StringKing Mark 3V Lacrosse Head Review
Lighter than the Mark 2V, stiffer than almost anything on the rack, and built to shoot. Here's how StringKing's third-gen head held up after three months of real games.
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StringKing has put out some great gear over the years: perfect pocket mesh and attack heads like the Mark 2A. So when they dropped the Mark 3V with a lighter build and an upgraded design, I took it straight to the field.
The light-but-tough plastic caught my attention right away. Honestly, I was never a big fan of the Mark 2V, but the Mark 3V gave me noticeably better shot speed. That alone isn't enough to earn a spot in my bag, though.
So the real question: does a head this stiff give you a quick release and cut down on off-center shots? Let's find out.
Key Features of the StringKing Mark 3V
Here are the key features before we get into the review.
- Position
- Midfield / Attack
- Level
- Intermediate/Advanced
- Weight
- ~4.5 oz
- Released
- 2024
- Price
- $119.99
- Sidewall
- 4 struts
- Built with
- Ultra-durable plastic
- Pinched face
- Flared top
- Locking bolt
Pros & Cons
- Durable enough to hold its shape in extreme weather
- New ultra-strong plastic build
- Good long-distance shooting accuracy
- Secure cradling with a mid-pocket setup
- Can be strung for any position on the field
- Very stiff to cradle in tight spaces
- Not flexible enough for faceoffs
- Takes extra strength to clamp
StringKing Mark 3V Ranking
I rate the StringKing Mark 3V an 8/10 on the Drip Meter.
Who's This Head Made For?
StringKing builds the Mark 3V as its versatile midfield head (that's the "V"), and it's also a favorite of attackmen who want speed, accuracy and control. It came out in 2024 and kept the wide profile of the Mark 2V, but at about 4.5 oz it's lighter and tougher. If you only ever play behind the cage, StringKing's attack-specific Mark 3A is worth a look too.
StringKing's design team cut out sections of the lower sidewalls to drop weight without giving up strength. You still get a solid, responsive feel. I ran mine strung with triple shooting strings, and I liked the shot speed right away.
The design also adds a fourth sidewall strut, so there are four sturdy struts soaking up impact. That helps you stay in control when the checks start coming.
My one worry going in was distance shooting. A lot of heads with a wide face and pinched sidewalls give you a delayed release and off-center hits. So let's get into how it actually performed.
The Mark 3V side profile, with the four-strut sidewall. See it at BattleLax.
Shooting & Passing Accuracy
Shot speed is the headline of this review. I was impressed with how accurate the Mark 3V is. I didn't get any off-center hits. The wide face and pinched sidewalls noticeably bumped up my shot speed. Even with the weight-saving cutouts, the sidewalls are extremely stiff, which gave me great control on ground balls too.
It also gives you a clean release when you're shooting on the run. The Nike Vapor Elite has pinched sidewalls too, but unlike the Vapor, I never felt any delay coming out of this head.
With a shallow mid pocket I did get some spray on long shots, so I adjusted the stringing to a mid-high pocket. That gave me even more power without having to muscle it.
The new ultra-strong plastic doesn't give you any unwanted flex, so I knew where my shots were going. If you're used to a softer, more flexible head, you might want something like the Nike Lakota 3 instead.
Coach's note: If your shots are spraying high and wide, don't blame the head yet. Move the pocket up a touch and check your shooting strings. That's the first thing we fix with any kid who just switched to a stiff head.
Catching & Cradling
Even with the wide face, the slight flare at the top makes catching easy and reliable. It funnels the ball right into the pocket. Once it's there, the pinched face holds it tight.
Those pinched sidewalls keep the ball centered and cut down on rattle when you're sprinting downfield or dodging a defender. I felt in control the whole time, even changing direction at full speed.
The flared top and pinched face of the Mark 3V.
The strong sidewalls and four struts handle big checks easily. The locking bolt goes through the front and back of the shaft, so the head stays locked on with no rattle. The ball didn't pop loose, and I didn't feel the checks in my arms.
The trade-off is that it doesn't have much give for cradling in traffic. If you're newer to the game, string a deeper pocket for better control when you're dodging. A moderately stiff head like the Nike Surge Elite is another option.
Most Mark 3V reviews agree: this head is best for intermediate and experienced players.
Checking
The aggressive offset lets you get into tight spaces and break up the other guy's cradle. I could put my head right on his stick and know I was coming away with the ball.
The tapered throat gives you smooth, controlled checks, and the ball rarely gets hung up. The four-strut design also keeps unwanted flex out, so the stiffness feels just right.
Even though it's light, the balance and weight distribution let it take checks and snap right back into shape. After three months of checking gloves, it didn't show any wear and tear.
The new plastic didn't lose any stiffness in the summer heat either. It held up against warping all season, and anybody who's left a stick in a hot car in July knows that's a big deal.
After three months of hard play, I'd call it one of the strongest offensive heads out there. It's not built for a pole, but it's perfect when you have to turn around in transition and throw a check or two.
Ground Balls & Faceoffs
The Mark 3V is one of the best heads for the offensive end, but it's not a faceoff head. It has a rounded, curved scoop with no protective lip. And even with eight string holes on the scoop, my scoop strings pulled out more often than they did on the Nike Vapor Elite.
There are plenty of string holes for building a custom pocket, but those stiff sidewalls just don't flex enough to win draws. I had to work hard to come away with 50/50 balls, and the head wouldn't bend for a reverse clamp.
On the plus side, the wide face gives you plenty of surface to scoop ground balls. I could snag the ball in traffic without trouble, and despite the stiffness, you can get low and pull the ball up with no resistance.
If you'd rather win the battle at the X than run in transition, go with a true faceoff head like the StringKing Mark 2F. And if you're new to the position, check out our guide on what a FOGO does.
See it live
Want to see the Mark 3V up close before you buy? LacrosseMonkey breaks it down here.
See it live LacrosseMonkey on YouTube
Quick answers
What is the weight of the StringKing Mark 3V?
About 4.5 ounces. That's light for a head this stiff, and it keeps your stick quick in your hands.
Who is the StringKing Mark 3V best suited for?
Intermediate and advanced middies and attackmen who want control, shot speed and accuracy. It's too stiff for faceoffs and can be a tough head for beginners.
Does the Mark 3V provide accurate shots?
Yes. The stiff sidewalls and pinched face keep the ball centered for accurate, high-speed shots.
Is the StringKing Mark 3V good for faceoffs?
No. It's too stiff to flex and clamp. A faceoff head like the StringKing Mark 2F is the better call at the X.
How does the Mark 3V handle ground balls?
Well. The wide face and curved scoop let you get low and pull the ball up cleanly, even in traffic.
Final Verdict
I won't call the Mark 3V the best offensive head on the market. But it's fair to say StringKing built a tough head that won't crack after a few rough games.
It's light and stiff, which gives you high-speed shooting and easy cradling with no fumbles. It doesn't flex much, but attackmen and middies don't need a lot of flex. Better ball control and easy catching also help offensive middies dodge past defenders.
Pair it with a solid mesh like StringKing Type 5x and you've got a stick that'll last you through spring, summer ball and fall. Still shopping? See how it stacks up in our list of the best lacrosse heads.
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