How to Find the Right Lacrosse Shoulder Pads to Improve Your Game

How to Find the Right Lacrosse Shoulder Pads to Improve Your Game

Why Lacrosse Players Need Proper Shoulder Pads

Shoulder pads are an essential piece of protective gear for lacrosse players. The hard hits and physical play of lacrosse put players’ shoulders at risk of injury. Proper shoulder pads distribute the impact of checks, greatly reducing the chance of bruises, dislocations, and other trauma. They allow you to play aggressively without worrying about serious shoulder issues down the road.

Consider Your Position and Style

The type of shoulder pads you need depends on your position and style of play. For example, defensive players tend to take more checks and need extra protective padding. Meanwhile, offensive players rely more on speed and agility, so they may prefer lighter and more low-profile pads. Think about how physical your role is on the field to choose pads with the right blend of protection and mobility.

Look for Protection in Key Areas

When shopping for lacrosse shoulder pads, pay attention to the padding in high-impact zones. Make sure the pad has robust padding over the sternum, collarbone, and shoulders. These parts bear the brunt of checks. Multi-layer foam and plastic caps help absorb and disperse shock. Also look for adjustable straps so you can customize the fit.

Choose Breathable, Moisture-Wicking Materials

As an intense physical sport, lacrosse leads to major sweat. Look for shoulder pads made with breathable fabrics that wick moisture away from your body. This will help you stay cool and comfortable during games and practices. Mesh venting zones, liner materials like nylon and polyester, and pad covers that resist holding moisture can make hot days on the field more bearable.

Consider Top Brands Like Warrior

Trustworthy lacrosse brands like Warrior devote extensive research to maximizing protection and playability. For example, Warrior’s Hitman shoulder pads offer robust coverage for hard hitters who take a lot of checks. Or check out their Burn pads optimized for speed and agility players who rely on quick cuts.

Make Sure Your Pads Fit Properly

Even the best lacrosse shoulder pads are ineffective if they don’t fit right. Measure your shoulder width, torso length, arm length, and other key dimensions. Consult individual brand sizing charts, as they can vary. Try pads on with your other gear to test mobility. Some break-in time may be needed to get customized to new pads, so transition gradually.

Consider Your Playing Position and Style

When selecting lacrosse shoulder pads, it’s important to think about the specific demands of your position and personal playing style. Defensive players typically endure more frequent body checks as they defend against offensive advances. They’ll want maximum protective padding to shield against bruising hits. Meanwhile, offensive players rely more on agility and speed to charge the net. Streamlined, lightweight pads allow them to maneuver quickly down the field.

Midfielders have to balance both offensive quickness and defensive physicality, so they may opt for more moderate padding. Their pads still need robust coverage though, since midfielders sprint all over the field. Attack and defense specialists can choose pads tailored closely to their roles, while goalies have specialized goalie shoulder pads to protect their shoulders and collarbones from high-speed shot impacts.

Beyond position, your personal style of play also affects your pad choice. If you’re an aggressive player who initiates lots of checks, look for thicker padding to protect your own shoulders too. Finesse players can get by with less padding for maximum mobility. Think about whether you tend to shrug off checks or go down easily – this can indicate if you need more protective covering.

Look for Protection in Key Impact Areas

Lacrosse shoulder pads must provide robust protection in the zones most vulnerable to checks and collisions. The padding over the sternum absorbs the shock of frontal hits. Make sure this area has a sturdy plastic or high-density foam plate. The clavicle and shoulder caps shield these fragile bones from direct strikes. Multi-layer foam and plastic reinforcements here help disperse impact.

Adjustable straps across the back and shoulders are also important. Tightening these straps secures the pads in place, preventing shifting on impact. This improves protection and reduces painful pinching. For goalies, extended torso coverage shields more of the upper ribs against close-range shots. Arm guards connect to the shoulder pads, so ensure a smooth interface between these protective pieces.

Seeking out lacrosse-specific brands maximizes protection features for the sport’s physical demands. They engineer impact zones reinforced for the repetitive checks players experience. Don’t just rely on generic sports shoulder pads lacking lacrosse-tailored shock absorption and coverage areas.

