Important

US Lacrosse passed a rule change (NOCAE ND200) related to reducing the risk of commotio cordis in 2022. All chest protectors and shoulder pads must contain the NOCSAE logo and SEI certification mark on both the packaging and the product to be legal for play. If you have older pads (especially if they are borrowed or handed-down), please make sure that they have the tag pictured on the right.

The boys' mandatory gear list includes:

• Lacrosse Stick and Head
• Helmet
• Colored Mouthguard
• Gloves
• Shoulder Pads
• Arm Pads
• Cup
• Cleats (Soccer cleats are acceptable)

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Lacrosse Gear

1. Helmets

​Cascade is the top-rated manufacturer of lacrosse helmets. Warrior introduced a youth helmet for the first time this year. Select a S/M size for the helmet. The main differences in the cost of the helmets are the type of protection and the ability to adjust the fit.

The Elite: Cascade XRS ($320) | ​Best: Cascade S Youth ($240) | Better: Cascade CPV-R ($175) | Good: Cascade CS-R ($120).

2. Sticks

​Any attack/middie complete stick will be fine, but the quality of the mesh and a better stringing pattern will make a remarkable difference. As such, it’s our recommendation to stay away from the most basic sticks, which typically cost less than $50. In addition, it is unnecessary to buy a pre-strung or unstrung head and match it with a shaft. The cost-benefit ratio does not compare to the price performance of the complete sticks.

​Best: ECD CF5 Elite ($150) | Better: ECD Bravo 1 ($100) | Good: StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate ($100) |  Beginner: STX ($50)

3. Starter Kits

It’s our recommendation for new players to either buy a starter kit that only includes shoulder pads, arm pads, and gloves or a starter kit that includes your choice of helmet. Starter kits offer a better price performance compared to buying gear separately. The gear is not the best available, but it’s decent, provides good protection, and will last a couple of years. Select 10” size gloves and small for the shoulder and arm pads, depending on the child's size.

Shop at Dick's Sporting Goods​

4. Individual Pads

​Players may want to buy gear separately as their skills advance and as they grow. The gear is better quality and will provide better protection but cost a lot more. As such, the information provided below will offer examples of better gear than starter kits can provide.

• Shoulder Pads

Most shoulder pads have shoulder caps and removable bicep pads, which provide good protection but can also limit mobility. As a player’s skill set improves, they will typically remove the bicep pads.

​Best: STX Cell V, $130, Better: TrueTemper, $120, Better: Warrior EVO Hitlyte, $100, Good: STX Stallion ($60)

• ​Arm Protection

​Arm pads provide general elbow and arm protection while arm guards provide more protection for the bicep and forearm as they are longer. Arm pads offer full upper arm protection when combined with the bicep pads connected to the shoulder pads. Players typically wear arm guards with the bicep pads removed from the shoulder pads. In general, midfielders use arm pads while attackmen use arm guards. Players at the youth level typically use arm pads. Only consider arm pads and arm guards that have Velcro straps at the top and bottom and have a full Lycra sleeve as both will be beneficial for the fit. Another tip is to buy Velcro circles to affix to the pads to provide a tighter fit.

​Best: Warrior Evo Arm Pads, $70, Better: STX Cell IV Arm Pads, $80, Good: Maverik Max Arm Pads, $75, Best: Warrior Evo Arm Guards, $80, Better: STX Cell IV Arm Guards, $100, Good: Maverik Max Arm Guards, $90.

• ​Gloves

​Gloves are the most important piece of protective gear after helmets. As such, gloves tend to be on the expensive side. Gloves should have a floating cuff as well as a flexible upper cuff.

​Best: Maverik M4, $130, Best: Warrior Evo, $130, Better: STX Cell IV, $130, Better: Under Armour Command Pro 2, $130.

​For more information on protective gear sizing, please visit the US Lacrosse Equipment Fitting Guide.