Best Carbon Lacrosse Shafts Reviewed
Light, strong and flexible in a way metal can't match. The best carbon fiber handles for attack, defense and the cage.
ECD Carbon Pro: Kevlar-reinforced, extreme concave, with Speed and Power flex points and a sliding end cap. Battle Lax carries the newest 4.0 version.
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There are a plethora of different materials used to make lacrosse shafts today. One material that has surged to the top in the past decade or so, however, is carbon fiber. Carbon fiber shafts are tremendous options because they provide amazing strength without being too heavy, and they flex in a way that other shafts can't.
Traditionally, players used metal lacrosse shafts. These, however, tend to dent and bend more than carbon shafts, at comparable weights. Anyone who's watched a pole's alloy handle fold in half on a cold March slash in upstate New York, or picked a dented shaft out of the bag after a Virginia Beach summer tournament, knows why so many players have switched. Even the box guys up in Ontario are coming around.
This guide goes over the best carbon fiber lacrosse shafts currently available and what to consider to narrow down your decision. Want every material in one place? See our best lacrosse shafts guide.
Heads up: Battle Lax doesn't stock every shaft on this list. When one isn't available, we point you to the closest carbon shaft they do carry, like the ECD Carbon Pro 4.0, ECD Carbon 4.0 and Warrior Burn XP2.
Quick comparison
| # | Carbon shaft | Position | Drip | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 (Speed & Power) | Attack / Midfield | 5/5 | Pro 4.0 |
| 02 | Maverik Hyperlite | Attack / Midfield | 5/5 | Shafts |
| 03 | StringKing Composite 2 Pro | Attack / Midfield | 4.8/5 | Shafts |
| 04 | Warrior Burn XP Carbon | Attack / Midfield | 4.9/5 | $149.99 |
| 05 | STX Fiber Shafts | Attack / Midfield | 4.8/5 | Shafts |
| 06 | Warrior Evo QX Carbon Attack Shaft | Attack / Midfield | 4.8/5 | Burn XP2 |
| 07 | Warrior Burn XP Carbon Defense | Defense / LSM | 5/5 | Carbon 4.0 D |
| 08 | ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 Defense | Defense / LSM | 5/5 | $199.99 |
| 09 | STX Fiber O Defense | Defense / LSM | 4.9/5 | Admiral 60" |
| 10 | StringKing Composite 2 Pro Defense | Defense / LSM | 4.6/5 | Carbon 4.0 D |
| 11 | Maverik Hyperlite Goalie Shaft | Goalie | 5/5 | Goalie sticks |
| 12 | ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 Goalie Shaft | Goalie | 4.8/5 | Goalie sticks |
| 13 | StringKing Composite 2 Pro Goalie | Goalie | 4.6/5 | Goalie sticks |
Best Carbon Attack Lacrosse Shafts
Attack and middie carbon shafts live and die on release speed and how well they hold up when a pole is slapping at your hands. Here are six worth your money.
01. ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 (Speed & Power) Top pick
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber + Kevlar
- Weight: 5.29 oz (Speed), 5.82 oz (Power)
- Shape: Extreme concave
- Grip/Finish: Raised texture at top of shaft (Speed) & bottom of shaft (Power)
- Colors: Black, White
- Flex: Moderate to high
- Warranty: 6 months
ECD took the best features of the Carbon Pro 2.0 shaft and implemented new features to make the 3.0 even better. It comes in two variations: Speed and Power.
The Speed version, mainly tailored for attackmen, has a higher flex point allowing for a quicker release. It also features a raised texture grip towards the top of the shaft to give you better control with one-handed cradling.
The Power version, mainly tailored for middies and outside shooters, has a lower flex point allowing for more power on outside shots. Its raised texture is towards the bottom of the shaft to give you more control during those outside bombs.
Both shafts are now reinforced with Kevlar, making them even stronger while maintaining a good strength-to-weight ratio. Something else new in the 3.0: they come with a sliding end cap that allows you to move it to where you're most comfortable.
The Carbon Pro 3.0 shafts also come with a new, more concave shape. In my opinion, this gives a much better grip compared to the 2.0 and most other shafts. Both versions have clean designs featuring some text and logos that are barely noticeable on the shaft, in a good way.
On the downside, the Carbon Pro 3.0 shafts are a bit heavier than some other attack and middie shafts. While this helps them hold up over time, you may want to look elsewhere if you have a strong preference for extremely light shafts.
Battle Lax now carries the next generation: the ECD Carbon Pro 4.0 Speed and Carbon Pro 4.0 Power (both $159.99), plus the ECD Carbon 4.0 Attack/Midfield ($124.99).
