Nike Vapor Pro Lacrosse Head Review
A stiff, short-throated middie head with a speed scoop that rips on the run and feeds clean. Here's how the Vapor Pro held up on the field, and where its stiffness costs you.
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The speed scoop in the Nike Vapor Pro's product description got my attention, so I took it to the field. Believe me, it's one of my best-performing heads for short passes and high-speed shots on the run.
It's a stiff head with very little flex. Will that stiffness hurt your game? I'll answer that in my Nike Vapor Pro lacrosse head review.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry Nike heads. The closest match they stock is the StringKing Mark 3V Unstrung Head ($119.99), a versatile middie head and the successor to the Mark 2V I recommend below. I've listed more alternatives at BattleLax below.
Key Features and Specifications
Here's a quick look at the specs before we get into the field test.
- Position
- Offensive / two-way middie
- Level
- Intermediate to advanced
- Weight
- About 5.2 oz
- Sidewall holes
- 17
- Mid-low
- Faceoffs
- Not recommended
- Built with
- Speed scoop
- Short throat
- Angular sidewalls
- Stiff build
Pros & Cons
- Great design for different midfield roles
- Durable construction
- Plenty of stringing holes for a custom pocket
- Short throat for high-speed shooting
- Top hole spacing could be better
- Not good for faceoff players
- Weight may be an issue for some
Nike Vapor Pro Head Ranking
I rate the Nike Vapor Pro head an 8.1/10 on the Drip Meter.
Who's This Head Made For?
The Nike Vapor Pro is one of the more versatile heads for middies. I bought it soon after it launched. Nike marketed it for offensive middies, and that's where I used it most, but its stiffness also makes it a good fit for two-way middies who throw a lot of checks.
It's a stiff head, and it takes serious force to bend it. Durability isn't the only reason it's stayed in my collection, though. The speed scoop and angular sidewalls improved the accuracy and speed of my release on offense.
It's built from high-quality plastic and weighs about 5.2 ounces. The catch is that less flexible heads make it harder to scoop ground balls in tight spaces.
Is that a fair trade, high-speed shooting at the cost of easier ground balls? Let's find out.
Accuracy of Shot and Passing
I always played the Nike Vapor Pro on offense. The narrow throat cuts up pretty high, so I could keep my top hand comfortably close to the head. I loved the shot speed and the quick, accurate passes on the run.
The face is slightly wider near the scoop, with an angular pinch toward the throat, so it's a fairly narrow profile. That helped me put passes and shots right where I wanted them.
The Vapor Pro's scoop.
The angular sidewalls feel about twice as stiff as the original Nike CEO and the Vapor Elite. It has 17 sidewall holes for a custom pocket, but I wasn't sold on the spacing of the top holes.
It took me some adjustments to stop mishitting my shots. I couldn't find my accuracy with a mid pocket, so I strung it with a mid-low pocket, and that turned out perfect for accurate short passes and long feeds to teammates. My shot speed was also a bit higher than with the Nike CEO 2. Restringing? BattleLax has the StringKing Type 5x mesh and string kit ($39.99).
Catching and Cradling
The speed scoop makes it easier to scoop ground balls in open field, but I had trouble with loose balls in trickier situations. The narrow profile gives you less surface area, which makes ground balls in tight spots harder.
The Vapor Pro strung up.
Once I had the ball, though, the narrow throat and pinched face kept it snug while I cradled.
That's all good until you have to cradle one-handed over a long distance. The mid-low pocket sometimes coughed the ball up after a big check, so I restrung the pocket to make it a little deeper.
If you're an offensive middie who needs more control cradling, I'd try the STX Surgeon 900, StringKing Mark 2A, STX Stallion 900 or Maverik Optik 3.0. At BattleLax, the StringKing Mark 3A ($119.99) and Maverik Optik Force ($109.99) are the newer versions of two of those.
Checking
The Nike Vapor Pro is a little heavier than some other offensive heads, but it didn't really affect my game. The extra weight gave it a more solid feel on checks and in ground ball battles, and it made the head feel more controlled and responsive overall.
