Training
Must-Have
Lacrosse Stick
Complete sticks (head + shaft) are the best starting point. Boys' heads have deeper pockets; girls' heads are more open. Beginner shafts are aluminum; intermediate and up use composite.
Est. $40 – $120
Must-Have
10 itemsFootwear
Must-Have
Lacrosse / Football Cleats
Low-cut or mid-cut molded cleats. Soccer cleats also work at younger ages. Look for cleat patterns approved by your league — some restrict detachable cleats.
Est. $35 – $90
Protection
Must-Have
Helmet (Boys)
NOCSAE-certified full cage helmet required for all boys' lacrosse. Fit matters most — measure head circumference and try before buying. The cage should not touch the nose.
Girls lacrosse only requires goggles, not a full helmet.
Est. $60 – $180
Protection
Must-Have
Shoulder Pads (Boys)
Lightweight shoulder pads for boys' lacrosse. They're much smaller than football pads — they should not restrict throwing motion. Required for all boys' field players.
Est. $30 – $80
Protection
Must-Have
Arm Pads (Boys)
Protect the elbow and forearm from checks and falls. Slim-profile pads allow full arm movement while meeting league requirements.
Est. $20 – $50
Protection
Must-Have
Lacrosse Gloves
Protect the hands and wrists from checks — required for all players. Look for good palm feel (important for stick handling) with solid backhand protection.
Est. $30 – $80
Protection
Must-Have
Mouthguard
Required for all youth lacrosse players. Boil-and-bite guards from any sporting goods store work fine. Replace after any significant impact.
Est. $5 – $20
Training
Must-Have
Lacrosse Balls (6-pack)
Standard NFHS-approved lacrosse balls for practice. White for boys, yellow for girls. Balls get lost constantly — buy a 6-pack and consider it a consumable.
Est. $15 – $30
Protection
Must-Have
Lacrosse Goggles (Girls)
Required for girls' lacrosse. Must be ASTM-certified. Wider field of vision models are more comfortable and preferred by players who wear them consistently.
Est. $20 – $50
Accessories
Must-Have
Equipment Bag
A long duffel or stick bag that fits the lacrosse stick (42+ inches) plus pads and helmet. External attachment straps for sticks are essential.
Est. $25 – $60
Recommended
1 itemProtection
Recommended
Rib Guard
Protects the ribs and kidney area from cross-checks. Not always required but strongly recommended for midfielders and attackers who draw a lot of contact.
Est. $25 – $50
Optional
1 itemTraining
Optional
Lacrosse Rebounder
A portable rebounder net for solo passing and catching drills. One of the best practice tools available — allows hundreds of reps without a partner.
Est. $40 – $120
Sideline Essentials
23 itemsFor the parents on the sideline — because you're out there every weekend too.
Folding Camp Chair
A lightweight, portable chair with a carry bag. You will spend hours on sidelines — your back will thank you.
Est. $25 – $80
Insulated Tumbler
Keeps coffee hot through a two-hour game in the cold. Keep drinks cold all day in summer. A non-negotiable for any sideline parent.
Est. $20 – $45
Sunscreen SPF 50+
Two hours on an open field adds up fast. Water-resistant SPF 50+ in a spray is the fastest to apply for the whole family before game time.
Est. $8 – $18
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Bug Spray
Fields near tree lines or evening games bring the mosquitoes out. Keep a travel-size can in the same bag as the sunscreen so you never forget it.
Est. $6 – $15
Insulated Cooler Bag
Fits snacks, drinks, and ice packs for the whole team. Collapsible cooler bags are easy to carry and store flat in the car.
Est. $20 – $55
Fleece Stadium Blanket
For those early morning or late fall games when it drops 20 degrees by kick-off. Compact, warm, and doubles as a picnic blanket.
Est. $18 – $45
Sun Hat / Baseball Cap
A solid dad hat or wide-brim sun hat for long days in the sun. Look for UPF 50+ if you're at weekend tournaments.
Est. $15 – $40
Microfiber Sport Towel
Fast-drying and compact. Great for wiping down wet gear, drying off kids after a rainy game, or cleaning up spills at the snack table.
Est. $10 – $25
Electrolyte Drink Mix / Packets
Single-serve packets you can toss in a water bottle. Better than hauling cases of sports drinks — and easier on the sugar.
Est. $15 – $30
Portable First Aid Kit
Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and an instant cold pack. Small enough to toss in your bag, essential when someone rolls an ankle in the last five minutes.
Est. $12 – $30
Packable Rain Poncho
Folds to the size of a baseball. Games don't get cancelled for light rain — you'll be glad it's in your bag the first time it pours in the third quarter.
Est. $8 – $20
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Stadium Seat Cushion
Bleachers, dugout benches, folding chairs — they are all hard after an hour. A folding, water-resistant seat cushion with back support makes a full tournament day survivable.
Est. $15 – $35
🔋
Portable Phone Charger
All-day tournaments mean hours of photos, group texts, and livestreaming to grandparents — with no outlet nearby to charge in between games. A power bank keeps you covered.
Est. $18 – $40
Wireless Earbuds (AirPods or similar)
Catch up on a podcast, take a call, or just tune into the game — wireless earbuds keep your hands free while everyone else fumbles with a cord.
Est. $30 – $250
All-Terrain Utility Wagon
Heavy-duty collapsible wagon with wide wheels for hauling chairs, coolers, and gear bags across thick grass or mud at complex venues.
Est. $80 – $150
Personal Weather Pod Tent
Enclosed pop-up tent to stay dry and warm during freezing rain, wind, or extreme cold at early morning or late fall games.
Est. $70 – $180
Rechargeable Heated Stadium Cushion
USB-powered padded seat with back support that hooks onto metal bleachers or lawn chairs to keep parents warm during long tournament days.
Est. $45 – $90
Handheld Battery Misting Fan
Rechargeable cooling fan with water mist attachment to protect young athletes and parents from overheating during summer tournaments.
Est. $20 – $40
Waterproof Car Seat Sweat Cover
Machine-washable, towel-style seat protector designed to prevent sweat, mud, and turf pellets from ruining car upholstery after games.
Est. $25 – $45
Multi-Compartment Snack Container
Divided snack organizer ideal for parents assigned to team snack duty or packing fuel for multi-game tournament weekends.
Est. $15 – $30
Portable Percussion Massage Gun
Compact muscle massager for warming up tight hamstrings and easing post-game quad soreness between tournament bracket rounds.
Est. $35 – $80
Heavy-Duty Portable Power Bank
Fast-charging battery pack to keep phones, video cameras, scoring apps (like GameChanger), and heating cushions powered all day.
Est. $25 – $60
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Noise-Canceling Headphones
Loud gyms, packed rinks, echoey arenas — a good pair of over-ear headphones lets you dial down the noise between plays without missing your kid's turn.
Est. $40 – $200
Total Estimated Cost
$175 – $550
Based on must-have items at typical retail prices. Costs vary by brand, retailer, and whether the league supplies certain gear.
