Choose Gloves With Proper Wrist and Palm Padding for Protection
When shopping for the best women’s lacrosse gloves, one of the most important factors to consider is finding gloves with proper wrist and palm padding for protection. Women’s lacrosse can be a rough sport, so having a good layer of padding in the gloves is essential for preventing injuries to the hands and wrists during play.
Many of the top lacrosse glove brands now incorporate advanced foam or plastic padding panels into the glove design to help disperse impact and protect the vulnerable wrist joint and palm area. The padding should be thick enough to provide substantial shock absorption, but not so bulky that it restricts flexibility and feel.
Goalies in particular need heavy padding in the thumb and palm of their dominant hand that catches the ball. For field players, look for gloves with medium density foam or plastic pads covering the entire palm heel to finger tips and extra reinforcement around the wrists. This helps prevent bruising or fractures when checking opponents’ sticks.
When trying on different women’s lacrosse gloves, bend your wrist back and forth to ensure the glove has good dexterity while still supporting the joints. Press down on the padding to test thickness and coverage over key areas like knuckles and the wrist bone. The best gloves will make you temporarily invincible on the field.
High quality women’s gloves tailored for lacrosse like those from STX, Brine, Maverik and Nike will integrate padding in a women-specific fit. Or for more heavy-duty protection, some players opt for hockey gloves which offer maximum padding at the expense of some added bulk.
Don’t settle for poorly made or improperly fitted gloves with inadequate padding, as this leaves female players susceptible to debilitating hand injuries. Do your research and find the lacrosse gloves that give your hands and wrists the protection they need this season!
Look for Gloves With Moisture Wicking Linings to Keep Hands Dry
When playing lacrosse, wet, sweaty hands in gloves are not only uncomfortable but can also cause loss of control and grip on your stick. This is why when shopping for women’s lacrosse gloves, it’s important to look for moisture wicking linings that help keep your hands dry.
Many top gloves from brands like Maverik, STX, and Brine now incorporate advanced moisture wicking fabrics in the liner. These are synthetic microfiber blends that quickly pull sweat away from the skin and disperse it across the surface of the glove lining where it can evaporate.
This helps prevent that soaked, slippery glove feeling that can ruin your game. Moisture wicking liners also help gloves dry faster if they do get wet from rain or snow. By whisking moisture away from the surface of your skin, moisture wicking glove liners help regulate hand temperature better as well.
When trying on lacrosse gloves in store, pay attention to the feel of the interior liner material. Quality gloves should have a smooth, soft microfiber lining for the best moisture wicking performance. The liner material should not feel overly thick or bunchy inside the gloves.
Mesh panels are also sometimes incorporated into gloves to aid breathability. For cold weather gloves, the liner may have a brushed fleece fabric for insulation that still wicks away sweat during intense play.
Don’t settle for cheaper gloves with low-quality flimsy liners that absorb and hold moisture. This will lead to irritated, pruney fingers and palms inside soggy gloves. With the right moisture wicking gloves, female lacrosse players can grip their sticks with dry confidence no matter how long the game goes on or how hard it’s raining.
Keep an eye out for new glove liner fabrics as brands continue to innovate new moisture wicking technology. And take care to wash gloves properly to maximize the lifespan of the liner.
Pick Gloves With the Right Amount of Stick Feel For Control
Women’s lacrosse gloves serve the important purpose of protecting hands, but they shouldn’t interfere with your ability to adeptly handle the stick. When selecting gloves, pick a pair with the right amount of stick feel so you can maintain excellent control on the field.
Stick feel refers to the level of sensitivity and dexterity you retain when wearing gloves. Bulkier, heavily padded gloves tend to diminish stick feel and fine motor control compared to thinner gloves. However, gloves with minimal padding also afford less protection.
For most female lacrosse players, midweight gloves with strategic padding placements provide the best blend of protection and stick feel. Avoid gloves with overly thick or inflexible palm padding and instead look for gloves with padding integrated into the backhand design.
Synthetic leather or mesh palms will maximize grip and sensitivity when cradling, catching, and passing. Goalie gloves require much thicker padding, though some are pre-curved for catching ease. Trying gloves on and handling a stick is the best test for stick feel.
A glove that fits too tightly can restrict blood flow and cause hands to tire more quickly. Loose-fitting gloves allow too much stick movement inside the glove for optimal control. Ensure the gloves you select are properly fitted to your hand size.
High quality women’s lacrosse gloves from top athletic brands will be thoughtfully engineered to provide protection without overly sacrificing stick feel. Breaking gloves in properly and keeping the leather palms supple also helps improve the stick feel of gloves over time.
Don’t settle for gloves that are so bulky and restricting that you can’t demonstrate your best ball handling skills. With the right women’s lacrosse gloves matched to your position and needs, you can protect your hands without perceptible loss of on-stick finesse.
Find Gloves Made With Durable Leather and Synthetics That Withstand Wear
Women’s lacrosse gloves undergo a lot of intense wear and tear during games and practices. It’s important to find gloves constructed from quality materials that can withstand the demands of the sport.
Many gloves feature leather palm patches to enhance grip and durability. Top glove brands use full grain leather rather than cheaper synthetic blends, with additional leather reinforcing high wear areas. Full leather palms may offer the most longevity, but some prefer the lightness of synthetic palms.
Look for gloves made with abrasion-resistant textiles able to handle cement fields and turf friction without breaking down quickly. Backs of gloves may feature flexible meshes for breathability and mobility. Fingertips should be reinforced with added layers of leather or textile.
Seams should be tightly stitched with heavy duty thread and coverstitched for strength. Avoid gloves with loose threads that can catch on equipment. Make sure any velcro closures are wide and secure so they don’t accidentally open during play.
