Lacrosse is two different sports under the same name. Boys lacrosse is a contact sport with helmets, gloves, and full pads. Girls lacrosse is a non-contact sport (with rule-defined contact only) that requires a small set of safety equipment. The sticks are different. The pads are different. Don’t get the gear mixed up.
Below covers both. Read the section that fits your kid.
Boys lacrosse
Boys lacrosse is the contact version. Full helmet, full gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads, mouthpiece, cup. The safety gear list is real.
Ages 5–7 (Starter / Lightning)
Most starter programs at this age provide the team gear. You buy the basics.
A youth boys lacrosse stick
Boys sticks are 37 to 42 inches at the youth level. The head is shaped specifically for boys’ lacrosse (different from girls).
How to choose: stick length should reach the kid’s chin when they hold it head-up. The shaft should be light enough to swing easily.
Cost range: $40–80.
A youth boys helmet
Required at every age. NOCSAE certified. Includes a face cage.
How to choose: helmet should sit level, not tipped back. Chin strap snug.
Cost range: $80–150.
Lacrosse gloves (youth)
Gloves protect the back of the hand and wrist. Required.
How to choose: thumb should fit fully into the glove with a small amount of space at the tip.
Cost range: $30–60.
Shoulder pads, arm pads, mouthpiece, cup
Shoulder pads and arm pads are required. Most starter programs sell a kit of all four. Mouthpiece and cup are required separately.
Cost range: $80–150 for the pad kit, $5 to $15 for mouthpiece, $10 to $20 for cup.
Cleats
Soccer cleats work. Lacrosse-specific cleats exist; they’re not necessary at this age.
Cost range: $35–70.
Ages 8–10 (Junior)
Real games begin. The pads upgrade. The stick gets more important.
A 37-to-40 inch stick
Better quality stick. The head shape and stringing matter more now. Some kids string their own; most have a coach or older player do it.
How to choose: the head should be legal under the league’s rules (NCAA-spec or boys’ youth-spec depending on league).
Cost range: $80–180.
A real youth helmet
Upgrade to a higher-end helmet at this age. Better fit, better impact protection.
Cost range: $150–250.
Better gloves
Position-specific glove options begin to matter. Goalies wear specialty gloves with extra thumb protection.
Cost range: $50–100.
A pair of lacrosse cleats
Lacrosse cleats have a slightly different stud pattern than soccer cleats. Mid-cut for ankle support.
Cost range: $60–120.
Ages 11–12 (Middle school feeder and travel)
Travel lacrosse is a real thing in lacrosse-heavy areas (Maryland, Long Island, Massachusetts). Costs go up. Gear upgrades.
A high-quality boys stick
The shaft and head matter. Composite shafts are lighter. Different head shapes for different positions (offense, defense, midfield).
Cost range: $150–300.
A high-end helmet
Look for the VTI star rating. Better helmets cost more and protect more.
Cost range: $250–400.
Pro-quality gloves and pads
Lighter, more flexible, better range of motion.
Cost range: $200–400 for the full set.
Ages 13–14 (Junior high) and 15+ (High school)
High-school programs typically provide team helmets and shoulder pads. You provide stick, gloves, arm pads, cleats, mouthpiece, cup, and any specialty gear.
A varsity-level boys kit runs $400 to $800 for the parent-provided portion. Travel/club lacrosse adds $1,500 to $4,000 per year.
Girls lacrosse
Girls lacrosse is a non-contact sport (with rule-defined stick contact and minimal body contact). The equipment is much lighter than boys’.
Ages 5–7 (Starter / Tots)
A youth girls lacrosse stick
Girls sticks are different from boys sticks. Different head shape, different stringing rules. Buy a girls-specific starter stick.
How to choose: 35 to 38 inch length. Beginner pocket (shallow stringing).
Cost range: $40–80.
Eye protection (mandatory)
Girls lacrosse requires goggles. Most leagues require ASTM-certified goggles.
How to choose: goggles should fit snugly without pressing on the cheeks or temples.
Cost range: $30–60.
A mouthpiece
Required.
Cost range: $5–15.
Cleats
Soccer cleats work. Lacrosse cleats are nice but not necessary.
Cost range: $35–70.
That is the entire required kit for girls’ lacrosse at this age. About $110 to $225 to start.
Ages 8–10
Better stick
Girls sticks have specific stringing rules. By this age, your kid will have stringing preferences. Most stores will restring for $20 to $40.
Cost range: $60–150.
Better goggles
Higher-end goggles fit better and don’t fog as easily.
Cost range: $50–100.
Lacrosse cleats
Mid-cut for ankle support.
Cost range: $50–100.
Ages 11–12
The stick technology starts to matter. Custom stringing becomes common.
A serious girls stick
Stick maker, head shape, pocket depth all matter. Talk to the kid’s coach.
Cost range: $150–250.
Pro-quality goggles
Lighter weight, better visibility.
Cost range: $80–150.
Ages 13–14 and 15+
Girls’ high-school lacrosse rules added optional headgear in 2018. Most programs don’t require it; some do. Some kids choose to wear it anyway after a head impact incident.
The kit at varsity level runs $250 to $500 for stick, goggles, mouthpiece, cleats, headgear. Club and travel lacrosse adds $2,000 to $4,000 per year.
How to choose a lacrosse stick (boys or girls)
Three checks:
One. Length. Boys: 37 to 42 inches at the youth level, with adult midfield 40-42 and defenseman 52-72 inches. Girls: 35 to 43 inches across all ages. The stick should reach about chin height when held head-up.
Two. Pocket. The pocket is where the ball sits. Beginner pockets are shallow and easier to scoop. Tournament-legal pockets have specific depth rules. New players want shallow; experienced players want deeper.
Three. Weight balance. Hold the stick at the throat (just below the head). It should feel balanced — not head-heavy. A head-heavy stick fatigues the wrist quickly.
If you don’t know what you’re buying, take your kid to a lacrosse-specific shop. They will help you choose the right setup.
A few honest notes
Boys and girls lacrosse sticks are NOT interchangeable. The heads are shaped differently and the stringing rules are different.
Used lacrosse gear is plentiful. Most lacrosse-heavy regions have annual gear swaps in February or March. Worth showing up.
Stringing your own pocket is a real skill. Most kids don’t learn until age 12 or 13. Your local lacrosse shop will string for free with most stick purchases.
— Maren