6 Tips to Fit Your Child for New Lacrosse Gear

Somehow, between last summer and now, your kid grew out of their lacrosse gear. What do you do now?

Well, unlike nearly everything else you need in your life, you can’t rely on internet stores to meet your needs. Lacrosse gear isn’t a pair of pants that you can hem.

Remember going to stores? Yeah, you’re going to have to do that. You need to go to a brick-and-mortar store with your son or daughter and try things on.

Oh, don’t get me wrong — you can try to eyeball everything and order it online. But you’re betting against the house.

Last month, I took my bonus bud (personal slang for my girlfriend’s 9-year-old son) to get new lacrosse gear for this upcoming season. I thought I was an expert going in. I was wrong. Learn from my mistakes.

Here are a few ways to make it less painful. And if you still prefer to make your purchases online (and support USA Lacrosse by doing so), links to the products with which we walked out of the store.

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. USA Lacrosse earns a small commission on qualifying purchases. Any revenue we generate supports our mission to grow the game. Thank you for your support.

Step 1: Pick a lacrosse store

You have a few options here. The easiest way to find a lacrosse store is to search for one near your location. A lacrosse-specific retail store is generally going to have more choices than a big box store, but a big box store can also work if you’re looking for gear in season.

Out of season, you might be out of luck, but leading up to the spring, larger sporting goods stores stock up.

If there’s a Monkey Sports near you, that’s going to give you a great variety of sizes and brands. It also happens to be where we went to get the little guy geared up.

Step 2: Try on shoulder pads

This is the easiest step besides searching for a store online. Shoulder pads typically have the longest life of all your gear, and if you want, you can go a little bigger here to get even more life out of them.

But don’t go too big; you don’t want your kid to be a reverse bobblehead with his gear clanking up and down as he sprints to the ground ball pile.

So, strap the pads up and have them move around. See if the pad moves up and down as your kid fake jogs around the aisles. If it does, it is too big. If it doesn’t cover the sternum, it’s too small.

We went with the Maverik Charger EKG Shoulder Pad (2022 Model), which is currently going for $55.98 at Lacrosse Monkey.

Step 3: Try on arm pads

You know how that first step was easiest? This one is the worst.

Make sure your kid has short sleeves. Because if you don’t, they will just go tarps off like they’re at a Buffalo Bills game or listening to Petey Pablo and try on 10 pairs while they flex in the store mirror.

It’s also the hardest pad to eyeball. The general rule of thumb here is that the smaller the size, the better. If you get arm pads that are too big, they will be pulling up their pads while the game is going on 10 feet away from them.

Also, just get the longer pads here. They don’t really make tanky arm guards for younger lacrosse players, so you’re shooting for length and fit, not comfort. The pads will break in, your patience may not.

Grab three sizes of the same pad and try them all on. All they have to do is bend their elbows without significant resistance. Tight, not taut.

Our pick: Warrior Burn Next Youth Lacrosse Arm Pads (2023 model), currently $34.99 at Lacrosse Monkey.

Step 4: Try on gloves

This is tricky. And I say that because I really screwed this step up. After the arm pad fiasco, you will want to seriously downshift. Don't do it. Remain vigilant.

All I did was grab two sizes of gloves — one of which was the right size and the other which was way too big — and had him try those on. He loved the bigger gloves, so we bought those.

What I should have done was check the length of his fingers to the tip of the gloves. If the fingers don't touch, the glove is too big. If the glove has to be jammed onto their hand, it’s too small.

Another trick here is to have them hold a stick and simulate cradling and/or passing. Key word being “simulated.” If the gloves stay on and they give you positive feedback, you’re good to go.

We walked out with a pair of Maverik Charger Lacrosse Gloves for $39.99 at Lacrosse Monkey.

Step 5: Try on a helmet

I was spared from this step because the cost was a restrictive factor once the rest of the gear was procured. Still, we tried on multiple helmets to prepare for the inevitable purchase next year. It can be pretty daunting, as kid-sized helmets don’t/barely fit middle school adjacent kids, and the middle tier of helmets have been phased out by all the gear companies.

You’re going to have to shell out 300 bucks for a new helmet eventually. I’m preparing you for that sticker shock now so you won’t feel it when you get in the store. Be ready.

For the fit, because the middle tier is non-existent, it’ll be a little bobbly once you have to cross the size Rubicon.

Once you get the shell size right — most helmets use a padding system and a back-mounted ratchet to adjust fit now in lieu of different shell sizes — you have to fit the chinstrap. Try to get the top two buttons in line with their jaw. It might take a few adjustments. Don’t forget to feed the straps under the facemask.

The child will be impatient. Use your words. Show no weakness.

Once you have the top two buttons secured and lined up, the bottom two straps must be fitted to keep the helmet stable. A wobbly helmet might be funny, but it’s not safe. 

The trick is to get one strap to a good fit where they can open their mouth without the helmet moving. Then the other side will be that much easier to match.

Step 6: Rip shots in the batting cage, then pay

Look, you came all this way, you might as well get some shots up. If your store doesn't have a shooting cage, you might get tricked into buying a new stick. It’s your wallet, so it’s up to you if you’re ready to make that purchase.

But if you can, avoid the giant wall of shiny new plastic weapons. Everyone wants a new stick. Run, don’t walk, to the register.