Top Lacrosse Glove Brands This Season
When it comes to the best lacrosse gloves, the brand name matters. Top players trust equipment from certain manufacturers known for high quality gear designed specifically for the demands of the sport. This season, keep an eye out for gloves made by industry leaders focused on next-level innovation, durability, and protection.
STX is one of the premier lacrosse brands, offering cutting-edge gloves packed with the latest technology. Their lacrosse gloves feature advanced materials like Asymmetrical Finger Protection to shield vulnerable fingers from checks and slashes. IntelliFit padding eliminates gaps between the glove and your hand for a truly custom, second-skin feel. These smart features allow STX gloves to lead the way in comfort, flexibility, and lightweight protection.
Warrior takes the lacrosse glove game to the next level with groundbreaking features like Wartech fibres that actually get stronger with every hit. Their slim fitted, anatomical glove design increases contact between your hand and stick for unmatched control. For hardcore players, Warrior’s lacrosse gloves offer pro-level excellence meeting even the highest demands.
Upstart brand Epoch is shaking up the lacrosse world with unique gloves providing elite protection without sacrificing quickness. Their proprietary 3 Layer Protection combines three high-performance materials to shield hands from bruising shots. Quick Release bindings let you easily remove and replace gloves between possessions. For fast, aggressive players, Epoch gloves are built for speed, protection and mobility.
When shopping for new lacrosse gloves this season, look to the proven, tested brands leading the way in high-performance technology and materials. Well-designed lacrosse gloves act as an extension of your hand, not a hindrance. Trusted brands like STX, Warrior and Epoch engineer next-level gloves to protect your hands while enhancing your game.
Key Glove Features for Defensemen vs. Attackmen
When selecting lacrosse gloves, one of the most important considerations is your position. The ideal features for defensive players differ drastically from offensive attackmen. Understanding these key differences allows you to choose gloves tailored specifically for your role on the field.
For defensemen, maximum protection is essential due to the physical demands of this position. Defenders are constantly batting away shots, throwing checks, and battling for ground balls. Thumb, wrist and palm padding are vital to prevent injury when engaging in contact. Abrasion-resistant materials stand up to wear and tear when scooping up ground balls. Sturdy cuffs provide wrist support when checking opponents’ sticks. While breathability and flexibility are still important, defensemen trade some mobility for rugged durability and extra protection.
Attackmen however, favor lighter, faster gloves allowing great freedom of movement. Superior stick feel and ball control are top priorities for offensive players. Thinner palms with minimal padding give excellent grip and response when cradling, passing and shooting. Ventilated backs keep hands cool when sprinting upfield towards the goal. Dexterous fingers enable quick release shots, feeds and dodges. Cuffs focus more on a secure fit rather than maximum protection. For attackmen, the ideal gloves enhance quickness, agility and finesse.
While many gloves today incorporate both defensive and offensive elements into their design, understanding your position’s priorities allows for the best match. Talk to your coach about whether you need more rugged, protective gloves or lightweight, high dexterity gloves. Beyond just size and comfort, the ideal lacrosse gloves are specialized tools maximizing your role on the team, whether defender or attackman.
Top Lacrosse Glove Brands This Season
When it comes to the best lacrosse gloves, the brand name matters. Top players trust equipment from certain manufacturers known for high quality gear designed specifically for the demands of the sport. This season, keep an eye out for gloves made by industry leaders focused on next-level innovation, durability, and protection.
Most Durable Palms for Excellent Grip
A lacrosse glove’s palm is one of its most crucial elements, determining stick control and ball handling abilities. When shopping for new gloves, pay close attention to palm design, materials and padding to optimize grip and durability.
Synthetic leather palms provide an ideal balance of control, feel and ruggedness needed for lacrosse. Leather palms form to your hand over time, developing a “game-ready” pocket for excellent grip of both your stick and the ball. Brands like Warrior use premium Japanese kangaroo leather for unmatched durability and performance. Latex foam or SBR padding over the palm protects against checks and slashes without sacrificing responsiveness.
Look for palms with abrasion resistance technology to prevent rips, holes and premature wearing. Vents and perforations in key areas keep hands cool and dry for consistent grip. Palm shaping such as textured fingers, seam placement and ergonomic curvature maximize control of your stick through every cradle, pass and shot.
While full leather palms are premium, some brands integrate synthetic and mesh materials for lightweight breathability. Just ensure these mesh zones don’t extend too far, compromising durability. Pro-level players often prefer full leather palms for the ultimate in ruggedness, stick feel and grip.
