Lacrosse Glove Sizing Guide & Chart | LacrosseMonkey

Lacrosse gloves are considered to be the most significant items of equipment that you will purchase. They are responsible for the overall feel of your stick, and take a beating from the opposing defensemen. Ideally, the player is going to want the gloves that will allow them to have the most natural feel over the stick. Developing second-hand nature with the stick is important, and that is why the experts here at LacrosseMonkey strongly suggest investing a little more time and effort in selecting gloves.

Lacrosse Glove Features

Lacrosse gloves feature padding from the fingers to the back of the hand to the wrist in order to protect against checks and contact from other players. The palm typically has a soft mesh or synthetic material that allows for grip on the stick and a natural feel for the player.

Thumb

Most will argue that this is the most important part of the glove. The thumb is the most vulnerable to injuries and it is responsible for how well you handle the stick. There are a variety of different styles of thumb protection on the market giving you plenty to choose from. Each model of glove has a different pattern for how the padding is segmented for better maneuverability. With that being said, be sure to analyze how many times the thumb is segmented. The more segmentation, the more flexibility the glove will offer. Lastly, be sure to see if the thumb has any additional reinforcement, such as plastic or carbon composite inserts. This additional padding counters the initial impact from stick checks, causing the collision energy to be absorbed easier.

Palm

The overall quality of a glove is determined by the type of palm material. If you are having trouble figuring out why one glove is more expensive than the other, it is most likely the palm material. Axe Suede is the most premium material on the market and it will provide the most natural feel over the stick. There are other materials such as Nash and Mesh that provide good durability as well, but are not as comfortable. Lastly, some gloves have been adding additional layers in the palm to prevent the gloves from wearing down and getting holes. For most gloves this can be seen as a grey material in the palm that is strategically placed in key abrasion areas.

Ventilation

The overall quality of a glove is determined by the type of palm material. If you are having trouble figuring out why one glove is more expensive than the other, it is most likely the palm material. Axe Suede is the most premium material on the market and it will provide the most natural feel over the stick. There are other materials such as Nash and Mesh that provide good durability as well, but are not as comfortable. Lastly, some gloves have been adding additional layers in the palm to prevent the gloves from wearing down and getting holes. For most gloves this can be seen as a grey material in the palm that is strategically placed in key abrasion areas.

Grip

Manufacturers have been incorporating more grip material into some of the gloves by placing rubberized inserts into the palms. This is beneficial for players who want to limit the weight of the stick by not adding tape. The grip will improve stick handling and help prevent the eventual yard sale. One downside to rubberized inserts in the palms is players will not be able to twirl or slide their hands up and down the stick as easily when dodging and shooting.

Liner

There are a variety of different liners out there that make up the inside of the glove. The most common liner is Nylon, which is very soft to the touch. There are many other different liners on the market that have special features such as, sweat-wicking liner, no-odor liner, and climate control liner that is perfect for all the seasons of the year.

The majority of lacrosse gloves are designed to have a contoured fit profile that completely encapsulate the player’s hands for a more natural tight fit. This will provide maximum protection and flexibility. You will notice that lacrosse gloves are segmented with several creases throughout their design. This allows the player to have higher levels of flexibility and mobility without sacrificing protection.

When it comes to preference in sizing; some players like to have a skin-tight-fit, while others prefer a more loose and flexible-fit. Neither preference is superior as long as it is able to protect your hands.

The number one sign that a glove is too small is if the player’s fingers stretch out the top of the gussets passed the padding. This is how fingers get jammed and broken because they are not concealed under the padding.

small fitting lacrosse gloves

Your fingertips should just touch the end of the glove but still be underneath the padding. If there is a large gap between your fingertip and the end of the glove, the glove is too big.

proper fitting lacrosse gloves

The glove is also considered to be too small if the bottom of the players palm is not covered by the palm material. The Black Palm band at the bottom of the glove should sit on your wrist and not your palm.

incorrect and correct palm coverage

Sizing Trends By Brand

Different brands will focus on different areas in the glove making philosophy. Some may opt for a tighter fit and less protection, while others will load up the padding and allow for clever movement. Here is a break down of how each brand fits and feels.

  • Brine: has a tight feel between the pads and your hand. They offer large wrist protection and softer palms for added comfort.
  • Maverik: strong thumb protection that can feel stiff until broken in. Grippy palms allow for a tighter feel on the stick. They slide on nicely with their larger cuff.
  • Nike: grippy fingers for added attachment to the stick but still with soft and tough palms. Fit tight to the hand with their sleek design that Nike is so well known for.
  • STX: range from big and heavily padded to light weight and minimal padding. Typically feature soft palms with a built in cuff for added wrist protection.
  • True: suede palms allow for a soft feel but with added grip onto the stick. All over padding feels similar to hockey gloves.
  • Under Armour: offers larger padding that moves very well. The gloves feature breaks in the padding to allow your hand and fingers to move in specific locations. They also feature a more grippy palm.
  • Warrior: Great all over padding with incredible finger movement. The palms features nice grip without sacrificing softness.

Youth & Adult Lacrosse Glove Size Chart

AgeWeight (lbs.)Weight (kg.)Glove Size
Under 5Under 80Under 368"
6 - 1181 - 10537 - 4710"
9 - 13106 - 15048 - 6812"
14 +151 +69 +13"

One of the best ways to see if a glove is best for you is to check them out in store at LacrosseMonkey! The staff can help you find the right glove for you. If you already know what works best, you can shop lacrosse gloves online.

 

This article was originally published on December 26, 2019, and has been updated with new information.