Best Lacrosse Cleats for Performance & Safety [2019]

• How We Decided

  14 products considered

  • 2000+ reviews analysed, 19 research hours spent, 10+ info. sources referred

  More about our Methodology

Like many other sports, lacrosse requires specialized footwear known as lacrosse cleats. If you are new to the sport you might be wondering why you can’t wear just any old pair of cleats rather than a pair of lacrosse-specific cleats.

The simple answer is lacrosse cleats allow you to cut, jump, sprint, shoot, and dodge.

The best lacrosse cleats are going to lightweight and durable and will provide your feet with the support they need during gameplay.

Benefits of using the Right Cleats

The biggest benefit to using the right cleats is it allows you to be at the top of your game. The right cleats will provide you with the traction you need for the specific conditions you are playing in.

As lacrosse cleats fit similar to running shoes, you want to purchase the same size cleat as your running shoe.

The right cleats will only have about a half an inch between the top of the shoe and your first and second toe.

The extra space is needed to prevent rubbing or jamming when you stop and pivot suddenly on the field.

When it comes to using the right lacrosse cleats you have the choice between molded lacrosse cleats or lacrosse turf shoes.

The molded lacrosse cleats are a traditional style of the cleat and offer either rounded or blades studs, some will offer a combination of both.

Traditionally molded cleats are the ideal choice for wet and muddy conditions. Lacrosse turf shoes use small nubs that are designed especially for digging into the turf.

Turf shoes provide excellent traction on turf even if the turf is wet, but will not work very well in muddy conditions.

Molded lacrosse cleats can also be used on turf, but do not provide good traction on the wet turf.

Comparison of the Top Lacrosse Cleats in the Market Today

Here is a quick comparison of the top cleats in the market –

Product	USP	Colors	Price
Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Best for Men	Carbon fiber plate that Provides Exceptional Traction	White with many Colors	Check Price
Under Armour Women's Lax Highlight MC Lacrosse Shoe Best for Women	Interior foam cushioning built	White -Metallic Gold	Check Price
Under Armour Men's Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe Runners Up	Molded 4D Foam footbed	White,Black, Metallic Silver	Check Price
New Balance Men’s Freeze v1	Exploweave	White, Red, Blue	Check Price
ASICS Men's GEL-Provost Mid Lacrosse Cleat	Removable insole	White, Black Silver	Check Price
Warrior Men's 2nd Degree 3	Medial Cork screw Studs Deflect Field Turf	White, Black, Red	Check Price
Under Armour Men's Banshee Mid MC	Engineered Synthetic Material Covers the toe box	White,Red,Black, Metallic Silver	Check Price
Under Armour Women's Lax Finisher	Patterned rubber outsole	White and Black	Check Price
Under Armour Men's Spotlight Mc Lacrosse	High rebound SuperFoam insole	White with 8 Different Colors	Check Price

Why You Need the Right Lacrosse Cleats

One of the things many people don’t realize is that the good lacrosse cleats are going to help you make an impression on the field. When it comes to the right lacrosse cleats you can find a wide range of men’s and women’s cleats in a range of prices. If you are in the market for new cleats you might have a hard time finding the right lacrosse cleats because everybody foot is different.

What works for you, might not work for others. However, if you want to find the right lacrosse cleats for you there are a few things you need to be aware of.

Lacrosse Cleat Height

When it comes to the height of your lacrosse cleats you will need to determine what height works best for you. Height is a matter of personal preference.

In terms of height, you have three choices: high, mid, and low. Each height has its own benefits.

High Lacrosse Cleats

These cleats are designed with support in mind.

High lacrosse cleats are ideal for people who are prone to ankle injuries as the support they provide lowers the risk of ankle injuries without affecting your ability to pivot, run, or cut.

The design of the high top lacrosse cleat allows the laces and heel to come over the top of the foot up to just under the calf to give the ankle stability.

Mid cleats

Mid height cleats are kind of the in-between of cleats. They are designed to provide a happy medium of support and flexibility.

They do offer some protection to prevent the ankle from rolling but are cut low enough that you have a bit more freedom when it comes to moving your ankle.

Mid cleats come to just above your ankle and are perfect for people who want good ankle support but can’t deal with how high top cleats fit.

Low Cleats

These cleats are designed for lacrosse players who are used to sports like soccer where their ankle has plenty of freedom to move.

