Newest Women's Lacrosse Heads (2019-2024)

2. Epoch Purpose 15° Cotton Candy Pro Mesh Best looking

• PocketZone 4 high
• StiffnessAverage
• Stringing holes4 top, 22 per side
• Released2023

Epoch released a limited Cotton Candy edition of the Purpose 15° Pro Mesh in the summer of 2023. It's one of the few heads that covers everything an elite player needs, from catching and cradling to passing, shooting and ground balls.

Curious about the patented 15° bottom rail and zone 4 high pocket, I took it on the field. High-speed catches drove high into the built-in sweet spot. Cradling was easy, though I had to adjust the ball on vertical cradles.

Shooting was the same story. Right before release, the ball rolled up high and left the head with velocity and accuracy. I hit the corner on 7 of 8 attempts. The rounded scoop helped on ground balls, and the spine-like stringing added depth to the pocket for more whip, hold and control.

The composite injected polymer felt neither too stiff nor too flexible, but that didn't hurt it, since one strut supports the bottom rail. The head didn't pinch in, and the top lip protects the strings.

If you want a unique head that performs well and looks great, this is it, since every head is dyed differently.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Epoch Purpose 15° Cotton Candy Pro Mesh. For an elite, deep-pocket women's stick, go with the Maverik Sonar Women's Complete Stick ($284.99).

Shop the Maverik Sonar Women's Complete Stick

3. Maverik Ascent+ Smiley Complete Stick Best for draw middies

• PocketMid / front
• StiffnessStiff
• Shaft⅝" carbon composite
• Released2023

The Ascent+ Smiley is built for do-it-all middies like me who like to take the draw. It's for every midfielder who demands the best from her stick.

It has a specialized 22° release angle (between the rail and the scoop) and extra stiffness. It's perfect for middies who want accuracy and power, and my shooting accuracy and power improved noticeably.

X-Rail technology adds stability and control, and with the extra stiffness, I could deliver powerful shots and precise passes consistently.

Like most midfield heads, it has a tight face with a built-in mid-pocket sweet spot. I didn't have to break in the pocket to create a channel. I've never managed to string a mesh-and-braided pocket myself because it's a tough pattern, but Maverik's pros string this one for you.

Catching and cradling were no worry, and the round scoop made ground balls precise and easy. It kept the ball snug even through hard checks. Isn't that a midfielder's dream?

It feels light, with a ⅝" carbon composite shaft that tapers toward the throat for a comfortable grip and more control. The throat plugs in tight, with no head wobble.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Maverik Ascent+ Smiley Complete Stick. BattleLax carries Maverik's newest Ascent. Grab the Maverik Ascent Pro Women's Complete Stick ($274.99).

Shop the Maverik Ascent Pro Women's Complete Stick

4. STX Aria Pro 10° Best for offense

• PocketMid-high
• StiffnessStiff
• Stringing holes4 top, 21 per side
• Released2023

The STX Aria Pro 10° marks a new era for elite offensive players. It's an upgraded, much more refined version of the Crux Pro, which used to be the go-to for elite offense. Having used the Crux Pro, I noticed the weight difference right away. The Aria Pro felt much lighter than STX's other Pro heads.

STX's patented 10° offset is, in STX's words, the ultimate angle for feel and balance, and I have to agree. The ball felt like a second skin.

The mid-high pocket has a built-in sweet spot, and I liked that the ball sat under my hand instead of out front. That gave me the confidence to send cruise missiles to the back of the net.

Catching and cradling are elite. I caught and threw high-speed passes with ease, and the ball sat nicely without riding up or down the narrow face and channel. DropRail technology helped with retention and hold.

Built with EnduraForm plastic for strength and toughness, it has a beefier Speed Scoop than earlier Pro heads, which always felt like a weak spot. It helps on ground balls and protects the top strings from fraying.

