Epoch Integra Elite II Lacrosse Gloves Review
A pro-built glove that eats slashes for breakfast and still lets your wrists snap a pass. Here's how it held up after months of practices and games.
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What got me to try the Epoch Integra Elite II lacrosse gloves was all the buzz about Epoch building them off feedback from guys in the PLL and the NLL. I've had them on for weeks now, so it's time to give you my honest take.
I wanted a glove that gives you real protection without turning your hands into oven mitts. Let's see if the composite inserts in the key zones and Epoch's top-shelf foam actually deliver.
Epoch gloves aren't carried at BattleLax. The closest in-stock pick is the Maverik M6 Glove at BattleLax.
Key features, pros & cons
First, a quick look at what the Integra Elite II brings to the table.
- Highly protective tri-layer density foam
- Breathable and sweat-absorbing
- High wrist cuff
- Sturdy and weather-resistant
- Great impact absorption where you get hit most
- Somewhat reduced grip in rain
- Not available in small or extra small
- Heavier than other gloves
- Break-in period
Design & features
Epoch built the Integra Elite II with Tri-Layer dual-density foam stacks, and they flex better than you'd expect. My wrists moved freely the whole time. The finger breaks sit a little lower than on the Maverik Shift gloves, but I still had full freedom to flex my wrist.
The composite material in the key slash zones is the real deal. It spreads the force of a hard check across the glove, so I wasn't feeling those painful jolts through my hands after a pole took a hack at me.
The inside liner is smooth and comfortable too. A few guys on my team running the same glove said the same thing: fewer palm blisters.
And for how much protection you get, they're light. They come in around 6 ounces (Epoch doesn't list an exact weight), which felt right. Not so light they feel flimsy, not so heavy they slow your hands down.
The Integra Elite II comes in three sizes. There's no small or extra small, though, so younger players will need to look elsewhere.
Fit & comfort
Out of the box they felt tighter than I like. It took about a week to break them in and mold them to my hands. After that, the fit was comfortable and locked in.
The molded cuff gave me full wrist movement, which I lean on when snapping passes or dropping my hands for a low-angle shot. The cuff doesn't feel stiff at all. I could move my wrist in any direction, and it helped on quick dodges and roll backs.
I was also curious about the Player Core Control with S.Cafe technology. It's supposed to help regulate temperature, cut down on odor, and dry quickly.
After long practices and games, I could feel the difference, especially with sweat. My hands stayed cooler, and the gloves didn't carry that usual post-game stink nearly as much.
They're not warm enough for cold winter sessions, though. If you're running outdoor practices in upstate New York in March or fall ball up in Canada, throw a thin glove liner underneath.
Performance
The Integra Elite II has a one-piece Ax Suede palm, and the grip is excellent. No seams get in the way of your handling, so you get a clean, consistent feel on the stick.
Where it falls a little short is texture. Compared to the Maverik Shift, the palm doesn't have much, and I had a harder time holding my grip on the shaft in the rain.
In normal conditions, though, I got a natural feel on the stick when cradling and shooting, and the glove never slipped. On the defensive end, the composite held up under heavy slashes, especially on the thumb. I wasn't feeling those thumb stingers that take your head out of the game.
The finger breaks are well balanced and give you great flexibility. The inside of the pinky and index fingers is heavily padded too. I had full control of my stick without the stiffness you usually get from a high-protection glove.
Full stick control without the stiffness you usually get from a heavy-protection glove.
Durability
The Integra Elite II is one of the most durable lacrosse gloves for men to come out in 2024. They hold up to rain and to hot, sticky summers.
I was impressed with how well they handled my aggressively concave lacrosse shaft. The Ax Suede palm is still free of scratches. A couple of my teammates running the same glove said the same about how long they last.
After eating plenty of checks and slashes, the composite in the high-impact zones shows no sign of breaking down. It kept its protection without losing flex or sturdiness.
The Tri-Layer dual-density foam still absorbs hits like it did on day one, even after four months of hard practices. The cuff and finger padding haven't lost their shape either.
Value
The Integra Elite II is a premium glove for physical players. It's built for a contact game like lacrosse, the protection is excellent, and that makes the price worth it.
The grip has some downsides, but the flex, comfort, and snug fit all boost your performance and your confidence. At around $160, it's good value.
If losing grip in the rain is a deal breaker, try the Maverik M6 lacrosse gloves instead.
Comparison with other gloves
The Integra Elite II is a bit heavier than Maverik's Shift, which weighs just 4.7 ounces. It's also heavier than the Maverik M series and some STX gloves.
The tradeoff for the extra weight is clear, though. The protection and shock absorption beat both. The composite in the big slash zones plus the Tri-Layer foam outperforms the lighter competition.
The Integra Elite II also handles sweaty hands better. Maverik's FlowCool tech breathes well, but it doesn't soak up sweat like Epoch's Player Core Control with S.Cafe technology.
Where the Shift wins is palm texture. Its palm gives you more grip than the Integra's Ax Suede. Still, the Epoch works fine in normal conditions, and it's one of the best lacrosse gloves for adults.
| Glove | Strength | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Epoch Integra Elite II | Most protection, best sweat control | Not at BattleLax |
| Maverik Shift | Lightest (4.7 oz), best palm texture | BattleLax · $179.99 |
| Maverik M6 | Better grip in rain, lighter, great value | BattleLax · $115.99 |
See it live
Want to see the Integra Elite up close? Here's Epoch's official PLL glove video.
More Integra videos:
Key details
- Position
- All field players
- Level
- Intermediate+
- Cost
- ~$160
- Year released
- 2024
- Weight
- ~6 oz
- Sizes
- 3 (no S/XS)
- Features
- Tri-Layer dual-density foam
- Composite slash zones
- Ax Suede one-piece palm
- S.Cafe Player Core Control
- Molded high cuff
Maverik M6 Lacrosse Glove$115.99 · better grip in the rain
Maverik M7 Player Glove$149.99 · newest M series
Adrenaline Phoenix 2.0 Glove$164.99 · similar price, premium build
Warrior Evo V Gloves$189.99 · top-end protection
People also ask
How do you dry lacrosse gloves?
Air them out somewhere with good airflow, open up the cuffs, and keep them away from direct heat. Odor-absorbing inserts help pull the moisture out faster. Don't leave them zipped in your bag overnight.
What are lacrosse gloves used for?
Lacrosse gloves protect your hands from checks and slashes and give you the grip, flexibility, and comfort you need for passing, shooting, and stick handling.
Are lacrosse gloves the same as hockey gloves?
No. Lacrosse gloves are lighter and more flexible for stick control and wrist movement. Hockey gloves have thicker padding for higher-impact protection.
How do you choose lacrosse gloves?
Go by fit, protection level, flexibility, and ventilation. Then look at features like foam padding and palm grip for the way you play.
What makes the Epoch Integra Elite II gloves unique?
Tri-layer foam, a one-piece Ax Suede palm, and S.Cafe technology give you top-tier impact protection, comfort, and sweat management.
Final verdict
The Epoch Integra Elite II lacrosse gloves are great value for intermediate and advanced players who want flexibility and impact absorption in one glove. With tri-layer foam, an Ax Suede palm, and S.Cafe sweat management, they're a strong pick for game day.
They're a little heavier than the competition, but the extra protection makes them ideal for physical play. Since BattleLax doesn't carry Epoch, the Maverik M6 is my go-to in-stock alternative there, especially if you play a lot of games in the rain.