The low cut cleats are ideal for those who are not prone to ankle injuries. These cleats sit similar to soccer cleats on the foot and provide the most flexibility of all other lacrosse cleats.

They are also the most lightweight of the three choices because they use less material.

Cleat Stiffness

Good lacrosse cleats are going to last through the season, you want something durable enough that won’t rip halfway through due to cutting too hard or fast.

The right lacrosse cleats will keep up with you, but at the same time, you don’t want something too stiff. Lacrosse cleats are designed today to provide players with plenty of flexibility and movement.

The game relies on a player’s ability to plant, twist and cut at a moment’s notice, so the shoes need to be able to keep up with that demand without falling apart.

Support and stability without losing speed is vital with lacrosse cleats. Cleats with a plated outsole provide maximum support with just enough flex.

Lacrosse cleats should not be able to be bent in half, you need something that offers some flex with some resistance. Cleats that can bend in half will contribute to sore and tired feet during the game.

Cleat Materials

Good quality lacrosse cleats for you will be lightweight and streamlined based on our personal preferences. No longer do you have to worry about bulky, ill-fitting, or heavy cleats.

Lacrosse cleats are now lighter in weight and add to your ability to be agile on the field. The best lacrosse cleats will add to your ability on the field and will allow you to become the fastest player you can be.

As lacrosse is played outdoors you are going to experience different kinds of weather based on where you live. You need to opt for lacrosse cleats that use materials that repel or resist water.

You want something that won’t allow rain or snow to soak through the shoes to get your feet wet. A synthetic outer material goes a long way to keeping your feet dry.

The most lightweight materials that also offer some kind of water resistant are leather and synthetics. You want to steer clear of foam padded materials as they tend to absorb water.

Finding the Right Fit

Luckily most lacrosse cleats fit true to size, so you will wear the same size cleat as you would a shoe. Finding the right fit isn’t hard, but there are a few things to look for.

You want about half an inch between the top of the shoe and your first two toes. This space prevents your toes from jamming into the top of the shoe or rubbing the shoe.

Look for cleats that offer reinforced shoelace holes to help prevent tearing from lacing the cleats up tightly. If your old cleats were to small go up half a size.

Turf or Molded Lacrosse Cleats

When it comes to the best lacrosse cleats you have the choice between lacrosse turf shoes or the traditionally molded lacrosse cleats.

Both are great options and are designed to provide you with maximum traction. The style you want will depend on what is best for your game.

If you normally play on turf you will want the lacrosse turf shoes as they have nubs that increase your traction as they grab into the turf.

Molded lacrosse cleats are perfect for playing outdoors in muddy or wet conditions, as the molded tips dig deep into the ground for the improved traction.

While molded lacrosse cleats can be used on turf, they aren’t as stable on wet turf conditions.

Types of Lacrosse Cleats

In terms of the types of lacrosse cleats, you have men’s, women’s, and kids lacrosse cleats. Lacrosse cleats are sized similar to running shoes, as they usually fit true to size.

What this means for you is your lacrosse cleats should be the same size as your current running shoe. Most people find that buying the same size cleats as their regular shoes gives them a perfect fit each time.

The biggest difference in the types of lacrosse cleats, aside from traditional sizing, is the design. With lacrosse cleats, you have low-cut, mid-cut, and high-cut cleats.

Low-cut cleats are similar to a running shoe in looks and offer very limited ankle protection. Their lightweight design makes them an excellent choice for on the field.

Mid-cut provides a bit more ankle support than low-cut, so there are fewer issues with ankle injuries.

Mid-cut shoes are also lightweight enough to allow for fast pivots on the field. High-cut cleats provide the most protection and support for your ankles but do weight more.

Different cleats offer different styles of studs. The studs are located on the bottom of the cleats and dig into the ground to give you traction.

With lacrosse cleats, you have the choice between rounded and bladed studs. Rounded studs are conical in shape and are ideal for wet or muddy ground.

Lacrosse cleats often have four rounded studs on the rear outsole and anywhere from six to ten on the forefoot.

Bladed studs look like small blades and are placed in different directions along the outsole to provide traction for different movements.

Some cleats offer rounded and bladed studs to make movement easier in all conditions. Lacrosse turf shoes use small nubs on the outer sole that are designed to dig into turf rather than ground.

A good pair of cleats can give you an unparalleled advantage in a game by giving you a burst of speed. By providing you with traction, support, and flexibility, they improve your range of motion, your ability to make cuts, and protect your feet from injuries.