02. Maverik Hyperlite Lightest
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Weight: 4.8 oz
- Shape: Slight concave
- Grip/Finish: Smooth matte finish
- Colors: White/Black, Black
- Flex: None
- Warranty: 6 months
Next on our list of the best carbon fiber lacrosse shafts is the Maverik Hyperlite. It's one of the lightest shafts on the market today (and the lightest shaft Maverik has ever created), weighing in at only 4.8 oz.
Maverik updated the Hyperlite in October 2022 with a new design and the same great performance as past models.
Unlike some other carbon fiber shafts, the Hyperlite is designed not to flex. If you are used to metal shafts but want to try out a carbon fiber shaft, this may be a good option instead of jumping straight to a shaft designed to flex.
The Hyperlite has a slight concave shape and a matte finish for a smooth feel. It comes in black and white/black, both of which have blue accents and a clean design. One of my favorite parts of the Hyperlite is the adjustable butt end that you can move on the shaft depending on where you prefer it.
If you are looking for a lightweight carbon fiber attack shaft, look no further than the Maverik Hyperlite. It checks all of the boxes when it comes to a great shaft, and there's a reason it's used by countless pro and college players.
Battle Lax doesn't currently list the Hyperlite. For a light, in-stock carbon attack shaft, check the ECD Carbon 4.0 Attack/Midfield ($124.99).
03. StringKing Composite 2 Pro Most durable
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Weight: 4.76 – 6.88 oz
- Shape: Slight concave
- Grip/Finish: Smooth matte finish
- Colors: Black, White
- Flex: None
- Warranty: 6 months
Another carbon fiber shaft makes our list of the best carbon attack shafts: the StringKing Composite 2 Pro, released in October 2022. Like past models, it comes in 4 different variations that differ in weight (from 4.76 oz up to 6.88 oz).
The Composite 2 Pro comes with Smart Taper technology that adds extra material where shafts are typically the most prone to breaking. In our testing, we've found this shaft to be very strong.
The biggest downside of this shaft is the weight of the versions designed for more advanced players (175 g and 195 g). While these aren't super heavy, there are lighter carbon fiber shafts available.
If you're looking for a great carbon fiber shaft that will last for a long time, the StringKing Composite 2 Pro is a great option to consider, especially if you don't mind the extra weight of the more advanced shafts.
Battle Lax doesn't currently list the Composite 2 Pro attack shaft. It does carry the newer StringKing Composite 3 Pro Faceoff ($159.99) for FOGOs, or check the ECD Carbon 4.0 Attack/Midfield for attack.
04. Warrior Burn XP Carbon Most flex
Details
- Material: Carbon composite
- Shape: Octagonal
- Grip/Finish: Dot matrix on bottom half
- Colors: White
- Flex: High
- Warranty: 6 months
The Warrior Burn XP Carbon shaft is another composite attack shaft on our list due to its durability, light weight, and great feel.
If you like flexible shafts, then the Burn XP Carbon is arguably your best bet. The XP stands for “extreme power,” and you can really feel it when shooting. Compared to stiffer shafts, you can feel this shaft flexing as you shoot, helping increase shot power.
There is a dot matrix grip on the bottom half of the shaft that helps reduce the need for tape. Many players have to tape up other shafts to add grip, which makes them heavier, so the Burn XP Carbon's natural grip is a huge plus.
The shaft comes with two end caps: a Warp end cap that provides more leverage when shooting (my personal preference) and a normal end plug that is smaller and lighter.
Overall, if you are a fan of lightweight and flexible carbon shafts, the Warrior Burn XP Carbon is a phenomenal choice.
Battle Lax carries the updated Warrior Burn XP2 Carbon Attack ($149.99), which adds a star matrix grip and a stiffer layup.
05. STX Fiber Shafts Two shapes
Details
- Material: Carbon composite
- Shape: Concave (X) or Octagonal (O)
- Grip/Finish: Targeted grip zones
- Colors: White, Black
- Flex: Moderate
- Warranty: 6 months
Much like the Sc-Ti series, STX also offers multiple shapes in its elite Fiber carbon composite shaft line: X & O. The X shaft has a concave shape that I personally prefer, as I feel like it gives me more feel in my gloves and more leverage. The O shaft has a more traditional octagonal shape that is more rounded than the X.
While the STX Fiber shafts aren't the lightest available, they hold up very well over time and aren't prone to splintering like other carbon fiber shafts. This makes them a great option for attackmen who dodge a lot and middies who need a dependable shaft for both offense and defense.
Another thing that stood out to me with the STX Fiber shafts is the targeted grip zones. These are texturized areas that give you some grip, eliminating the need for tape.
