What do skeleton athletes wear?
Officials' detail · The sled and officials · 4 of 4A helmet covering the head and ears is compulsory, with a smooth shell and no spoilers or aerodynamic tape beyond small allowed pieces. Gloves must be worn on the track. Suits must follow the body's natural shape, with no inserts, short sleeves or plastic coating. Shoes must be commercial with brush spikes and no covers.
How it works
- Helmet: covers the head and ears; smooth shell; no spoilers or protruding edges.
- Chin guard and visor: the only protruding parts; no aero coverings.
- Tape: only to fix the visor or goggle strap, plus one small piece on the chin guard.
- Gloves: required on the track.
- Suits: follow the body's shape; no inserts, shorts, short sleeves or plastic surfaces.
- Hood: worn fully or removed; not tucked or rolled.
- Shoes: commercial, unmodified apart from the spike plate; brush spikes; no covers.
- Inspection: suits and shoes may be checked at any time.
The glossary has the helmet, the race suit, the spikes, the crash rules, the skeleton and the head-first position.
Tricky cases
Can a slider add foam inside the chin guard?
A limited amount of padding is allowed, within set sizes.
Can a suit's hood be rolled up into a collar?
No. It must be worn fully or removed.
Can a slider race without gloves?
No. Gloves must be worn while sliding.
Can a slider modify their shoes?
Only the spike plate; the rest must be commercially available and unmodified.
Why the rule exists
Head-first sliding puts the face centimetres from the ice, so helmet rules are strict. Bans on shaped suits and helmet add-ons keep aerodynamics from deciding races.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skeleton | Helmet covers the ears | IBSF 10.16.1 |
| Bobsleigh | Full-face helmet; vests for crew | IBSF Bobsleigh 10.16 |
| All IBSF | Brush spikes within limits | IBSF 10.16.2 |
From the rule book
IBSF, International Rules Skeleton (September 2026), article 10.16. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBSF International Rules, issued each season.