Best Lacrosse Goalie Helmets & Throat Protectors
The best goalie helmets for adults and youth, plus the throat protectors to go with them, how to mount them, and the gear you can order today at BattleLax.
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Could you imagine stepping between the pipes with no helmet on? Yeah, I couldn't either. There's not enough gold in Fort Knox to put me in goal without a proper helmet and throat protection.
If you've got the moxie to step in goal, you should have the sense to invest in a quality helmet and throat protector (or "dangler") to guard your money maker and the brains behind it.
This guide covers the best goalie helmets and throat protectors on the market, so you've got one less thing to stress about in the cage.
Coach's note: I've watched keepers from upstate New York to Virginia Beach, and Ontario box goalies who stand in front of shots most people would run from. Every one of them will tell you the helmet and the throat guard are the two pieces you don't cheap out on. Get them fitted right, mount the dangler properly, and then go stop some rubber.
Our top picks
In lacrosse, any helmet that's legal for field players is legal for goalies, as long as you add a throat protector. That rule, and the list of legal helmets, applies to goalies in the women's game too.
- Best goalie helmet for adults (men & women): Cascade XRS
- #2 goalie helmet for adults: Cascade S
- Budget goalie helmet for adults: Cascade CPX-R
- Best youth goalie helmet: Cascade S Youth
- Budget youth goalie helmet: Cascade CPV-R
- Best throat protector: Cascade TP-S
- Budget throat protector: Cascade TPC2
Compare all 7 picks
| # | Gear | Type | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Cascade XRS | Adult | 5/5 | Alt |
| 02 | Cascade S | Adult | 5/5 | Alt |
| 03 | Cascade CPX-R | Adult | 4.6/5 | Alt |
| 04 | Cascade S Youth | Youth | 5/5 | Alt |
| 05 | Cascade CPV-R | Youth | 4.6/5 | $175.00 |
| 06 | Cascade TP-S Goalie Throat Protector | Throat | 5/5 | $39.99 |
| 07 | Cascade TPC2 Throat Protector | Throat | 4.6/5 | Alt |
A price goes to that item on BattleLax. "Alt" goes to the closest item BattleLax has in stock.
Best lacrosse goalie helmets
This section covers the top goalie helmets for men, women and kids. You'll find the best throat protectors to pair with your helmet in the next section. Want the full field-player rundown too? See our best lacrosse helmets guide.
1. Cascade XRS Best overall
Cascade's most protective, best-seeing helmet, and our top pick for goalies.
Cascade released the XRS just in time for 2022 NCAA Championship Weekend. It's Cascade's most protective and comfortable helmet to date and our top-rated lacrosse helmet.
It has a tri-liner system that spreads out different kinds of impacts while giving you a better fit on your head. A Double Jaw Deflection system adds protection over earlier models, and better ventilation keeps you cool.
Beyond protection and comfort, the XRS improves on the S, Cascade's previous model, with better visibility. Cascade says the VISION system boosts peripheral vision by 20%, and the Power-Pressed Vision Bar shrinks the top of the facemask without giving up rigidity.
Overall, the Cascade XRS is the cream of the crop. If you're shopping for a new goalie helmet, the XRS should be at the top of your list.
Key features: Tri-liner impact system · Double Jaw Deflection · VISION system and Power-Pressed Vision Bar
- Cascade's most protective helmet
- Better peripheral vision
- Great ventilation and fit
- Premium price
- Throat protector sold separately
Who it's for: Adult goalies, men or women, who want the best protection and vision.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Cascade XRS. BattleLax carries the upgraded Cascade XRS Pro Lacrosse Helmet ($339.99), the same Cascade platform with even more protection.
2. Cascade S Runner-up
The previous Cascade flagship, still a great all-around goalie helmet.
The S isn't Cascade's newest helmet anymore, but it's still a great option for goalies.
Comfort comes from the XFLO ventilation system, which increases and recycles airflow around your head. Balance Point Technology and NV3 foam in the crown keep the helmet centered through the most intense movement and contact.
The HardTail SPRfit design lets you micro-adjust the helmet for the perfect fit.
It's protective too, with the Supermono S Shell and the SEVEN Technology tri-liner system that spreads energy in key impact areas to soften hard hits, including the shot that gets past your stick.
Even with all that tech, the S keeps clean sightlines with its Visionbar PowerPress Technology, which makes it a great all-around goalie helmet.
