6 Best Women’s Lacrosse Sticks in 2024 for All Positions

According to recent estimates, roughly 100 thousand young women and girls play the game of lacrosse in the United States, and that number grows each year. 

Although the way the sport is played is similar between men and women, there are some crucial differences in the gear required to play the game — most crucially, the stick, perhaps the most important piece of LAX equipment of all. And most importantly, those differences are regulated by the USA Lacrosse, the game’s governing body in North America.

Shorter, lighter, and strung differently than men’s lacrosse sticks, we broke down the six best women’s lacrosse sticks for different positions, as well as the best lacrosse stick for women playing the high school game.

Our Top Picks

Take a quick look at the best women’s lacrosse sticks we reviewed.

A Closer Look: Best Women’s Lacrosse Sticks

Keep reading for a closer look at the best women’s lacrosse sticks to buy.

The best women’s lacrosse sticks needed to do a little bit of everything: To be lightweight and versatile enough for a midfielder, with the high hold and the quick release attackers need to be successful. We found just that very stick in the Maverik Axiom, with a pinched face shape putting the ball just where you want it for more accurate passing, and a pocket made from vertex for better consistency.

Otherwise, the hold on the pocket is crazy good, based on feedback, with amazing accuracy. It’s also very lightweight, we learned. Fielding ground balls with Axiom does take some practice, however, but with a little adjustment, it shouldn’t be a problem, according to reports. Female players also like the grip on the carbon composite matrix shaft.

For the unique needs of a female athlete playing the middie position in the game of lacrosse, we like the Maverik Ascent. Most notably, this complete lacrosse stick has a unique release angle creating maximum offset for better ball control. The mesh and leather runner system also boosts shot velocity, with sidewall geometry for improved placement on the draw.

Once the stick breaks in, young female players report better power and easier catching. Passing and shot accuracy are also improved with the Maverick Ascent. It’s overall incredibly light, and it helps catch balls at any angle. It has a sturdy head for the center draw, in particular, and we learned it comes ready to play with the pocket already built in.

Earning top spot in the best women’s lacrosse stick for attack category is the Gait Whip complete stick with flex mesh. The Gait Whip has a larger front pocket, which attackers like, and a curved offset. This drops the ball faster into the front of the pocket, and attackers like the improved feel and better power. 

On top of all that, there’s double sidewall technology putting the ball in the sweet spot with more consistency. This is otherwise a top product, according to reports, giving attackers the confidence they need when cradling the ball. Nice and light, the stick also offers improved shooting performance, based on feedback.

With a deeper pocket, the STX Lacrosse Fortress 700 is our pick for the best defensive lacrosse stick for women. As well as a narrow pinch for ball retention, the complete stick — available in two color choices — has a wider scoop for catching,and strategically placed strike plates for better power on stick checks. 

What’s also notable is the targeted grip technology around the bottom of the handle for more stable defensive positioning. On top of all that, the speed scoop across the top makes for smoother transitioning on ground balls, with extra-protection on the mesh to minimize re-stringing, according to reports.

Women playing the goalie position in the game of lacrosse need a stick with specific characteristics, including a wider variety of pocket styles. We found that stick in the Eclipse 2 from STX. 

Factory strung with their 12D Memory mesh by STX for elite level goalies, the Eclipse 2 also has an ergonomic throat design for a more secure grip, and don’t miss the additional sidewall holes, allowing for a broader range of pocket styles, perfect for goalies.

Overall, the Eclipse 2 is similar to earlier versions of the stick, but even stiffer for hard shots. And it’s generally agreed to be the best complete goalie stick for the price: light, easy to control, and easy to grip, with a good net for first-timers.

To help high school girls take their game to the next level, we like the Crux 400 women’s complete lacrosse stick from STX. With a tight pinch transitioning into a wide catching area, the stick offers a pointed scoop helping shot and passing accuracy for girls at this level. The sidewall height creates the most ample legal pocket for maximum ball retention.

In addition to a few nice color choices, what’s also notable about the Crux 400 is the alloy handle, meeting USL specifications. Fans of the Crux 400 playing at the high school level say  it plays like the 500/600 series from STX while being sized for a teenage girl. A great upgrade from a beginner stick without breaking the bank, others add: It’s great for throwing and catching and fielding grounders, we learned.

Our Process

For this guide on women’s lacrosse sticks, our team researched the 30 most popular models from brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about 3-5 user reviews per product (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 6 best women’s lacrosse sticks on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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