Goalie gloves especially take a beating, so need heavyweight leather construction and wrist stability. Don’t go for cheap goalie gloves that won’t hold up under repeated ball impacts. Well made gloves will get softer and form better to your hand shape as they age.
Care for your gloves properly by keeping them clean, conditioning the leather, and replacing worn palms when grip starts to suffer. With heavy use, most women’s lacrosse gloves need full replacement every 1-2 seasons depending on position.
Invest in thoughtfully engineered women’s lacrosse gloves from leading brands that utilize innovative durable materials so your gloves can go the distance through every face-off, groundball, catch, and check this season.
Choose Youth Sized Gloves For Younger Players With Smaller Hands
When shopping for women’s lacrosse gloves, it’s important to select the proper sizing for a comfortable, high performing fit. For younger female players with smaller hands, be sure to choose gloves specifically sized for youth rather than trying to fit into adult gloves.
Youth gloves feature smaller dimensions through the fingers, palms and backs of hands to better match girls with hands that are still growing. A properly fitted glove helps maximize ball control and stick handling for developing players.
Most lacrosse glove manufacturers such as Maverik, STX and Brine offer gloves sized specifically for youth. Common youth glove sizes range from XXS to XL. Compare sizing charts to pick the right fit based on hand measurements.
Trying gloves on in person allows younger players to assess comfort and flexibility. There should be no pinching or tightness, especially through the fingers when gripping a stick. However, gloves shouldn’t be so big that hands are swimming and sliding around inside.
Youth lacrosse gloves offer similar features as adult gloves but on a smaller scale. Look for integrated padding with moisture wicking liners in durable materials but lighter construction suitable for younger players.
Even goalies should use properly fitted youth gloves to help enhance development of catching and throwing skills. ill-fitting gloves can ingrain bad habits. Take time to find the right youth size glove for your girls’ hands and lacrosse skills.
With practice and play, young athletes hands will grow. Make sure to periodically re-measure hands and upgrade gloves as needed each season to provide an ideal fit. Proper youth gloves give budding lacrosse stars a grip on success.
Compare Prices at Lacrosse Specialty Stores to Get the Best Deal
Finding the right pair of women’s lacrosse gloves for your needs and budget requires a bit of savvy shopping. Be sure to compare prices and deals at lacrosse specialty retailers online and in-person to get the best value.
Often small lacrosse shops will have select gloves models on sale or clearance at great discounted prices, especially at the end of seasons. Take advantage of sales timing and limited inventory deals to score savings.
Online lacrosse sites like Lax.com, UniversalLacrosse, and EastCoastDyes.com run special promotions and coupon codes for dollars off or free shipping on gloves for women players. Sign up for newsletters and check social media for sales announcements.
Consider holiday weekends like Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day which often feature major lacrosse gear sales events. The off-season winter months tend to have the most widespread glove discounts as well.
If you have a local lacrosse pro shop, stop in and try on gloves in person before ordering identical models for less online. This ensures proper sizing and fit before buying.
With some research across leading lacrosse retailers, female players can pinpoint sales on today’s top gloves like the STX Crux 500, Maverik Charger, and Brine King 5. Finding the right gloves for less keeps budget happy.
Evaluate Weather Conditions – Pick Well Insulated Gloves for Colder Climates
Depending on where you play lacrosse and the time of year, weather conditions should factor into selecting proper women’s lacrosse gloves. In colder climates or seasons, choose gloves with insulation for warmth.
Lacrosse is often played in cooler Spring temperatures in certain regions, while summer league play happens at night. For cold hands, look for gloves with inner linings made from insulating brushed fleece or quilted thermal materials.
Some gloves even have removable inner glove liners that can be worn alone on hot days or inserted into the outer gloves when temperatures drop. This gives female players options for warm, versatile hand protection.
Outer glove shells should also be made from wind-resistant materials to prevent chilling penetration on blustery days. Avoid lightweight mesh-only gloves if playing in frequent cold conditions.
If participating in winter lacrosse leagues, select heavy duty gloves with maximum insulation like those from cold weather sporting brands. Extra insulation does slightly reduce stick feel, so compensate with proper sizing.
For wet weather protection, gloves with water repellent leather or coatings help keep hands dryer. Ensure any gloves featuring absorbed foam padding have moisture wicking inner liners to limit saturation.
Don’t let hands turn numb and stiff from cold. Prep forchanging seasons and conditions by having the right women’s lacrosse gloves to keep hands warm, dry and in top playing form all year long.
Make Sure New Gloves Are Properly Broken In Before Games
Buying a new pair of women’s lacrosse gloves is exciting, but before wearing them in games make sure to properly break them in for optimal performance.
Brand new gloves tend to be stiff and restrictive until worn in. Take the time to heat mold and flex new gloves to loosen them up. To heat mold, wear gloves and use a hairdryer to evenly heat up the materials and padding to better form to your hands.
Spend time catching, cradling, and scooping balls wearing the gloves to pre-shape fingers and palms to proper grip positions. Use leather conditioner on palms to soften and improve stick feel.
Work gloves open and closed repeatedly to soften materials and break in velcro, snaps or laces. Bend and flex wrist joints to stretch padding. Lightly dampen palms and use grasp a stick for 30 minutes to mold fit.
Properly breaking in women’s lacrosse gloves improves overall dexterity, flexibility and feel to prevent fumbling balls and missed catches. It enhances grip strength for confident cradling and checking.
Rotate between old and new gloves in practices to gradually ease into full-time wear. Let gloves dry completely between sessions to prevent mildew smells.
With disciplined break-in, those stiff new gloves become softer, more pliable and ready for elite performance. Don’t wait until game time to wear new gloves to avoid mistakes. Get a grip by properly prepping gloves for play.