Section 2: Equipment
2.1 Skates
Rule 288, paragraph 1.f) requires that all speed skates have the tubes closed and the blade ends rounded off, with a minimum radius of 10 mm. Blades must be fixed to the boot at a minimum of two points with no moveable parts — this is the provision that excludes hinged "clap skate" mechanisms from short track, since a moving hinge would be hazardous in pack racing with frequent contact.
2.2 Helmet
Rule 288, paragraph 1.a) requires a safety-type helmet that complies with the current ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard, or another standard approved by the ISU for Short Track. Helmets must have a regular shape and may not have protrusions. Under Rule 288, paragraph 9.a), each Skater is assigned a helmet number before the start of the season which must be displayed on both the left and right side of the helmet and kept for the season.
2.3 Protective Equipment
Rule 288, paragraph 1 lists the equipment every Skater must wear in ISU Events, the Olympic Winter Games, and Winter Youth Olympic Games, and should wear in International Competitions:
- Cut-resistant gloves or mitts (Rule 288, paragraph 1.b): For ISU Events, Olympic Winter Games and Winter Youth Olympic Games, gloves or mitts must be predominantly white.
- Shin protection (Rule 288, paragraph 1.c).
- Long-sleeved and long-legged clothing (Rule 288, paragraph 1.d), per specification in the current ISU Communication.
- Padded or padded hard-shell knee protection (Rule 288, paragraph 1.e).
- Cut-resistant neck protection, fully covering the neck (Rule 288, paragraph 1.g).
- Eye wear protection (Rule 288, paragraph 1.h): For all ISU Events, Olympic Winter Games and Winter Youth Olympic Games, Skaters must wear eye wear protection meeting the approved standards listed in the latest relevant ISU Communication.
Under Rule 288, paragraph 4, the Heat Box Steward determines in the heat box whether a Skater's equipment meets these safety conditions; Skaters whose equipment does not comply are excluded from the race and recorded as Did Not Start.
2.4 Uniform Requirements
Rule 288, paragraph 8.a) requires that during ISU Events and the Olympic Winter Games, all Skaters on the same national Team (Individual and Relay) wear identical uniforms. The name of the country or its official abbreviation must appear on the external part of both lower legs, with characters no smaller than 7 cm high.