Gear I Actually Use — My Lacrosse Setup (Updated 2026)
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The Gear I Actually Use
No filler. No paid placements. This is the exact gear setup I trust after testing dozens of options — organized by position and experience level so you can find what matters for your game.
I get asked constantly: “What do you actually use?” So here it is. Every pick on this page is gear I have personally tested, broken in, and would buy again. Where I have moved on from something, I say so and explain why. Where budget alternatives exist, I flag them. This is not a best-of list — it is my actual setup.
Last updated: June 2026
My Helmet
Cascade CS-R
The CS-R has been my helmet for the past two seasons and I have no plans to switch. The 7-pad liner fits my head shape better than anything else I have tried — no pressure points on long practice days. The ventilation is genuinely good compared to most helmets at this price; I stopped noticing I was wearing it by week three.
The dial retention system is one of the things Cascade gets right that cheaper helmets do not. Once it is dialed in, it stays dialed. I have taken hard shots to the back of the helmet and the fit did not shift. That matters.
My Shaft
ECD Carbon Pro 3.0
I switched to a carbon shaft two years ago and I am not going back. The weight reduction is real and it changes how quickly you can bring your hands through on a dodge. The ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 is the shaft I settled on after testing four different carbon options. The feel on catches and groundballs is closer to metal than most carbon, which was the dealbreaker on the others.
Is it worth $150-170? For attack and midfield players who play year-round and value stick speed: yes. For a player in their first or second season, or for defense where the shaft takes more abuse: probably not yet.
Maverik Apollo (Alloy) — What I Used Before Carbon
Before I moved to carbon, the Maverik Apollo was my shaft for three seasons. At $40-55, it is the best value alloy shaft on the market. The feel is consistent, the grip texture holds up without wearing down fast, and I never broke one. I recommend it to anyone who is not yet ready to commit to a carbon shaft budget or who plays defense.
My Head
ECD DNA 2.0
The DNA 2.0 is the head on my current primary stick. For attack and midfield players, the combination of offset, channel shape, and sidewall stiffness is as close to a perfect head as I have found. It strings consistently — I can string it tight for dry conditions and it holds the pocket shape well over a full season.
The one thing the DNA 2.0 does not do well: it is not a faceoff head, and it is not ideal for defensive players who are constantly scooping groundballs in heavy contact. For those use cases, I would point you to the Warrior Evo V instead.
My Gloves
Maverik Tactik 3 Gloves
Gloves are more personal than almost any other piece of equipment — feel and fit vary a lot by hand shape. But the Maverik Tactik 3 has been on my hands for over a year and they are the most comfortable all-day gloves I have used. The palm breaks in faster than most, the cuff protection is solid without feeling bulky, and they have not started falling apart the way two previous pairs did after six months.
One honest note: they run slightly narrow. If you have wide hands, try them on before committing.
My Cleats
Nike Alpha Huarache 7 (Lacrosse Cleats)
After years of rotating through different brands, I landed on the Nike Alpha Huarache series and have stayed there. Lacrosse is hard on cleats — you are cutting aggressively on turf and grass both, and the midfoot support has to hold up. The Huarache 7 gives me the ankle collar height I want without sacrificing lateral feel. Break-in time is minimal compared to some stiffer options I have tried.
My Bag
STX Lacrosse Challenger Bag
A bag should do one thing well: carry your gear without falling apart. The STX Challenger does that. Separate stick pocket, ventilated bottom for cleats, enough interior space for full pads and a helmet without being impossible to close. I have been through three bags in five years from different brands — this is the one I have kept for longest.
What I Have Tested and Moved On From
Not everything I have tested made the list above. Here is a quick rundown of gear I tried and why I moved on — so you can factor that into your decisions.
- STX Stallion 500 Helmet — Good helmet. I moved to the Cascade CS-R because the fit system is more refined, not because the Stallion 500 is bad. If you find a better deal on the Stallion 500, it is a legitimate choice.
- Epoch Integra Carbon Shaft — Excellent shaft. I switched to the ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 for feel on catches, but the Epoch is arguably more durable and worth considering if you are harder on equipment than average.
- STX Surgeon 700 Head — Very stiff, very accurate on shooting. I found it harder to string for my preferred pocket style. If you are a dedicated feeder or face-dodge player it might suit you better than it suited me.
Gear Questions?
If you are not sure what fits your position, age, or playing style, I built a quiz that walks through 8 questions and matches you to a specific setup. Takes about 2 minutes.