Warrior Evo V Shaft Review
An alloy core wrapped in carbon. Warrior's answer to the old metal-versus-carbon argument, built for attackmen and O-middies who want a light twig that can still take a beating.
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Every locker room has the same debate. One kid swears by his metal handle because it's survived three seasons of slashes. The kid next to him runs carbon because it feels like nothing in his hands. Warrior got tired of the argument and built a shaft that does both.
The Evo V puts an alloy core inside a carbon composite shell. On paper, you get the durability of metal and the weight of carbon. Carbon shafts have a reputation for being hit or miss, and at $169.99 this isn't a cheap experiment, so I wanted to see if it holds up when a pole is teeing off on your hands.
Build, Weight & Grip
I've always wanted the strength and forgiving feel of alloy with the weight of a composite handle. That's the whole pitch here: alloy core, carbon layered over top.
In practice, it soaked up checks well. Defenders were laying the wood on it and I wasn't feeling the sting run through my hands. Scooping and cradling through traffic on ground balls, it never felt heavy or sluggish.
It comes in at 6.0 oz, and I didn't feel any fatigue over a long session. The alloy core gives it a little flex and a bit of snap on your shot. It never threw off my shooting or passing, but I did notice it could slow down my quickest feeds by a hair. If you live on one-touch quick sticks on the crease, that's worth knowing.
The Warrior Evo V in black. See every color at BattleLax.
The grip is where this handle really earns its money. The carbon has a lined, ribbed texture that locks into your gloves. I played with it in the rain and it never got slippery. The octagonal shape has deep grooves, so it doesn't spin on you when you're protecting the ball and a defender is fighting for it.
It's a different feel from the rubberized star grip on Warrior's Burn shafts. The Evo V has smooth ribs running the full length. The texture is aggressive, but it didn't chew up my gloves. Honestly, I like it more than the texture on the StringKing Metal 3 Pro that a lot of NLL guys run. I didn't need a single wrap of tape, and my bottom hand sat right where I wanted it.
Flex & End Cap
When I asked around about this handle, the feedback on flex was mixed. A few of my buddies said it felt a little rigid on quick releases, and it was harder for them to sling fast feeds or adjust on the fly in tight spaces.
I didn't have that problem. For me it hit a nice balance between stiff and flexible. It felt firm and controlled cradling and dodging through traffic, which is exactly what you want in a one-on-one off the wing or from X.
The alloy core gives you enough give for a quick release on your shot without that wet-noodle whip some of the older Warrior Burn handles had. You get feedback, not a diving board.
The end cap is well done too. It doesn't dig into the web of your hand, even after a long practice. The doughnut-style cap feels solid and secure, and it gives you a good anchor for your bottom hand on step-down shots.
The Look
Look isn't the most important thing about a shaft, but nobody wants to roll out to warmups with an ugly stick. The Evo V keeps it clean. No loud graphics, and I like that.
You get a simple Warrior and EVO logo, with black and blue accents on the black version and silver accents on the white one. "Alloy Core Carbon" is printed in the middle of the handle across the concave octagon. Warrior is clearly trying to sell the new material there. It's not the prettiest touch, but it looks fine.
I paired my black Evo V with a dyed ECD Weapon X 2.0 and black mesh, and it looked sharp. If you're building a new stick from scratch, the ECD Ion is another clean match, and you can grab it at BattleLax.
BattleLax currently carries the Evo V in White, Silver, Black and Orange. Between the classic end cap, the carbon ribs and the clean finish, it's a good looking handle. But the real story with this shaft is how long it lasts, not how it looks.
See it live
Want to see the Evo V in action before you buy? BattleLax has a "See It Live" clip right on the product page, and there are plenty of field-tested reviews on YouTube.
More Evo V videos: Warrior Evo V shaft reviews on YouTube
Pros & Cons of the Warrior Evo V
- Built to take a beating
- Strong strength-to-weight ratio at 6.0 oz
- Alloy core gives balanced flex and a stable feel
- Carbon ribs grip well, even in the rain
- Comfortable, secure end cap
- 6-month warranty
- $169.99 and up is a real investment
- Can feel a touch rigid on the quickest feeds
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
Who is the Warrior Evo V for?
Let me be straight with you: this isn't a beginner handle. It's pricey, it's on the stiffer side, and a newer player is going to have a harder time getting a feel for it.
If you've got some games under your belt, value durability and already like a stiffer shaft, this is your handle. With that grip, it's a great fit for attackmen and offensive middies.
The flex is engineered to keep your shots accurate, so you're not spraying the ball all over the cage. I also liked how easy it was to change angles on a ground ball and move it to a teammate right off the scoop.
The balanced weight keeps you in control when the game speeds up in transition. That's why it makes our list of the best attack lacrosse shafts for intermediate and advanced players.
Coach's note: Warrior markets the Evo V as a handle you can use on O or D, field or box. If you play box in the off-season, that toughness is going to matter when the crosschecks start flying.
Final Verdict
Thanks to that alloy core, the Evo V is one of the most durable composite shafts out there. It's light, it's on the stiff side and the grip is outstanding.
The price tag and that slight rigidity on quick feeds won't be for everybody. But the build quality makes it worth the money. I loved the stiff feel, the engineered flex and the strength-to-weight ratio. If you can swing it, it's one of the best investments you can make in your stick this year.
If you like more kick in your handle, take a look at ECD's Carbon Pro 4.0 Power. If the price is too steep, the Maverik A7 175 and the Warrior Alchemy STZ are solid attack shafts that cost less.
Key details
- Position
- Attack / O-Middie
- Level
- Intermediate/Advanced
- Material
- Alloy core + carbon
- Cost
- $169.99–$174.99
- Year released
- 2024
- Weight
- 6.0 oz
- Shape
- Concave octagon
- Grip
- Lined carbon ribs
- Warranty
- 6 months
- Colors
- White
- Silver
- Black
- Orange
Battle Lax: Warrior Evo V Lacrosse ShaftFrom $169.99
Warrior Evo V Drip Score
| Category | Bar | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Weight & Balance | 0.9 | |
| Durability & Strength | 0.9 | |
| Grip | 1.0 | |
| Stiffness | 0.8 | |
| Shooting Power | 0.8 | |
| Handling | 0.9 | |
| Compatibility with Heads | 0.9 | |
| Aesthetics | 0.8 | |
| Name / Brand Name | 0.9 | |
| Cost | 0.6 | |
| Drip score | 8.5/10 |
Check the Warrior Evo V Shaft at Battle Lax
Quick answers
When was the Warrior Evo V shaft released?
Warrior released the Evo V Alloy Core Carbon shaft in 2024.
What colors does the Evo V come in?
BattleLax currently carries it in White, Silver, Black and Orange.
How much does the Evo V weigh?
The attack shaft weighs 6.0 oz. Light enough that you won't feel it in the fourth quarter, with enough beef to take a check.
What is the Evo V made of?
An alloy core wrapped in carbon composite. You get alloy strength with carbon weight and a lined carbon grip.
Is the Evo V good for beginners?
Not really. It's on the stiffer side and it's an investment, so it's a better fit once a player has solid stick skills. Intermediate and advanced players will get the most out of it.