STX Duel 3 Lacrosse Head Review
The latest in STX's legendary face-off line: a 5.2 oz Reflex head with a high Flex Zone, Speed Scoop and 16 sidewall holes, built to win the X.
LaxDrip verdict: a face-off weapon that flexes on the clamp, snaps back into shape and scoops loose balls in traffic. Expect a learning curve, and don't expect attack-head shooting.
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Overview
The STX Duel has long been the king of the face-off, and that tradition carries on in the Duel 3. This head is built for one thing: winning face-offs and owning the midfield.
The STX Duel 3 is made for face-off specialists and two-way midfielders. It's an ideal head for players who live between the restraining lines, combining flex and control in a very durable package. STX's Reflex technology makes it more durable than the Duel and Duel 2.
Compared to its predecessor, the Duel 3 is slightly stiffer for better shot accuracy and power, while keeping enough flex for face-offs. It has great warp resistance and solid offensive performance. On the whistle or in tight spaces, the short throat brings your hand closer to the ball for better control and feel.
I've watched a lot of FOGOs take the X, from summer clinics in upstate New York to box kids out of Ontario, and the good ones all say the same thing: the head has to give on the clamp and come right back. That's exactly what the Duel 3 is built to do. (New to the position? Here's what FOGO means in lacrosse.)
Let's take a detailed look at its specs, pros and cons.
Key Features
- Brand
- STX
- Position
- Face-off
- Cost
- $99.99
- Skill level
- Elite
- Legality
- NCAA & NFHS
- Warp resistance
- Great
- Head type
- Unstrung
- Scoop shape
- Rounded
- Throat
- Short throat with plug
- Sidewall holes
- 16
- Weight
- 5.2 oz (unstrung)
- Colors
- Black, White
- Year released
- 2021
Battle Lax doesn't carry the STX Duel 3. For a face-off head you can order today, look at the Warrior Burn FO Unstrung Lacrosse Head (on sale for $89.99), built to win face-offs with a shorter throat for leverage after the whistle. The ECD Weapon X 2.0 Unstrung Lacrosse Head ($99.99) is another proven face-off head at the same price as the Duel 3.
Lightweight: Tip the Scales in Your Favor
At just 5.2 ounces unstrung, the Duel 3 sits right in the middle of today's face-off heads. That balance of flex and agility pays off on lightning-quick clamps, rakes and ground ball scoops, without weighing you down in the heat of the draw.
Reflex Technology
Remember the original STX Duel? That classic scoop-and-face-off feel is back in the Duel 3. It's more than a throwback, though: it's redesigned from the head up using STX's Reflex material.
For you face-off guys who get after it on the clamp, this material can bend in any direction during aggressive moves and immediately return to its original shape.
It gives on the clamp and snaps right back. That's what every good FOGO wants in a head.
Flex Zone
Make the face-off X your playground. The Duel 3 features STX's high Flex Zone, tailored for those trademark pinch-and-pop plays, so you can stay one step ahead of the guy across from you.
Pair it with the right handle; our best face-off shafts guide breaks down the top options.
New Speed Scoop: Faster Ground Balls
The Speed Scoop turns loose balls into easy possessions, giving you the edge in a midfield scrum. STX also added stiffening at the top of the head, so it rips up ground balls in cramped spaces and off the face-off, helping you win possession fast.
Stringability
The Duel 3 offers more stringing freedom than any Duel before it. Say goodbye to the limited stringing choices on previous Duel heads: with 16 sidewall holes, the Duel 3 opens up a whole world of customization. That's 4 more than the Duel 2 and 8 more than the original Duel.
Beyond the count, the holes are evenly spaced, not bunched up, with plenty of room between them for patterns and designs. Pick your mesh with our best lacrosse mesh guide, and read up on the different types of lacrosse pockets before you string it.
Pros and Cons
- Dominant face-off performance from the Speed Scoop
- Flexible, but quickly regains its shape
- No rattle thanks to the tapered throat plug
- Slightly stiffer for power
- Durable and lightweight
- Learning curve
- Looser shots than an attack head
- Not sold at Battle Lax
Shop the Warrior Burn FO View all men's heads on Battle Lax
Conclusion
For face-off specialists and two-way middies, the STX Duel 3 is a game-changer. With its mix of flex, control, strength and durability, it's an asset anywhere on the field. It may take some learning and an investment, but the Duel 3 rewards you with top-level performance and plenty of room for your own style.
The real question is whether the Duel 3 suits your playing style. Built to last, it's ready for your most heated face-off battles. For the face-off specialist or middie who loves ground balls and transition, it's worth a look. Maybe it's the key to unlocking your inner lacrosse beast.
So if you're a face-off warrior or a middie who craves possession, the STX Duel 3 is calling. Pick classic black or head-turning white, and let your play do the talking. Comparing options? See our best face-off heads, plus our reviews of the ECD Weapon X 2.0 and STX X-it Flex.
See it live
Want to see the Duel 3 at the X? Here's a quick-look review for face-off guys.
More Duel 3 videos:
Battle Lax: Warrior Burn FO Unstrung Lacrosse Head$89.99
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