7 Best Lacrosse Shafts For Middies In 2023
If you’re a midfielder, you need a lacrosse shaft that is tough yet lightweight. The best lacrosse shafts for middies are strong, so you can cradle the ball through traffic, D up offensive players, and improve your shooting power. They are also lightweight, so you can pass, shoot, and dodge quickly. Thanks to new, innovative technology, the best midfield lacrosse shafts are improving upon this strength to weight ratio. When paired with the best midfield lacrosse heads, you can elevate your game to the next level. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best lacrosse shafts for midfielders and break down how they can amplify your style of play.
What are the Best Midfield Lacrosse Shafts?
- ECD Carbon MTX – Best Overall
- Epoch Dragonfly Elite II – Best for Two-Way Middies
- STX Shift Sci-Ti – Best Value
- STX Sci-Ti X – Best for D-Middies & Faceoffs
- Nike Vapor Composite – Best for Offensive Middies
- TRUE Zerolyte Composite – Best for Young Players (U14)
- Warrior Burn Lite Carbon – Best for Beginners
Our Pick
ECD Carbon MTX
This shaft is designed specifically for two-way midfielders who need a durable, lightweight shaft that won’t break. It includes high-end Textreme technology, which is an ultra-light, strong carbon fiber material.
Highlights
- 20% lighter than typical carbon fiber shafts
- Used by professional player Bryan Costabile
- Built specifically for two-way midfielders
- Reinforced strength that prevents micro cracks
Pricing
Higher end price point
Bottom Line
While there are plenty of lacrosse shafts designed for attackmen, defenders, and goalies, you won’t find too many shafts specifically built for midfielders. The ECD Carbon MTX is one of those rare exceptions. It is lightweight, yet extremely strong and durable, which is fantastic for midfielders who play physical defense, and take big step-down shots on offense. If you’re looking for the best of the best for middies, the Carbon MTX is for you.
Epoch Dragonfly Elite II C30 IQ5 Lacrosse Shaft
Overview
The Epoch Dragonfly Elite II is showcased by professional midfielders like Tom Schreiber, Jules Heningburg, and Connor Fields. Its intelligent weave technology is designed to stabilize the hands and push energy towards the head of the stick when passing or shooting. Epoch designs their shafts along a flex iQ range of 1 to 10 (stiff to soft). This iQ5 shaft provides a hybrid flex to versatile players who need to get up and down field and play multiple roles for their team.
Highlights
- Used by PLL midfielders
- IQ5 (mid-flex)
- Intelligent weave tech makes passing easier
- Smooth, matte micro-grip
Price
High end price point
Bottom Line
The Epoch Dragonfly Elite II is constructed for two-way midfielders who like to D up opponents on defense and take hard step-down shots on offense. Due to the versatility of this shaft, it is the preferred weapon of choice for elite two-way midfielders at the high school, college, and pro level. Physical midfielders need a durable shaft they can rely on. Bottom line. But it also has to be relatively lightweight to perform well on offense. Epoch blends the best of both worlds with the Dragonfly Elite II.
STX Shift Sci-Ti Lacrosse Shaft
Overview
The Shift Sci-Ti shaft features a unique grip handle where one side has more prominent concave grooves than the other. This allows you to orient the shaft in a direction that fits the look and feel of what you prefer.
Highlights
- Dual-grip profile (two grip options)
- Lightweight allow
- Mild sandblast finish for adequate grip in different weather conditions
Price
Very affordable – packs a ton of value for this price point.
Bottom Line
The STX Shift Sci-Ti lacrosse shaft is the best budget-friendly shaft for midfielders. Originally priced north of $130, this shaft has come down significantly in price in the past year. Its dual-grip design gives you two options to orient the stick. In other words, before screwing a head onto this shaft, spin the shaft 180 degrees in your hands to see which side feels more comfortable.
STX Sci-Ti X Lacrosse Shaft
Overview
The STX SC-Ti X is a scandium, titanium alloy that offers a balanced relationship of weight and durability. It features an X-grip profile which optimizes your finger placement, and makes it easy to control the shaft. The max sandblast finish provides non-slip surface in all weather conditions
Highlights
- Good relationship of strength and weight
- X-grip profile
- Max sandblast finish for non-slip in all weather conditions
- New elite end cap for a durable alternative to tape
Pricing
Mid to high price
Bottom Line
The STX SC Ti X is a strong and durable shaft that can stand up to the rigors of playing the midfield position. The X-grip profile is a player-favorite because it helps kids of all ages grip the stick without any issues. Due to the strength, durability, and lack of “bend” in this shaft, it is a top weapon of choice for defensive middies and players who take faceoffs.
Nike Vapor Composite
Overview
The Nike Vapor Composite lacrosse shaft is a high-performance carbon shaft featuring a super clean aesthetic. Some younger players struggle to bend a a carbon shaft when shooting (bending adds torque and power to your shot). Nike took a different route with the flex of this shaft. They made it slightly easier to bend as you shoot, helping add a few extra MPH to your shot.
