Olympic bobsled teams rely on carefully designed sleds, precision-engineered runners, helmets, specialized footwear, aerodynamic suits, and various other safety gear to ensure both top performance and athlete protection.

Olympic bobsleds consist of a hull, a frame, front and rear axles, and two sets of runners. The hull, also known as the cowling, typically is constructed from fiberglass and built from two separate sections. Mounted on four steel runners, the sled's rear portion must remain open. The design aims for optimal aerodynamics, durability, and control at high speeds.

Bobsled runners, crafted from solid steel without plating or coatings, are essential because they directly influence the sled's speed and handling. Regulations require runners to match specific temperature guidelines (within four degrees Celsius of a reference runner) to ensure fairness. If a tested runner is too warm, the sled is disqualified. Warm runners are not allowed because the heat decreases the friction between the runners and ice, making the sled faster. Teams only may use an official cleaning solution to wipe runners before races, keeping conditions equal.

All Olympic bobsled athletes must wear helmets designed for maximum safety, typically constructed with impact-absorbing materials. Helmets are streamlined to reduce aerodynamic drag while providing critical protection during high-speed runs down icy tracks.

Bobsledders wear skin-tight aerodynamic suits designed to minimize drag and maximize speed. These suits also offer athletes protection against friction burns and minor impacts, enhancing both performance and safety.

Olympic bobsled athletes wear specialized shoes equipped with spikes arranged like a brush. Each shoe must have a minimum of 250 spikes, each no thicker than 1.5 mm in diameter and no longer than 5 mm. These spikes provide critical traction and power during the initial push-off.

In addition to helmets, athletes may use protective padding, gloves, and very occasionally, neck braces to reduce injury risks during crashes or rough runs. This additional safety gear ensures competitors remain protected in a sport defined by speed and risk.

Bobsled equipment significantly impacts performance by influencing speed, maneuverability, and stability. Runner conditions, sled aerodynamics, and equipment weight distribution directly affect race outcomes. Even minor adjustments can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Yes, equipment specifications differ among sled categories:

• Two-man sled: Minimum weight (excluding crew) 170 kg/375 pounds; maximum weight (including crew) 390 kg/860 pounds.
• Four-man sled: Minimum weight 210 kg/463 pounds; maximum weight (including crew and equipment) 630 kg/1389 pounds.
• Two-woman sled: Minimum weight 165 kg/364 pounds; maximum weight 325 kg/716 pounds.
• Women's monobob sled: Minimum weight 162 kg/357 pounds; maximum weight 247 kg/545 pounds.

If sleds fall below maximum weight limits, ballast may be added, but athletes themselves cannot carry extra weight.