Having a proper shaft is quintessential for a lacrosse player of any position. Be you an attacker, midfielder, defender or a goalie, having a proper shaft for your stick will save you a lot of trouble, and increase your effectiveness in the desired position.
Also, you certainly can’t play with a broken stick, so you will most likely want a shaft that can last for several seasons until you replace it, also because buying a shaft every few days will burn through your wallet.
So if you’re in search of the perfect shaft, you’re in the right place. We complied a list of the best lacrosse shafts and will discuss our findings with you below!
Things to Consider
When choosing the perfect shaft there are several things to consider.
Also, you need to consider your position, as different positions use different shafts.
- Material. When materials are concerned, shafts can be made of wood, carbon fibers and alloys like titanium and scandium and aluminum. Wooden shafts aren’t typically used anymore. The best shafts are carbon fiber shafts or titanium shafts, as they provide best size-to-weight ratio and are the most durable of all.
- Shape. The shape of the staff is not quintessential for you as a player, but certain players prefer some shapes to others. The most common shape found in modern shafts is the octagonal shape. There are also regular oval and circular shaft shapes.
- Size. As for the size, this directly corresponds with the position you’re playing. Attackmen usually play with shorter staffs, as this allow them to accelerate the ball more quickly and create faster shots. It also helps them cradle the ball better. Defenders usually play with longer staffs, as they can cover more ground that way. Goalies use shafts in between those two, usually around 40 inches in length.
- Grip. The grip of the shaft is very important, as good grip will allow for more control over the staff and, in turn, the ball. Grips on shafts can be sandpaper or rubber, both of which greatly reduce slipping. There are also shafts with no grip on them at all.
You also need to consider your position when choosing a shaft, as different positions require different shafts.
Top 6 Lacrosse Shafts Chart
| Picture | Name | Material | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Brine F22-Lacrosse Defense Shaft | Aluminum | $$$$ | 5.0 |
| 2. Burd Wood Works Hickory Lacrosse | Wood | $ | 4.8 |
| 3. Brine Swizzle Scandium | Scandium | $$$$ | 4.7 |
| 4. Warrior Dolo Diamond Rabil | Aluminum | $$ | 4.7 |
| 5. East Coast Dyes Lacrosse | Carbon fiber | $$$ | 4.5 |
| 6. Maverik Lacrosse A1 | Aluminum | $$$ | 4.0 |
Top 3 Best Lacrosse Shafts Reviews
1. Brine F22-Lacrosse
First on our list is the Brine F22 Defense Shaft. This is a particularly long staff, making it excellent for defensive players. The shaft is made of a special 7001 aluminum alloy, and the shaft has an excellent weight to strength ratio because of it.
This allows also makes the shaft very sturdy, and it is certain to, with proper maintenance, last you for several seasons. It has a regular octagonal shape so it doesn’t slip. The only problem we could find with it is that it doesn’t have a grip, but some players prefer to play without one, so if you’re one of those, this shaft will fit you just fine.
Pros:
- Extremely durable shaft.
- Excellent weight to strength ratio.
- Very lightweight.
- Suited for defensive players.
Con:
- No grip.
All in all, this is a well-rounded defender’s shaft. The new and improved alloy make this shaft very light and allows for some powerful passes and shots. The absence of a grip casts a little shadow on its perfection, though, but if you are a player who plays without a grip, this shaft is the perfect core for your stick.
2. Burd Wood
Our second entry is a wooden stick from Burd.
This plain wooden shaft is an excellent alternative to synthetic staffs. The kiln-dried hickory is extra hard and sturdy, able to resist all the punishment a shaft endures during high-impact games.
The shaft is “unfinished” (is not lacquered, painted etc.), and doesn’t have a grip, but the natural process of use will attune the shaft, customize it to your liking, and, ultimately, give it personality. The shaft is also very light, considering that it’s made of wood, and provides splendid control and power. Also, you get a lifetime warranty on the shaft that is not affected if you decide to add finish to the staff yourself.
Pros:
- Excellent wooden staff, an excellent alternative to synthetic staffs.
- Very sturdy shaft, able to withstand all the punishment a high-paced game can dish out.
- Very light, considering the material.
- Provides good control when cradling, good power when shooting.
Cons:
- Does not have a finish.
- Does not have a grip.
All in all, this is a very reliable and high-quality shaft, that you will certainly not regret having. The shaft provides excellent control when cradling the ball, and has that retro vibe, so if you’re more of a traditional player, this is just the shaft for you.
3. Brine
Coming in at number three on our best lacrosse shafts list, it’s the Brine Swizzle Lacrosse shaft. This great product is made of a very light, but very sturdy scandium alloy. The staff has an excellent weight to strength ratio and is well suited for offensively minded players. It provides plenty of power for your shots and has a good cradling capability. It has a strategically placed grip that will allow you to shift hands and better hold the staff at all times. On the other hand, the grip is made not to be too tacky, and it won’t simply stick to your hands, again allowing you to switch hands on the move and control the ball well.
Pros:
- Lightweight but sturdy scandium alloy make.
- Great weight-to-strength ratio.
- A great grip allows you to really get the feeling of the ball in the net.
Cons:
- None. A perfectly balanced shaft.
In all, this is a great staff for attackmen and offensive midfielders. The scandium alloy enables the staff to create some really powerful shots, and the great, strategically placed grip allows for great handling and ball control. At great durability to that mixture, and you’ve got yourself a top notch cocktail.
Final Word
And there you have it, this is our best lacrosse shafts list. We have included staffs for both attackers and defenders, so everyone can find the shaft you want. We also made sure the staffs are very durable, as a great shaft that breaks after three games isn’t really that great. Either way, consider what we’ve told you in the “things to consider” section and choose the best shaft for you.