This list of cleats has some of the most well-tested and well-rated cleats around. They are mostly for men, although many reviewers state that they bought the men’s cleats for their daughters.

That being said, you’ll also find a couple of women’s cleats as well so there’s something for everyone.

Reviews of the Best Lacrosse Cleats

Here are the Reviews of the top Lacrosse Cleats available in the Market

Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3

The first pair of cleats on this list is a bit unusual, a pair of football cleats: the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3.

Despite being made for football, they excel at providing you the kind of support you need for lacrosse as well.

It is made of mesh and synthetic skins which are manufactured to give you a lightweight and flexible upper.

The synthetic textiles are also meant to make these shoes very breathable. The sock liner is present to give you low-profile comfort.

It has a one-piece knit bootie construction so that it wraps around your ankle for the perfect fit so that it doesn’t move around under your foot.

It has a carbon fiber plate at the bottom that is designed to improve take-off and gives you exceptional speed. The 14-cleat layout is meant to improve traction and strength without slowing you down.

They are strategically arranged so that you can change directions or speed without any resistance.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

Under Armour Men’s Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe

This top of the line lacrosse shoe by Under Armour is one of the most popular cleats available and it’s not hard to see why: it has a huge number of design features and technological innovations that go into making it.

It is a high cleat, which means it’ll give you great ankle support, and has a shaft that measures 7 inches from the arch.

Read: Best Lacrosse Shafts

It is constructed from lightweight material that is meant to follow the contours of your foot for unparalleled support. Its ClutchFit upper is meant to wrap around your foot, making it feel like a second skin.

The eyebrow has an extended cut-out design that is meant to make the show more flexible for when you need to change direction.

It also makes it easier to put on. The tongue has been 3D molded to custom form to your foot for further protection.

As for the bottom of the shoe, it features Under Armour’s molded 4D Foam footbed that conforms to your foot’s shape.

This lets it absorb cleat pressure and minimize the chances of slippage. Special V56 technology in the forefoot of the shoe is meant to limit toe hyperextension when you try to get a grip while running.

Finally, the UA PlasmaX plate at the bottom is meant to enhance and power the natural movement of your foot so that you get the maximum possible traction and stability.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

New Balance Men’s Freeze

This is another one of the most popular cleats for lacrosse out there. It is a mid-cleat with an upper made entirely of synthetic textile.

It features the Exploweave technology used by Warrior, which is owned by New Balance. This prevents upper stretching and wears without reducing the flexibility that the shoe affords you.

The base lugs at the bottom are designed to give you great underfoot traction while simultaneously providing unmatched rotational release.

It also features New Balance’s unique Quixrail technology. In this technology, the lugs are designed to mirror the cuts made by lacrosse athletes for improved, targeted traction.

The dual-density molded TPU plate at the bottom is meant to give you the perfect blend of flexibility, traction, and stability. The insole is removable in case you need to insert orthotics.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

ASICS Men’s GEL-Provost Mid Lacrosse Cleat

This shoe by ASICS has a synthetic leather and mesh upper which are meant to make it lightweight and breathable while also enhancing the fit.

It has a removable insole as well as a removable sock liner that can be removed in case you need to place orthotics in it. The insole is also moisture-absorbent and made of breathable material.

It is, in fact, a great shoe for people with foot problems. The supple upper comes padded with large amounts of cushioning, particularly at the tongue and higher collar for ankle support.

The toe is reinforced to protect against abrasion and impacts.

It has a 10mm head-toe gradient that redistributes the weight on your feet to reduce strain.

Finally, it uses ASICS’s signature gel cushioning in the rearfoot region for maximum shock absorption.

It uses ASICS’ Solyte 55 long-lasting material at the base for a soft yet stable platform feel. The cleats are also made of this material for lightweight traction.

The super lightweight multifunctional cleat plate is designed to also boost your stability.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

Warrior Men’s 2nd Degree 3

These shoes by Warrior Lacrosse are designed to give you high-quality traction on a budget. It has a synthetic, double pass upper that is meant for rugged use.

A VaporTek liner on the inside is meant for moisture-management by wicking away excess moisture to keep feet dry.

The cleats are also designed with the triad-flex system that uses 3 rip-stop prongs in the forefoot to give a better fit and more flexibility to the shoe.

The mid-high design provides a decent amount of ankle support.

