What eye, hand, blade and knee protection is required in long track?

• Eyes (mass start and team events): shatter-resistant glasses held in place by a strap. Dark or mirrored lenses are prohibited; a lightly tinted lens is allowed if the pupil is still visible. For outdoor competitions, tinted lenses are allowed for UV protection.
• Hands (mass start and team events): gloves or mitts for Learn to Skate programs. For any long blade activity, full leather gloves or synthetic gloves with equal or better cut and puncture resistance than leather.
• Blades: the rear and front tips of all blades must be rounded to a minimum radius of 1 cm, about that of a Canadian nickel. For Olympic Style training and competition, all skates must also have the tubes closed.
• Knees (Club and Youth participants): full frontal knee coverage completely covering the kneecap, made of puncture-resistant material (such as Kevlar or Dyneema) and impact-absorbing material (such as high-density foam). It can be worn over the suit or built in.

Learn to Skate activities in mass start and team events need only head, hand, knee and neck protection.

Source: SSC Procedures and Regulations (Red Book), updated July 16, 2026, D3-200, D3-300 and D3-301.