Lacrosse sticks and lacrosse balls can be expensive. They tend to be more costly than traditional sports such as basketball and baseball, requiring one or two items to play.
Lacrosse is different from traditional sports, as players need to supply their equipment. The equipment required to play lacrosse is:
- Helmets
- Shoulder Pads
- Gloves
- Lacrosse Stick
- Cleats
The only items supplied to the player are the game jersey and shorts. Players are responsible for the equipment listed above, which can be pricey.
In this article, we will identify why lacrosse sticks and lacrosse balls are so expensive and help you navigate the lacrosse landscape for cheaper options.
Why Are Lacrosse Sticks So Expensive?
Like hockey sticks, Lacrosse sticks are expensive equipment that is seldom replaced every season due to the pricing. Prices can range anywhere from $100-$500. The higher-end sticks tend to be a bit pricier for a few reasons.
Brand Name
Brand names are worth more simply because of the perceived value. Like clothing brands, early adopters such as Warrior, Nike & Brine have solidified themselves in the market at a specific price.
Most of these sticks fall in “normal” lacrosse stick pricing. Lacrosse has also positioned itself as a sport for the middle to upper class, which can inflate the prices because the customers are willing to pay for it, similar to hockey.
Here is a list of the top brand names in Lacrosse:
- STX
- Cascade
- Maverik
- Warrior
- Brine
- Warrior
- Under Armour
- Nike
- ECD
Weight & Flexibility
Now to the actual dimensions of the stick. A significant reason why lacrosse sticks are expensive is the material the stick is made out of and the flexibility of the shaft.
Expensive lacrosse sticks are often made of high-flex carbon fiber or a company’s patented protected carbon technology. The ideal weight for the carbon fiber shaft is usually anywhere between 120 and 150 grams (for attack sticks).
The head is also an essential part of the lacrosse stick. It’s what allows you to sling the ball to your teammates or the back of the net. A weak, wobbly and inconsistent head can drastically alter your shot.
Durability and flexibility of the head to take multiple hits from defenders make a head expensive. Cheaper heads can’t withstand the consistent damage and will need to be replaced.
Whip Level
Again, the whip levels play into the flexibility and durability of both the shaft and head. Having a flexible product means more whip, which equates to more speed of the ball coming off the shot ( assuming the fundamentals of the shooter are correct).
The whip level and the pocket also play a significant role in determining the cost of a lacrosse stick—different types of material flex better than traditional sticks. Companies like Warrior have created technologies such as “Truoffset,” SymFlex & Lock-Throat, which have contributed to better shafts and pockets.
Best Value Lacrosse Sticks
If you’re looking to buy a cheap lacrosse stick that is also constructed and manufactured to last, we’ve compiled a list for you.
Below is a list of sticks that we value from both a pricing and dependability standpoint.
STX Men’s Lacrosse Stallion 200 U
This STX stick is an attack/midfield stick that is excellent for entry-level players and players looking to save some money. It meets the NCAA and NFHS standard rules. For under $100, this stick is well worth its pricing and is durable enough to last multiple seasons!
Purchase the STX stick and see the pricing here.
CAKLOR Lacrosse Stick
The CAKLOR is another cheap option on our list that is strong, light, and durable. The pocket is completely adjustable for your linking, and the stick weighs in at 0.45 Kilograms! Comes equipped with both a ball stop and end cap.
The CAKLOR lacrosse stick can be seen here for a low price!
Why Are Lacrosse Balls So Expensive?
If your lacrosse field is near woods, and you’ve missed the net or thrown a wild pass, you know exactly what it’s like to lose a ball. Like golf balls, Lacrosse balls are necessary to the game, and the more, the better.
Lacrosse balls are expensive because of the material they’re made from vulcanized rubber. Vulcanized rubber is generally seen as “more expensive” than the traditional rubbers, which are still cheap.
Back to the original point, lacrosse is a middle to upper-class sport; the prices are slightly higher based on the sport’s stigma. The good news is that lacrosse balls over the year have gone down tremendously due to more competition and ease of access to purchasing lacrosse balls.
Where Can I Buy Cheap Lacrosse Balls?
We’ve compiled a list of cheap lacrosse balls that fit almost everyone’s budget and will not break your bank. You’re paying too much if you’re paying more than $3 a lacrosse ball.
This assumes you don’t mind what kind of ball you’re getting. The list below is your standard lacrosse ball that is great for putting up shots or using for practice.
See Our Complete List Of Helpful Lacrosse Articles Here.
Champion Sports Official Ball – 12 Pack
Every ball above meets NOCSAE standards, NCAA and NFHS approved. We’ve chosen the 12 pack because it’s always better to stock up before the deal goes away. Especially if you’re taking multiple shots, don’t chase after 1-2 balls; it’s always better to have more in your bag.
You can easily purchase the Champion Sports lacrosse balls here.
Velocity Lacrosse Balls – 24 Pack
Velocity lacrosse balls, the 24 pack is a great bundle deal to get lacrosse balls under $2. Again, each ball meets NOCSAE specifications as well as NCAA & NFHS. What’s great about the Velocity package is the wide variety of colors, and you can change the pricing from 24 to 120 balls if needed!
Take a look at the Velocity lacrosse balls here.
Conclusion
Lacrosse can be an expensive sport. We’ve tried to minimize the amount of money spent by purchasing cheaper lacrosse sticks and lacrosse balls. At the end of the day, the person shooting the ball needs to work on the fundamentals and technique before purchasing $400 sticks.
Continue to perfect all the fundamentals of the game, and the shots will start pouring in the back of the net.