Don’t settle for lacrosse gloves with cheap vinyl or basic nylon palms. Seek out leather and padding specifically engineered to endure season after season. Your gloves’ palms take a beating game after game, so choose the most durable materials for ideal grip and longevity.
Customizable and Adjustable Glove Options
Today’s lacrosse gloves offer more customization than ever before. Advanced adjustable features allow you to dial in the perfect fit for your hand size, shape and preferences. Seek out gloves with customizable options to optimize comfort, protection and responsiveness.
Interchangeable palm pads allow you to swap out palm padding based on your position and needs. Thicker pads provide extra protection for defensemen while thinner pads maximize feel for offensive players. Being able to tailor palm padding is a key benefit.
Adjustable wrist cuffs with multiple binding options give you a secure, customized fit. Traditional Velcro straps allow a wide range of tightness and flexibility. New quick-release closure systems offer easy on-off while maintaining a snug fit. Dual-strap designs properly center and stabilize the cuff underneath gloves.
Segmented finger construction with articulated joints mirror your hand’s natural contours. Strategically placed flex points improve finger dexterity for catching, cradling and passing. Opt for four-way stretch mesh fabrics that move naturally with your hands.
Odor-resistant, moisture-wicking liner materials keep gloves fresh and dry during intense play. Antimicrobial treatments prevent bacterial growth for maximum hygiene. Breathable back-of-hand mesh regulates airflow as conditions change.
While pre-curved fingers are common, some high-end gloves allow finger-by-finger contouring for a 100% custom fit. With all the sizing and adjustment configurations now available, you can really personalize modern lacrosse gloves to enhance your game.
Lightweight and Breathable Backs for Mobility
The back of your lacrosse glove impacts mobility, flexibility and ventilation. Advanced materials and thoughtful design allow for lightweight, breathable backs ideal for intense athletic performance.
Premium lacrosse gloves utilize four-way stretch woven meshes on the backs. The lightweight knit construction conforms to your hand while allowing full freedom of motion. Integrated airflow channels and perforations circulate air to prevent overheating. Moisture-wicking properties keep hands dry and comfortable during play.
Some gloves feature two-way stretch fabrics for improved durability and structure. Spandex fibers provide stretch and rebound capacity for repeated flexing and extension while sprinting and shooting. Strategically bonded overlays further enhance glove backs for breathable support.
Pre-contoured glove backs reduce unwanted material bulk. Ergonomic shaping accounts for natural hand position holding a lacrosse stick for less restriction. Minimalist seam placement prevents irritation and discomfort during play.
For optimal dexterity, responsiveness and coolness, focus on lacrosse gloves promoting airflow, moisture management and unimpeded mobility. Advanced mesh backs act like a second skin whether cradling, passing, checking or shooting. Prioritize lightweight breathability in your glove backs this season.
While leather palms are ideal for control and durability, synthetic backs maximize ventilation and flexibility. Look for gloves balancing protection, grip and mobility through strategic design and material use.
Gloves with Maximum Thumb Protection
In the fast-paced, high-contact sport of lacrosse, thumb injuries are common. As one of the most vulnerable parts of the hand, the thumb area of your gloves deserves special protective considerations.
Many brands now offer thumb sleeves on their lacrosse gloves, covering more surface area for protection. Full thumb wraps with padded zones shield the entire thumb from checks and slashes. High-density foam or Poron XRD padding absorbs impact while remaining flexible.
Innovative materials like D3O provide advanced thumb protection. This rate-dependent padding stiffens on impact to disperse energy before instantly returning to flexible form. Integrated shields made of durable fabrics defend the thumb joint and nail bed from harm.
Pre-curved thumb sleeves allow for natural closure of the hand around the stick for enhanced control. vent holes circulate air to prevent overheating inside the sleeve chamber. As an extra shield, removable thumb spica wraps can be added if desired.
For goalies, maximum thumb safety is a must. Look for oversized thumb shields covering the entire length of the digit. Extra layers of high-density foams or molded plastic inserts prevent injury when blocking blistering shots.
Lacrosse is infamous for “turf thumb” injuries from jamming the digit into the ground. Ensure your gloves have ample thumb protection this season. Prioritize padding, shields, stability and fit in the thumb zone to keep this vulnerable digit safe when passing, cradling and scooping ground balls.
Top Performing Cuff Closure Systems
A lacrosse glove’s cuff closure system determines its stability, security and ease of use. Advanced cuff designs allow for a dialed-in fit with quick and easy on-off functionality.
