The BEST Brands For Lacrosse Equipment? » (Easy Overview)
When it comes to playing sports, especially a full contact sport like lacrosse, having high quality equipment can make all the difference in playing and staying safe.
Lacrosse players often wonder what lacrosse equipment is the best – and can help them play well and stay safe.
What is the best brand for lacrosse equipment? A while back, the brands STX and Brine were the best brands for lacrosse equipment because they were the only ones out there. Now, so many more quality brands have emerged that there really isn’t any one best brand for lacrosse equipment; it ultimately comes down to personal preference and even the type of equipment needed.
In this article, we’ve got an easy overview of all the best brands for lacrosse equipment, as well as a walk through of everything you need to play lacrosse, so that when it comes time to buy lacrosse equipment, you’re prepared. Let’s take a look!
Lacrosse Equipment: What You Need and What Brand is the Best
So, as we discussed, there really isn’t one best brand for lacrosse equipment; it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the type of equipment you need.
There are different brands of equipment that are best when it comes to different types of equipment
For example, the lacrosse stick that’s considered the best on the market right now is made by Nike, but the lacrosse gloves that are considered the best on the market right now are made by Maverik.
For that reason, we’re going to walk you through the best brand for each different type of equipment, like lacrosse sticks, lacrosse gloves, lacrosse pads, lacrosse helmets, and lacrosse cleats.
First, let’s take a look at the basics, though – like a little background of lacrosse, the equipment you actually need to play lacrosse, and what brands are overall considered the best for lacrosse equipment.
We made extensive guides that will help you find the best equipment for young players, as well as for adults and goalies.
An Overview of Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a fast-paced, full action sport that continues to gain popularity throughout the years. This game is ultimately played by players using lacrosse sticks (with a net at one end) to pass, carry and shoot a lacrosse ball into a goal to score points.
Lacrosse is considered a full contact sport. In this instance, that means players can “check” each other with their bodies, with their lacrosse sticks, or both, in order to disrupt their movements and get a better chance of scoring a goal.
Since lacrosse is a full contact sport, equipment and gear are needed to help the players work more effectively, but more importantly, to stay safe while playing.
No wonder it’s so common to wonder what the best brand for lacrosse equipment is!
Something to keep in mind is the fact that men’s lacrosse is full contact, but women’s lacrosse is actually considered non-contact (although stick checking is still allowed in women’s lacrosse). Either way, protective equipment and gear are still needed.
If you want to know more about the game of Lacrosse, take a look at this course by Rob Pannell, where he shares pro tips on different aspects of the sport: conditioning, mental preparation and fundamentals of the game.
Equipment and Gear Needed to Play Lacrosse
Fun fact: lacrosse is the fastest sport played on two feet. The speed combined with the ability to body check and stick check others really amplifies the need for protective equipment and gear for lacrosse players.
So, what equipment and gear do lacrosse players need? Let’s take a look.
Equipment and Gear for Men’s Lacrosse
Since men’s lacrosse is full contact, they need a bit more equipment than those who play women’s lacrosse do.
Men’s lacrosse players need the following equipment (Amazon links):
- Helmets
- Mouthpieces
- Gloves
- Shoulder pads
- Athletic cups (not required but strongly recommended)
- Arm pads (not required but strongly recommended)
- Rib pads (not required but strongly recommended)
- Chest protectors (required for goal keepers only)
- Throat protectors (required for goal keepers only)
- Shoes or cleats
Equipment and Gear for Women’s Lacrosse
Women’s lacrosse players still need their fair share of protective gear and equipment.
Women’s lacrosse players need the following equipment (Amazon links):
- Mouthpieces
- Eyewear/goggles
- Helmets (not required for all players but recommended)
- Gloves (not required but recommended)
- Helmets with attached face masks (required for goal keepers only)
- Throat protectors (required for goal keepers only)
- Chest protectors (required for goal keepers only)
- Shoes or cleats
Lacrosse Equipment Brands That Are Considered the Best
Before we get into our breakdown of what brand is best for a particular piece of equipment, let’s take a look at some of the lacrosse equipment brands that are considered the best.
These brands have been the top leading brands in the lacrosse equipment industry, and are known to produce some of the most high quality equipment for lacrosse players of all levels. Not only that, but they’re household names that have had experience in the industry for decades!
STX
STX came into the lacrosse industry in 1970; yep, just about 50 years ago! STX specializes in equipment for men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and even ice and field hockey.
Maverik
Maverik Lacrosse was founded by two lacrosse players in 2005. With their combined experience and love for lacrosse, the founders have created a long lasting lacrosse equipment brand that players use everywhere.
