Ski jumpers use a variety of equipment which serves to protect them and enhance their performance, such as:

Skis

Jumping skis are the widest and longest type of skis used in Winter Olympic sports. They are made of a light plastic material and designed for optimal aerodynamic flight. The maximum length of a competitor’s skis is 145% of their height, based on a minimum BMI of 21 for both men and women. Athletes with lower BMIs must use shorter skis.

Bindings

The binding must be mounted parallel to the run-direction and must be placed so that a maximum of 57% of the entire ski length is ahead of the bindings. They are meant to unfasten from the boots in case of a fall.

Boots

The boots used in ski jumping are designed to allow the skier to lean forward during the flight. They are high-backed, flexible yet firm, with a low cut at the front.

Suit

All portions of the ski jumping suit must be made of the same, spongy microfiber material and must show certain air permeability. The thickness of the suit must be between 4mm and 6mm (about one-fifth of one inch). The suits must conform to the body shape in an upright position with a maximum tolerance of 2cm (about four-fifths of one inch) to the body size at any part of the suit. Exceptions are the anterior sleeve length and the anterior crotch length, where the maximum tolerance is 4cm (about one and a half inches).

Connection cord

The connection cord, which is part of the binding, attaches the ski to the boot and prevents the skis from wobbling during flight.

Gloves

The inner side of most ski jumping gloves is made of goat leather, while the outer side must be made of the same microfiber material as the suit. They are fastened with a velcro tape around the wrist.

Goggles

 All jumpers use eye protection to prevent tearing of the eyes.

Helmet

Full head protection has been compulsory since the 1980s. The helmet improves aerodynamic flight and protects the head in case of a fall.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) strictly regulates ski jumping equipment so as to ensure athlete safety and fairness in competition. There are detailed rules for each piece of equipment regarding dimensions, fit, shape, weight, durability, material, placement of markings, manipulation and all other factors which may influence athlete performance or impact safety. 

The regulations in place for ski jumping suits are very strict. All portions of the suit must show certain air permeability and must be completely skin tight with very little tolerance or give — just 2cm to the body size at any point of the suit. This is to prevent athletes modifying the suit in any way which may unfairly boost their aerodynamics. A suit with extra surface area could increase the athlete’s lift like wings on a bird, allowing the jumper to hang higher and jump farther. 

As such, the most common reason for disqualification is a suit violation — even if it’s inadvertent due to normal body weight fluctuations. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, five ski jumpers were disqualified from the mixed team event because their suits were ruled too big.

While Alpine skis are designed to cut through ice and snow and make sharp turns, jumping skis are designed to optimize a jumper’s aerodynamic qualities by maximizing the lift and distance a jumper can achieve. As such, they are much wider and longer than Alpine skis. Additionally, ski jumping skis are made of a light plastic material. Alpine skis, on the other hand, are heavier, providing stability and control on varied terrain. 

Ski jumping skis are regulated differently than Alpine skis, too. The maximum allowed length of a jumper’s skis is specific to each athlete's physical stature. Conversely, Alpine skiers must abide by minimum ski lengths and radiuses that vary based on gender and event.

Ski jumping bindings consist of two plates, one on the toe and one on the heel, which are mounted to the ski using screws. Ski jumping boots have a slight lip on the toe which slides into the front plate of the binding to secure the boot in place. 

Though the heel is never locked flush against the ski, allowing for some flexibility as the athlete moves their heel and ankle during takeoff and landing, different kinds of bindings secure the boot at the heel in different ways. In addition to whatever mechanism the binding employs, many have a safety cord, or connection cord, which attaches the heel to the ski as a secondary method, relieving pressure on the binding and acting as a failsafe in the event the binding is defective.

Binding on a ski jumping ski

Matt Kryger-Imagn Images

Bindings typically are very tight, maximizing control and power transfer during the jump. However, they also feature an automatic release system which is triggered when the foot twists or moves side to side in the event of a fall.