Find Pads that Fit Properly for Mobility

The right fit is crucial for lacrosse shoulder pads to deliver optimized protection and mobility. Pads that are too small leave gaps in coverage and can pinch uncomfortably when you move. Oversized pads restrict motion and feel bulky. Take accurate measurements of your torso, shoulders, and arm length to find your sizing.

Consult individual brands’ sizing charts, as there are no universal sizes. One company’s large may fit like another’s medium. Try pads on with other gear to test range of motion. Walk, jog, cut, and lift your arms to mimic game movements. The pads shouldn’t dig in or ride up. Break-in time lets you adjust to the feel of new pads.

Straps should keep pads secure but not painfully tight. Loosen them for more mobility when practicing, then snug them up for maximum stability during games.Young players will need to resize as they grow. Take new measurements each season to keep up with growth spurts. Proper fit means pads move with you on the field, not against you.

Prioritize Ventilation and Breathability

Lacrosse is a hot, sweaty sport. Solid shoulder pad ventilation keeps players cooler and drier. Look for pads with breathable liner fabrics that wick moisture from the skin. Nylon and polyester materials work well. Mesh vent zones in moisture-prone areas like the back and underarms enhance air circulation.

Removeable pad covers and shoulder caps made of air-flowing fabrics also beat heat buildup. Some advanced pads have temperature-regulating technologies to reduce overheating. Well-vented pads are a must for lacrosse games under the scorching sun. Staying drier enhances comfort and reduces irritated skin and clearly distracting around to even think about how much padding you need.

Breathability does affect impact absorption, so balance protection and airflow. Defensive players may sacrifice some breathability for maximum padding, while speed-reliant offensive players need airs mesh and lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics to stay quick in late-game heat.

Shop Top Lacrosse Shoulder Pad Brands

When searching for lacrosse shoulder pads, look to the top brands designed specifically for the sport’s demands. Established names like Warrior, STX, Maverik, and Brine thoroughly research and test their pads for optimal protection and playability. They offer pads tailored for each position’s needs, as well as innovative comfort technologies.

For example, Warrior engineers its pads focusing on high-impact zones, ventilated moisture-wicking liners, and adjustable straps to customize fit. The Hitman model provides hard-hitting protection for physical defenders, while the Burn line caters to quicker offensive players. STX pads like the Cell 5 emphasize lightweight mobility too.

Lesser known brands can lack the R&D and lacrosse-focused design features of the stalwart companies. While more affordably priced, their generic pads may not last through a hard-hitting season either. Investing in pads from the premier lacrosse names gives you proven performance and durability.

Warrior Burn Lacrosse Shoulder Pads Offer Agility

Warrior’s Burn shoulder pads are optimized for speed and maneuverability on the lacrosse field. They use stretchy Lycra edges for unrestricted mobility in the arms and shoulders. The lightweight, low-profile design includes thin padding over non-impact areas. Ventilated shoulder caps and back panels keep airflow moving to beat heat.

For protection, the Burn concentrates robust padding over the sternum, collarbone, and shoulders. Shield-shaped foam reinforcements dissipate checks and collisions. The innovative Wartech FNC liner wicks moisture and fights odors. Adjustable back straps allow you to customize the close, stable fit.

Midfielders, attackmen, and quick defenders can charge the field freely in the Warrior Burn pads. The agile performance lets you focus on fast cuts, dodges, and shots instead of restrictive padding. Just be aware the streamlined padding provides less protection for extremely physical play.

Warrior Hitman Lacrosse Pads Provide Hard-Hitting Protection

Warrior designed its Hitman shoulder pads for aggressive lacrosse players who battle through physical play. The pads feature maximum protective padding over the sternum, collarbone, and shoulders to shield from bruising checks.

Multi-layer foam reinforcements absorb impact while ventilation ports in the padding prevent overheating. The Hitman’s X harness strap system stabilizes the pads while allowing full mobility. The pads even have removable bicep guards for extra coverage.

