Find the Best Youth Lacrosse Gloves for Your Childs Game in 2023Find the Best Youth Lacrosse Gloves for Your Childs Game in 2023
Finding the Perfect Gloves for Your Budding Lacrosse Star
As the youth lacrosse season starts up, making sure your child has the right protective gear is key. And one of the most important pieces of equipment is a good pair of lacrosse gloves. With so many options on the market, it can get confusing trying to find the best gloves for your young player’s needs and budget.
When looking for youth lacrosse gloves, you’ll first want to determine the right size. Measure your child’s hand circumference around the palm under the knuckles. Compare the measurement to manufacturer sizing charts to find the best fit. Gloves that are too big can hinder performance, while too small leads to discomfort. Adjustable wrist straps help achieve a snug custom fit.
Protection is also paramount. Look for gloves with thick padding across the entire back of the hand and fingers. This helps absorb checks from sticks and limit injuries like bruising or broken digits. Leather palms improve grip and durability so the gloves last through seasons of use.
Breathability and flexibility are other key factors. Mesh panels, perforations, and lightweight materials prevent overheating. Pre-arched fingers allow the gloves to better conform to your young athlete’s hands for unrestricted movement and responsiveness when cradling or passing.
Consider extras like moisture-wicking linings that keep hands dryer, anti-odor technologies that reduce bacteria buildup and smell, and stylish colors/graphics so your child can express their personality on the field. Shop early as popular gloves often sell out.
Do some research before buying. Check lacrosse gear review sites and forums to see real customer experiences with major glove brands like Maverik, STX, and Brine. Getting the right pair of gloves can give your young lacrosse player the confidence and protection to succeed this season!
Choosing the Right Size Youth Lacrosse Gloves for Optimal Fit and Protection
One of the most critical factors in finding the ideal pair of youth lacrosse gloves is getting the sizing right. Lacrosse involves a lot of close physical contact, so having properly fitted gloves that stay snug during play is crucial.
First, measure your child’s dominant hand circumference around the palm under the knuckles. Compare this measurement to size charts from top manufacturers like Maverik, STX, and Brine to determine the recommended size.
Gloves that are too loose will slide around and negatively affect your young athlete’s ability to cradle and pass the ball. Oversized gloves also leave more areas vulnerable to checks and slashes. On the other hand, gloves that are too tight lead to restricted mobility and discomfort.
Adjustable wrist straps allow you to customize the fit after finding the right general size. Ensure the gloves have a secure contoured fit across the wrist and palm without cutting off circulation or flexibility.
The gloves shouldn’t pinch or rub anywhere, especially along the fingers and seams. Trying on different sizes and brands in person allows you to gauge the right fit and feel before buying.
Taking the time to find properly fitted gloves improves protection, performance, and comfort—key ingredients for success on the lacrosse field. Don’t settle for gloves that are the wrong size and could hinder your young player’s potential.
Prioritizing Padding and Protection in Youth Lacrosse Gloves
When shopping for youth lacrosse gloves, protection should be one of your top priorities. Lacrosse is a contact sport, so making sure your child’s hands are properly shielded from checks, slashes, and errant sticks is crucial.
Look for gloves with ample padding across the entire back of the hand and fingers. Thicker foam or molded plastic padding on the backs of the hands and knuckles helps absorb impacts. Wrist cuffs with added padding limit bruising during checks.
Fingers should have individual segmented padding for flexibility while cushioning from frontal attacks. High-density foam or doubled-up padding on fingertips protects against jamming injuries.
Palm padding is also key for grip security when cradling, scooping, and passing. Leather palms improve durability and stick friction. However, make sure padding underneath is not too bulky, which can hinder feel and ball control.
While protection is essential, the gloves still need to allow dexterity and responsiveness. Strike a balance between cushioning and flexibility so hand speed and motion aren’t restricted.
Choosing gloves with sufficient coverage and smart padding placement helps keep hands safe during those inevitable hard knocks on the field.
Choosing Adjustable and Secure Youth Lacrosse Glove Wrist Straps
After finding the right size and protection, looking for gloves with adjustable wrist straps is key for getting the perfect fit. The cuff closure system secures the gloves and keeps them from rotating or sliding as your young athlete moves on the field.
Wrist straps allow you to customize the tightness and contour around your child’s forearm for a truly snug fit. Traditional hook-and-loop closures make it easy to find the ideal tension without restricting circulation or flexibility.
Elastic lycra bands offer a compressive fit to lock the gloves in place. Some brands also use integrated drawstring dials for micro-adjusting and tightening the wrist area with just a quick twist.
Ensure the wrist strap design keeps the gloves securely anchored during intense game play. Floppy, loose gloves lead to poor ball control and hand protection. Well-fitting adjustable straps prevent unwanted movement.
