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I was never much of a gear snob when I played goalie in college—except when it came to my head. It was the most important piece of equipment to me. I needed to trust that it would be consistent, reliable, and durable throughout the duration of the season.
But back then, my options for goalie heads were slim and I’d spend hours pulling on my strings trying to get my pocket just perfect because there were barely any sidewall holes to work with.
Luckily, there are now many more goalie heads designed for all ages and skillsets. This guide goes over the best goalie heads on the market to help you find the right fit.
Best Lacrosse Goalie Heads
With all the options out there today, it’s crucial to take the time to find the right goalie head for your game.
We researched the top goalie heads on the market and broke down their specs to identify the best options for various situations.
6 Best Lacrosse Goalie Heads:
- STX Eclipse 2 – Our #1 Choice
- ECD Impact Goalie
- StringKing Mark 2G
- Warrior Nemesis QS
- Gait GCG Command Goalie
- Under Armour Command Goalie
1) STX Eclipse 2
Our #1 Recommended Option
Details
- Weight: 11.6 oz
- Throat Design: Ergonomic
- # Stringing Holes: Above-average
- Year Released: 2017
The original STX Eclipse was one of the most popular goalie heads ever made. There’s a reason it was used by goalies of all levels for over 15 years.
The Eclipse 2 is an upgrade on this near-perfect design, and is now the most popular goalie head on the market.
It is used by elite high school and college players as well as countless youth players across the nation.
The Eclipse 2 comes with a new throat that gives players a more comfortable and secure grip. STX also doubled the amount of stringing holes for increased stringing customization.
With its offset design, this head makes quick work of ground balls and throws crisp outlet passes.
The Eclipse 2 is also relatively lightweight but holds its stiffness well over time—even during those hot summer tournaments.
The Eclipse 2 is perfect for goalies of all levels and is our #1 recommended option.
Pros
- Stiffer than the original Eclipse
- Upgrade ergonomic throat gives you more control
- Plenty of stringing holes so you can customize your pocket
Cons
- Slightly heavier than some others
- More expensive than other options
2) ECD Impact Goalie Head
Details
- Weight: 11.5 oz
- Throat Design: Extra long w/ some grip points + thinner
- # Stringing Holes: Many
- Year Released: 2022
ECD finally launched their first goalie head in 2022 with the Impact and it did not disappoint.
The new ECD Impact is arguably the best goalie head on the market thanks to its combination of high stiffness, light weight, ideal face shape, and ergonomic throat.
Starting with stiffness and weight, the ECD Impact is one of the lightest goalie heads on the market but maintains good stiffness even on hot days. There are cutouts throughout the head to help reduce the amount of plastic needed, reducing weight even more.
Though the throat doesn't have a large lip like the Nemesis QS (coming up below), it is longer and thinner than most other goalie heads and has subtle notches that provide a great feel. Our resident goalies here at Lax Drip really like how the Impact feels in cage, especially with how thin it is.
Regarding the face shape, the ECD Impact is somewhere between the Eclipse 2 (little flair) and the Nemesis 3 and QS (a lot of flair). We've found it to do well at limiting rebounds and also makes for a great, tight channel if strung correctly.
Overall, the new ECD Impact goalie head is one of the best options available and we think you'll be very happy if you go with it.
Pros
- Stiff yet lightweight
- Easy to string a nice pocket
- Thin, ergonomic throat
Cons
- Few longterm customer reviews
Buying Options
>> SportStop (strung/unstrung)
>> Lacrosse Monkey (strung/unstrung)
>> Dick's Sporting Goods (strung/unstrung)
3) StringKing Mark 2G
Details
- Weight: 10.9 oz
- Throat Design: Standard (no special grip)
- # Stringing Holes: Many
- Year Released: 2020
StringKing entered the goalie head arena with the Mark 2G in early 2020—immediately vaulting it towards the top of our goalie head rankings.
The Mark 2G is extremely light at under 11 oz but still features plenty of surface area and has good stiffness.
Like many other StringKing heads, the Mark 2G comes equipped with 42 sidewall holes creating limitless stringing options.
The head features a shortened low-profile throat. For players who prefer not to hold the throat of the head, this may be a great fit.
