Bobsledding equipment list with all 16 items. Athletes need six: the bobsled, helmet, speedsuit, spiked shoes for ice grip, gloves and goggles.
Five belong to coaches and teams, among them push-start training sleds, sled maintenance tools and video analysis gear, and five to the venue: the track, start and finish timing, ice maintenance, sled storage and spectator areas. The table below lists all sixteen with the purpose of each one and who is expected to bring it.
- What equipment do you need for bobsledding?
- A sled, a helmet, a speedsuit, spiked shoes, gloves and goggles. Only the last four are ever bought privately, because sleds and helmets come from the federation or the team.
- What do bobsled shoes look like?
- Like a track spike with the spikes spread across the whole sole instead of just the forefoot. Several hundred fine brush spikes grip the ice at the start, where the race is largely decided.
- Can you buy a bobsled?
- Not in any normal sense. Competition sleds are built by a handful of manufacturers, cost as much as a car, and are usually loaned to athletes through a national federation.
- How do beginners get started?
- Through a push-start program on a dry track or a wheeled sled. Federations recruit sprinters and throwers and then teach the sled, not the other way around.
Bobsledding Equipment at a Glance
Six items are the athlete's own, five belong to the team, and five are part of the track. Almost nothing on this list is bought in a shop, which sets bobsledding apart from most sports.
| Item | What it does | Who supplies it |
|---|---|---|
| Bobsled | The vehicle itself, a steel frame under a composite shell on four runners | Player |
| Helmet | Certified hard shell with a visor, mandatory in training and racing | Player |
| Speedsuit | Tight one piece that cuts drag over a run of about a minute | Player |
| Spikesfootwear for ice grip | Hundreds of fine spikes across the sole for the push start | Player |
| Gloves | Grip on the push bars and warmth at track temperature | Player |
| Goggles | Keeps ice chips and wind out of the eyes during the descent | Player |
| Sled maintenance tools | Runner polishing, bolt checks and repairs between runs | Coach |
| Training sleds | Push carts on rails or wheels for start practice without a track | Coach |
| Video analysis equipment | Frame by frame review of the start, where hundredths are won | Coach |
| First aid kit | Ice burns, hand injuries at the push bars and crash checks | Coach |
| Team apparel | Warm layers in team colors for waiting at the start house | Coach |
| Bobsled track | Refrigerated ice chute of about 1,300 to 1,500 meters with banked curves | Facility |
| Start and finish timing | Light barriers measuring the push time and the total run | Facility |
| Ice maintenance equipment | Scrapers, water and hand tools to keep the surface hard and even | Facility |
| Sled storage and workshop | Heated space where teams work on runners between heats | Facility |
| Spectator areas | Fenced viewing points along the curves and at the finish | Facility |
Equipment for Bobsledding Athletes
#1 Bobsled
The bobsled is the primary equipment in the sport, engineered for speed and aerodynamics. Teams rely on the sled's design and materials for optimal performance during races. It's the vehicle that navigates the icy track, and its quality affects safety and speed.
#2 Helmets
Safety is paramount in bobsledding, making helmets a non-negotiable piece of equipment. They protect athletes from head injuries in the event of a crash or collision. A well-fitted helmet is essential for safety and comfort during high-speed descents.
#3 Speedsuits
Crafted for aerodynamics, speed suits help reduce drag and enhance performance. They are a critical element of an athlete's kit, allowing for seamless movement and speed optimization during a race.
#4 Spikes
Spikes, or bobsled shoes, are designed to grip the ice, providing athletes the traction necessary for powerful starts and controlled movements. Proper footwear is a key component in the race to maximize push-off acceleration.
#5 Gloves
Durable and grip-enhanced gloves are essential for athletes to protect their hands and maintain secure contact with the sled. They provide the necessary grip and warmth in the frigid conditions of the bobsled track.
#6 Goggles
Goggles protect the athletes' eyes from ice, wind, and debris while providing clear vision during the high-speed descent. They are a crucial safety element that also contributes to the athlete's aerodynamic profile.
Equipment for Bobsledding Coaches and Teams
#7 Sled Maintenance Tools and Supplies
Proper maintenance of the sled is crucial for safety and performance. Tools and supplies help keep the sled in top condition, minimizing the risk of malfunctions and accidents. Regular tuning and repairs are what keep a set of runners fast across a full season.
#8 Training Sleds
Training sleds are essential for athletes to practice their push starts, a critical phase of the bobsled race. These sleds simulate the initial moments of the race, refining technique without the need for a complete track, and they build the explosive strength and the synchronization the crew needs at the start.
#9 Video Analysis Equipment
Recording and analyzing runs is critical for strategic improvements. Video analysis equipment helps coaches and athletes study techniques and track conditions, identify technical issues and give athletes visual feedback they can act on in the next heat.
#10 First Aid Kit
Safety is a priority, and a well-stocked first aid kit is essential for addressing injuries immediately. Equipped with the necessary medical supplies, it ensures prompt care and keeps a minor injury at the push bars from becoming a lost season.
#11 Team Apparel
Team apparel fosters unity and helps identify members of the team. Coaches and athletes need branded gear that is functional for the cold of a bobsled track, where most of the day is spent waiting at the start house.
Equipment for Bobsledding Facilities
#12 Bobsled Track
The bobsled track is the heart of the sport, a smooth, twisting, ice-covered chute with banked curves and high-speed straights. It's where the action takes place, and a well-designed track is critical for the safety and the performance of the athletes.
#13 Start and Finish Timing Systems
Precise timing systems at the start and finish lines are essential for accurate measurement of performance. Races are won or lost by hundredths of a second, so the same light barriers serve both official competition and everyday training.
#14 Ice Maintenance Equipment
Ice quality is paramount in bobsledding, so specialized equipment is needed for grooming and caring for the track's surface. A smooth, hard surface is what makes high speeds possible, and it has to be restored before and during every event.
#15 Sled Storage and Maintenance Areas
Proper storage and maintenance areas protect sleds from the weather and give teams a space to work on their equipment. Runners are polished and swapped here between heats, which is why the room is usually heated and kept locked.
#16 Spectator Seating and Viewing Areas
Bobsledding attracts spectators, and facilities need adequate seating and viewing areas to accommodate them. Fenced points along the curves and at the finish keep the crowd safe and give the sport the atmosphere its events depend on.
What is the equipment you need to play Bobsledding?
A bobsled, helmets, bobsledding suits, gloves, and spiked shoes are the equipment you need to play Bobsledding. These items ensure safety and enhance performance during the sport.
What is the most important equipment in Bobsledding?
The bobsled itself is the most important equipment in Bobsledding, as it is the primary apparatus used to navigate the track and achieve competitive times.
What is a recommended list of Bobsledding equipment for beginners?
Here's a recommended list of Bobsledding equipment for beginners: a basic bobsled, a certified helmet, a proper bobsledding suit, gloves, and training shoes with spikes for grip on the ice.
