Men's Lacrosse

Equipment

Buying a set of equipment for boys is a decision that takes a little bit of thought.  There are  two things to think about:  1. Protection, and 2. Comfort.  You can think of any piece of equipment on a scale... with "protection" on one side, and "comfort" on the other.  What you have to figure out is where your needs fit on that scale.  

At a beginner level, we recommend pads that cover a lot of surface area, as beginners tend to have less control over their stick-checks (and so you end up getting hit everywhere).  As you become a more developed player, you might choose pads that cover less surface area, and instead are thicker in focused areas (sternum, elbow cap, etc).  Less padding means much more range of motion, which translates into a better player.

For a beginner's set of equipment, plan on spending about $200-225.  $200 will get you a decent beginner's stick, helmet, gloves, arm pads and shoulder pads at the middle school or youth level.  As you get into the high school level, you should plan on right around $300 for beginner's equipment, or $400 - $500 for good equipment (higher end stick, better gloves, better helmet).  Whatever price range you look at, ALWAYS pay the $1.50 for a mouthguard (as opposed to $3000 for a new set of teeth).

Ultimately, you should decide how committed to the sport you are.  If you know that you will stick with it, spend the extra money for the better equipment, as this saves you from spending more money by having to upgrade as you get better.  If you aren't sure whether this is your thing, save some money and buy beginner's gear.

Plan on spending less than the guys, even at the high end of women's equipment!  A good beginner's stick will cost from $30 - $40 - something that is cheap enough to call a "beginner" stick, but nice enough that girls in high school and college club use it.  

A good set of eyewear ranges from $25 - $60.  Just look for whatever is most comfortable & offers good visibility.

$1.50 to $15.00 for a mouthguard (the most important piece of equipment you can buy!)

$15 - $35 for gloves, if you choose to wear them.  They're not required, but highly recommended.