Otherwise, goalies may find themselves using tape to make up for the lack of grip since it's shorter and doesn't have as much of an ergonomic design like the Eclipse 2 does.
This head is perfect for goalies who want to branch out from the mainstream goalie head brands and have complete pocket customization. The Mark 2G also comes with a 6-month warranty should it break.
Pros
- Extremely light
- TONS of stringing holes
- 6-month warranty
Cons
- Not much room for grip on throat
4) Warrior Nemesis QS
Details
- Weight: Not available
- Throat Design: Ergonomic
- # Stringing Holes: Above-average
- Year Released: 2022
Warrior just came out with the updated version of their popular Nemesis 3 with the new Nemesis QS.
The QS stands for “quick save” and many of the changes Warrior implemented will help you do just that.
To start, the QS features an ergonomic throat that is designed to give you a better grip of the head when in cage. It has a little raised lip at the very bottom which provides good leverage for your thumb and fingers.
The face shape is similar to the Nemesis 3 but it stays stiffer over time based on our experience. This is largely due to the new Therma-Loc+ thermoplastic resin.
The Warrior Nemesis QS features many stringing holes, making it easy to get the perfect pocket for those long outlet passes.
Another great thing about the new Nemesis QS is that it is legal for both the men's and women's games unlike the Nemesis 3.
Pros
- Stiff
- Many stringing holes
- Pretty light
- Ergonomic throat design
Cons
- No ergonomic throat design
5) Gait GCG Command Goalie
Details
- Weight: Not available
- Throat Design: Ergonomic
- # Stringing Holes: Average
- Year Released: 2022
Gait broke into the goalie head scene in 2022 with the new GCG Command Goalie head. While it's not our favorite goalie head, it's a solid option without any glaring weaknesses.
The first thing you'll notice with the GCG Command is that it is pretty stiff. It uses all-weather nylon that helps it maintain that stiffness even in high temperatures.
The face shape of the GCG is pretty standard. It has a slight flair, similar to the ECD Impact. It has pretty thick sidewalls which help with stiffness but add some extra weight.
One of the best parts about the Gait GCG Command Goalie head is the throat design. It feels great in gloves thanks it its extra length and well-placed cutouts.
On the downside, there aren't a ton of sidewall holes on the GCG Command. While this likely won't be an issue for most goalies, if you have a very specific pocket you like to string, it may be more difficult in this head.
Overall, the Gait GCG Command is a solid option. While it's not our top recommendation, it's a good all-around head that will work for most goalies.
Pros
- Stiff even in high heat
- More affordable than other options
- Great scoop
Cons
- Fewer stringing holes than other options
Buying Options
>> SportStop
6) Under Armour Command Goalie
Details
- Weight: 11.8 oz
- Throat Design: Ergonomic design for improved grip
- # Stringing Holes: Below-average
- Year Released: 2019
Next up on our list of the best lacrosse goalie heads is the Under Armour Command Goalie.
At 11.8 ounces, the Command Goalie Head is heavier than most of its competitors but will retain durability throughout the harshest weather conditions in the off-season. This head was built to last.
One of the biggest downsides of the Command is that it features far fewer stringing holes than its competitors, possibly leading to difficulty stringing for some players.
It does, however, come with Under Armour’s Glide+ Scoop Technology that makes snagging ground balls a breeze.
We recommend this head for middle school to high school level goalies who need a head that will last year-round
Pros
- Stiffness around throat helps control rebounds
- Durable in all weather conditions
Cons
- Less stringing holes than competitors
- Heavy
Buying Options
>> SportStop
>> Lacrosse Monkey
How to Choose a Goalie Head for Lacrosse
It can be hard to decide which goalie head is the best with so many available. Here are some of the most important things to consider when deciding:
1) Weight
Every ounce counts when you’re in the cage. Being able to move your head quickly can mean the difference between a goal and a save.
On the other end, ultralight heads can wear down and become too flexible much faster than the bulkier alternatives.
2) Stiffness
Nothing’s worse than thinking you’ve made a save only to realize the ball bent your head back and deflected into the goal.
If you notice you’re giving up too many deflections in practice, you might want to consider a stiffer head.
Keep in mind that a more rigid head will be harder to scoop up ground balls and press into the ground for low shots.