Finally, the Fiber shafts have a moderate amount of flex. It's not as noticeable as the Warrior Burn XP Carbon, but you can definitely feel it a bit when shooting.
Battle Lax doesn't currently list STX Fiber shafts. A similar in-stock carbon option is the Adrenaline Admiral Carbon Fiber 30" ($149.99).
06. Warrior Evo QX Carbon Attack Shaft Stiffest
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Weight: 4.59 oz
- Shape: Concave
- Grip/Finish: Extra grip on important areas
- Colors: White
- Flex: Minimal
- Warranty: 6 months
The Evo QX Carbon Attack is one of Warrior's newer shafts and another great carbon option. It's a hollow carbon fiber shaft that is one of the strongest in the game. Its unique hollow carbon design helps it stay very lightweight at only 4.59 oz (Warrior's lightest shaft ever) without sacrificing durability.
Unlike the Warrior Burn XP Carbon shaft, the Evo QX is very stiff for a carbon fiber shaft, with virtually no flex.
One of my other favorite parts about this shaft is the Tactical Grip located on key areas of the shaft to provide more grip. Best of all, this extra grip is designed not to tear up your gloves as we've seen with some other gritty shafts.
The Evo QX Carbon Attack shaft comes in a clean white design with light blue accents. It's by far one of the best-looking shafts in the game and is sure to look great with your head of choice.
Battle Lax doesn't currently list the Evo QX Carbon. Its in-stock Warrior carbon shaft is the Warrior Burn XP2 Carbon Attack ($149.99).
Best Carbon Defense Lacrosse Shafts
Carbon D poles give you flex on clears and checks without the dings and dents of metal. These four hold up to a full season of takeaways.
01. Warrior Burn XP Carbon Defense Top pick
Details
- Material: Carbon composite
- Shape: Traditional octagonal
- Grip/Finish: Matte finish, dot matrix grip
- Colors: White
- Warranty: 6 months
Released in October 2021, the Warrior Burn XP Carbon Defense is one of the best shafts for both defensemen and LSMs currently available. It is designed to strategically flex to provide more power on shots and long passes as well as checks.
If you like how it feels when your pole flexes (which typically only happens with carbon fiber shafts), then you'll definitely like the Burn XP Carbon.
Another great thing is the dot matrix grip that gives you a good feel of the shaft in your gloves but won't tear them up like many other shafts with rougher grips. This reduces the need for tape, which can weigh your shaft down.
The Burn XP Carbon Defense comes with two end caps that you can switch out based on your preference: a larger one that provides more leverage for checks, passes, and shots, and a lighter one if you don't want the extra weight.
Overall, if you are a fan of lightweight and flexible carbon D poles, the Warrior Burn XP Carbon is a phenomenal choice.
Battle Lax doesn't currently list the Burn XP Carbon Defense. The closest in-stock carbon pole is the ECD Carbon 4.0 Defense ($199.99).
02. ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 Defense Low kick point
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber + Kevlar
- Shape: Concave
- Grip/Finish: Matte finish + raised texture
- Colors: White, Black
- Warranty: 6 months
ECD took the best features of the Carbon Pro 2.0 shaft and implemented new features to make the 3.0 even better. The Carbon Pro 3.0 Defense is now reinforced with Kevlar, making it even stronger while maintaining an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Something else new in the 3.0 is a sliding end cap that allows you to move it to where you're most comfortable.
The Carbon Pro 3.0 Defense features a low kick point that gives an extra bit of flex on passes and shots, a great feature that not many D shafts have.
Both the white and black versions have clean designs featuring some text and logos that are barely noticeable on the shaft, in a good way. There is also a raised texture towards the bottom of the shaft to give you some extra grip while eliminating the need for tape, which can weigh your stick down.
Overall, the ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 Defense is a great, durable shaft for any defenseman or LSM who prefers carbon fiber. There's a reason elite pros like Matt Dunn were using it before it was released to the public.
Battle Lax now carries the newer ECD Carbon 4.0 Defense ($199.99), which ECD rebuilt for more durability.
03. STX Fiber O Defense Won't splinter
Details
- Material: Carbon composite
- Shape: Octagonal (traditional)
- Grip/Finish: Targeted grip zones
- Colors: White, Black
- Warranty: 6 months
STX makes a second appearance on our list of the best carbon fiber defense lacrosse shafts with its elite carbon shaft: the Fiber O Defense.
The Fiber O shaft has a more traditional octagonal shape with targeted grip zones that give you a better feel of the shaft and reduce the need for tape.
