If you started your lacrosse journey with one of our starter sets, you already know the drill: a complete stick, a helmet, shoulder pads, gloves, arm pads, and enough padding to survive your first season of learning the game. That gear did exactly what it was supposed to do — got you on the field safely and let you figure out if you actually loved this sport.
But starter gear is built for one thing: getting a brand-new player playing. It's not built to keep up with a player who's added speed, started taking real checks, and is playing at a faster level than they were a year ago. If your player has outgrown the basics — literally or figuratively — here's where to focus your upgrade budget first.
The Stick: From "Complete" to "Yours"
Starter sticks are built to be simple and forgiving — one head, one shaft, ready to go out of the box. That's great for learning fundamentals, but an intermediate player benefits from a setup that matches their position and playing style. This is the point where it's worth moving to a stick built for how your player actually plays: a shaft with the flex and weight suited to attack, middie, or defense, paired with a head that matches their stringing preference and pocket style. Check out our intermediate complete sticks or start building a custom setup with an unstrung head and shaft of their own.
The Helmet: Built for a Faster Game
A starter helmet is designed to check the box on safety while fitting a growing head. As your player advances, a helmet with better visibility, airflow, and fit precision starts to matter more — especially as checks get harder and reaction time becomes everything. Take a look at our full helmet lineup, including customizable options for players who want their gear to look as sharp as it performs.
Shoulder Pads: Match the Pads to the Position
Beginner shoulder pads tend to prioritize maximum coverage since new players haven't developed their play style yet. Once your player knows whether they're a speed-first middie or a physical defenseman, it's worth switching to pads built around that. Lighter, more mobile pads help speed and stick skills; more heavily padded options protect players who are absorbing bigger hits regularly. Browse the full range of shoulder and rib pads here.
Gloves: Trade Bulk for Feel
Starter gloves are built to protect first and move second — which makes sense for a brand-new player still learning to catch and cradle. An intermediate player benefits from gloves that flex more naturally, giving better stick feel without sacrificing the protection they still need at a faster level of play. Shop intermediate and elite glove options here.
Arm Pads: Lighten Up as Skill Increases
We recommend bulkier arm pads for beginners because they're still getting comfortable with contact. As your player gets more reps and more confidence, lighter, more mobile arm pads let them keep full range of motion for shooting, passing, and cradling without losing meaningful protection. Find the right balance in our arm pad collection.
Cleats: Don't Let Old Ones Hold Back New Skills
If your player is still lacing up the same cleats from their first season, that's worth a look. Feet grow, tread wears down, and cleats built for an intermediate level of speed and cutting perform very differently than a beginner pair. We carry one of the largest cleat selections in lacrosse — it's worth stopping in for a proper fitting as skill level increases.
Don't Forget the Extras
A few smaller upgrades make a bigger difference than people expect at this stage:
- Tape — better grip means more torque on shots and more accurate passes as stick skills develop.
- Turf shoes — if your player is now playing regularly on turf, a dedicated pair helps performance and reduces injury risk compared to standard cleats.
- A bigger bag — intermediate gear bags fill up fast. Grab one here.
- More balls — an intermediate player is (hopefully) putting in more reps. Stock up here.
Make It Easy on Yourself
If you'd rather not piece it together item by item, we also offer full intermediate equipment sets built specifically for players leveling up from the basics. It's the fastest way to get your player fully upgraded and ready for a stronger season.
Stop by your local Lacrosse Unlimited and we'll help you figure out exactly what's worth upgrading first — no guesswork required.