Just know you can only use a 10° shaft with it, like the Aria Pro, Crux Pro or Exult Pro shafts. I had mine Lock Pocket strung by STX, and you can get that option too.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the STX Aria Pro 10°. For an elite offensive women's stick, go with the Warrior Anthem Pro Women's Complete Stick ($299.99).

Shop the Warrior Anthem Pro Women's Complete Stick

5. Gait Whip 2 Best overall

• PocketMid-low
• StiffnessStiff
• Stringing holes4 top, 25 per side (21 or 16)
• Released2023

Straight from Gait, one of the best elite head makers out there, the Whip 2 is a game-changer in performance and weight, and it isn't messing around on offense. Need proof? Charlotte North, the two-time Tewaaraton Award winner, uses it as her main head and scores big with it.

I've been on the field for years, and when I got my hands on the Whip 2, I knew it was special. Gait packed it with features that'll have defenders asking, "What just happened?"

It has a mid-low pocket, and the raised double sidewall holes give you the deepest, meanest pocket that's still legal. I had insane ball control and handling, especially on vertical cradles. The pre-strung Flex Mesh gives you control, hold and accuracy.

Gait widened the face compared to the original Whip, so catching high-speed passes felt like second nature, and the narrow pocket kept the ball snug. After a few targeted shots, it was my favorite offensive head. Shots and passes came off like a laser.

The redesigned Bullnose Scoop makes ground balls business as usual. It does need some breaking in to create your sweet spot, but once you play with the Whip 2, you'll wonder how you played without it.

At BattleLax: In stock now. Grab the Gait Whip 2 Flex Mesh Complete Stick (From $299.99) straight from BattleLax.

Shop the Gait Whip 2 Flex Mesh Complete Stick

6. Gait Apex Rail Elite Best for middies

• PocketLow / front
• StiffnessStiff
• Stringing holes4 top, 8 and 16 per side
• Released2022

The Gait Apex Rail Elite combines Gait's Air and Whip heads, and having used both, I think this one's better. The Rail Elite pocket version came out in 2022 (the Apex originally came with Flex Mesh). Built for middies and draw specialists, it's ideal if you want top-level performance.

I was expecting small upgrades, but this midfield head is close to perfect. The hold was insane. Gait's front, low pocket held the ball securely, and I never had to readjust it in the sweet spot.

Double sidewall technology improves control and balance, and I felt confident on the draw. If you're not used to the narrow, elongated channel, it takes some practice. Once you master it, nothing will stop you.

I caught and held possession easily, cradled up the field and passed with consistency and accuracy. The curved offset and great scoop help on checks and ground balls from any side. It's a little beefier up top to protect the strings. All in all, a great midfield head.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Gait Apex Rail Elite. For Gait's current Apex, grab the Gait Apex 2 Flex Mesh Composite Complete Stick ($299.99).

Shop the Gait Apex 2 Flex Mesh Composite Complete Stick

7. Gait Draw-M Best draw stick

• PocketMid-high
• StiffnessStiff
• Stringing holes4 top, 2 and 14 per side
• Released2022

An upgrade on the original Gait Draw, the Draw-M is a huge leap forward in quality and function. Ally Mastroianni plays with it. Like a lot of middies, I've always wanted a specialist head, and this one is a draw specialist's dream.

As soon as I held it, I could feel the stiffness and toughness. It's Gait's first complete draw stick built to handle both draws and shooting. Like the original, it has double sidewall technology, but the second sidewall is bigger and the channel is now narrower and longer.

Its flatter front, mid-high pocket kept the ball secure. I can't stress enough how important the reversible pocket is for middies who set the tone. It let me be aggressive on draws, and winning draws and staying on the field got much easier.

Catching and cradling were above par, the curved scoop made ground balls easy, and shooting held up with any midfield head out there. I was worried about warping, but Gait makes the Draw-M in separate ProForm and nylon versions for warm and cold climates.

If you're the one deciding possession at the start of each quarter, after goals and in big moments, this is the head for you.