3) Throat Design
When you’re waiting for your opponent to wind up for a shot, you don’t want to worry about your hand placement on the stick.
Choose a head that’s comfortable and fits your preferred hand placement.
4) Stringing Holes
Lacrosse is unique in that players get to customize their equipment to their style of play. Advancements in stringing technology have allowed goalies to handle the ball like midfielders and make precise outlets.
You shouldn’t have to adapt your technique to the limits of your equipment. The more stringing holes you have, the more you can customize your stick to meet the needs of your game.
5) Customer Reviews
Before you buy a head, check out what other people are saying about it. Better yet, try it out!
Do your research and make sure you know what to expect before stringing it up. Some heads just aren’t a good match for your playing style.
Note: Don’t be afraid to try something new
It’s tempting to feel loyal to a certain brand or specific head. The original Eclipse was the only head I wanted to use in high school. However, goalie gear has come a long way over the years.
Don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new. There’s plenty of good options for any kind of player. You might be surprised to find something better.
How We Rate Goalie Lacrosse Heads
We take our ratings seriously and only recommend products that we would use ourselves.
To come up with our ratings for each product, we test the product ourselves whenever possible, review product specifications (weight, number of stringing holes, etc.), and read customer reviews/talk to lacrosse players we know that use the product.
When testing goalie heads, we bring them to a field and give them to our resident goalie head reviewer (and ex-college goalie) Dan. He tests the heads for making saves, outlet passes, carrying the ball, trapping and scooping balls, and checking.
If you ever have any feedback for any of the products listed on this page or have a recommended addition, please contact us and let us know!
Products to Consider Alongside Your Goalie Head
Here are some products you may want to consider alongside your new goalie head to help take your game to the next level.
- ECD Impact Goalie Mesh 12D (Just Mesh + Full Fits): When ECD released their new Impact goalie head, they also released an updated goalie mesh that is currently the best available, in our opinion. Check out both full stringing kits and just single pieces of mesh at the link above.
- StringKing Grizzly 2 Goalie Lacrosse Mesh Kit: Need to string up your new unstrung head? This mesh kit features some of the lightest goalie mesh available.
- Warrior Goalie Nutt Hutt Tool Box: Want to protect your gems but find a traditional cup uncomfortable? Then the Warrior Nutt Hutt is just what you need. It's more comfortable and protective than a normal cup helping you move around the cage better.
- Brine Ventilator Goalie Pant: If you want even more protection. for your legs, these pants from Brine are the perfect solution. They feature pads around the hips and thighs, helping you worry less about getting hit so you can focus on the game.
- STX Valor Lacrosse Goalie Shin Guards: Tired of bruises covering your shins after practice and games? These shin guards from STX can protect your legs without limiting your mobility between the pipes.
Other guides you may be interested in:
- Lacrosse Goalie Gear Guide: See all of our top picks for goaltender gear including sticks, equipment, and more.
- Best Lacrosse Goalie Shafts: Need a new shaft along with your new goalie head? Compare our favorite goalie shafts to complete your stick.
- Best Lacrosse Goalie Chest Protectors: Starting in 2022, all lacrosse goalies will be required to wear a chest protector that meets the new NOSCAE ND200 standard. See options in this guide.
- Best Lacrosse Goalie Gloves: See our top picks to keep your fingers protected while in the cage.
- Best Cheap Lacrosse Heads: Find some cheaper options for lacrosse heads including those for goalies.
- Best Lacrosse Goalie Helmets & Throat Protectors: Having a helmet that will keep you safe in goal is absolutely crucial. See our favorite picks here.
- Best Lacrosse Mesh: See our top picks for lacrosse mesh and stringing kits, including options for goalies.
- Portable Lacrosse Goals: For those who want to be able to set up and take some shots anywhere.
- Lacrosse Backstops: Tired of chasing missed shots? A lacrosse rebounder can save you time in collecting balls helping you get more reps in.
- Lacrosse Balls: It’s hard to practice without balls! Check out our favorites in varying quantities.
- Lacrosse Rebounders: Practice outlet passes and saves with a new lacrosse rebounder.
- Best Lacrosse Heads: Interested in a field head to play with as well? See out favorite lacrosse heads for each position.
Photo source: Flickr
