Best Lacrosse Protective Gear.

Lacrosse protective gear includes helmets, shoulder pads, arm guards, elbow pads, and gloves. Choosing the right equipment depends on your position, gender, and level of play. This guide covers the best options across every category — for men’s, women’s, and youth players.

All Equipment

Lacrosse Protective Gear

Lacrosse is a contact sport. The right protective gear reduces injury risk without limiting your range of motion. Every player — regardless of position or gender — needs a minimum set of pads before stepping on the field.

  • Lacrosse Helmets
    Required for all men’s field lacrosse players. Protects against head impacts, stick checks, and ground balls. Look for NOCSAE certification and a proper fit above all else. View Helmets
  • Shoulder Pads
    Protect the shoulders, chest, and ribs. Attackers and midfielders prefer lighter, low-profile pads for mobility. Defenders typically choose more coverage for physical play. View Shoulder Pads
  • Lacrosse Gloves
    Protect the hands and wrists from stick checks while maintaining feel for the ball. Fit is everything — gloves that are too big or too small will hurt your game. View Gloves
  • Lacrosse Elbow Pads
    Protect the elbow and forearm from checks and ground contact. Attackers and middies often prefer arm pads for lightweight protection without restricting throwing motion. View Elbow Pads
  • Lacrosse Arm Guards
    Full arm coverage from wrist to elbow. Preferred by defenders and players who take a lot of body checks. More protection, slightly more bulk than elbow pads. View Arm Guards
  • Lacrosse Goggles
    Required for all women’s field lacrosse players. Protect the eyes and face without a full helmet. Look for ASTM-certified goggles with a proper fit and good visibility. View Goggles

What Equipment Do You Need?

A complete lacrosse equipment list for men’s players includes a helmet, shoulder pads, arm guards or elbow pads, gloves, cleats, and a mouthguard. Women’s players need goggles, gloves, and cleats at minimum.

Complete Equipment List

Best Lacrosse Gear Guides