For field generals who intimidate opponents with tough defense, the Warrior Hitman pads provide essential protection. Their bulkier padding can reduce speed though, so they’re better suited for defenders and midfielders than attackmen or goal scorers needing agility.

Know Your Sizing to Get the Best Fit

Finding your correct lacrosse shoulder pad size ensures maximum comfort and protection. Measure across the broadest part of your shoulders and along your torso from sternum to hip. Compare these measurements against individual brands’ sizing charts.

Sizes vary between companies, so don’t assume your size is the same across brands. Try pads on with other gear to assess mobility – you should have full range of motion without tight pinching. You may need to go up or down a size to get the ideal fit.

Take measurements annually as young players grow. An accurate fit lets pads move with your body properly. Loose pads shift and expose vulnerable spots, while too-tight pads restrict movement and blood flow. Getting the right size tunes pads to your body for the best coverage and agility.

Measure Your Shoulder Width and Torso Length

Getting accurately sized lacrosse shoulder pads starts with measuring key dimensions of your body. Use a flexible tape measure and record the following measurements:

– Across the front of your shoulders from acromion to acromion. This gives your pad width.

– Along your back from the prominent vertebra at base of neck to just above the hip bone. This is your pad torso length.

– Along each arm from shoulder point to wrist bone. This sets your arm guard sizing.

– Around your bicep’s widest point when flexed. This helps size removable pad bicep pieces.

Trace your shoulder width and torso length measurements against individual brands’ size charts to determine your best fit size. Sizing varies between companies, so check each chart. Taking proper measurements helps pads protect without restricting your mobility.

Break in New Pads Gradually to Maximize Comfort

It takes time to adjust to the feel and flexibility of new lacrosse shoulder pads. Don’t just throw on fresh pads and immediately play full-contact games in them. Breaking in pads over 2-3 weeks helps maximize comfort.

Wear the pads for short non-contact drills like catching and shooting at first. Then progress to more active agility drills and light checking. The materials will contour better to your body, and straps/edges will loosen up a bit.

Check for red pressure points after each wear, and adjust straps accordingly. Try shoulder rolls and cross-arm stretches to improve mobility. New gear always has some stiffness; steady break-in makes it move more freely with you. Take it slow so your body acclimates before game time checks.

Compare Strap Styles for Adjustability

Lacrosse shoulder pads secure to the body through various strap systems. Straps anchor the pads in position and allow you to tune the tightness and stability.

Basic back straps with Velcro attachments offer easy loosening and tightening between games and practices. More advanced “X” style straps increase stability through anchored cross-straps across the back. Some pads feature ratchet straps for micro-adjusting tension.

Evaluate strap styles when selecting pads. More straps can impede mobility but maximize security and protection. Fewer straps enhance freedom of movement yet may compromise fit. Consider your position and style – defenders favor stability from extra straps while scorers need unrestricted motion.

Consider Removable Bicep Pads for Custom Protection

Many lacrosse shoulder pads come with removable bicep pads that attach to Velcro zones on the main shoulder pieces. These auxiliary pads provide extra impact protection for your arms.

Bicep pads are great for players who take a lot of checks and want supplemental coverage. They shield the muscle bellies from bruising hits. Defenders and midfielders often benefit from the extra protection.

For players who rely on speed and want to minimize bulk, going without the bicep guards can help. Test your mobility with and without them attached to see what feels best for your playing style. Easy on/off capability lets you customize protection as needed.

Look for Moisture-Wicking Liner Materials

The liner materials against your skin impact comfort and cooling. Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester effectively wick sweat away from your body to keep you drier.

Mesh liner panels placed in sweat-prone zones also enhance breathability. Some liners incorporate anti-microbial treatments to reduce odor from sweat and bacteria buildup in the pads’ interior.

Avoid non-breathable liners that just absorb and hold sweat against your skin. You’ll feel bogged down and chafe more easily. Prioritize lacrosse shoulder pads promoting ventilation and moisture control for hot outdoor games. Staying drier helps you maintain energy and focus.