Consider your young player’s preference and comfort level when trialing different wrist strap systems. The closures shouldn’t dig in or create pressure points. With adjustable straps, one size can accommodate growing kids.
Take the time to properly dial in the wrist fit. Secure gloves boost performance, safety and confidence on the lacrosse field.
Selecting Lightweight, Breathable Lacrosse Glove Materials
The material construction of youth lacrosse gloves also plays an important role in finding the best pair. Opting for lightweight and breathable fabrics helps keep hands cooler and less fatigued.
Many gloves feature flexible mesh panels on the backs of hands and between fingers. Mesh promotes airflow to reduce sweatiness during intense play in the heat. Perforations in foam padding also aid ventilation.
Synthetic leather or nylon/polyester fabric blends are common glove materials that are durable yet lightweight. They dry faster than full leather gloves to stay lighter over the course of a game.
Pre-curved fingers enable the gloves to better conform to your young athlete’s hands for less restriction. This also improves responsiveness for catching, passing, and checking.
Moisture-wicking interior linings prevent moisture buildup inside the gloves that can cause slippage and compromised grip. Breathable materials equal cooler, dryer hands.
The right lacrosse glove materials allow flexible dexterity, ventilation, and quick drying—important factors in maximizing performance and comfort for youth players.
The Importance of Good Grip Leather Palms on Youth Lacrosse Gloves
Finding youth lacrosse gloves with quality leather palms is crucial for enhancing ball control and stick handling. The material provides needed grip and durability during intense gameplay.
Full leather palms give the best friction when cradling, scooping up ground balls, and securing passes. Leather palms hold up better against wear and tear over synthetic options.
Look for gloves with a rugged Clarino Nash palm for optimal mix of stick friction, flexibility, and abrasion resistance. Reinforced thumb pads also aid grip strength.
However, palms shouldn’t have thick stacked padding, which actually reduces feel. Padding shouldn’t impede your child’s ability to control the ball.
The ideal glove palm offers both grip security from quality leather along with responsiveness from strategic padding placement. This maximizes handling and performance.
Consider palm construction along with adequate overall protection when choosing youth lacrosse gloves. Quality leather palms keep hands sticky for confident play.
Accessorizing with Bright Lacrosse Glove Colors and Graphics
Allowing kids to express their personal style on the field is part of the fun of youth sports. Lacrosse glove colors and designs let them show off their personality.
Bold colors like neon yellow, green, orange, and pink make gloves pop. Two-tone color combinations add flair. Prints featuring camo, tie-dye or animal patterns give distinct looks.
Trusted brands like Brine, Maverik, and STX offer custom gloves with unique graphic designs. Adding a name, number, or inspirational quote makes the gloves feel personalized.
Colors and graphics have no impact on glove performance. But letting your young athlete choose their style builds excitement and self-expression through equipment.
Vibrant colors help them stand out on the crowded field. Custom graphics give a sense of ownership over gear. Both can boost confidence and motivation.
While protection and fit should drive glove selection, don’t overlook the importance of fun colors and patterns to inspire your developing young lacrosse player.
Buying Multiple Lacrosse Glove Pairs for Practice and Games
Having a few pairs of youth lacrosse gloves readily available serves several important purposes for young players.
Rotate between multiple pairs to extend each glove’s lifespan. The gloves used only for games stay newer while practice gloves handle wear and tear.
Bring extras to games and practice in case gloves get wet or damaged. Quick mid-game swaps keep hands protected versus using compromised equipment.
As kids grow, new sizes are needed. Extra gloves in slightly bigger dimensions allow room to grow rather than buying new pairs every season.
Alternating gloves prevents overuse issues like irritations from dirt or sweat buildup. It gives materials time to dry and air out fully between uses.
Options cater to different weather conditions – lighter gloves for hot days, heavier duty pairs for cold spring games.
Consider budgeting for multiple lacrosse gloves per season. The upfront cost saves money long-term and ensures backups are available.
Researching Top Youth Lacrosse Glove Brands
When shopping for youth lacrosse gloves, sticking with certain trusted brands ensures you’re getting high-quality gear.
Industry leaders like Maverik, STX, and Brine offer a wide range of well-designed gloves to suit different positions, budgets, and preferences.
These top companies use advanced technologies for optimal protection like D30 or Poron XRD foam padding. Their gloves also tend to have better durability from premium materials.
Bigger brands have more size options and designs to properly fit growing kids. Their gloves are readily available from most major retailers.
Lesser known brands can still produce decent gloves, but quality control and construction may be less consistent. Their sizing charts also tend to run small.
While pricing varies, you generally get what you pay for. Premium gloves from trusted companies provide better protection and longevity.
When in doubt, go with glove brands well established in the lacrosse community like Maverik, STX, or Brine.