The elevated TPU present in the lateral and medial forefoot and heel bolsters the overall support and reinforces stability as well as traction.

The corkscrew studs located in the bottom medial area are meant to take on turf and deflect field turf beads during roll-specific movements.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

Under Armour Men’s Banshee Mid MC

These Banshee cleats are another great pair made by Under Armour for men. They are mid-cleats that give you ankle support with the help of a neoprene ankle collar that also ensures a secure fit.

The mesh tongue of the shoe provides your feet with ventilation and keeps them cool.

The upper is woven and made with TPU-coated yarns for excellent stability and support while remaining lightweight. The woven construction also means that it fits your foot like a sock.

The toe box is covered with a separately engineered synthetic material for durability.

The structure of the shoe consists of a PU support cage build which locks the midfoot into place to prevent slipping and gives support to your feet while making lateral movements.

Under Armour’s 4D footbed is also present in this shoe and is meant to hug the contours of your feet for optimal comfort and reduction of cleat pressure.

The bottom of the shoe features a molded TPU plate that combines low weight with traction on a number of different surfaces.

You also get secondary cleats for particularly sharp cuts and to boost acceleration.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

Under Armour Women’s Lax Highlight MC Lacrosse Shoe

These shows are the women’s version of the men’s Under Armour Highlight shoes mentioned above.

The cleat is designed to be extremely light and bring out your natural agility and speed through its streamlined design.

It has Under Armour’s ClutchFit upper that wraps around your foot, basically giving you a supportive second skin for added power to your strides.

The material used is specially made to form itself according to the contours of your foot for a great feel and fit.

The cleat itself is a mid-high cleat that features a shaft that rises 5.5 inches above the arch of the foot.

Interior foam cushioning around the ankle provides a further support mechanism while also keeping the heel in place.

The bottom uses Under Armour’s molded 4D Foam footbed that is meant to hug the shape of your foot to reduce the chances of slippage.

The foam also acts as great shock absorption against cleat pressure. The special Corespeed chassis at the bottom is meant to enhance the foot’s natural motion and propensity for flexibility and speed.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Mc Lacrosse

These cleats are built primarily with stealth and speed in mind. The woven upper is meant to be lightweight so that it doesn’t weigh you down.

Its sock-like fit is provided by woven-in TPU-coated yarns that give the support needed for explosive movements.

It has a full-length mid-cleat bootie construction which includes a molded ankle collar. This provides support.

The heel and toe box come reinforced by TPU for protection against impacts and the SuperFoam insole is meant to provide high-rebound shock absorption during high-impact movements.

The bottom consists of a supremely lightweight speed plate made of BZM and TPU for stability and strength.

This coupled with the strategically placed bladed and conical studs gives an improved braking ability.

It also improves multi-directional movements and sharp cuts, which are also helped by the secondary cleats.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

Under Armour Women’s Lax Finisher

The final set of cleats on this list are for women: the Lax Finishers by Under Armour. It’s a mid-cleat that is engineered with a synthetic upper meant to be both light and durable.

It has a die-cut EVA sock liner that is built into it for better underfoot comfort. The liner also reduces underfoot cleat pressure.

The ankle-hugging CompFit sleeve is meant to give you a snug feel along with the support you need when going for that extra burst of speed.

The bottom consists of a Corespeed chassis that is meant to enhance the foot’s natural motion, giving you better flexibility, acceleration, and mobility.

It has a patterned rubber outsole which incorporates mini-lugs. This gives it excellent grip and traction for artificial turf and dry natural surfaces.

Check Reviews & Price on Amazon

Final Word

The cleats on this list have stood the test of user popularity as well as satisfaction, so you can’t really go wrong with any of them.

Just pick the ones which play to your strengths and minimize your weaknesses and you’ll be ready to dominate the game.

Here is the list of top lacrosse cleats again for you. Check out the specifications, reviews, price and offers at Amazon –

• Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 – Best for Men
• Under Armour Women’s Lax Highlight MC Lacrosse Shoe – Best for Women
• Under Armour Men’s Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe
• New Balance Men’s Freeze v1
• ASICS Men’s GEL-Provost Mid Lacrosse Cleat
• Warrior Men’s 2nd Degree 3
• Under Armour Men’s Banshee Mid MC
• Under Armour Women’s Lax Finisher
• Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Mc Lacrosse

Last update on 2019-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last Updated on May 2, 2019