I liked the sidewall stiffness and the slight vertical angle that funnels ground balls into the pocket. I'm not a big, muscular player, but it let me throw the occasional hard check and come up with the ball.
The top of the scoop sits fairly flat against the ground, which gives you a good surface for scooping loose balls and starting the fast break. It's efficient on ground balls.
For all that, I sometimes lost ground balls to my opponent because the head tended to flex on a check and pop the ball out. That got better after the break-in period, but it'll frustrate newer players.
So if you're new to lacrosse, I wouldn't recommend it unless you're willing to put the work in at practice. Look at the more flexible options on our list of the best lacrosse heads.
Ground Ball Pick-ups
Honestly, I've had better heads for ground balls. Its rigidity is great for middies who need a head that takes checks and holds its shape in ground ball battles. In my opinion, though, it's not as flexible as it should be.
The Vapor Pro's speed scoop.
The scoop angle is good for quick, easy pickups. Thanks to its moderate angle, I didn't have to get super low to scoop ground balls. If you're an aggressive player who switches between offense and D-middie on the fly, it's for you.
If you prefer a flexible head and don't care as much about durability, I suggest the StringKing Mark 2V, STX Stallion 900 or Maverik Optik 3.0. BattleLax carries the StringKing Mark 3V ($119.99), the Mark 2V's successor.
Coach's note: I've watched it from Ontario box floors to upstate New York and Virginia Beach high school ball: the stiffest head on the team isn't always the best one. If you're a young middie still learning to scoop through traffic, a little flex will win you more ground balls than an extra mile an hour on your shot ever will.
Alternatives at BattleLax
BattleLax doesn't carry Nike heads, but these are the closest options they stock right now. If you take faceoffs, skip the Vapor Pro altogether and grab a dedicated faceoff head like the Gait Faceoff Flex.
| Gear | Why it's here | Price |
|---|---|---|
| StringKing Mark 3V Unstrung Head | Successor to the Mark 2V, a versatile middie head | $119.99 |
| StringKing Mark 3A Unstrung Head | Successor to the Mark 2A, built for attack | $119.99 |
| Maverik Optik Force Unstrung Head | Maverik's follow-up to the Optik 3.0 | $109.99 |
| Warrior Evo V Unstrung Head | Stiff head for two-way middies | $99.99 |
| Gait Faceoff Flex Head | Flexible faceoff head for FOGOs | $119.99 |
| StringKing Type 5x Mesh String Kit | Mesh and strings to set up your pocket | $39.99 |
Shop the StringKing Mark 3V at Battle Lax
People also ask
Is the Nike Vapor Pro lacrosse head suitable for offensive players?
Yes. The Nike Vapor Pro is built for offensive players, with excellent shot speed, accuracy and a narrow profile for precise passes.
What makes the Nike Vapor Pro lacrosse head unique?
It has a stiff build, a speed scoop for efficient ground ball pickups, and plenty of stringing holes for a custom pocket.
Is the Nike Vapor Pro lacrosse head legal for high school and college play?
It was built for high school and college play, but head rules change from time to time. Check your league's current NCAA or NFHS rulebook before game day.
What positions is the Nike Vapor Pro lacrosse head best suited for?
Offensive and two-way middies. Its stiffness also makes it a fit for players who throw a lot of checks, but it's not a faceoff head.
Does the Nike Vapor Pro lacrosse head improve shooting accuracy?
Yes. The narrow face and angular sidewalls help with both shooting accuracy and speed, making it a solid choice for offensive players.
Final Verdict
The Nike Vapor Pro is a good offensive head for advanced intermediate and elite players. It's durable and holds up to aggressive play with very little wear and tear.
The pointed scoop and pinched throat make it a good head for dodging defenders. I loved the shot speed and the clean feeds with no wobble, and as an offensive player, I think it catches and cradles well. If you want alternatives, my top recommendations are the StringKing Mark 2V, STX Stallion 900 and Maverik Optik 3.0. Their newest versions at BattleLax are the Mark 3V and Optik Force.
