Cascade XRS Pro Review
The helmet most of the PLL wears, tested on protection, fit, ventilation, vision and customization by an attackman who's worn every Cascade since the R.
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As an attackman, I've always gone with the best protective gear I can get, because lacrosse is a game where you take high-intensity hits all day. You have to avoid concussions at all costs, so reviewing the Cascade XRS Pro was a no-brainer.
Where the XRS Pro stacks up against the rest.
There's hardly anything better than Cascade's helmet lineup. I started wearing the Cascade R when it came out and upgraded to the S, the XRS and now the XRS Pro.
The Cascade XRS Pro.
The XRS Pro came out in 2023 as an upgraded version of the original XRS. There are only a few upgrades, but they make this helmet a 10/10 for me.
It works for every position and any player. It comes in one universal size, 21½ to 24 inches around, which fits players from high school to the pros. So is it worth the high price tag? I'll walk you through how every feature performed on the field and let you decide.
Coach's note: From the youth fields of Virginia Beach to upstate New York high schools to the box guys in Ontario who take a cross-check to the cage every shift, the lid is the one piece of gear you never cheap out on. Whatever you buy, get it fitted right and check the chin strap before every game.
Key Features and Product Specs
- Position
- All positions
- Level
- High school to pro
- Size
- One size, 21½" to 24"
- Fit
- 360 Pro-Fit, SPR-Fit
- Venting
- XFlow
- Warranty
- 1 year
- Price
- $339.99
- Built with
- Supermono X Shell
- Tri-Liner
- EAFX foam
- Quick Clip magnetic chin strap
Drip Score: 9.5/10
There's nothing I don't love about this helmet. It fits perfectly, keeps me protected and feels premium. Until a better helmet comes along, the XRS Pro is the best lacrosse helmet for me.
- Magnetic clip chin strap
- Pro Vision for peripheral vision
- Pro-Fit for a snug fit
- Pro Liner for comfort
- Excellent ventilation
- Tons of customization
- Great protection coverage
- 1-year warranty
- Expensive
Protection and Safety
A ton of PLL players wear the XRS Pro, and that alone says a lot about its protection. The PLL is the last place you want to be underprotected.
I wore the original XRS for a couple of seasons, and the construction is the same. It's a light frame, but Cascade's Supermono X Shell handles hits from every direction. The X Shell means the shell and visor are one piece, while a lot of helmets have a separate visor.
The one-piece Supermono X Shell.
I like that Cascade extended the neck panel by half an inch. On the field, it protected me from slashes and hard contact and kept the helmet snug with my neck supported. The anatomical fit and sturdy cage bars worked like a charm for absorbing shock and protecting my face.
The Tri-Liner combines three liner technologies to handle different kinds of impacts, all built protection-first. The Gen 5 EPP and Seven Tech+ pads sit in the key impact zones. When you take a hit, they compress to spread the force out sideways and reset within seconds.
EAFX is a high-performance impact foam that protects the crown of your head. It connects the shell and the liner, and even after all the hits I took, it held its shape and stayed comfortable.
LaxDrip rating: Protection and safety: 9.5/10
Comfort and Fit
Comfort and fit are the XRS Pro's biggest upgrades. The 360 Pro-Fit and SPR-Fit make the whole helmet more comfortable. It's perfectly balanced, with the center of gravity at the crown of your head and the weight spread evenly, so I never had to readjust it after sprints or hits.
The 360 Pro-Fit and SPR-Fit system.
The Quick Clip is a winner. It's a two-point magnetic chin strap you can adjust on the go with a quick snap. Keep a spare chin strap ($9.99) in your bag just in case.
Since it only comes in one size, fit could be an issue if your head is under 21½ inches or over 24 inches around. Younger players should look at the Cascade XRS Youth Helmet ($270.00).
The Tri-Liner, Seven Tech+ pads and molded EAFX make it more comfortable than the helmets before it, and the back panel gave me great comfort, security and extra coverage on the back of my head.
LaxDrip rating: Comfort and fit: 9.5/10
Ventilation and Breathability
The ventilation is amazing. I play in the Austin heat, and sweat has always been a problem. It either drips into my eyes or pools on my forehead, which is the worst.
