Newest Men's Lacrosse Cleats Reviewed

2. New Balance Freeze V5 Low Lacrosse Cleats Best low cut

Next up is the New Balance Freeze V5 Low. It's best for players who want more speed without giving up traction.

It doesn't have the ankle support of the mid, and the QUIX rail studs nicked my ankle a couple of times. But the heel system kept my foot locked in and helped prevent rolled ankles.

The stud pattern grips great even with the lower cut. I never slipped running or dodging, and the dual lacing improves the fit and keeps my feet secure.

At 12.5 ounces, it's a little lighter than the mid. If you like a low cut for more mobility, these deliver excellent traction and comfort.

At BattleLax: In stock now. Grab the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Low ($119.99) straight from BattleLax.

Buy the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Low

3. Nike Huarache 9 Elite Low LAX Sleekest low

The Nike Huarache 9 Elite Low is one of the sleekest, best-looking lacrosse cleats out there. This version of the Huarache line is built for elite players who like a low-cut collar.

I usually prefer a higher cut, but I gave these a shot because of the buzz. As soon as I put them on, I noticed how much more flexible they were than other cleats.

I expected that flexibility with a low cut, but I worried it would cost me traction. To my surprise, the multidirectional traction was impressive. Digging deeper, I found the Huarache 9 Elite uses the traction system from Nike's Phantom soccer line, and Nike nailed it.

Even with their sleek, compact look, Nike didn't skimp on comfort. I liked the React foam cushioning underfoot and the secure feel from the internal Flywire in the midfoot.

A lot of cleats leave the bottoms of my feet burning, but I didn't have that problem with these. I liked the feel and response on aggressive strides.

The upper is light mesh with padding around the heel and the X-Fit heel system for support. The hybrid tongue doesn't slip, which I love, since a lot of cleats I've worn have tongues that slide to the side.

With just 10 studs, the pattern and design still give you excellent stability. The Huarache 9 Elite Low combines style, performance and comfort, making it a great pick for elite players who like a low build.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Nike Huarache 9 Elite Low LAX. For a low-cut lacrosse cleat with great multidirectional traction, go with the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Low ($119.99), or the newer New Balance Burn X5 Low ($124.99).

Shop the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Low

Read more: My full Nike Huarache 9 review

4. Nike Huarache 9 Elite LAX Best Nike mid

The Nike Huarache 9 Elite LAX is one of the sleekest cleat lines around. It's built for elite players who like a mid-cut collar loaded with Nike's premium tech.

I usually wear mids, so I gave these a try after all the hype. Right away, I noticed they were more flexible than other mids I've worn.

With a mid cut, I worried about giving up flexibility and traction, but they delivered impressive multidirectional flexibility and grip. Like the low, they use the traction system from Nike's Phantom soccer line.

Even though they look as compact as soccer cleats, Nike didn't sacrifice comfort. React foam cushions underfoot, and internal Flywire locks in the midfoot.

Compact cleats often cause discomfort and blisters, but I didn't have any issues. They were comfortable and responsive on aggressive strides.

The light mesh upper has padding around the heel and the X-Fit heel system for support. The no-slip hybrid tongue kept the tongue from sliding to the side, and the stretchy inner sleeve improved the fit.

With only 10 studs (4 on the heel and 6 up front), the smart placement and sharp design gave me excellent stability. Other than the cut, it's pretty much identical to the low.

The Huarache 9 Elite LAX combines style, performance and comfort, making it a great pick for elite players who like a mid cut.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Nike Huarache 9 Elite LAX. For a mid-cut lacrosse cleat with great traction and support, go with the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid ($129.99).

Shop the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid

Read more: My full Nike Huarache 9 review

5. New Balance Freeze V5 LE Lacrosse Cleats Best limited edition

The New Balance Freeze V5 LE has an eye-catching design, with a black-and-white upper and a greenish heel that looks great. If you want a high-quality cleat with premium features and a unique colorway, grab the V5 LE.

The QUIX rail is the highlight. The outsole is really flexible, with 14 studs of different sizes. The flatter ones keep you from slipping on the run, and the pointed ones help prevent rolled ankles on quick changes of direction.

They're on the heavy side, but the comfortable sock liner and breathable mesh make for a great fit, and I loved that there was no break-in.

At BattleLax: BattleLax has the limited edition New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid Limited Edition ($89.99) in black and white, on sale.

Buy the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid Limited Edition

6. New Balance Burn X4 Lacrosse Cleats Most durable

Even with its ultra-light build, the New Balance Burn X4 is one of the most durable lacrosse cleats out there. I've worn mine for a year, and they haven't worn out yet.

They took longer to break in than I expected, but I love the snug fit, and the stiff heel cup softened up after a couple of workouts.

The improved fit and flex zones gave me unrestricted foot movement, especially on quick cuts. The light plate with X-frame coring makes a real difference. I felt quicker on my first step.

The longer studs give solid traction on fast breaks, and the low cut gives your ankles plenty of mobility, which is ideal for players who rely on speed.

