STX Eclipse 3 Lacrosse Goalie Head Review
STX took the critiques of the Eclipse 2 and built a stiffer, squarer successor. It costs more, so here's how it actually plays in the cage before you upgrade.
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Overview
STX took the critiques of the Eclipse 2 and released a successor in 2023, claiming it's better and stiffer. It's also more expensive. So before you upgrade, check out this STX Eclipse 3 goalie head review.
Despite the higher price, the Eclipse 3 is an upgrade. It's sturdier, stiffer and has an updated face profile. Top-level goalies like Maryland's Emily Sterling and PLL keeper Kyle Bernlohr have been seen using it.
So let's see how it performs.
Important note: This review was written with an experienced lacrosse goalie to give you authentic insight and a practical evaluation.
Coach's note: I've coached keepers from upstate New York to Virginia Beach, and spent plenty of nights watching Ontario box goalies eat rubber. The good ones all say the same thing: they want a head that doesn't fold on a hard high shot and lets them rip a clear the length of the field. That's what STX was chasing with the Eclipse 3.
Heads up: BattleLax doesn't carry the Eclipse 3 right now. The closest goalie heads in stock are the ECD Impact Goalie Head ($109.99) and the Maverik Krease Unstrung Goalie Head ($129.99).
Shop the ECD Impact Goalie Head at Battle Lax ($109.99)
Key Features of the STX Eclipse 3 Goalie Head
Before the review, here are the key features.
- Brand
- STX
- Position
- Goalie
- Released
- 2023
- Weight
- About 15 oz
- Material
- Endura foam plastic
- Face
- Wide, squarer profile
- Stringing holes
- 18 sidewall, 7 top
- Colors
- Black
- White
Pros & Cons
- Build: Stiff and sturdy
- Throat: Longer throat for a better grip
- Pick-ups: Slanted walls make ground balls easier
- Saves: Strong sidewalls deflect shots
- Weight: Slightly heavy
- Flex: Less forgiving for beginners
- Stringing: Difficult to string
Shop the ECD Impact Goalie Head at Battle Lax ($109.99)
STX Eclipse 3 Drip Rating
I rate the STX Eclipse 3 goalie head a 9.1/10 on the Drip Meter.
Who Is This Head For?
Most goalie heads have rounder faces, which limits surface area. The Eclipse 3 is the newer option for goalies who like a squarer face profile.
It's lighter, more rigid and sturdier than the Eclipse 2, which makes it a good fit for aggressive goalies. The Endura foam plastic is similar, but thicker walls and what STX calls 30% more stiffness make it better.
Even though it weighs less than the previous version, it's still heavier than most goalie heads today. If you prefer a lighter, more flexible, rounder head, try the ECD Impact Goalie Head ($109.99). Read our full ECD Impact review.
Now let's get into how it plays.
Face Shape, Shooting and Pocket Location
The Eclipse 3 sticks with the classic wide face goalies love, but it's tilted back slightly less than the Eclipse 2. That small change makes it feel sturdier, especially on hard saves.
I've had shots hit the top plastic, and instead of bouncing out like they did with the Eclipse 2, this head does a better job of keeping the ball in. A few balls still popped out on tougher angles, but it's more controlled than the old version.
Clearing passes felt very accurate thanks to the stiff top section. The turned-in plastic can make dialing in the pocket tricky, but the centered channel gave me consistent, smooth releases.
If you're used to rounder, more flexible goalie heads, though, I wouldn't upgrade from the Eclipse 2 to the Eclipse 3.
Cradling, Passing and Catching
The Eclipse 3 feels more balanced when cradling. The added stiffness gives you a steadier feel moving the ball in and out of the pocket. STX also tweaked the throat. It was rounder on the Eclipse 2, while the Eclipse 3 is squarer from the middle.
That helped ball retention, especially under pressure when I needed to cradle quickly to avoid attackmen. The front of the plastic has no give, which makes for fast passing and catching.
The new throat also gives you a longer stretch of plastic to grip. That extra length helps on quick outlet passes and lets you adjust your grip in fast transition.
The thicker plastic at the scoop does make it a little top-heavy, which took some getting used to when catching. Otherwise, the improved channel and bowl-shaped scoop give you a clean release on quick outlets and full-field clears.
Flexibility and Ground Ball Pick-Up
The stiffer scoop is the highlight of the Eclipse 3. It's wider and shaped more like a bowl than a flat shovel. When you go down for a ground ball, it sits flat on the ground and doesn't lean forward like its predecessor did.
