What To Look For
Look for a well-padded pair of gloves that increase the friction and grip on your hands, and protect you without compromising your precision. Look for gloves with good ventilation, a snug fit, and a palm covering material that will allow you to maintain a good grip. A synthetic mesh palm covering is optimum for maintaining a good grip and letting your hands breath during a game. Brine, Warrior, and deBeer are three well-regarded producers of lacrosse gloves.
Common Pitfalls
Gloves for field positions and goalies need to be well fitting and somewhat snug. You'll see different sizing standards from brand to brand, but lacrosse gloves generally measure 9 inches for youth to a large adult size of 16 inches.
To find your size, measure the distance from where your elbow pads will end in the mid-forearm to the tips of your fingers. That number translates to your approximate glove size. When you try on gloves, the ends of your fingers should not touch the tip of the finger gussets. If your hands are smaller, consider opting for a women-specific glove, like the Warrior Sublime, which is designed for smaller hands.
Where To Buy
Lacrosse equipment is very specific, so if you're looking for a particular brand and size, you may need to order it directly from the manufacturer or from a specialty online lacrosse gear retailer such as Lacrosse.com. Lacrosse.com carries all the major and some smaller brands of lacrosse equipment, and can locate items in any available size. Lacrosse.com also provides uniforms, field items, and bulk gear for teams or individuals. The company maintains an up-to-date gear guide on its website, and has a generous return policy.
Cost
Top of the line lacrosse gloves, like those from Brine and Warrior, can cost up to $200. The Brine King III has been a top-rated glove by players for several seasons, and costs about $175. Warrior Kapital gloves are a popular, mid-range choice, which sell for about $100. Cheaper lacrosse gloves, and those made by general sporting gear companies like Reebok and Adidas, can be found for about $20. For a solid pair of gloves that will last the season and be comfortable to play in, expect to spend $130 to $150.
Comparison Shopping
Fingerless lacrosse gloves are an option favored by some players. These half-gloves pad and protect the back of your hands, while leaving the length of your fingers free to make precise moves with your stick. DeBeer, which specializes in women-specific lacrosse gear, offers its signature glove, the Tempest, in a fingerless model. Training gloves are another lightweight option for practice days. Neoprene gloves like the Warrior Neo Cool offer some padding to your hands, and keep your hands warm and dry during drills. Goalie gloves, as well, are a different story. Goalie gloves are less flexible, and more padded than those for field players.
Accessories
Protective accessories for lacrosse are not always used, but should you find yourself wanting additional padding or guards, there are several options. DeBeer makes protective eyemasks to guard your eyes, nose, and upper face. Warrior has specialized padding for your chest, knees, shoulders, and ribs, designed to allow a full range of motion.
Insider Tips
Lacrosse gloves, as with any gear you use often during intense play, are known to wear out. Consider if longevity is important to you, and factor that into your search by taking a close look at the outer material of your gloves. "Peeling" is a common complaint, when the outer coating begins to separate from the padding on the backs. This is only cosmetic issue at first, but becomes an issue as padding wears down. The Brine Kings and Warrior Mac Daddy are known to hold up through several seasons.
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