Lacrosse gear guides, organised by what the rules ask for.

How we recommend

Our picks are categories of gear, such as lacrosse helmets, women's eyewear or goalie chest protectors, never particular models or brands. Each pick says who it may suit and which rule or standard applies to it, with the body, the rule book and its date. We do not publish hands-on reviews, we do not rank individual products, and we do not quote or compare prices. The buttons take you to current listings so you can compare for yourself. Product links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no cost to you; that never decides which categories we include.

Nothing in these guides says that a product is certified, safe or legal. A helmet, chest protector, eyewear or headgear is acceptable, or not, under the standard on its label and the rule of the body running the game, and certification marks are checked by the officials and the governing body. A stick is legal, or not, under the code being played. Sizing, fitting, stringing and pocket work are named in these guides but never described.

Coaching comes before gear

We suggest starting lacrosse through a programme or club with qualified coaches. USA Lacrosse's Bronze coach certification, required of all its active coach members, covers a background check, abuse prevention training, cardiac care, concussion awareness, cultural competency and an annual rules test. The how people learn page describes the coaching routes. This site does not recommend any club, coach, camp, shop, stringer or maker.

Six things these guides keep repeating

• Men's and women's lacrosse are different games. Their sticks, pockets and protective equipment follow different rules, and the guides never merge them.
• Every rule has a code and a date. The World Lacrosse books used are men's field 2025-2027 v1.0, women's field 2025-2026 v1.0, box 2026-2028 v2.0 and sixes 2026-2028 v2.0 (May 2026); later men's and women's versions exist but were not read. The NCAA and NFHS rule books were not read, so only their published change summaries and releases are used, and USA Lacrosse's youth rule books could not be opened, so its youth rules are marked unconfirmed.
• A standard is not a rule. NOCSAE ND041 says how a lacrosse helmet is tested, ND200 how a chest protector is tested, ND049 how a ball is tested, and ASTM F3137 and F3077 how women's headgear and eyewear are tested; the bodies decide who must wear what, and from when.
• World Lacrosse's May 2026 decision is phased in. Eyewear for women, permitted soft headgear, NOCSAE-standard goalkeeper chest protection and commotio cordis shoulder pads arrive at World Lacrosse events from the 2027 Sixes, 2028 Box and 2029 U20 championships, so its current field books still read differently.
• No helmet or chest protector is prevention. NOCSAE requires warnings that no helmet protects against all impacts and that no protector can prevent all cardiac or other injury, and a 2023 review (Peng and colleagues, Sports Medicine) says chest barriers have not been shown to prevent commotio cordis.
• Makers' claims are labelled. What a maker says about materials or protection is the maker's claim, and the guides name no makers.

Where to start

• New to lacrosse? The beginner kit guide sets out what each code requires in men's field, women's field, box and sixes.
• Head protection? The helmet guide explains NOCSAE ND041, the label, certification life and each body's rule, and the women's headgear standard.
• Choosing a stick? The stick guide gives the limits in each rule book, with heads, shafts and youth sticks.
• Playing the women's game? The women's kit guide covers the stick, eyewear, headgear and mouthguard rules by body and date.
• In goal? The goalie gear guide covers ND200 and each code's goalkeeper equipment and stick limits.
• Buying for a child? The youth kit guide says which youth rules are confirmed and which are not.
• Practising? The practice gear guide covers the ball standard, ball colours, goal sizes and the guidance on practices.
• Buying a present? The gift guide sticks mostly to items that do not have to fit the player.

How we handle sources

World Lacrosse, USA Lacrosse, the NFHS, the NCAA, Lacrosse Canada, NOCSAE, ASTM and medical researchers are our primary sources. Where sources disagree, we give each version and who says it. Where our research could not open a document or found nothing it could confirm, as for USA Lacrosse's youth rule books, the NCAA rule books and the current ball test values, we say so rather than fill the gap. Everything here is summarised as of 23 October 2026; the current text of the rule book or standard takes precedence over this summary.