When it comes to sport, in order to reach your full potential you have to invest in your talent and your starting point is to invest in the best equipment possible for your game. Therefore, when it comes to lacrosse, the first thing to think about is buying the best stick out there.
There are a few different points to consider when you’re looking for the best lacrosse shaft available, including your age and position as well as your material, shape and grip preferences. In this article we are going to mainly discuss the benefits of traditional wooden lacrosse sticks as well as the best ones available; but not to fear, we are going to break it all down for you, making your next shaft choice an easier one.
Top Rated Lax Shafts This Current Year
Best Bamboo/Wood Shaft: The Burd Wood Shaft
Best Carbon Fiber: East Coast Dyes
Best Metal Stick: Maverik Apollo
Think about your position
The position you play will have a major impact on your choice of lacrosse stick mainly because the length of the shaft can be drastically different depending on whether your midfield, goalie, attack or defense.
Attack and Midfield
- Youth Level – 37-42 inches
- High School/NCAA Level – 30-32 inches
Goalie
- Standard – 40 inches
Defense
- Youth Level – 42-62 inches
- High School/NCAA Level – 60 inches
Lacrosse Shaft Materials
There are three main type of material when it comes to buying a lacrosse shaft, wood, carbon fiber and metal. Each material has pros and cons which you need to consider before buying a lacrosse stick, however, it is also greatly about preference.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is the newest style of lacrosse stick available. They are often preferred by many offensive players and have an abundance of benefits to the player.
- Lightweight– lightest of all of the shafts available
- Flexible – allowing for faster shooting
- Sturdy – very strong while remaining lightweight unlike its wooden counterparts
Although carbon fiber has a vast number of benefits sought after by many players, it can also be too light for a number of players, which of course is down to personal preference.
The Best Carbon Fiber Lacrosse Shaft Available
If you think you carbon fiber is the route you want to go down for your next lacrosse shaft, why not take a look at the ECD Carbon Shaft? This is a great option if you’re looking for something lightweight, strong and flexible.
Metal
Most metal shafts are alloy shafts made of metals such as aluminum, titanium, or scandium. These shafts have a number of benefits similar to those of the carbon fiber counter parts.
- Strong – titanium offers ultimate strength for a lacrosse stick
- Lightweight – like carbon fiber, titanium is incredibly light weight
Although titanium in particular has a number of benefits, many players are dubious to use a titanium shaft due to its natural ability to bend. However, as it is super strong you can always simply bend it back into shape.
The Best Metal Lacrosse Shaft Being Sold
Sadly, due to high manufacturing costs these shafts are predominantly being phased out. However, if you are looking for a metal lacrosse stick you can try the Maverik Apollo Shaft.
Wood
Wooden shafts are what are classed as the traditional lacrosse stick. Already on the market for a number of years, there are a wide variety of woods and styles to choose from. However, since the lighter shafts became available, a wooden shaft is most suited to the defensive player.
Wood Types
- Hickory – has great strength while maintaining flexibility
- Maple – strong but lightweight
- Red Oak – durable with great strength while remaining relatively lightweight
- Bamboo – incredibly flexible and lightweight with great shock absorption
- White Ash – Extraordinarily sturdy without being too weighty
Wooden shafts are really great for defensive players for a number of reasons. For starters, they are designed to be longer lasting and durable, meaning you often get more for your money.
Wooden lacrosse shafts also tend to be cheaper than the carbon fiber and metal rivals. Moreover, as they tend to be the heaviest of the three materials, this means they pack more of a punch when it comes to checks on your opponents.
Furthermore, in terms of appearance, wooden sticks have a more intimidating look which is a little bit scary to the other team. Psyching out your opponent is never a bad thing!
One major downside to the wooden lacrosse shaft is that like any wood it can warp due to changes in temperature or from water exposure. Therefore, its not a great all weather stick.
Also, wooden sticks can be really heavy, which of course is no problem if your built like Dwayn ‘The Rock” Johnson; however, if your not strong enough to use one then they are not the stick for you.
The Best Wooden Lacrosse Shaft
If you are strong enough and want to get those harder checks on your opponent, then you can try the Burd Wooden Lacrosse Shaft. Also, if you are looking for a youth shaft for those players just starting out in the game, then this is a great discount wood shaft for youth players. Not only will they have a sturdy, long lasting stick to train with, but they are also going to look too cool for school while doing so!
Wrapping It Up
Remember that when you purchase a lacrosse shaft, most will be offered warranties from the manufacture which means you’re covered if it breaks (unless you buy 300 at a mega discount from Taiwan!) When it comes to choosing, there are just three main points to remember as we have discussed:
- Length – remember to choose the right length for your position and league
- Weight – remember to choose a weight that is comfortable and you can handle
- Material – remember to choose a material that suits your playing needs
Lastly, don’t let your decision be swayed too much by solely the look of a shaft. You can also customize your lacrosse shaft in a number of ways, regardless of which size or material you go for. As there are decals and shaft paints available, you can always add personality to a plain hickory stick.
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