Why Are Lacrosse Sticks & Balls So Expensive?

By Alex Mercer

November 13, 2019


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 differs from traditional sports, as players must 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.

This article 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 their 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 carbon fiber shaft’s ideal weight is usually between 120 and 150 grams (for attack sticks).

The head is also an essential part of the lacrosse stick. It 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.

The 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 must be replaced.

Whip Level

Again, the whip levels play into the shaft and head’s flexibility and durability. 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

STX lacrosse stick

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.

caklor lacrosse stick

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 losing a ball is like. 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 considered “more expensive” than 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 years 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 the bank. You’re paying too much if you pay 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

champion lacrosse balls

Every ball above meets NOCSAE standards and NCAA and NFHS approval. We’ve chosen the 12-pack because stocking up before the deal goes away is always better.

Especially if you’re taking multiple shots, don’t chase after 1-2 balls; having more in your bag is always better.

You can easily purchase the Champion Sports lacrosse balls here.

Velocity Lacrosse Balls – 24 Pack

velocity lacrosse balls

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 money spent by purchasing cheaper lacrosse sticks and 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.

About the author

Hey There! My Name is Alex and I run Get Hyped Sports. I created this platform to help people find their love for sports and gaming.

Our work has been featured on platforms like Mashable.com, SVG.com, and XXL.com.

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