At BattleLax: BattleLax has the New Balance BurnX4 Lacrosse Cleats ($49.99) in black, on sale. Want the newest Burn? Grab the New Balance Burn X5 Low ($124.99).

Buy the New Balance BurnX4 Lacrosse Cleats

7. New Balance X Unltd LE Gold USA Burn X4 Lacrosse Cleats Best limited Burn

The New Balance X Unltd LE Gold USA Burn X4 is an exclusive, upgraded take on the Burn X4. This limited edition is a unisex, low-cut cleat with solid performance and a unique look.

Nike has long been known for top-class low-cut lax cleats, but with the Burn X4 line, New Balance has closed the gap. I'd say they're about 90% of the way there.

One big improvement is the light, durable build. I definitely noticed how light they are, and the aggressive design feels sturdy.

Low cuts often skimp on padding and ankle support, but New Balance added ankle-locking padding that makes these feel as comfortable and secure as a mid.

New Balance says the gold chrome outsole is inspired by the shock diamond phenomenon, and I'm not totally sure what that means. Either way, the aerodynamic upper cuts drag and feels smooth.

These have longer studs and run narrow, so they may not work for wide feet. The laces and hybrid tongue add stability, but I found the insole comfort to be average.

Because of the narrow fit, they felt tight even after several wears, and they were hard to fully break in. If you have standard or narrow feet, they could be a good fit. If you have wide feet, try something like the Nike Huarache 9 Elite Low.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the New Balance X Unltd LE Gold USA Burn X4 Lacrosse Cleats. For the newest low-cut Burn they stock, go with the New Balance Burn X5 Low ($124.99), or grab the regular New Balance BurnX4 Lacrosse Cleats ($49.99) on sale.

Shop the New Balance Burn X5 Low

8. Nike Alpha Huarache 8 Elite Lacrosse Cleats Best value Nike

The Nike Alpha Huarache 8 Elite is still a solid pick even with newer Huaraches out. It's built for lacrosse and football players, and the sleek design, compact look and lower price keep it relevant.

The Huarache 9 brings upgrades, but the 8 is still the real OG. It comes in plenty of unique colors, and the comfort and traction are what make it great for lacrosse.

I tried the 9 first, but I found the 8's performance and tech just as impressive. On the field, I couldn't tell much difference between them.

I tested them on turf and grass, and the comfort and stability stayed consistent. Nike React foam in the midsole adds comfort, and the hybrid no-slip tongue, laces and mid-cut collar kept my feet stable and flexible on aggressive moves.

The X-Fit heel kept my ankles locked in with the right amount of give, and the molded TPU plate with 13 studs gave me excellent traction and range of motion. Like the 9, the toe box lets you push into aggressive, accelerating strides.

If you want a mid-cut cleat that balances price with premium performance and feel, the Huarache 8 Elite is a reliable choice.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Nike Alpha Huarache 8 Elite Lacrosse Cleats. For an affordable mid-cut lacrosse cleat, go with the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid Hot Mango ($99.99) on sale, or the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid ($129.99).

Shop the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid Hot Mango

9. Under Armour Command Mid Lacrosse Cleats Most ankle support

The Under Armour Command Mid is another durable yet light cleat in my collection. I've worn it for plenty of games and practices, and there's barely any wear in the high-contact spots.

The simple laces and traditional tongue lock in, and the molded mid-cut collar gives excellent ankle support. My foot never shifted inside, which helped my stability dodging or playing one-on-one D.

The conical studs make stopping feel controlled, and the secondary studs give extra grip when you accelerate out of a dodge. I never felt like I was losing my footing.

They aren't as breathable as the New Balance V5, even with the warp knit upper and TPU overlays. If you play somewhere hot, go with the Huarache 9 or Freeze V5.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Under Armour Command Mid Lacrosse Cleats. For a durable mid-cut cleat with more breathability, go with the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid ($129.99).

Shop the New Balance FreezeLX v5 Mid

10. New Balance Burn X3 Lacrosse Cleats Best for beginners

New Balance has always been a go-to brand for reliability, and the Burn X3 is no exception. These unisex cleats are built for beginner to intermediate players who want performance and speed.

The comfort is on par with high-end cleats at a lower price. I noticed better strides with no discomfort or tightness, and they were easy to break in, so I could run laps right away.

What I liked most was the knit upper with Kinetic Stitch. It lets your foot flex freely while still supporting it, so you don't twist or strain your feet and ankles. The hybrid tongue and laces kept everything stable.

The Burn X speed plate improved my stability on turf, and I could feel the cleat respond on aggressive moves like throwing checks or winning faceoffs. The molded TPU outsole and toe gave good traction.

Padding around the heel and ankle is one of the biggest signs of a quality shoe, and the Burn X3 has Achilles pads plus a mid-cut collar for extra ankle support.

I liked the value and performance. I could wear them for hours without discomfort, though the inside cushioning could be better.

BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the New Balance Burn X3 Lacrosse Cleats. BattleLax carries the newer Burn. Grab the New Balance Burn X5 Low ($124.99), or the New Balance BurnX4 Lacrosse Cleats ($49.99) on sale.

Shop the New Balance Burn X5 Low