Attack Position Gear Guide: Complete Setup for Every Budget

Attack players get all the glory — and all the scrutiny. When you play attack, every piece of equipment you carry gets examined: the head, the shaft, the mesh, the stringing pattern. Get it wrong and it shows in your box score.

This guide walks through every piece of gear you need as an attack player in 2025, from stick to cleats, with specific product recommendations for each budget tier.

The Attack Stick: Getting the Foundation Right

Your stick is the most important piece of equipment you own. For attack, you need a setup optimized for:

• Shooting accuracy and power — tight, consistent pocket with appropriate whip
• Ground ball ability — low-profile scoop
• Protection mechanics — a shaft you can protect with one hand while dodging

Recommended Attack Head Setup

Best overall: ECD Mirage 3.0 + ECD Hero 3.0 Soft Mesh (7-diamond)
This combination is what we'd build for most attack players. The Mirage 3.0 scoop is excellent in traffic, and the Hero 3.0 Soft gives you the feel and release consistency you need at the attack position.

Budget option: Warrior Evo QX-O + StringKing Type 4S Soft
You can build an extremely functional attack setup under $60 with this combination. The Evo QX-O is underrated — it's stiff, scoops well, and the QX geometry works with most stringing patterns.

Pocket Setup for Attack

Most attack players want a mid-low pocket — the ball sits in the lower third of the head, which maximizes hold for protection and gives you whip on shots.

Key stringing tips for attack:

• Keep your shooting strings tight but not locked — you want whip, not a frozen release
• Use a single U-channel with two shooting strings above it
• Set your bottom string tighter than you think you need — it'll loosen over time

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Attack Shafts

Premium Tier ($100+)

Epoch Dragonfly C30i
The best composite shaft available for attack players. Extremely light (under 100g), excellent flex for shot mechanics, and the grip is outstanding. The price is high, but if you play at a high level, it's worth it.

True Comp 2.0
True's competition to the C30i. Slightly stiffer with an excellent octagonal grip. Some players prefer the more rigid feel for shooting. Try both if you can.

Mid Tier ($65–$100)

STX Stallion 75
Our review favorite (see our full Stallion 75 review). Light alloy, excellent grip, stiff enough for serious shooting. The best value at this price point.

StringKing Metal 3 Pro
Neck-and-neck with the Stallion 75. Better finish, more color options. $5–10 more expensive but some players prefer the feel.

Budget Tier (Under $65)

STX Stallion 100
Heavier than the 75 but solid. A reliable budget option if you're newer to the sport or replacing a broken shaft mid-season.

Maverik Lacrosse Union
Very affordable, surprisingly durable. Good for youth and beginner players.

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Gloves

Attack players take a lot of checks and slashes. Don't cheap out on gloves.

What to look for in attack gloves

• Thumb protection: Attacks get their thumbs hit constantly. Look for reinforced thumb guards.
• Flexibility at the fingers: You need to feel the stick. Some defense-oriented gloves sacrifice finger feel for protection — avoid those.
• Cuff height: Mid-length cuff (4–5") is standard. Very short cuffs expose your wrists.

Recommended:

• Warrior Burn Pro — excellent balance of protection and feel
• ECD Mirage Gloves — premium option, exceptional fit and feel
• Brine King — solid budget option for high school players

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Cleats

You can't dodge or shoot with proper footing. Cleats matter more than most attack players admit.

What to look for:

• Mid-cut or low-cut (high tops limit ankle mobility for dodging)
• Firm ground (FG) studs for grass fields; turf studs for turf fields
• Lightweight construction — heavy cleats slow your first step

Recommended:

• Under Armour Magnetico — extremely light, excellent first-step feel
• Nike Vapor Edge — excellent ground traction, top-of-market quality
• New Balance Freeze LX v3 — lacrosse-specific design, great ankle support

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Arm Pads and Elbow Pads

For attack, arm pads are a personal choice — some players prefer nothing, others wear full arm pads.

The case for arm pads: Protection from checks and slashes. Your arms are exposed as an attack player.

The case against: Some players feel restricted. If you're dodging and need maximum feel, thinner is better.

If you wear them:

• Maverik Rome RX3 Arm Pads — lightweight, minimal restriction
• Warrior Burn Arm Pads — solid all-around option

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Helmet

Don't compromise on your helmet. If you bought everything else on this list cheap, buy a good helmet.

Recommended:

• Cascade S — the standard for a reason. Well-balanced, excellent visibility, strong certification ratings.
• Cascade XRS — premium option, lighter weight, best-in-class fit customization
• Warrior Regulator RS — alternative to Cascade, excellent value, solid protection ratings

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Complete Budget Breakdowns

Premium Attack Setup (~$400–$500)

Item	Product	Approx. Cost
Head	ECD Mirage 3.0	$80
Mesh	ECD Hero 3.0 Soft	$15
Shaft	Epoch C30i	$130
Gloves	ECD Mirage Gloves	$85
Helmet	Cascade XRS	$250
Cleats	Nike Vapor Edge	$120

Mid-Tier Attack Setup (~$200–$280)

Item	Product	Approx. Cost
Head	STX Stallion 900	$75
Mesh	StringKing Type 4S Soft	$12
Shaft	STX Stallion 75	$89
Gloves	Warrior Burn Pro	$60
Helmet	Cascade S	$170
Cleats	Under Armour Magnetico	$80

Budget Attack Setup (~$120–$160)

Item	Product	Approx. Cost
Head	Warrior Evo QX-O	$60
Mesh	StringKing Type 4S Soft	$12
Shaft	STX Stallion 100	$55
Gloves	Brine King	$45
Helmet	Warrior Regulator RS	$150
Cleats	New Balance Freeze LX	$80

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Summary

As an attack player, your stick is your most important investment. Get the head and mesh right first — use our Stick Builder to find the right combination for your level and style. Then invest in a good helmet and gloves. Everything else is secondary.