Traditional Velcro wrist straps still deliver proven adjustability and support. The wide Velcro patch lets you fine-tune tightness based on your preferences. Attached pull tabs make the gloves easy to tighten even mid-game for customized security.
New quick-release cuff systems offer the latest innovation in lacrosse glove closures. Fixed internal straps with external clips allow one-handed opening and closing with a simple tug. The gloves stay snugly in place until you detach the clips. This delivers effortless on-off without losing fit.
For maximum cuff stability, look for dual-strap designs. Two independent straps properly center and anchor the cuff underneath your wrist. This prevents sliding or shifting of the cuff during intense play for safety and security.
Some cuffs integrate adjustable elastic or Lycra bands inside fixed leather exteriors for a “best of both worlds” approach. You get custom tightness thanks to the hidden elastic as well as rugged outer protection.
Cuff closures may seem minor, but their comfort, convenience and reliability impact your performance. Test cuff systems for quick yet secure fit so gloves stay firmly in place all game long. Your gloves’ cuffs take a beating, so prioritize designs made for lacrosse’s demands.
Glove Padding for Optimal Protection
The padding inside lacrosse gloves plays a crucial role in impact protection. Advanced foam and padding technologies prevent injury while maintaining flexibility and responsiveness.
Dual-density foams with different firmness levels allow gloves to absorb high-force blows. Soft interior foam manages lighter impact while stiff outer foam disperses heavy contact for protection. Multi-layer padding alignment prevents shock transfer to the hand.
Molded padding zones conform to hand anatomy for ergonomic energy dispersion. Targeted padding placement over vulnerable areas including fingers, wrists and palms shields these high-impact zones. Pre-curved padding promotes natural hand closure around sticks.
Innovative padding materials like Poron XRD rate-dependent foam stiffen on impact and relax during play. This instantly adapts glove padding firmness to protect against variable forces. Memory foams rebound to their original shape after compressing.
Venting in padding promotes airflow circulation to keep hands cool and dry. Perforations prevent heat and moisture buildup during intense play. Antimicrobial treatments reduce odor and bacterial growth within glove interiors.
When selecting lacrosse gloves, compression-test padding by pressing down with your fingers. Optimal gloves feel firm yet flexible. Prioritize advanced padding placement, construction and materials for ideal protection this season.
High Quality Latex Foam or SBR Foams
Inside quality lacrosse gloves, durable foams provide crucial impact protection. Advanced latex and SBR foams maintain responsiveness while preventing injury from checks, slashes and high-speed shots.
Latex foam padding combines light weight with excellent shock absorption. The aerated structure compresses smoothly to dissipate contact forces. Open-cell construction allows airflow to prevent interior moisture buildup. Latex foam rebounds to neutral shape for lasting padding performance.
SBR rubber foams offer high-grade abrasion resistance and longevity. This durable padding withstands heavy friction and compression during intense lacrosse play. SBR maintains protective properties even in wet conditions for all-weather reliability. Dense SBR foam also resists packing out over time.
Dual-density SBR stacking combines softer interior foam with higher-density outer layers. This aligns with hand anatomy to absorb light bumps internally while diffusing heavy impacts at the surface. Multi-layer SBR optimizes ergonomic energy transfer.
Antimicrobial SBR foam treated to limit bacterial growth keeps gloves fresher for longer. Integrated vents and perforations circulate airflow through SBR padding as well. Compared to lower-grade EVA or polyethylene foams, SBR and latex rubber deliver superior padding performance and durability.
Advanced foams strike the ideal balance between flexibility and protection. When shopping for lacrosse gloves, compression test foams to ensure high-quality, high-density materials optimized for intense game action.
Lacrosse Gloves for Elite NCAA and MLL Players
The best lacrosse gloves are designed to meet the intense demands of competitive NCAA and pro players. Advanced features allow these gloves to perform at the highest levels.
Pro gloves use premium materials like kangaroo leather palms and four-way stretch mesh backs. These lightweight, durable materials offer exceptional control and mobility for quick maneuvers and shots on goal. Ventilated Lycra gussets and perforated palm padding reduce heat and moisture.
Customizable palms with removable padding allow elite players to optimize protection and response. Fixed inner wrists stabilize cuffs while overlaid adjustable straps fine-tune fit. Quick-release closures allow fast on-off during substitutions and timeouts.
Pre-curved articulated fingers deliver maximum dexterity for cradling, catching and passing. Padding in the fingers, thumb, palm and wrists shield from bruising checks and blistering shots. Many gloves feature integrated half-finger pads for extra protection.