While the STX Fiber O Defense shaft isn't the lightest available, it holds up very well over time and isn't prone to splintering like other carbon fiber shafts. This makes it a great option for both defensemen who are constantly laying checks and LSMs who carry the ball in transition.
The Fiber shafts have a moderate amount of flex. It's not as noticeable as the Warrior Burn XP Carbon, but you can definitely feel it a bit on hard passes and shots.
Battle Lax doesn't currently list the Fiber O Defense. A similar in-stock carbon pole is the Adrenaline Admiral Carbon Fiber 60" ($224.99).
04. StringKing Composite 2 Pro Defense Least flex
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Weight: 12.70 – 14.11 oz
- Shape: Slight concave
- Grip/Finish: Smooth
- Colors: Black, White
- Warranty: 6 months
If you are a StringKing fan but prefer a carbon shaft, the Composite 2 Pro Defense is a solid choice (literally). It has very little flex for a composite shaft and unmatched impact resistance.
Released in October 2022, the updated version of the popular Composite Pro Defense still features Smart Taper technology to optimize the balance of the shaft while adding strength where the weakest points usually are.
Like the original Composite Pro Defense, the Composite 2 Pro Defense comes in two weights: 360 g and 400 g. If you are a younger player (15 and under), we recommend going with the lighter version, and vice versa for those 16 and up.
Unlike a lot of other shafts, the StringKing Composite 2 Pro Defense doesn't have much grip. Instead, it has a smoother feel. In addition, it features the same (very nice looking) minimalistic design as the Metal 3 shafts.
StringKing has really pushed toward the front of the crowd when it comes to shafts, and the Composite 2 Pro Defense is no exception. If you want a clean carbon fiber shaft without the flex that most come with, you can't go wrong with this pole.
Battle Lax doesn't currently list the Composite 2 Pro Defense. The closest in-stock carbon pole is the ECD Carbon 4.0 Defense ($199.99).
Best Carbon Goalie Lacrosse Shafts
In the cage, a lighter shaft means faster hands to the ball. These three carbon handles keep you quick on the high-to-low save.
01. Maverik Hyperlite Goalie Shaft Top pick
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Shape: Slight concave
- Grip/Finish: Smooth matte finish
- Colors: Black, White
- Flex: None
- Warranty: 6 months
We start off our list of the best goalie shafts with the Maverik Hyperlite. It's one of the lightest shafts on the market today and the lightest shaft Maverik has ever created.
Having a light shaft is essential for goalies. The lighter your shaft, the faster you can move your hands to make saves. This, combined with its strength, makes the Hyperlite our top shaft for goalies.
Unlike some other carbon fiber shafts, the Hyperlite is designed not to flex. If you are used to metal shafts but want to try out a carbon fiber shaft, this may be a good option instead of jumping straight to a shaft designed to flex.
The Hyperlite has a slight concave shape and a matte finish for a smooth feel. It comes in black and white, both of which have blue accents and a checkered pattern on some (white) or all (black) parts of the shaft. One of my favorite parts of the Hyperlite is the adjustable butt end that you can move on the shaft depending on where you prefer it.
If you are looking for a lightweight carbon fiber goalie shaft, look no further than the Maverik Hyperlite. It checks all of the boxes, and there's a reason it's used by countless pro and college goalies.
Battle Lax doesn't carry standalone goalie shafts right now. Check their goalie sticks for a complete setup, or browse men's shafts.
02. ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 Goalie Shaft Built-in top-hand grip
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber composite
- Length: 36″
- Weight: 5.64 oz
- Shape: Concave
- Grip/Finish: Raised texture top third of shaft
- Colors: White, Black
- Warranty: 6 months
If you are a goalie who prefers composite shafts, you can't go wrong with the Carbon Pro 3.0 Goalie shaft from ECD, released in 2022. It is very light and should have no problem holding up even when deflecting the hardest of shots. If for some reason it does break, there is also a 6-month warranty allowing you to get a replacement.
The Carbon Pro 3.0 Goalie features a mid kick point and Flex8 technology to allow you to effortlessly make outlet passes. It also has a textured grip on the top third of the shaft to give you better control when trying to make saves.
We've found this to be one of the best parts about the Carbon Pro 3.0 Goalie compared to other shafts. You won't need any tape thanks to the built-in grip for your top hand.
Battle Lax doesn't carry standalone goalie shafts right now. Check their goalie sticks or the ECD Carbon 4.0 Attack/Midfield if you play a 30″ handle in the cage.
