# LacrosseTested

> Lacrosse gear reviews and buying guides for men's, women's and youth players: sticks, heads, shafts, mesh, helmets, gloves, pads and goalie gear, with reader codes.

LacrosseTested publishes lacrosse gear reviews, buying guides and reader discount codes. Every review states who the product suits, the current price from the brand's own store, and any active reader code.

## Key pages
- [Reviews](https://lacrossetested.com/reviews): every product we recommend
- [Buying guides](https://lacrossetested.com/guides): how to choose
- [Glossary](https://lacrossetested.com/glossary): lacrosse gear terms defined
- [How we test](https://lacrossetested.com/testing-methodology)

## Topics
- [Sticks & heads](https://lacrossetested.com/category/sticks): Lacrosse heads, shafts, mesh, stringing and complete sticks for men's, women's and youth players.
- [Protective gear](https://lacrossetested.com/category/protective-gear): Helmets, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads, women's goggles and headgear.
- [Goalie gear](https://lacrossetested.com/category/goalie): Goalie heads, chest protectors, throat guards, gloves and helmets.
- [Training & field](https://lacrossetested.com/category/training-field): Lacrosse balls, goals, rebounders, bags and cleats.

## Buying guides
- [How to String a Lacrosse Head: A Step-by-Step Order](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/how-to-string-lacrosse-head): For a men's field head, prepare the mesh, string the top, work down both sidewalls, add the bottom lace, then break in and fine-tune the pocket before checking the release. Use a pattern made for the exact head and mesh, because hole layouts and pocket designs vary. Finish by checking the stick against the current rules for the player's league.
- [How to Buy a Lacrosse Goalie Stick: Head, Shaft and Rules](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-goalie-stick-buying-guide): Start with the rules for the player's age and league, then match a goalie head, shaft and pocket as one setup. Under the 2026 USA Lacrosse boys' youth rules, 12U and 14U goalkeeper crosses are 40 to 72 inches overall, while 8U and 10U allow 37 to 54 inches. Check the exact model and its included parts before choosing a complete stick or building one from separate components.
- [Lacrosse Shaft Materials Compared: Carbon vs Alloy](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-shaft-materials-comparison): There is no universal best lacrosse shaft material. Use the label as a starting point, then compare the exact model's weight, flex profile, shape, grip and warranty; manufacturers describe different tradeoffs and build their shafts differently. If you play goalie or need a specific stick length, confirm that fit before comparing materials.
- [Lacrosse Balls: NOCSAE Standard, Colors and Practice Balls](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-ball-guide): Game balls must meet the NOCSAE lacrosse ball standard and say so on the ball. Most are solid rubber, white for games, with yellow, orange and other colors allowed in many leagues. Older balls harden and get slick, so retire them from games. Soft and low-bounce balls help beginners and indoor practice but are not game-legal.
- [Lacrosse Cleats vs Turf Shoes: Which Do You Need?](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-cleats-vs-turf-shoes): Molded cleats are made for grass and soft natural surfaces, while turf shoes use low-profile rubber nubs for artificial turf. Start with the surface and facility rules, then check comfort, fit and whether the outsole complies with your league's footwear rules. NFHS boys' rules prohibit metal spikes; rules can vary by level and code.
- [Lacrosse Gloves and Pads by Position: What Each Player Needs](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-gloves-and-pads-by-position): Boys' and men's field players need a certified helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, arm protection and a mouthguard. Attackmen take the most checks, so they wear larger arm guards and more padded gloves; midfielders choose lighter, flexible pads; defensemen often wear slim pads because they give more checks than they take. Shoulder pads and chest protectors must meet the current NOCSAE ND200 standard where the rules require it.