NCAA and MLL players look for a “broken-in” feel right off the shelf. Minimal break-in times mean gloves can perform at game speed immediately. Pro gloves also incorporate antimicrobial technology to reduce odor after repeated intense use.
While youth gloves focus mainly on durability, elite lacrosse gloves balance protection, control, fit and ventilation for total performance. Test gloves from top brands designed with the pros in mind this season.
Youth and Women’s Lacrosse Glove Sizing
Finding properly fitted lacrosse gloves is crucial, especially for youth and women players. Proper sizing enhances performance and protection for every position and skill level.
Youth gloves are sized numerically based on hand circumference just under the knuckles. Measure this area carefully and compare to sizing charts. If between sizes, choose the smaller glove for responsiveness or the larger for room to grow.
Women’s gloves utilize small, medium, large sizing. Measure above knuckles around palm’s widest point. Gloves should fit snugly but allow full finger flexion and circulation. Female-specific designs account for narrower hands and longer fingers.
Trying on lacrosse gloves in person is ideal to gauge fit and feel. When ordering online, carefully review sizing guides and measuring instructions. Consult coaches or experienced players for brand-specific fit advice.
Properly fitted gloves allow quick wrist rotation and full finger closure. Yet gloves shouldn’t constrict hand movement or circulation. Ensure integrated wrist and thumb cuffs align without impairment.
Take growing youth player’s hand measurements before each season. Allow reasonable room in wrist cuffs for arm growth when sizing up. Replace gloves regularly as younger players mature for optimal security and mobility.
Important Safety Certifications to Look For
When selecting new lacrosse gloves, an important factor to consider is safety certifications. Trusted standards ensure gloves meet stringent requirements for protection and performance.
Look for gloves displaying NOCSAE and SEI logos, which certify adherence to rigorous impact standards. NOCSAE tests protect against fractures, head injury and ocular damage from high-speed ball contact. SEI validates construction quality for safety.
ASTM International establishes leading standards for sports equipment. ASTM F3137 covers lacrosse glove design, labeling, sizing, materials and performance. ASTM certification is a mark of reliable protective gear.
The Safety Equipment Institute audits manufacturing quality controls and random product testing. SEI certification represents consistent safety, construction and compliance from production through sale.
Well-designed lacrosse gloves already aim to prevent injury, but third-party validation provides peace of mind. Certification logos indicate gloves meet the highest protective benchmarks for the sport. Prioritize NOCSAE, SEI and ASTM compliant gloves this season.
Properly Breaking In New Lacrosse Gloves
Getting new lacrosse gloves game-ready requires properly breaking them in. Use these tips to safely loosen stiff materials and padding for ideal performance.
Start by hand flexing and squeezing gloves repeatedly to soften palm leather and padding. Next, practice cradling and passing to mirror game motions. Focus pressure on glove contact points when holding your stick to further loosen these areas.
To accelerate break-in, apply leather conditioner to interior palm and padding. Rubbing conditioner into these materials softens them quickly while moisturizing. Just don’t over-saturate palms or the gloves may become too slick.
If gloves remain stiff, try wearing them damp for short periods. The moisture loosens leather and padding gently without over-softening. Ensure gloves fully air dry afterwards to prevent mildew or stiffening.
While using gloves, continually flex fingers, palms and cuffs forcefully to enhance the break-in effect. This mimics your hand motions during intense play. However, take care not to over-bend fingers backwards to avoid injury.
Properly broken-in gloves should feel supportive yet flexible. They protect against impact while allowing free movement and responsiveness. Safely hasten the break-in process for lacrosse gloves ready to perform come game time.
Where to Buy Lacrosse Gloves Online
While trying gloves on in person is ideal, many players now buy lacrosse equipment online for convenience and selection. When purchasing gloves online, shop smart using these tips.
Stick to reputable lacrosse specialty retailers for guaranteed authentic products. Their websites offer the top glove brands along with sizing guides, product details and consumer reviews. Compare construction, fit, padding and prices across different models.
Check company sizing charts carefully and measure your hand size beforehand. Order 1-2 sizes if uncertain to dial in best fit. Utilize free shipping and returns to test gloves risk-free.
Browse online lacrosse forums for player product reviews beyond the company listings. Firsthand feedback often provides sizing guidance and identifies top glove options.
Once you’ve purchased gloves online, break them in properly at home before wearing for games. This ensures gloves conform to your hands and playing style.
While lack of in-person try-on makes online buying tricky, understanding sizing, reading reviews and confirming return policies can lead to success. Order from reputable retailers and leverage generous shipping and returns when buying lacrosse gloves online.