XFlow venting fixed that. The original XRS ventilated well, but there was room to improve, so Cascade made the vents bigger on the XRS Pro. Cool air flows in, and hot air gets pushed out the back through the XFlow exhaust.
Bigger XFlow vents on the XRS Pro.
XFlow and the moisture-wicking Pro Liner work really well together. If you play somewhere hot, whether that's Texas or a Virginia Beach summer tournament, I'd pick the XRS Pro every day of the week.
LaxDrip rating: Ventilation and breathability: 10/10
Materials and Construction
Maybe the folks at Cascade believe, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The materials are the same as the XRS. There's no drop in build quality or durability, but I think an upgrade here would have taken the XRS Pro to a whole new level.
Same proven build as the original XRS.
LaxDrip rating: Materials and construction: 9/10
Vision Depth
Your field of vision is one of the most important things in any helmet. With its VIXION technology, the XRS Pro gave me the best peripheral vision I've had out the sides of a mask.
The second vision bar and flat bars.
The XRS Pro adds a second vision bar and switches all the bars from round to flat. Cascade says that boosts your field of vision by 22%, and I can vouch for it. The difference between the XRS and XRS Pro is easy to notice. I could see wide and clear, which helped me read quick moves and cut down on eye strain.
LaxDrip rating: Vision depth: 10/10
Customization Options
If anything, the XRS Pro is a customization paradise. With 5 base finishes, Cascade says there are 9.6 million combinations, from the visor decal all the way to a goalie throat guard (like the Cascade TP-S Throat Guard). You can even preview your design in real time in Cascade's online customizer.
LaxDrip rating: Customization: 10/10
Cascade XRS vs. XRS Pro
The XRS Pro brings cosmetic and feature upgrades, but there isn't a huge difference between the two.
The XRS (left) and XRS Pro (right).
Still, tons more customization, better comfort and protection, flat cage bars and 22% more peripheral vision make the XRS Pro a clear winner. For a full breakdown, check out our guide to the Cascade R, S and XRS. Comparing brands? See our Warrior Burn X review, STX Aero review and best lacrosse helmets.
Shop the Cascade XRS Pro and alternatives at BattleLax
BattleLax carries the XRS Pro, plus the youth version, Cascade's newest flagship and a few add-ons.
| Gear | Why it's here | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cascade XRS Pro Lacrosse Helmet | The helmet reviewed here | $339.99 |
| Cascade XRS Youth Helmet | The XRS for younger players | $270.00 |
| Cascade Z Lacrosse Helmet | Cascade's newest flagship helmet | $449.99 |
| Cascade SL Lacrosse Helmet | A lighter, cheaper Cascade | $279.99 |
| Warrior Burn X Lacrosse Helmet | Warrior's BOA-fit rival | $309.99 |
| Cascade Helmet Chin Strap | Spare Cascade chin strap | $9.99 |
| Cascade TP-S Throat Guard | Goalie throat guard | $39.99 |
People also ask
What is the best Cascade lacrosse helmet?
The Cascade XRS Pro was the top of the Cascade line after the R, S and XRS, thanks to its protection, comfort and customization. Cascade has since released the Cascade Z as its newest flagship.
What size is the Cascade XRS Pro?
It comes in one universal size that fits head circumferences from 21½ to 24 inches, which covers most players from high school to the pros.
What is the difference between the Cascade XRS and XRS Pro?
Both protect really well, but the XRS Pro adds a more comfortable fit, about 22% more peripheral vision from a second vision bar and flat bars, and a ton more customization options.
Is the Cascade XRS Pro worth the price?
For us, yes. It's expensive, but you shouldn't compromise on protection and vision. Customizations add to the cost, so a basic finish keeps the price down.
Final Verdict
The price is higher than it should be, but you shouldn't compromise on protection and vision, and for me, the XRS Pro is worth every penny. Keep in mind each customization adds to the cost, so if you want to save, go with a basic finish.
There's a reason PLL, college and high school teams pick the XRS Pro over everything else.