- [Lacrosse Goal vs Rebounder: Which Fits Your Practice?](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-goal-vs-rebounder-guide): Choose a goal when your main drill is shooting at a net, and a rebounder when you want a ball-return surface for passing and catching. A goal gives you a defined opening; a rebounder can return the ball at different angles, depending on its design. Measure the full frame and practice space before choosing either one.
- [Lacrosse Goalie Gear Guide: What a New Goalie Needs](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-goalie-gear-guide): A lacrosse goalie needs a goalie stick with a 10 to 12 inch head, a NOCSAE-certified helmet with a throat guard, a chest protector meeting NOCSAE ND200, goalie gloves, a mouthguard and a cup. Many goalies add padded pants and shin guards. Start with the required items, then add optional padding as shots get harder.
- [Lacrosse Helmet Buying Guide: Fit, Certification and Sizing](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-helmet-buying-guide): Buy a men's or boys' lacrosse helmet that carries the NOCSAE lacrosse certification, then size it from a head measurement taken just above the eyebrows. A good fit is snug with no gaps at the temples and the front of the shell about a finger width above the eyebrows. Never modify the shell or mask, follow the maker's recertification and replacement guidance, and remember that women's headgear is a separate product built to the ASTM F3137 standard.
- [Lacrosse Mesh Types Explained: Hard, Soft, Wax and Diamonds](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-mesh-types): Soft mesh forms a pocket quickly and feels good out of the box but can bag out and hold water. Hard mesh takes longer to break in but keeps its shape and handles rain better. Waxed and semi-soft mesh sit in between. Six-diamond mesh suits most heads; 10-diamond mesh fits narrow-channel and some women's designs. Traditional leather pockets give a unique feel but need more upkeep.
- [Lacrosse Rebounder Buying Guide: Size, Angle and Setup](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-rebounder-buying-guide): Choose a lacrosse rebounder by the space you can dedicate, the return angles you need, and whether the maker sells replacement netting or bungees. A 4-by-3-foot rebound surface is one current manufacturer example, while other frames offer different target sizes and adjustments. Check the full frame footprint, anchoring and storage instructions before setting it up.
- [Lacrosse Stick Length by Position: Men's, Women's and Goalie](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/lacrosse-stick-length-by-position): In boys' high school and men's college lacrosse, field players use a short stick of 40 to 42 inches or a long pole of 52 to 72 inches, and goalies can use 40 to 72 inches. Attackmen and most midfielders carry short sticks; defensemen and one long-stick midfielder carry poles. Women's field sticks run from 35.5 to 43.25 inches. Youth players often cut a shaft shorter for control, so check your league's youth rules before you cut.
- [Men's Lacrosse Heads by Position: How to Choose](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/mens-lacrosse-heads-by-position): Choose a men's lacrosse head by the job you do: attackers often look for a tighter face shape and pocket control, midfielders need a versatile setup for transition and ground balls, and defenders put a premium on a sturdy frame. Goalies use a dedicated wide goalie head. Treat position labels as a filter, then compare the exact shape, stiffness, scoop and pocket setup and check the rules for your level.
- [Men's vs Women's Lacrosse Sticks: Key Differences](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/mens-vs-womens-lacrosse-sticks): Men's sticks have deep pockets, while women's sticks must keep the ball visible above the sidewall, which makes the pocket shallow and the game more about stick skill. Women's sticks are 35.5 to 43.25 inches long and come with a factory-strung pocket; men's short sticks are 40 to 42 inches and use a separate head, shaft and mesh. The two are built to different rules, so a men's stick is not legal in women's play and the reverse.
- [Women's Lacrosse Goggles: Fit and ASTM Guide](https://lacrossetested.com/guides/womens-lacrosse-goggles-buying-guide): Women's lacrosse eyewear must meet the current ASTM F3077 standard, and the exact certified model should appear in the Safety Equipment Institute's listing. Start with that standard, then check that the frame stays stable, leaves a clear sightline and feels comfortable with your usual hair and headwear. Integrated headgear has an additional ASTM requirement.

Contact: info@lacrossetested.com