At BattleLax: In stock now. Grab the Gait Draw-M Women's Complete Stick ($299.99) straight from BattleLax.

Shop the Gait Draw-M Women's Complete Stick

8. Gait Apex Complete Stick with Flex Mesh Best complete stick

• Weight6.2 oz
• PocketMid / front
• StiffnessStiff
• Released2021

Gait has always been one of the best lacrosse brands. Released in 2021, the Apex complete stick is built for middies, with a great mix of speed, balance, control and accuracy. It felt light and easy to handle, and I noticed my shot speed climbing within a few throws.

The Apex has a curved offset and a front-mid pocket. Rail Flex Mesh gave me unmatched pocket control in every part of the head, especially when catching and cradling, and strategically placed double sidewall holes widen the catching area.

The deep, curved offset helped with clean ground balls, and the front pocket sent the ball right to the sweet spot in the narrow channel. I got good whip and release. It held up on controlled checks, but be careful with really aggressive ones.

The shaft is carbon composite, and with a little practice I saw a 7 to 8 mph jump in shot speed. If you're new to multidirectional Flex Mesh, it takes some field time to figure out. It's a good stick for players who take draws.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Gait Apex Complete Stick with Flex Mesh. BattleLax carries the newer version. Grab the Gait Apex 2 Flex Mesh Composite Complete Stick ($299.99).

Shop the Gait Apex 2 Flex Mesh Composite Complete Stick

9. Gait Whip Flex Mesh Best for attackers

• PocketHigh / front
• StiffnessStiff
• Stringing holes4 top, 14 to 16 per side
• Released2020

As a skilled attacker, I know what a high-performing offensive head is worth, and I've had a great experience with the Gait Whip. It's a versatile, highly accurate head that makes you a threat on the field.

Gait gave the Whip a shallow front-high pocket that delivered peak performance on shots and passes. With its curved offset, I could come at the ball from any angle, and the ball found its sweet spot faster than in comparable offensive heads.

The scoop design improved my accuracy and made ground balls easier, keeping me a step ahead of defenders. The double sidewall narrows the channel for even better control while cradling.

I love Gait's newer stringing-hole design for a big front pocket, which is perfect for attackers. It's plenty stiff and durable.

I did notice an occasional wobble on vertical cradles, like the ball might slip out. With skill and practice I've worked around it, but beginners and intermediate players will need some good practice sessions.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Gait Whip Flex Mesh. BattleLax carries the upgraded version. Grab the Gait Whip 2 Flex Mesh Complete Stick (From $299.99).

Shop the Gait Whip 2 Flex Mesh Complete Stick

10. STX Axxis Original draw head

• PocketMid-high
• StiffnessStiff
• Stringing holes4 top, 15 per side
• Released2019

The STX Axxis was the first women's draw specialist head, so I was eager to put it to the test. STX packed a lot into this patented 10° head, from the Draw Claw to its unique silhouette. It looked like the perfect head for winning draws.

On the field, I felt in charge of the draw from the start. Draw Claw gave me a natural grip on the ball to push or pull with confidence, and the specialized head shape nests into your opponent's head for control as soon as the whistle blows.

It's not just about draws, though. The mid-high pocket has a built-in sweet spot, and the ball rolled in nicely for fast, precise throws. The reinforced Speed Scoop made ground balls easy, and the shortened throat helped my maneuverability. I had mine strung with the Crux Mesh Pro pocket, which boosted my accuracy shooting and passing.

There are some real drawbacks. It takes time to adjust to the Axxis, and as a 10° head, it only fits a 10° shaft. But it's well built and impressively durable, with 3 struts on the rail that keep this light, stiff head from pinching on aggressive draws and checks.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the STX Axxis. For a draw-specialist stick you can order today, go with the Gait Draw-M Women's Complete Stick ($299.99).

Shop the Gait Draw-M Women's Complete Stick