03. StringKing Composite 2 Pro Goalie Smoothest finish
Details
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Length: 36″
- Weight: 5.01 – 5.71 oz
- Shape: Slight concave
- Grip/Finish: Smooth
- Colors: Black, White
- Warranty: 6 months
StringKing also offers a composite shaft line, and the goalie version is our favorite. The Composite 2 Pro line is even better than the original.
The StringKing Composite 2 Pro comes in the same weights as the Metal 3 Pro: 142 grams for those 14 & under and 162 grams for those over 14. You also have the choice between black and white, and it features similar minimalistic decals to the Metal 3 Pro shafts.
If you prefer a shaft with a smoother grip, then the Composite 2 Pro is a great choice due to its smoother finish than many of the other options on this list.
The Composite 2 Pro Goalie uses Smart Taper technology that increases strength at the points that are typically checked the most and are most prone to damage while reducing weight as much as possible.
If you go with the StringKing Composite 2 Pro Goalie, you can rest assured that it will hold up well without slowing you down.
Battle Lax doesn't carry standalone goalie shafts right now. Check their goalie sticks for a complete setup.
See it live
Want to see our top pick on the field? Here's a full Carbon Pro 3.0 review from YouTube.
More carbon shaft videos:
- ECD Carbon Pro 4.0 Lacrosse Shaft Review
- Warrior Burn XP2 Carbon Shaft
- Maverik Hyperlite Carbon Fiber Shaft
Pros & Cons of Carbon Lacrosse Shafts
- Typically lighter than metal shafts. The main reason people opt for a carbon fiber shaft is that it's typically lighter than metal with similar (or better) durability in many cases.
- May add speed to your shot. Carbon fiber shafts usually flex more than metal, giving you more power on shots and hard passes. It may not be super noticeable, but you may find a few extra miles per hour on your shot.
- Usually stronger. Whereas metal shafts often form dings and dents over time, carbon fiber shafts almost never do, and they tend to last longer.
- Grip. It's easier for companies to add textures to carbon shafts. Instead of taping up a metal shaft (adding weight), carbon shafts are often good to go as they are.
- More prone to catastrophic failure. Carbon shafts don't bend or get dings, but they are more likely to fail outright (such as snapping in half). You can keep using a dinged metal shaft; once a carbon shaft splinters, it's done.
- May feel odd. Carbon shafts can feel weird at first, especially coming from metal. Since most have solid cores, the weight distribution can feel a bit funky.
How to Choose a Carbon Fiber Lacrosse Shaft
When it comes to deciding which carbon fiber shaft is best for you, there are a variety of factors to consider. Some are more obvious than others, but the most essential aspects to take into consideration are the shaft's durability, weight, and grip.
Durability
Debatably the most important factor is the shaft's durability, as the absolute last thing you want to do is pour your hard-earned money into a low-quality shaft. Carbon fiber shafts require advanced technology to perform well. For this reason, we recommend looking into the most elite options (as highlighted above) instead of cheaper carbon fiber shafts that are more prone to breaking. It's also important to read customer reviews (as we've done to create this guide) to see how different shafts hold up over time.
Weight
Weight is another important factor, as no one wants to lug around a heavy shaft that slows down their dodges, passes, shots, and checks. You also don't want a shaft so light that it doesn't have great strength. When deciding on a shaft weight, take into account how much weight you can carry comfortably and how physical you play. If you get checked a lot or lay hard checks all game, a heavier option may hold up better over time. Many companies, such as StringKing, offer varying weights based on your age and level of play. Chasing ounces? See the lightest lacrosse heads and shafts.
Grip
The final point to consider is the grip. Many people overlook the grip of the stick itself, but it's an essential part of your game that should not be neglected. It can seriously affect your comfort and, therefore, overall performance. While you can always add tape to a shaft to enhance the grip, this adds weight that could slow you down. Luckily, many carbon fiber shafts come with textures that give you a solid grip without the need for tape.
Lacrosse Shaft Size Chart
Here are the most common regulation shaft sizes by position. Note that “Adult” refers to high school and higher.
| Position | Adult shaft length |
|---|---|
| Attack | 30″ |
| Midfield | 30″ |
| Defense / LSM | 60″ |
| Goalie | 30″–40″ |
Read more: Standard Lacrosse Shaft Lengths and what makes a lacrosse stick illegal.
How We Rate Lacrosse Shafts
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, strength, material, grip, etc.), and read customer reviews/talk to lacrosse players we know who use the product.
When testing lacrosse shafts, specifically, we weigh the shafts, feel them in gloves (for both grip from the shape of the shaft and the texture of the finish), shoot with them to understand how they flex, and check them with another stick to see how they hold up.
When it's not possible to extensively test a product ourselves, we spend extra time talking to real customers who have used the product for a while. 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!
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