Buying Guide to Lacrosse Gloves

Men's vs. Women's Gloves

Men's and women's lacrosse gloves differ significantly because the games have different contact rules.

AREA	MEN'S GLOVES	WOMEN'S GLOVES	GOALKEEPER'S GLOVES
Padding level	Heavy — protects against stick-checks and body contact.	Light — primarily for grip, warmth, and abrasion protection.	Heavy – protects against shots and checks, as well as added protection for the thumb.
Wrist protection	Often reasonable padding to defend against checks.	Minimal if any.	Sometimes as wrist protection, though more modern gloves often sacrifice wrist protection for a lighter glove that allows for faster hands.
Feel	More structured.	Thinner, more natural feel	More structured, often quite stiff.

Women's gloves are not mandatory in field lacrosse but can be useful for warmth and a bit of added protection.

 

How to Size Lacrosse Gloves

Getting the right fit is critical — gloves that are too small restrict movement, while gloves that are too large reduce protection. The standard sizing method is to measure the length of your hand from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger.

Glove Size	Hand Length	Approximate Age/ Build
XS (8")	6"	Age 5–7
SM (10")	6.5"	Age 8–10
MD (12")	7"	Age 11+
LG (13")	7.5"	Teen/adult
XL (14")	7.75"+	Larger adult

Most adult men wear a 13" (large) glove. When in doubt, go snug rather than loose — lacrosse gloves are intentionally fitted so that your fingertips just touch the end of the glove, sitting underneath the padding.

 

Protection

Look for high-density foam and reinforced plastic inserts over the fingers, knuckles, and back of the hand. At youth and university level, avoid the very cheapest entry-level gloves — even at U14, a mid-range glove offers noticeably better protection.

Mobility & Flexibility

Lacrosse requires constant quick hand movements. Good gloves use segmented padding with creases that allow natural finger and wrist flex without sacrificing coverage. Look for gloves described as offering unrestricted movement or a "second-skin" feel.

Palm Construction

The palm is where you feel the stick — it should offer grip without being bulky. Options include:

• Suede palms — soft feel with natural grip
• AX Suede / synthetic palms — moisture-wicking and durable
• Mesh palms — breathable and tactile

Ventilation

Lacrosse is intense. Perforations on the backhand and fingers help keep hands cool during play.

Wrist Cuff

A well-padded cuff protects against low checks. Some gloves feature adjustable cuffs for a more customised fit.

 

Skill Level & Budget Guide

Level	What to Buy	Key Benefits
Youth / Beginner	Entry-level complete gloves (e.g., STX Stallion 75 or STX Stallion 200).	Entry level players need functional protection for getting started.
Intermediate	Mid-range gloves from STX (e.g STX LTZ and Cell ranges).	Better protection and palm quality for regular players.
Advanced / Elite	Performance gloves (e.g., STX RZR 2 or STX Cell VI).	Premium palm feel, lightweight foam, and maximum flexibility.

Goalie Note: Goalies require specialist gloves with extra thumb protection and reinforced padding to withstand direct shots. Look specifically for lacrosse goalie gloves rather than standard field gloves.