Best Lacrosse Gloves (Adult & Youth)

Lacrosse Glove Buying Guide

Before venturing out on your own to find the gloves that fit you (figuratively and literally), here are some elements to consider before clicking BUY:

1) Protection

Protection is easily the most important thing to consider when buying a glove. If it wasn’t, everyone would be running around with their bare hands, right?

A great glove provides protection without you even noticing it. The number of beatings your gloves will take over the course of a given game can be immeasurable depending upon where you are on the field.

You want a glove that provides extra protection along the thumb, especially at the base of your hand, as this is a high impact spot during ground balls and for those desperation swings from defenders when you’re mid-cradle.

The back of your hand is another point of focus. You want layers of protection to guard against the inevitable checks, purposeful pokes, and those wayward slashes that could ruin your day…or month with a broken bone.

Extra cuff length is another valuable bonus, especially for those players that find themselves in faceoffs regularly. The slash to the wrist is as inherent to the sport as anything else so the added protection will be appreciated.

2) Comfort & Flexibility

This comes at a close second to protection. As stated earlier, the connection between palm and stick is hugely important to your success on the field.

Let’s start with the palm: you want something that is less of a noticeable layer and more of a membrane between your palm and stick. Normally, this will be suede but we are beginning to see companies make advancements in material. You want something with minimal stitching and a thin construction that gives you the ultimate feel on your stick.

On the flip side of your hand, you want a glove that promotes dexterity of your fingers. Higher-end gloves on the market will employ design quirks such as paneling to allow the ultimate range of motion to your fingers.

And finally the wrist: look for an adjustable cuff element that will prove valuable to customize the fit of your glove to your preference; namely, protectiveness versus flexibility.

3) Breathability

Moisture wicking technology. Advanced ventilation. Breathable material. These are some of the buzzwords/elements to keep an eye out for when looking for gloves.

In play, breathability is majorly important to keeping your hands dry and avoid any further weighing down of your movements thanks to a build up of sweat. This helps promote that all important connection of palm to stick as well.

Beyond play (and what some would say is most important), breathability is a major tool in fighting against the dreaded smell that comes with an aging pair of gloves. Companies like Epoch have begun experimenting with added elements such as embedded coffee grounds to help promote odor prevention as well.

Keeping sweat off your hands and out of your gloves will not just be appreciated by you on the field but everyone else off it.

4) Durability

Gloves are an expensive investment so it would be best to get multiple seasons out of a pair and not continue to have to dip into your pocket year after year.

When on the hunt for a pair of lacrosse gloves, material is key to durability. Look for gloves that do not skimp on the highest level of palm and outer material to prevent any wear inherent to usage.

Another important element is stitching. The less “pieces” to a glove, the longer it will likely last as it will not have the usual points of vulnerability. STX made a major leap with this generation of gloves by breaking the mould quite literally with a single continuous exterior piece. It’s elements such as this that will ensure years of use.

Lastly, you want to look for the least external elements that could wear down. You’ll find this in the wrist cuffing, for instance, that may depend upon velcro for security. Something like velcro can wear down quickly and ultimately diminish the quality of your glove.

5) Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are worth major consideration before you splurge on gloves.

Do your due diligence and seek out every website and resource you can for some first hand input on how any of the above four elements are for a given product. Other users can provide actual feedback to the wear and performance of a glove.

Additionally, reviews can be helpful in finding out any quirks to a glove’s fit or the buying process. Such feedback can be helpful in avoiding the pitfalls that may have ensnared other customers.

And don’t forget to leave your own review for whatever gloves you choose. It’s always good practice to pay it forward.

6) Budget

Find something that fits your budget…this is easier said than done when it comes to gloves but still worthy of consideration.

Always keep in mind that if you’re cutting costs now, you’re likely giving up something in the future, whether it be the durability or extra protection of a more expensive glove. Pinpoint where exactly a product is saving you money and consider the implications of that cost-cutting to your safety and wallet in the long run.