Key features: XFLO ventilation · Balance Point Technology and NV3 foam · HardTail SPRfit micro-adjust · Supermono S Shell with SEVEN tri-liner
- Great ventilation
- Micro-adjustable fit
- Clear sightlines
- No longer Cascade's newest helmet
- Harder to find new
Who it's for: Adult goalies who want premium Cascade features without the newest price tag.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Cascade S. For a lighter Cascade helmet that costs less than the XRS line, go with the Cascade SL Lacrosse Helmet ($279.99).
3. Cascade CPX-R Best budget adult
Most of the S's punch for less coin.
If you don't want to break the bank, the Cascade CPX-R is a worthy alternative to the fully loaded S, packing a lot of the same punch for less coin.
The R Series Shell is no slouch, and it works with the familiar SEVEN Technology liner to spread out and soften hits. The same SPRfit HardTail from the S lets you dial in a secure fit around your dome.
The CPX-R is one of the most common helmets you'll see on the field. It may be the "cheaper" option, but it doesn't skimp on the construction that made Cascade one of the most trusted brands in the sport.
Key features: R Series Shell · SEVEN Technology liner · HardTail SPRfit
- Great value
- Same fit system as the S
- Proven, popular helmet
- Fewer features than the S and XRS
Who it's for: Adult goalies on a budget.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Cascade CPX-R. For a budget Cascade helmet you can order today, go with the Cascade CPV-R Lacrosse Helmet ($175.00), built on the same R shell.
4. Cascade S Youth Best youth
All the S's protection, sized for youth goalies.
The Cascade S Youth packs all the protection and comfort of the adult version into the perfect helmet for a youth goalie.
It uses the same Supermono S Shell and tri-liner system to soften every hit, XFLO ventilation to keep your head cool, and the HardTail SPRfit with customizable jaw pads for the perfect fit.
The S Youth uses the same vision system too, with thinner wiring around the eyes for better visibility. That's huge when you're between the pipes.
Key features: Supermono S Shell with tri-liner · XFLO ventilation · HardTail SPRfit and custom jaw pads · Thinner wiring around the eyes
- Adult-level protection in a youth size
- Great visibility
- Customizable fit
- Pricey for a helmet they'll outgrow
Who it's for: Youth goalies who want top-level protection.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Cascade S Youth. BattleLax carries the newer Cascade XRS Youth Helmet ($270.00), with the XRS's protection sized for young players.
5. Cascade CPV-R Best budget youth
A smart, affordable helmet for young goalies who'll outgrow it.
The CPV-R is worth a look for any parent who wants their young goalie protected without sinking too much into gear they'll eventually grow out of.
It uses the same R shell as its older sibling and the same liners to handle contact. A FreeFlow system keeps air moving around the player's head for maximum cool and comfort.
For vision, the Chevron Mask gives you better downward clarity so no shot goes untended.
It's a great option for any young goalie, and a smart way to save money on gear they probably won't fit in a few seasons from now.
Key features: R shell and liners · FreeFlow ventilation · Chevron Mask for downward clarity
- Affordable
- Good downward vision
- Proven R shell
- Fewer premium features
Who it's for: Parents of young goalies who want protection without overspending.
At BattleLax: In stock now. Grab the Cascade CPV-R Lacrosse Helmet ($175.00) straight from BattleLax. For an even cheaper youth option, look at the Cascade CS-R Youth Lacrosse Helmet ($129.99).
Best lacrosse goalie throat protectors
Without a throat protector, a goalie's helmet is no different from any field player's. That makes picking a helmet easy, but it doesn't change the fact that goalies stand in front of shots that send everybody else ducking for cover.
A throat guard covers what the helmet can't, your neck and throat, so you get some peace of mind in the "off chance" a shot gets past your stick.
Here are two throat protectors worth a look.
1. Cascade TP-S Goalie Throat Protector Best throat protector
A wide-coverage, durable dangler that holds up shot after shot.
The Cascade TP-S is a sturdy, reliable dangler that covers a much wider area of your neck than other throat protectors on the market.
Cascade keeps the exact material locked up in the same vault as the Colonel's fried chicken recipe, but based on goalie feedback, it's a durable piece of gear that holds up no matter how many shots it takes.
Key features: Wide neck coverage · Durable build · String, zip tie or screw mounting
- Wide coverage
- Durable
- Two mounting options
- Screw mounting means drilling your helmet
How to connect it to your helmet
There are two ways to attach this protector to your helmet: with strings or zip ties, or with screws.
The first option (strings or zip ties) is easy enough. Weave the soft connector through the pre-drilled holes in the protector and run it through the openings between the facemask and the jaw shield.
The upside is that it's less invasive to the helmet, and you can pull the protector off easily if you want to play out of the cage.
