The jersey is the easy part of a lacrosse budget. The number that surprises first-time buyers is everything around it: reversible pinnies, shorts, and — for boys' programs — a full set of protective gear that sits on a different line entirely. Many CIF sections open lacrosse in early February, and a custom order runs 6 to 10 weeks from approved art to delivery, so October and November is the window that keeps you ahead of the winter production backlog. This guide gives you planning ranges, the levers that move the number, and the costs that get missed.
The short answer: typical ranges
Across the market, a custom lacrosse jersey, shorts, and reversible pinnie set for a high school program commonly lands in these rough per-player ranges. Treat them as budgeting guardrails, not a quote — your real number depends on brand, decoration, and how many you order. Helmets, pads, and sticks are not included.
| Tier | What you get | Rough per-player range* |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Quality non-branded jersey and shorts, screen-print or heat-transfer numbers, simple reversible pinnie | ~$60–90 |
| Mid | Stock branded jersey and shorts, decorated numbers, team-colored reversible pinnie | ~$90–125 |
| Premium | Fully custom sublimated jersey with mesh panels and color-blocking, matching shorts and pinnie | ~$125–160+ |
*General market ranges to help you plan — not NSA pricing. Final cost varies by brand, decoration, quantity, and season. Get a quote for a real number.
What actually drives the price
Four levers move a lacrosse uniform quote more than anything else.
1. Jersey construction
Stock mesh jerseys with applied numbers cost the least and suit JV and freshman rosters. Full custom cut-and-sew styling with side panels and sublimated graphics costs more. Our lacrosse uniform buying guide covers jersey and pinnie construction in more depth.
2. Decoration: screen print vs. sublimation
Screen print and heat-transfer numbers are the cheapest way to decorate a stock jersey. Sublimation puts unlimited color, gradients, and sponsor marks into the fabric without per-color charges, which is why most premium varsity sets use it — the tradeoffs are laid out in our sublimation vs. traditional decoration comparison.
3. Brand
Quality non-branded lines deliver a sharp, durable set for less. Adidas and Under Armour team lines sit higher and bring deeper template libraries. Because a dealer quotes several, you compare value instead of guessing.
4. Quantity & minimums
Bigger orders lower the per-unit price. Watch minimums, too: many suppliers require 8–20 pieces per design. National Sports Apparel has no minimums, so a small JV order and a full varsity program are both fine.
Boys' vs. girls': two different budgets
Boys' and girls' lacrosse run under separate NFHS rule books, and the equipment lists differ. Boys' players wear a helmet with facemask, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and chest protection. Girls' field players are required to wear eye protection, with a lighter protective list overall. Specifics change year to year, so confirm the current season's requirements with your section before finalizing anything.
The practical takeaway: a boys' program should budget protective gear alongside the uniform from day one, and a program running both teams should build two budgets, not one. We do not quote protective-gear prices here because they vary widely by brand and certification — ask your dealer to price them as a separate line.
The costs teams forget to budget
- Reversible pinnies — most programs run a light/dark practice set so scrimmages don't need a second uniform order; price them with the jersey.
- Protective gear — helmets, pads, gloves, and eye protection are their own line, and pads and shells often can't be reordered as fast as a jersey.
- Sticks and mesh — outside the uniform order, but easy to forget.
- Late roster additions — hold a small buffer of jerseys and sizes after tryouts. Our sizing hub helps get the roster right the first time.
- Spirit wear — a team store can turn fan apparel into a fundraiser instead of a program expense.
How to lower the cost without looking cheap
- Mix tiers by squad — varsity in a premium sublimated set, JV in decorated stock jerseys from the same color family.
- Order in October–November to clear the winter production backlog ahead of a February opener.
- Bundle jerseys, shorts, pinnies, and spirit wear into one order instead of several purchase orders.
- Ask for both a branded and a non-branded quote and compare value side by side.
Our team store fundraising guide walks through the earnings math if boosters want spirit-wear sales to offset the budget. Browsing options first? Start on our lacrosse page.
Get a real number, not a guess
Ranges are for planning; a quote is for deciding. A team dealer prices your exact roster across brands and decoration methods so you see real options before the season opens. We've outfitted California programs since 2009, quote branded and non-branded together, and have no order minimums.