what your measurements are. The Euro 62, according to Sparco, fits 46" chest, 42" waist, 47" hips, 73-75" height and 195-225 lbs. Those same measurements would probably put you into XL, although some of the measurements could put you into a Large. With some of the shipping specials available right now, your exposure, as far as shipping charges, for an exchange is diminished. Whichever suit or whoever you buy from, check their exchange policy. Another way that I usually recommend to my customers is to go ahead and buy the two different size suits and return the one that doesn't fit well.

Howard Bennett
Racer Wholesale

 

thanks for the info Howard

I am going to try on the Gforce suit on friday, but Im not too optimistic.
According to their sizing charts, my waist is a medium, but my legs and arms are XXL.
damn American fatass sizing!


a data point more related to the original subject, a friend of mine (who doesnt post on here) went shopping for suits planning on getting the sprint 5. He said it felt like a wool blanket,
so he stretched the budget so he could get the Sparco 5 which he said is significantly lighter and cooler.


Modified by elgorey at 3:45 PM 12/29/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for the info Howard


a data point more related to the original subject, a friend of mine (who doesnt post on here) went shopping for suits planning on getting the sprint 5. He said it felt like a wool blanket,
so he stretched the budget so he could get the Sparco 5 which he said is significantly lighter and cooler.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Well, that settles it. The sprint is out for me.


Now it is between the sparco 5 and the GF 545.

 

while we are talking about Gforce suits, what is the difference between the GF545 (the $370 one we have been talking about)
and the GF565? ($600 here http://www.racerwholesale.com/...id=92)

they are both "euro shiny" suits by Gforce, but the 545 looks be newer? Is it a better suit than the more expensive 565?

 

its being phased out by G-force, and does not retain some of the newer optiions like the stretch knit back panel, and contrast box stitching.

 

The GF565 was G-Force's high-end suit a few years ago but it's not as nice as the GF545. I use a GF565 myself but I am waiting for the GF545's in red. The GF545 actually has kevlar incorporated in the Euro nomex weave to increase its durability and raise the TPP rating.

Howard Bennett
Racer Wholesale