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If you are new to the sport of lacrosse, you may be wondering if you can play it with glasses on or if you do need to wear goggles to protect yourself. If so, what kind should you get? In this article, I will answer these questions and more.
In my experience, you can play lacrosse with glasses as long as the lenses are made of polycarbonate material and the frames are made of plastic. However, it’s better to wear prescription contact lenses in addition to lacrosse goggles since it’s the safest option for protecting your eyes from harm.
Below, I share my top tips for choosing the right pair of lacrosse goggles for you. I also dive into details about what I went through as a person who wears glasses and what I did to stay safe while playing lacrosse!
Can A Player Wear Glasses During A Lacrosse Match?
While you can wear glasses to play lacrosse, it is not recommended. Since lacrosse is a contact sport, there is a risk of the glasses being damaged or breaking during a game which can potentially injure your face and eyes. The helmet can also push the lenses into your face, which can be uncomfortable.
Note also that there is a risk of eye damage if the glasses break and the lens shards come into contact with your eyes.
I came across an amazing pair of STX Lacrosse 4Sight+ S Goggles that I use for all of my lacrosse games. These goggles come in 10 different colors and in 3 different sizes. You can check them out on Amazon!
There is always the risk of the glasses being damaged on a player’s eyes getting damaged if the glasses break. Wearing goggles is the safest option for protecting your eyes while playing lacrosse.
For this reason, it is generally recommended that players wear lacrosse goggles instead of glasses with contact lenses underneath to be able to see the game!
If you can’t wear goggles for any reason, you might want to contact lenses. These can be a good option as they will not get in the way of your helmet and will not break if you collide with another player.
I have, however, used to play with this guy on my team who used to wear glasses to matches. He was an absolute savage and would just put tape over the bridge of his nose so that his glasses wouldn’t move. I don’t know if I’d recommend this, but it worked for him.
How Do You Wear Glasses With A Lacrosse Helmet?
In general, it is very uncomfortable to wear glasses underneath a lacrosse helmet. However, if you have to, make sure that your glasses frames are made of plastic instead of metal. You also have to make sure that the lenses in your glasses are made of a polycarbonate material that is hard to shatter.
In my experience, I have noticed that it is quite problematic to wear glasses under a lacrosse helmet. This is because the helmet tends to push the lenses up into your eyes, which can be very uncomfortable.
If you decide to wear glasses anyway, you have to make sure that your glasses fit snugly on your face in order to avoid getting hurt or prevent them from falling off.
However, I know this is still going to be very uncomfortable, especially if you collide with another player during a game.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about If Lacrosse Players Should Wear Protective Cups. This article talks about if lacrosse players should wear cups and breaks down the rules of wearing protective cups in lacrosse. You can check out this article here!
What I would also recommend is getting special prescription goggles from your ophthalmologist. This way, your lenses will be protected and you’ll have a better field of vision. They will make you special sports goggles that can fit under your helmet.
My number 1 thing to suggest is to try to get prescription contacts prescribed to you from an eye doctor. I personally put on my contacts before any sport so that I don’t have to worry about my glasses.
If this isn’t an option for you, you just have to find a way to make your glass stay in place. One of the ways is to have straps that you can attach to your helmet. This way, even if your glasses do move, they will not fall off completely.
You can also tie the straps behind your head, or even put tape over the bridge of your nose. Whatever you do, just make sure that your glasses are secure and will not fall off during the game.
Do You Need Goggles For Lacrosse?
As a general rule, you don’t have to wear lacrosse goggles to play lacrosse even though it is highly recommended. Wearing them will protect your eyes from being hit by the ball, a lacrosse stick, and even another player. Lacrosse goggles have a strap that is comfortable to wear underneath the helmet.
There are many different types of lacrosse goggles on the market, so it’s important to choose a pair that is comfortable and provides good visibility. You also want to make sure that the goggles fit snugly on your head so that they don’t fall off during the game.
Generally, lacrosse goggles are made specifically to be comfortable to wear with all other protective equipment.
I came across an amazing pair of STX Lacrosse 4Sight+ S Goggles that I use for all of my lacrosse games. These goggles come in 10 different colors and in 3 different sizes. You can check them out on Amazon!
Other factors to consider when getting lacrosse goggles include:
The type of lens (clear, tinted, or mirrored)
Choose carefully here as the wrong type of lens can impact your visibility on the field. Goggles that are clean usually only have a metal-like caging to protect the eyes.
The size of the goggles
You want to make sure that the goggles fit snugly on your head, but you also want to make sure that they don’t obstruct your vision.
Goggles with straps are usually adjustable which will make them fit well around any player’s head.
The type of frame
There are many different types of frames available, so choose one that is comfortable and fits well with your helmet. There are metal (steel) cages and plastic cages.
I personally prefer the steel cages as they provide better protection, but they are also more expensive. The plastic ones, however, provide better peripheral vision.
The type of strap (elastic or adjustable)
This is another personal preference, but I prefer the adjustable straps as they provide a more secure fit since I can tighten it as much as I want.
What Are Lacrosse Goggles For?
Lacrosse goggles are designed to protect your eyes from the impact of the ball or another player’s stick. They also provide good visibility and a comfortable fit. Lacrosse goggles are meant to be comfortable around the head with an adjustable fit that won’t interfere with your helmet.
You may also purchase lacrosse goggles if you wear glasses and want to protect your lenses from breaking.
If you choose this route, make sure to get a pair that fits snugly on your head and under your helmet.
Lacrosse goggles are a necessary piece of equipment for any player, so make sure to choose a pair that is comfortable and provides good visibility. With the right pair of goggles, you’ll be able to play your best game.
Can I Wear Lacrosse Goggles Over My Glasses?
Generally speaking, you can wear glasses underneath some lacrosse goggles. Some lacrosse goggles are large enough to allow room for glasses. If you choose this route, make sure to get a pair that fits snugly on your head and under your helmet so that they don’t fall off.
You can also get your ophthalmologist to custom-make a pair of sports goggles that fit snugly on your face and under your helmet. This way, your lenses will be protected and you’ll have a better field of vision.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article that talks about If Lacrosse Is A Fun Sport To Play. This article breaks down if it is easy to learn lacrosse as well as how lacrosse is played. You can check out this article here!
What Are Lacrosse Goggles Made Of?
Most lacrosse goggles’ have cages that are made of plastic or metal material. The frames are usually made of steel or aluminum which provides a sturdy base to withstand a hit from a fast object approaching the direction of a player’s face.
Again, you can have a custom-made pair of goggles made that will fit snugly on your face and under your helmet.
To an average lacrosse player, getting basic lacrosse goggles will be more than enough to protect your face in case of a hit!
Final Thoughts
While you can wear glasses while playing lacrosse, I would highly recommend wearing prescription contacts as well as getting a pair of lacrosse goggles. They will protect your eyes from the impact of the ball or another player’s stick.
There are many different types of lacrosse goggles on the market, so choosing a pair that is comfortable and provides good visibility is important.