Cascade
Cascade is one of the best and leading brands for lacrosse headgear. They came into the industry in 1986 and have been revolutionizing the world of lacrosse headgear equipment since.
You’ll likely see Cascade lacrosse equipment just about anywhere lacrosse is played or anywhere lacrosse equipment is sold.
Brine
Brine is a classic lacrosse equipment company that was one of the originals along with STX. Brine began all the way back in 1922 as a small sporting goods company but quickly grew into one of the biggest brands in lacrosse equipment.
Warrior
With a brand name fit for lacrosse players, Warrior is another lacrosse equipment brand that was founded by a former lacrosse player. Warrior emerged in 1992 with its high performance lacrosse equipment for players of all levels.
Nike
It’s pretty likely that you already know who this sports brand behemoth is. Nike is one of the most recognizable sports brands ever, so it makes sense that they have now paved their way into a role as one of the best brands for lacrosse equipment.
The Best Brand for Different Types of Lacrosse Equipment
By now, you know the basics, like what equipment and gear are needed to play lacrosse and what some of the overall best brands are.
Now it’s time to get a little bit more in depth with our overview by going over the best brand for each type of lacrosse equipment.
What brand is the best for lacrosse sticks? What about lacrosse headgear? What’s the best brand for lacrosse shoes and cleats? Time to find out!
Best Brand for Lacrosse Headgear: Cascade
Cascade specializes in lacrosse headgear, so it’s no surprise they’ve got the most highly and widely respected lacrosse headgear in the game.
Why is Cascade the best brand for lacrosse headgear? To put this into perspective, let’s talk about one of their most popular products.
Cascade CPX-R helmet
The Cascade CPX-R helmet is the most widely used helmets in lacrosse and is especially used by college lacrosse players and Major League Lacrosse (MLL) players.
Headgear is very important in lacrosse, because players need to protect their heads! Cascade’s headgear, especially the CPX-R helmet (Amazon link), are top-notch at head protection; they can protect players from lacrosse balls soaring towards them at 100 miles per hour.
Cascade also infuses all their headgear with innovative and useful technology; let’s take their foam technologies, for example. Foam that’s infused in the Cascade CPX-R helmet is called Poron XRD foam, and it immediately regains its original form after an impact.
It’s always ready for the next hit while protecting one of the most important assets a player has – his or her head.
Best Brand for Lacrosse Sticks: STX
Nike may have the “best” lacrosse stick on the market right now, but the overall best brand for lacrosse sticks is STX.
While just about any lacrosse equipment brand carries lacrosse sticks, STX’s 50 years of experience and leadership in the lacrosse equipment industry have made them the best brand for lacrosse sticks.
STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 A/M Complete Stick
Its easy to catch and ball control make this stick perfect for beginners.
First, STX offers a huge variety of lacrosse sticks for players of all levels, from the newest beginner to the experienced, professional Major League player.
Next, STX’s lacrosse sticks are durable and trusted, meaning they won’t fall apart or perform badly after not much use. Something else to keep in mind is how lightweight and maneuverable they are. Some of STX’s lacrosse sticks weigh less than a pound!
Best Brand for Lacrosse Gloves: Maverik
Maverik’s use of technology, comfort, protection, and good-looking design have all blended together to make them the best brand for lacrosse gloves. Maverik’s gloves are all also very lightweight and come with liners that allow for fast sweat evaporation.
Let’s take a look at one of Maverik’s best gloves, the M4.
Maverik M4 Lacrosse Gloves
Well rounded gloves, great for all levels players. Excellent quality delivered for the price.
For starters, I think that the M4’s are one of, if not the most breathable glove that is available on the market today. Also, the protection of them from checks is also solid. However, I think the reason I enjoy them the most besides their breathability has to be their mobility and flexibility.
It’s clear to see that Maverik’s lacrosse gloves are top notch for any player out there.
Best Brand for Lacrosse Shoes and Cleats: Nike
When it comes to sports shoes, you can trust Nike knows what it’s doing. That’s one of the main reasons why it’s the best brand for lacrosse shoes and cleats.
In most of their lacrosse shoes and cleats, Nike uses top of the line material, like leather with synthetics, so the shoes and cleats can properly form to the player’s feet for maximum comfort, safety, and performance.
Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Mens Football Cleats
Great shoes for the money. Comfortable and durable despite the price.
Most all of the lacrosse shoes and cleats are offered in low-top, mid-level, and high-top heights so players can decide what type of and how much ankle protection they’d prefer.
TIP: In a sport where ankle sprains are rampant, ankle support in lacrosse shoes and cleats is a must.
