Olympic biathletes use the following equipment:

Skis: Biathletes use cross-country skis to move through the course. Cross-country skis are narrow, no more than around 5cm (2 inches) in width, and do not have the metal edges you'll find on Alpine skis. The minimum length of the skis is dependent on the height of the biathlete. Skis cannot be shorter than the minimum height of the athlete minus 4cm, but they can be as long as an athlete prefers. Most cross-country skis are made of fiberglass with a foam core.

Bindings: Cross-country bindings attach the boot to the ski only at the toe – unlike Alpine bindings, which attach the boot at the toe and heel. Cross-country bindings only connect at the toe to allow the heel to flex up and down. There are no restrictions on the type of material used or the make.

Boots: Cross-country boots are similar to running shoes. They are lighter and more flexible than the boots from other disciplines though freestyle boots are more rigid than classical boots and have more ankle support. There are no limitations with regard to material and make.

Poles: Two poles of equal length must be used in competition with one pole held in each hand. They generally are made of metal tubing, have a hand grip at the top and a round plastic disk on the bottom. Freestyle poles are long and stiff, extending to the skier’s chin or mouth.

Clothing: The ski suit is designed to reduce wind impact and resistance. It is equipped with an arm sling, used to stabilize the rifle while shooting, and a harness, used to carry the rifle on the athlete’s back while he or she is skiing.

Rifle: The rifles may not be of automatic or semi-automatic design. Loading or unloading may be executed only by the competitor’s muscle force. The type of authorized rifle actions are as follows:
    
*Common bolt system
*Pistol grip cocking
*Straight pull action
*Straight pull action with ball-bearing locking

Ammunition: Only international standard 5.6mm (0.22 inches) long rifle rim fire ammunition may be used

Target: Metal targets and electronic targets are used for competition and paper targets are used for the zeroing of rifles, or the time spent before the race shooting to align rifle sights and to practice shooting. The targets at the Beijing Olympics had remote reset capabilities and contained electronic target scoring data.

Biathletes use cross-country skis to move through the course. Cross-country skis are narrow, no more than around 5cm (2 inches) in width, and do not have the metal edges you'll find on Alpine skis. The minimum length of the skis is dependent on the height of the biathlete. Skis cannot be shorter than the minimum height of the athlete minus 4cm, but they can be as long as an athlete prefers. Most cross-country skis are made of fiberglass with a foam core.

Two ski poles are used when competing in biathlon, just like in cross-country skiing. Poles are used to dig into the snow to help skiers, especially during uphill climbs. Poles must be equal in length and can be no longer than the height of the athlete. Double poling is when a biathlete sticks both poles in the snow to push off.

Biathlon rifles can weigh no less than 3.5kg (about 8 pounds). Each athlete has their rifle stock ergonomically fitted for their specific body. Magazines hold five bullets, one for each shooting bout, and three spare loose rounds in relay events. Magazines are carried on the rifle itself; they magnetically click into the stock of the rifle.

Only international standard 5.6mm-long (.22 inches) rifle rim-fire ammunition may be used, and it is forbidden to bring ammunition not conforming to these rules into the venue. The bullets must be made of a uniform substance, lead or a similar soft material such as a lead alloy. The weight of the bullet must not exceed 2.75g and not be less than 2.55g.

Biathletes wear cross-country ski bindings which attach the boot to the ski only at the toe, unlike Alpine bindings which attach the boot at the toe and heel. Cross-country bindings only connect at the toe to allow the heel to flex up and down. There are no restrictions on the type of material used or the make.

Biathletes wear cross-country ski boots which are similar to running shoes. They are lighter and more flexible than the boots from other disciplines, though freestyle boots are more rigid than classical boots and have more ankle support. There are no limitations with regard to material and make.

In biathlon competition, ski wax helps provide control, increase speed and protect equipment. Glide wax is used to decrease the friction between the skis and the snow.

Biathletes wear performance clothing during competition that helps them to be as mobile and versatile on the course as possible. They typically wear form-fitting ski suits that are insulated yet breathable, wind resistant and flexible. During colder competitions, biathletes may also wear an added base layer under their ski suit. Additionally, they typically will wear gloves, a hat and goggles or protective glasses.

• A harness with backpack-like straps is used by a biathlete to safely carry their rifle on their shoulders during competition with the barrel pointing up
• A metal flap known as a snow cover is attached to a hinge at the end of the rile barrel at the muzzle. It helps keep snow from entering the barrel and front sight, the cover, or flap, is closed at all times, and flipped open just prior to setting up on the range.
• A case or cover bag must be used when a rifle is taken into or out of the arena area
• As a visible sign that there is no cartridge in the chamber, an additional safety marker (colored flag or lock) must be attached to the rifle cover or bag

Proper equipment can have a considerable impact on performance in Olympic biathlon. Some pieces of equipment biathletes use are specifically designed to help their performance.

Here are some examples:

• An arm cuff with a bungie and clip is worn by biathletes on one bicep. It latches to the stock of the rifle and creates a kind of sling when shooting. The arm cuff allows an athlete to create a three-point support for the rifle. The rifle essentially is sitting on a tripod, made up of the sling and the athlete's body, and no extra effort by the athlete is needed to support the rifle. When shooting from the standing position, an athlete creates a similar relaxed stance by tucking their support arm elbow into their body, just above their hip bone.
• A snow cover is a metal flap at the muzzle that's attached to a hinge at the end of the rifle barrel. It helps keep snow from entering the barrel and front sight, the cover, or flap, is closed at all times, and flipped open just prior to setting up on the range.

According to IBU regulations, all materials and equipment used by athletes in biathlon competition must be formally inspected prior to and after each event.