Highlights
- Reduced weight
- Targeted flex point (bends for hard shots)
- Textured finish and secure grip
Pricing
Mid-high end price point.
Bottom Line
This shaft is superb for offensive-minded midfielders looking to add a little extra speed to their shot. Its reduced weight and targeted flex point makes this stick feel weightless; allowing you to dodge quickly and shoot smoothly without a hitch.
TRUE Zerolyte Composite Shaft
Overview
The TRUE Zerolyte Composite is an ultralight composite shaft built for midfielders who like to shoot, dodge, and cradle on the run. It comes with a fine texture finish, giving you a slightly rough surface to help maintain your grip on the stick.
Highlights
- One of the lightest composite shafts on the market
- 15% lighter and 4% stronger than other TRUE lacrosse shafts
- Great for young players
- Durable: built to absorb checks
Pricing
Mid-range price point
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the perfect shaft for a young player (under 14 years old), this is the lacrosse shaft to choose. It’s very lightweight, durable, and features a subtle, textured grip finish. Lightweight shafts make it much easier for players to shoot, pass, and carry the ball. At the same time, it is constructed with PowerFLX technology, which allows the shaft to absorb checks without breaking.
Warrior Burn Lite Carbon Lacrosse Shaft
Overview
The Warrior Burn Lite is a lacrosse shaft built for speedy midfielders. It’s a lightweight shaft that maintains durability.
Highlights
- Ultra-lightweight
- Budget friendly price
- Weather-resistant grip
Pricing
Very affordable – packs a ton of value for this price point.
Bottom Line
If you’re a new player looking for a solid, budget-friendly lacrosse shaft that is lightweight and durable (which is ideal for midfielders), the Warrior Burn Lite is a fantastic option.
What Material Should I Choose For My Lacrosse Shaft?
There are several key differences between the materials used to construct lacrosse shafts. It’s important to keep these tips in mind when choosing:
Composite Shafts
Composite lacrosse shafts are drawn from carbon fiber material, making them sturdy and lightweight. The carbon fiber finish on a lacrosse shaft is also highly comfortable to grip with your hands. Composite shafts are exceptional for offensive-minded midfielders because of their ability to “flex” when shooting, adding extra velocity to your shot.
A composite is a mixture of material – usually some sort of matrix and a reinforcement material. Because the “recipe” can be adjusted, composites can be tuned to different levels of stiffness and flexibility.
Aluminum Alloy Shafts
Alloy shafts are one of the most common materials material types you will find amongst lacrosse shafts. They are lightweight, maintain decent strength, and come in at a much more affordable price point than other material types.
Scandium Shafts
Scandium shafts are a step up from alloy shafts in terms of material quality. Scandium is an enhanced alloy that has a better strength to weight ratio than aluminum alloy shafts.
Titanium Shafts
Titanium shafts are built for strength. This was once the “go-to” material for elite shafts, but has been largely replaced by lighter weight shafts like scandium enhanced alloys.
Wooden Shafts
Once upon a time wooden lacrosse shafts were the universal material of the lacrosse world. They are known for this smooth finish and traditional feel. Because of their heavier weight, they have largely been replaced by lighter metal shafts.
FAQ
What is the lightest lax shaft?
The Nike Vapor Composite is one of the lightest lacrosse shafts for midfielders, and the TRUE Zerolyte Composite is one of the lightest lacrosse shafts for U14 players.
What is the best material for lacrosse shafts?
This is something largely up to personal preference, however the most popular lacrosse shafts are certainly carbon fiber/composite and metal alloy shafts.
Carbon fiber and composite shafts have an excellent strength to weight ratio that allows the stick to “flex” as you shoot, making for a faster shot. Composites also have a nice grip textured finish. Metal and alloy shafts do not flex as much, but are lightweight, decently sturdy, and have a smooth finish.
But it’s not just about offense! If you take faceoffs or play defensive middie, it’s important to find a shaft (like defense lacrosse shafts) that feature strength and durability.
What is the best middie lacrosse shaft for beginners?
The best middie lacrosse shaft for beginners is the Warrior Burn Lite because it is lightweight, durable, and comes in at an affordable price point for beginners still learning the game of lacrosse.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a lacrosse shaft, it’s important to consider your style of play. Are you an offensive middie, defensive middie, FOGO, or two-way middie playing both ends of the field? Offensive middies tend to prefer lighter shafts that flex during the shot like the ECD Carbon MTX. Defensive middies and FOGOs prefer something stronger, sturdier, and durable like the STX Sci-Ti X. If you’re a two way middie, or just getting started at the midfield position, you can’t really go wrong with any of the other options in this list. They all maintain an excellent strength to weight ratio, which is the #1 thing to consider when choosing a midfield lacrosse shaft.