Some Nike cleats and shoes even have what’s called a ¾ upper style, meaning they’ve got a height right between mid-level and high-top cleats. That’s something you can’t find just about anywhere else!
Best Brand for Lacrosse Pads: Maverik
Maverik is back on the list for another type of equipment; their technology and foam infusion just can’t be beat when it comes to padding and protection.
Maverik uses two technologies called E-Form and Anaform. These technologies allow the lacrosse pads to be fitted and formed specifically to the player’s figure, whether it be on their shoulders, ribs, or arms.
Like in their gloves, Maverik uses Poron XRD foam in their pads. The Poron XRD foam is soft to the touch, comfortable to wear, and easy to move, but it hardens on impact – and like you know by now, there’s a lot of impact in lacrosse.
Maverik Lacrosse Max Speed Pad
Great quality-price ratio chest pad.
Best Brands for Lacrosse Goggles: STX and Cascade
When it comes to lacrosse goggles and eyewear (that are primarily worn by women’s lacrosse players), we couldn’t choose just one best brand. STX and Cascade are both the best brands for lacrosse goggles.
First things first, STX has lacrosse goggles that are some of the most popular and widely used lacrosse goggles on the market, especially among teams.
STX Lacrosse Focus-S Goggle, Black/Black
These goggles are lightweight, comfortable and flexible because they’re made of silicone, and the wire design that protects players’ eyes is in a unique oval design to allow for maximum visibility while playing.
STX is great when it comes to its lacrosse goggles, but Cascade can’t be forgotten. The specialty lacrosse headgear company also produces some of the best lacrosse goggles and eyewear on the market.
Cascade offers lacrosse goggles for players of all ages with maximum visibility, sturdy build and design, and overall safety. Some of the goggles may not be as lightweight as STX goggles, but they’re still extremely safe and affordable.
How Much Different Lacrosse Equipment Can Cost
When discussing lacrosse equipment, it’s helpful to know how much the different types can cost. Lacrosse can be a pricey sport if you’re buying all the top-notch, best on the market gear, but there are also affordable products from the best brands.
That being said, let’s take a look at how much different lacrosse equipment can cost.
Cost of Lacrosse Headgear
We talked about Cascade as the best brand for lacrosse headgear. So, just how much does Cascade’s headgear cost?
We took a look at DICK’s Sporting Goods’ site to compare prices on different types of Cascade headgear. Since Cascade is such a top-notch brand, a lot of their products can be pricey. Don’t fear, though; Cascade still has quite a few affordable lacrosse headgear products.
Cascade lacrosse helmets can cost anywhere from $109.99 to $389.99.
Cost of Lacrosse Sticks
STX took the cake as the best brand for lacrosse sticks. Lacrosse sticks are everywhere, and prices can vary greatly, especially when you factor in the different skill levels and different brands.
Since STX was our best brand for lacrosse sticks, we’re going to compare some of their prices.
You can get a youth STX lacrosse stick package with both the shaft and net for $29.99 to $39.99. On the adult side, you can get an adult STX lacrosse stick anywhere from $48.99 to $269.99.
When purchasing lacrosse sticks (like with most any lacrosse gear), you need to be aware of your skill level and what type of play you’ll be using your gear for to get the correct type of equipment.
Cost of Lacrosse Gloves
Maverik stole the show as the best brand for lacrosse gloves. They’re great, but how much do they cost?
There are many different types of lacrosse gloves, from standard gloves to goalie gloves. Players may like the feel and performance of one glove over another.
When it comes to Maverik lacrosse gloves, you’ll be in the market to spend anywhere from $89.99 to $189.99.
Check out this post where we analyze the best options for Lacrosse gloves in the market.
Cost of Lacrosse Shoes and Cleats
Lacrosse shoes and cleats also have a huge range of price just because there are so many options out there. Not only can you buy lacrosse shoes or cleats, you can also buy shoes for different performance, different fits, and of course low-top, mid-level and high-top ankle support.
Nike was our winner for best lacrosse shoes and cleats, so we’ll look at the prices of some of their gear.
Youth Nike lacrosse cleats and shoes can cost anywhere from $33.99 to $79.99, and adult Nike lacrosse cleats and shoes can cost anywhere from $49.99 to $129.99.
Cost of Lacrosse Goggles
When it came to lacrosse goggles, STX and Cascade were the best in the game. So, how much do their lacrosse goggles cost?
We compared prices on several sites and found that STX lacrosse goggles can cost anywhere from $29.99 to $84.99. Cascade lacrosse goggles can cost anywhere from $44.99 to $79.99.
…
