Skis

Skis are used for the ascent (with skins) and descent portions of the race, and placed on a skier's back during on-foot sections.

Bindings

Bindings allow a skier to raise their heel on a ski during ascent sections and lock in place for descent sections.

Climbing skins

Skins provide traction for uphill portions of a ski mountaineering race, designed to grip the snow on the bottom of a ski. 

Race suit

Per ISMF guidelines, racers are required to wear:

• A long or short sleeve, or sleeveless, body-hugging layer
• A ski suit with long sleeves or a second layer with long sleeves covering the whole arm
• A long-sleeved windbreaker jacket (the ISMF Race Jury decides if it is required to put the jacket in the backpack or to be worn)

For the lower body, racers must wear:

• A ski suit or ski pants covering the whole legs
• Breathable windbreaker trousers (the ISMF Race Jury decides if it is required to put the trousers in the backpack or to be worn)

Crampons

Crampons attach to an athlete's boots, with spikes on the bottom to grip ice during an on-foot section of a race.

Boots

Boots are used to both attach to skis for ascent and descent portions, and for the on-foot sprint section of a race.

Poles

Poles provide leverage for a skier on all three sections of a ski mountaineering race, whether transferring power from the upper body on uphill or on-foot sections, balancing on skins or initiating turns on a downhill section of a race.

Helmet

Helmets are used for safety during crashes or avalanches in a ski mountaineering race.

Gloves

Gloves help ski mountaineers grip the poles during the cold weather conditions of a skimo race.

Pack

Packs are essential during a ski mountaineering race, holding all the mandatory avalanche equipment for safety and clothing. Skiers place their skis on the slings located on the outside of the backpack while completing the bootpack sections of a race.

Avalanche gear

Because ski mountaineering races on mountainous terrain, avalanche safety gear is required to conduct a safe race (see below for required equipment).

Per ISMF regulations, ski mountaineering skis must be a minimum of 80mm (3.15 inches) in width at the front of the ski, 60mm (2.36 inches) under the boot and 70mm (2.75 inches) at the rear. Men's skis are required to be at least 160cm (62 inches) long and weigh 780g (1.72 lbs) per ski. Women's skis must be 150cm (59 inches) long and weigh 730g (1.61 lbs) per ski.

Typically, skimo race skis are lighter weight and shorter than Alpine skis for mobility purposes on the ascent sections of a race. The longest minimum ski length for a downhill race in Alpine skiing is 218 centimeters (86 inches) for men and 210 centimeters (83 inches) for women, over 20 inches longer than the minimum ski length in ski mountaineering.

Bindings allow a skier to raise their heel on a ski during ascent sections and lock in place for descent sections. They are required to have a lateral and a forward complete release system, and the lateral release must lock manually. Bindings are designed to be lightweight, allowing a skier to lift their heel easily on steep ascents.

Climbing skins are used during ascent portions of ski mountaineering races, designed to grip the snow on the bottom of a ski and provide traction. Typical racing skins for skimo are made of nylon and/or mohair, a natural fiber derived from Angora goat hair. Racing skins must cover at least 40% of the ski's snow contact length, with a tip attachment system (usually elastic) that allows for quick skin attachment and detachment during equipment transitions. 

An athlete takes different factors into account when selecting the ideal skins for a race. For example, a skier might select a wider skin to cover more surface area of a ski for a steeper and more technical ascent, but a narrower skin might be more ideal on a flatter ascent so a skier can glide farther while pushing uphill. Many skimo athletes do not use skins that cover the entire length of a ski to reduce weight and improve mobility on a climb. Additionally, the material can vary: mohair typically performs better in colder weather skimo races, where a nylon-dominant skin is better suited for warm weather.

In ski mountaineering, boots are designed to provide dual-function capabilities: attaching to skis and providing control during descent race sections, while also being light enough to allow movement for a skier walking during the bootpacking sections. Boots are permitted to be as light as 500g (1.1 lbs) for men and 400g (0.88 lbs) for women.

Crampons are part of the supplementary equipment category that may be required during a race, per the ISMF race jury. If a bootpacking section is too icy, crampons attach a boot's sole with spikes on the bottom for added traction to prevent slipping. Crampons can be stored in a skier's backpack or on the side of the pack if not in use.

Poles, typically a lightweight material like carbon fiber or aluminium, are used in all three phases of a ski mountaineering race, whether to transfer power from the upper body to provide on uphill sections or to guide turns on a descent. 

The following safety equipment is mandatory during a ski mountaineering race, per ISMF regulations:

• Snow shovel
• Snow probe: provides the location of an athlete in case of an avalanche
• Avalanche victim detector (DVA): a radio transceiver for finding skiers under buried snow
• Helmet: must be used during the entire race, and the chin strap must be fastened
• Survival blanket
• UV protection eyewear (recommended to athletes)
• Whistle

Most equipment not in use during a specific section of a skimo race is stored in a skier's backpack, such as the race skins, skis, and crampons. Skiers can access this equipment in the transition areas of a skimo race.