The bigger surface area makes pick-ups easier from every angle. I even scooped ground balls from the side, and they funneled smoothly into the pocket.
The head also has minimal flex in big ground ball moments, and it's noticeably stiffer around the scoop.
That makes it great for low saves and stopping the ball dead, because the head stays on top of the ball.
Shop men's heads at Battle Lax
Defensive Capability
The extra stiffness, especially in the scoop, makes a real difference when you're deflecting shots or controlling rebounds. The head is less likely to bend out of shape on saves, especially on shots off the top section.
With other heads, I've had a 15-yard side-high shot miss the mesh, hit the plastic and rebound out.
That doesn't happen as often with the Eclipse 3. It stays stiff enough to handle hard shots, so your clears start from a controlled save.
Stringing and Number of Holes
Stringing isn't the Eclipse 3's strong suit, because it's not straightforward. It has 18 sidewall holes and 7 top holes, but the plastic is slightly turned in, so the ball hit the plastic more than it did on the Eclipse 2.
I restrung it with Memory 12 diamond mesh for a deeper pocket, and after that it was the most channeled stick I've used in a long time. Want a goalie mesh you can grab today? Try the ECD Impact Semi-Soft Goalie Mesh ($39.99).
Material, Durability, Flexibility and Weight
At about 15 oz, the Eclipse 3 is slightly lighter than the Eclipse 2. STX trimmed material around the struts to cut weight, and that didn't hurt durability, so it holds up well over a long season.
The plastic is thicker, and the head doesn't warp or break easily, even with aggressive play. Most reviews say it's slightly stiffer at the top with the same flex in the middle.
Personally, I think the middle flex has dropped a bit too. Pair it with a sturdy goalie shaft and you've got a setup that won't budge.
Customization, Appearance and Aesthetics
The Eclipse 3 has a sleek, shiny, metallic-looking ball stop that gives it a modern, stylish touch. I love how it looks. The black STX logo and the ball stop are the cosmetic highlights.
The plastic surface is also smooth, which makes it much easier to dye. The Eclipse 2 had rough spots around the throat, but the Eclipse 3's finer plastic makes it a great goalie head for customizing.
Shop goalie gear at BattleLax
BattleLax doesn't carry the Eclipse 3, but these goalie heads and add-ons are in stock. Protect yourself too with one of the best goalie chest protectors.
| Gear | Why it's here | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ECD Impact Goalie Head | Lighter, more flexible | $109.99 |
| Maverik Krease Unstrung Goalie Head | Stiff goalie head | $129.99 |
| Warrior Nemesis Lite Goalie Head | Budget goalie head | $99.99 |
| Maverik Krease Complete Goalie Stick | Ready to play | $199.99 |
| ECD Impact Semi-Soft Goalie Mesh | Goalie mesh | $39.99 |
| Cascade TP-S Goalie Throat Guard | Goalie add-on | $39.99 |
Shop the ECD Impact Goalie Head at Battle Lax ($109.99)
People also ask
When was the STX Eclipse 3 goalie head released?
In 2023, with upgrades like more stiffness, a squarer face profile and better ground ball pick-ups than the Eclipse 2.
What colors does the STX Eclipse 3 come in?
Classic black and white.
How much does the STX Eclipse 3 weigh?
About 15 oz. That's lighter than the Eclipse 2 but heavier than many goalie heads on the market.
How heavy is a goalie stick with the Eclipse 3?
It depends on your shaft and stringing, but expect a full goalie stick in the high 20s to low 30s in ounces.
Is the ECD Impact lighter than the STX Eclipse 3?
Yes. The ECD Impact is lighter and more flexible, so it suits goalies who want a lighter, rounder head.
Does BattleLax carry the STX Eclipse 3?
Not right now. The closest options at BattleLax are the ECD Impact and the Maverik Krease goalie heads.
Final word
The Eclipse 3 sets a new standard with its stiffness, precision and durability. It's ideal for aggressive goalies and gives you better control and accuracy on clears. It's a little heavy, but its strengths outweigh the cons.
Want a goalie head you can grab at BattleLax today? The ECD Impact Goalie Head is the lighter, more flexible pick, and the Maverik Krease Unstrung Goalie Head is the stiffer one. Compare more in our best goalie heads guide.