The downside is that it really earns the "dangler" nickname. The protector moves with a mind of its own, so expect some clanking and slapping against your helmet and neck.
The second option (screws) is a bit more involved.
Start by drilling a hole through the middle "C" in the word CASCADE along the bottom of the chin piece with a 7/32" drill bit.
With the same bit, drill a hole on each side of the helmet. The exact spot depends on your helmet, but it's usually at an angle from the bottom facemask mounting screw on each side.
You'll need screws, bushings and T-nuts to attach the throat piece to the chin piece. Follow the manual that comes with the protector to fit your new dangler properly.
The screw method holds the protector more securely, so you get no unwanted movement or clanking, but it's harder to install and takes more work to remove and reattach.
Who it's for: Every goalie. Don't step in the cage without one.
At BattleLax: In stock now. Grab the Cascade TP-S Goalie Throat Guard ($39.99) straight from BattleLax.
2. Cascade TPC2 Throat Protector Budget throat protector
A cheaper Cascade throat guard that beats going uncovered.
The TPC2 is another quality throat protector from Cascade, but it's a bit cheaper. It's pretty straightforward, without many frills beyond its price.
The TPC2 is cheaper for a reason. Users point to flimsier material than the TP-S and less coverage.
Still, the TPC2 beats going uncovered and is worth it to avoid the dreaded throat shot. You can't put a price on that peace of mind.
Key features: Affordable · String, zip tie or screw mounting
- Cheaper
- Better than no protection
- Flimsier material
- Less coverage
How to connect it to your helmet
The TPC2 attaches the same way as the TP-S, with the same string or zip tie option versus screws, and the same pros and cons for each method.
The main difference is the side holes. The TPC2 needs holes drilled a little closer to the center of the chin piece, and the exact distance depends on your helmet.
Again, follow the instructions that come with your throat protector to make sure you mount it correctly.
Who it's for: Goalies on a tight budget.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Cascade TPC2 Throat Protector. For a throat protector you can order today, go with the Cascade TP-S Goalie Throat Guard ($39.99), which also gives you more coverage.
How we rate goalie lacrosse helmets
We take our ratings seriously and only recommend gear we'd use ourselves.
To rate each product, we test it ourselves whenever we can, review the specs (weight, protection and so on), and read customer reviews and talk to players we know who use it.
With helmets specifically, we mainly test comfort and fit with our staff and their friends. We also only recommend helmets that meet the current NOCSAE standard.
When we can't test a product extensively ourselves, we spend extra time talking to real players who've used it for a while. If you have feedback on anything on this page or want us to add a product, let us know.
Goalie helmets and throat guards in stock at BattleLax
Want gear you can order today? These are the helmets and the goalie throat guard BattleLax carries right now.
| Gear | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cascade XRS Pro Lacrosse Helmet | Premium adult helmet | $339.99 |
| Cascade Z Lacrosse Helmet | Cascade's newest flagship | $449.99 |
| Warrior Burn X Lacrosse Helmet | BOA-fit adult helmet | $309.99 |
| Cascade SL Lacrosse Helmet | Lighter Cascade helmet | $279.99 |
| Cascade CPV-R Lacrosse Helmet | Budget helmet | $175.00 |
| Cascade XRS Youth Helmet | Premium youth helmet | $270.00 |
| Cascade CS-R Youth Lacrosse Helmet | Budget youth helmet | $129.99 |
| Cascade TP-S Goalie Throat Guard | Goalie throat protector | $39.99 |
Prices, sizes and stock change, so check the product page before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lacrosse goalie wear a regular helmet?
Yes. Any helmet that's legal for field players is legal for goalies, as long as you add a throat protector. The same goes for goalies in the women's game.
What is the best lacrosse goalie helmet?
The Cascade XRS is our top pick. BattleLax carries the upgraded Cascade XRS Pro.
Do lacrosse goalies need a throat protector?
Yes. A throat protector is required for goalies, and it covers the neck and throat that the helmet can't.
How do you attach a throat guard to a lacrosse helmet?
Either with strings or zip ties through the gap between the facemask and jaw shield, or with screws, bushings and T-nuts through holes drilled in the chin piece. Screws hold it more securely.
What is the best youth lacrosse goalie helmet?
The Cascade S Youth is our top youth pick. At BattleLax, the Cascade XRS Youth is the premium option and the CPV-R and CS-R Youth are the budget options.
Our other goalie guides
Check out our other goalie gear guides: best lacrosse goalie gear, goalie heads, goalie shafts and goalie chest protectors.
