The Definitive Lacrosse Goalie Gear Guide 2025

Welcome to the Adaptive Goaltending Gear Guide!

As a lacrosse goalie coach, I know that finding the right equipment is the first step to success. At Adaptive Goaltending, our philosophy is about just that: helping players adapt their game to any situation. That starts with gear that fits their unique style of play and helps them perform at their highest level. This guide is built from my experience coaching all levels of athletes and is designed to help you find the gear that’s right for you. I will update this guide continuously as gear and training tools continue to evolve.

Disclaimer

Please note: This guide contains affiliate links. While we may earn a commission from purchases made through these links, every recommendation here is based on my playing and coaching experience with the products. I would recommend this gear to you for free, regardless of any potential commission.

Amazon Associate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended Goalie Gear

1. Helmet and Throat Protector:

Your head is your most important piece of equipment. You need it to survive! With that being said, I have used a Cascade helmet for my entire lacrosse career, and with good reason.

  • Recommended: The Cascade XRS-Pro Helmet offers an elite level of protection with a comfortable fit and excellent visibility. It’s a top-tier choice for any serious goalie. To complete the setup, the Cascade Lacrosse Goalie Throat Guard attaches easily to provide neck and throat protection without hindering movement.
  • Cascade XRS-Pro Helmet: https://amzn.to/3UaOvaz
  • Cascade Lacrosse Goalie Throat Guard: https://amzn.to/3U5kHMz

Gloves

Lacrosse goalie gloves are an essential piece of equipment. A common mistake so many new goalies make is not buying these! You will absolutely break your thumb or knuckle without the proper equipment.

  • Recommended: The STX Cell VI Goalie Gloves are an excellent choice for goalies seeking maximum protection and mobility. They allow an exceptional amount of mobility in your thumbs without compromising protection and safety. The improved knuckle protection and the reinforced thumb are designed specifically to withstand high-velocity shots, allowing you to focus on making saves without worry of injury.
    • STX Cell VI Goalie Lacrosse Gloves: https://amzn.to/40N1UJK

Coaching tip

Your chest protector should be sized to cover your entire chest and stomach, but it shouldn't be so bulky that it restricts your ability to move your arms freely. An overly bulky protector can slow down your reaction time.

Goalie Heads

The right stick is an extension of an athlete’s body. The head, mesh, and shaft all work together to help make saves and clear the ball.
  • Recommended: The STX Eclipse 2 and STX Eclipse 3 are two of the most popular goalie heads for a reason. The Eclipse 2 is a classic, known for its wide face and stiff frame, while the Eclipse 3 offers an updated design with improved stiffness, longer throat, and a more aggressive scoop. In my experience, the Eclipse 2 is better for out of cage play and groundballs, but the Eclipse 3 is a little more durable and retains its stiffness longer. I personally prefer the throat of the Eclipse 2, but many goalies like the longer throat of the Eclipse 3. Go with your preference! They are both also very easy heads to string.

Coaching tip

Proper helmet fit is essential. A helmet should be snug but not tight, with no excessive movement when you shake your head. Make sure the straps are adjusted to hold the helmet firmly in place without causing pressure points. Also, make sure you are looking through the top part of the cage. Do not set the helmet up so that you are looking through the 2nd level. Not only is this unsafe, but it also makes you look kind of silly.

Chest Protector

Protection here is critical, but so is mobility. The best pads will offer a balance of both, which is essential for making quick, explosive movements.

  • Recommended: The Maverik EKG Chest Protector provides excellent chest protection with a unique design that minimizes heart-related impact. The Small/Medium and Large/XL sizes ensure you can find the right fit for your body.

Cleats

Having the right cleats is essential for a goalie’s footwork. It’s ideal to have slightly more protective cleats that cover a little bit of your ankle, allowing you to fearlessly make foot saves.
  • Recommended: The Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Clone 3 Football Cleats provide a lightweight but protective and secure fit with a cleat pattern designed for explosive movements and reliable traction, as well as some ankle coverage. ‘

Stringing Kit

 

  • Recommended: We highly recommend a hard mesh like ECD Hero 2.0 Goalie Mesh. To get your head strung perfectly, the ECD Lacrosse Goalie Stringing Kit has everything you need.

Shafts

  • Recommended: The STX Fiber O Lacrosse Shaft is a great option, providing a lightweight yet durable design for quick hand movements.

Extra and Protective Gear

 

These are the items that fill in the gaps and provide that extra layer of confidence.

  • Groin Protection: The Mix MX3 Hockey Goalie Cup offers superior protection and comfort, a non-negotiable for every goalie. Trust me, a normal cup is not sufficient for this position.
    • Mix MX3 Hockey Goalie Cup
  • ProSlide: The ProSlide is a custom, sleek knee and shin guard designed to protect key impact points during explosive movements like sliding, diving, and sudden impact to your knees/shins. For lacrosse goalies, it offers added protection, confidence, and comfort without restricting movement like other competitors, allowing you to be more aggressive and focused on making saves without worrying about potential knee and shin impacts. Use code AGA15 for 15% off.
  • ThighPro: The ThighPro is an excellent product for protecting your thighs without restricting movement. If you hate getting nasty bruises on your inner thigh, but you still want the freedom of movement and explosiveness you would normally have, look no further. Use code AGA for 10% off.
  • Mouthguard: The SISU Mouthguard is an essential piece of gear that protects teeth and helps prevent concussions. It is a slim, customizable fit that allows for easy speaking and communicating with your defenders.
  • Water Bottle: The Gatorade Squeeze Bottle is a staple for a reason. It allows you to stay easily hydrated in between saves.

Reaction Training:

  •  The White Reaction Ball, White Tennis Balls, and White Soft Lacrosse Balls are all excellent tools for improving hand-eye coordination and reflexes. For men’s goalies in particular, I also recommend training with white balls when possible because that is the color of the ball used in youth, high school and college. The white reaction ball is an awesome tool to play wall ball with to simulate live reps. The white tennis balls and soft lacrosse balls are awesome training tools to practice with so you don’t get as beat up as you would with real hard rubber balls.
  • Real Balls: Pearl Lacrosse Balls are known as the best ball in the game for good reason: they last virtually forever and don’t lose there grip.
  • Pearl Lacrosse Balls: https://amzn.to/3U8ZfX6
  • LaceUp Lacrosse Weights: The LaceUp Lacrosse Weights are a perfect fit for players of all ages who want to develop explosive, fast hands without sacrificing form. Simply wrap around the top of your shaft right under your goalie head to improve your hand speed and reaction time, enabling you to make more saves. Use code AGA for 15% off.

Adaptive Goaltending Apparel

  • Recommended: Show your support for Adaptive Goaltending with the Game Day Sweats. These are high quality sweats that will easily last you multiple seasons. They are made of a thick material to help protect your legs against low shots, turf, and hard grass. They don’t restrict your movement in any way. I personally use a pair of these exact sweats every time I step on to the playing field.

Finding the right gear is a journey, and we hope this guide gives you and your athletes a solid starting point. Remember, the best equipment is what makes you feel safe, comfortable, and ready to adapt and play your best.

 

Have Any Questions ?

We know every goalie’s journey is different. If you have questions about training, packages, or what’s best for your game, we’d love to help.

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