Finding Budget-Friendly Youth Lacrosse Glove Options
Buying quality youth lacrosse gloves doesn’t have to decimate your bank account. There are ways to save on this key protective gear.
Shop end-of-season sales or clearance sections for discounts on last year’s gloves. Retailers like Lacrosse Unlimited offer deals on top brands.
Check budget sporting goods stores like Dunham’s that offer lower-priced gloves with decent protection and durability.
Buy last season’s pro models that are a step down from the latest gear but still high performing at reduced prices.
Consider used gloves in good shape from sites like SidelineSwap. Gently worn, cleaned gloves work for cost-conscious shoppers.
Split costs with teammates by purchasing matching team gloves at bulk order discounts from companies.
While you shouldn’t skimp on safety, there are ways to save money on gloves without sacrificing quality.
Reading Lacrosse Glove Reviews for Guidance
Checking out lacrosse glove reviews online provides helpful insight during the selection process.
Independent gear review sites like LaxAllStars offer in-depth assessments on the latest gloves. Experienced players test and rate major models.
Customer reviews on retail sites share first-hand feedback on fit, protection, and durability after extended use. People report on sizing issues or quality defects.
Forum discussions can give perspectives on how certain gloves hold up over time. Users may recommend ideal gloves for certain positions or conditions.
Video reviews on YouTube showcase the gloves visually in action. Influencers highlight key features and demonstrate flexibility.
No one glove will be perfect for every player. Read a range of reviews to identify consistent pros and cons among top contenders.
Let thorough glove reviews guide you towards ideal models to suit your young athlete’s needs and budget.
Shopping Early for the Best Lacrosse Glove Selection
The key to getting the perfect pair of youth lacrosse gloves is to shop early before selection dwindles.
Popular gloves in the most common sizes often sell out first. Shopping last minute limits options and may force compromises.
New glove models typically launch around January each year. This is the best time for updated technology and innovative features before they sell out.
As the season gets going, retailers tend to run low on and discontinue certain colors/graphics. Shop early for the best options.
Take advantage of off-season sales around August/September to get deals on next year’s gear. Stock up on bigger sizes anticipating growth.
Don’t wait until the week before games start. Shop proactively so your young athlete gets the exact lacrosse gloves they need.
Browse and buy ahead of time and you can avoid the stress of scrambling for whatever’s left on shelves.
Taking Your Child With You When Glove Shopping
Don’t just guess at sizes when buying youth lacrosse gloves. Bring your child with you to try on options.
Kids’ hands grow rapidly, so ensure a comfortable fit by having them test gloves in person. Gauge flexibility and responsiveness.
Different glove brands and models fit uniquely, so trialing styles in the store helps identify the best match rather than just going off the tag.
Your young athlete can compare padding and materials first-hand. Get their input since they’ll be wearing the gloves.
Have them grip their stick while wearing potential gloves to mimic use. Make sure wrist straps are secure but not too tight.
Consider bringing other protective gear like elbow pads so they can see how the gloves pair with the rest of the equipment.
Don’t waste money guessing online. Bringing your child along will ensure you select lacrosse gloves that fit just right.
Considering Your Child’s Position When Selecting Lacrosse Gloves
The right youth lacrosse gloves for a defender differ from those ideal for a midfielder or attacker. Position should guide your purchasing decision.
Defensive gloves emphasize maximum hand and finger protection with extra padding to absorb checks. Durability also helps withstand wear from ground balls and body contact.
Midfielder gloves balance protection with dexterity for all-around play. Expect padding in key zones but flexibility for passing and shooting.
Attack gloves prioritize responsiveness with minimal palm restrictions so hands can adeptly cradle and finesse shots on net. Ventilation keeps hands cool during intense offensive shifts.
Goalie gloves have specialized padding zones across palms and fingers to stop high-velocity shots. Thumb protection is also critical.
While fit and comfort should come first, factoring in your child’s position helps narrow options to gloves designed for their specific on-field needs.
The right gloves boost performance. Make sure you choose a pair tailored for the demands of their lacrosse role.
Investing in Quality Lacrosse Gloves for Multi-Season Use
The right pair of youth lacrosse gloves should deliver protection and performance for more than one season of play.
Prioritize gloves from reputable brands using high-end materials and construction. They’ll better withstand wear and last over years of use.
Leather palms, durable synthetic blends, and high-density padding maintain integrity much longer than cheap gloves with lower quality foams.
Replace gloves at first signs of deteriorating protection like flattened padding or thinning palm leathers. Don’t wait for full breakdown.
Properly air out and wash gloves after each use to minimize odor and salt/dirt buildup which degrades materials prematurely.
Consider sizing up if in between sizes to allow room for hand growth from season to season.
The extra upfront investment in premium youth lacrosse gloves saves money in the long run compared to replacing inferior gloves annually.
