What safety gear do bobsleigh athletes wear?
Officials' detail · The sled and officials · 4 of 4Every athlete must wear a full-face helmet meeting a recognised safety standard, with no added aerodynamic parts. All crew members except the pilot must wear a protection vest. Race suits must have long sleeves and legs and be made of uncoated fabric. A medical vehicle must be at the track at all times, and training stops if it leaves.
How it works
- Helmet: full-face, to ECE, OKM or DOT standards, commercially sold, no aero add-ons.
- Protection vest: for every athlete except the pilot; missing it disqualifies the team.
- Suits: no short sleeves or legs; uncoated fabric; no aero parts.
- Hair: long hair covered inside the hood or suit.
- Spikes: brush spikes within size limits.
- Medical: a specialist, an ambulance and a first-aid room at the track.
- Ambulance leaves: training or racing stops.
- Licence: a yearly medical check and insurance for every athlete.
The glossary has the helmet, the protection vest, the race suit, the spikes, the crash rules and the brakeman.
Tricky cases
Must the pilot wear a vest?
No. The vest is required for everyone except the pilot.
Can a crew wear short-sleeved suits on a warm day?
No. Short sleeves and legs are banned.
Can a team add a fin to its helmets?
No. No aerodynamic elements may be attached.
The ambulance leaves to take someone to hospital. Can racing continue?
No. Training or racing must stop until a vehicle is back.
Why the rule exists
Crashes at speed in a metal sled cause serious injuries, so head and body protection are compulsory. Banning aero add-ons keeps gear about safety rather than speed.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All athletes | Full-face helmet | IBSF 10.16.1 |
| All but the pilot | Protection vest | IBSF 10.16.4 |
| Track | Ambulance at all times | IBSF 9.1 |
From the rule book
IBSF, International Rules Bobsleigh (September 2026), articles 8.4, 9 and 10.16. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBSF International Rules, issued each season.