Lacrosse, as a whole, has evolved over the past 10+ years. Both the game itself and the equipment necessary to perform on the field. If you think back to the origins of the game, sticks were constructed mainly from wood. Fast forward hundreds of years, and now sticks are being manufactured with some of the strongest elements out there! The two most popular components of handles today are Metal (scandium and titanium) and Carbon Fiber. Both types serve different purposes, but allow for elite levels of play in between the lines. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two and what best suits your game!
Carbon Fiber
Almost every manufacturer offers a carbon fiber handle in 2025. A key aspect carbon fiber shafts highlight is the strength: weight ratio. The woven and intertwined carbon molecules offer a very strong handle while not sacrificing the lightweight preference from players. Carbon fiber handles also offer more flex to your stick when shooting the ball. This ideology has been adopted in other sports, such as hockey and golf, with the same principle behind it: more flex, more power. Brands like ECD have multiple iterations of their “Carbon” line highlighting the different flexes. For example, the MTX and LTX 2.0’s are much more rigid than their traditional Carbon 3.0. While still offering the flex and lightweight aspect, these shafts are constructed to withstand and deliver much heavier checks throughout the course of the season. With the season underway, customers have been flying in and out of our doors. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the top selling carbon shafts this year!
- ECD Carbon 3.0
- STX Fiber X
- Warrior Evo QX2
- Gait SSDM
- String King Composite 2 Pro 155
- Maverik Hyperdrive
Metal
These guys have been around forever! Used at all levels, beginner to pro, metal handles have really been a highly developed product that has been around for the game for decades now. Most manufacturers offer metal handles for each level of play. Take a look at the youth complete setups we have to offer. You’ll notice all these companies are offering an alloy handle for their version of beginner sticks. As you progress in your game, you will find the need for a more high-end handle that is stronger and more durable. Most of the high-end handles are constructed from Scandium and Titanium, while the beginners have an alloy makeup. The sc-ti make up offers strength but maintains lightweight. You won’t find the flex/kickback as highly present as you would with a carbon; but by no means will you be sacrificing power and speed behind your shot. These handles allow you to take your game to the next level and maintain durability throughout the rigid season lacrosse requires.
Here’s a look at some fan favorites in 2025:
STX Sc-Ti
ECD Focus
Warrior Krypto Pro
Gait GSX 5.7 Alloy
Maverik Caliber
String King Metal 3 Pro
Wait…..what if you wanted both metal and carbon? Has that ever been done before? Yes, it has! This year Warrior launched the first of its kind, the Evo V handle. This handle has an alloy core that is exteriorly wrapped in carbon fiber. The best of both worlds! Flex points, taken care of. Durability, check. Lightweight, done. Big shoutout to Warrior for introducing this to the market, who knows….will we see more of these, or will a new element enter the market?
