Are Nike Huarache 4 lacrosse cleats worth the investment. How do they compare to other top cleats on the market. What key features set them apart from competitors. Discover the pros and cons in our comprehensive review.
The Evolution of Nike Huarache Lacrosse Cleats
The Nike Huarache line has long been a staple in the world of lacrosse footwear. Now in its 4th iteration, the Huarache 4 Lax cleats continue to build on the iconic style and performance that players have come to expect from this series. But how do they stack up against the competition and previous models?
Nike has consistently pushed the boundaries of cleat technology, and the Huarache 4 is no exception. With each new version, they’ve refined the design to better meet the needs of lacrosse players at all levels. The incorporation of cutting-edge materials and construction techniques has allowed Nike to create a cleat that promises both comfort and performance on the field.
Key Features and Technologies
What makes the Nike Huarache 4 Lax cleats stand out from other options on the market? Let’s break down some of the key features:
- Dynamic Flywire technology for lightweight support and lockdown
- Mid-cut design for ankle stability without sacrificing mobility
- Lightweight upper for enhanced comfort and durability
- 3/4-length Phylon midsole providing smooth cushioning
- Low-profile forefoot for optimal ground feel and responsiveness
- TPU outsole delivering lightweight traction and control
- Sidewall shovel cleats for quick, powerful edge movements
The integration of Flywire technology is particularly noteworthy. This system of thin nylon fibers strategically placed within the shoe’s structure offers targeted support where players need it most. The result is a cleat that feels incredibly light on foot while still providing the necessary stability for quick cuts and direction changes.
Comfort and Fit: Finding Your Perfect Match
When it comes to athletic footwear, comfort is king. How do the Huarache 4 Lax cleats measure up in this crucial area? Reports from players suggest that these cleats offer exceptional comfort right out of the box, with minimal break-in time required.
However, it’s important to note that Nike lacrosse cleats tend to run about half a size smaller than standard shoe sizes. This means you may need to size up to find your perfect fit. Here are some tips for ensuring you get the right size:
- Measure your feet at the end of the day when they’re slightly swollen
- Try on cleats with the socks you’ll be wearing during games
- Leave about a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of the cleat
- Walk around and simulate quick movements to test for any rubbing or discomfort
Remember, a proper fit is crucial not just for comfort, but also for preventing injuries and maximizing your performance on the field.
Performance on the Field: Traction and Stability
How do the Huarache 4 Lax cleats perform when it really counts? The TPU outsole and innovative cleat pattern are designed to provide excellent traction on both natural and artificial turf surfaces. Players report feeling confident making quick cuts and accelerations without fear of slipping.
The mid-cut design strikes a balance between ankle support and freedom of movement. This makes the Huarache 4 a versatile option suitable for players in various positions. Whether you’re a midfielder covering the entire field or an attacker making precise moves near the goal, these cleats are up to the task.
Durability and Longevity
Investing in high-quality lacrosse cleats is only worth it if they can withstand the rigors of regular play. Early reports suggest that the Huarache 4 Lax cleats hold up well over time, with the lightweight upper showing good resistance to wear and tear. However, as with any athletic shoe, proper care and maintenance will help extend their lifespan.
Comparing the Huarache 4 to Competitors
How does the Nike Huarache 4 stack up against other popular lacrosse cleats on the market? While personal preference plays a significant role, there are some objective comparisons we can make:
- Weight: The Huarache 4 is among the lightest options available, rivaling even some low-cut models.
- Ankle Support: The mid-cut design offers more support than low-cut cleats without the bulk of high-tops.
- Traction: The innovative cleat pattern provides excellent grip, on par with or surpassing many competitors.
- Comfort: The Flywire technology and Phylon midsole create a comfortable fit that many players prefer over other brands.
While the Huarache 4 excels in many areas, it’s worth noting that some players may prefer the fit or specific features of other brands. It’s always a good idea to try on multiple options if possible before making a final decision.
The Price Factor: Are They Worth the Investment?
Quality lacrosse cleats often come with a premium price tag, and the Nike Huarache 4 Lax is no exception. Are they worth the investment? For serious players looking for top-tier performance, the answer is likely yes. The combination of comfort, support, and durability makes these cleats a solid choice for those who spend a lot of time on the field.
However, budget-conscious players or those new to the sport may want to consider more affordable options. It’s important to weigh the benefits against your individual needs and financial situation. Keep in mind that investing in quality footwear can potentially help prevent injuries and improve your game, which may justify the higher cost for many players.
Caring for Your Huarache 4 Lax Cleats
To get the most out of your investment, proper care and maintenance of your cleats is essential. Here are some tips to keep your Huarache 4 Lax cleats in top condition:
- Clean them after each use, removing dirt and debris from the cleats and upper
- Allow them to air dry naturally, avoiding direct heat sources
- Store them in a cool, dry place when not in use
- Replace the insoles periodically to maintain cushioning
- Inspect cleats regularly for signs of wear and replace them when necessary
By following these simple steps, you can extend the life of your cleats and ensure they continue to perform at their best game after game.
The Verdict: A Top Contender in Lacrosse Footwear
After thorough analysis and consideration of player feedback, it’s clear that the Nike Huarache 4 Lax cleats are a standout option in the world of lacrosse footwear. Their combination of innovative technology, comfortable fit, and excellent on-field performance makes them a top choice for players at various levels of the sport.
While they may come with a higher price tag than some alternatives, the quality and features offered by these cleats justify the investment for many serious players. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a rising star in the lacrosse world, the Huarache 4 Lax cleats provide the support and performance you need to excel on the field.
As with any athletic equipment, personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the right cleats for you. If possible, try on a pair of Huarache 4 Lax cleats and compare them to other options before making your final decision. Your feet—and your game—will thank you for taking the time to find the perfect fit.
Looking to the Future: What’s Next for Nike Lacrosse Cleats?
As technology continues to advance and player needs evolve, what might we expect from future iterations of Nike’s lacrosse cleats? While we can only speculate, it’s likely that we’ll see further refinements in weight reduction, improved traction designs, and potentially the incorporation of smart technology to help players track their performance on the field.
One thing is certain: Nike’s commitment to innovation in sports footwear ensures that whatever comes next will be designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in lacrosse cleats. For now, the Huarache 4 Lax represents the pinnacle of Nike’s current offerings in this space, and it’s a shoe that any serious lacrosse player should consider adding to their gear bag.
Nike Huarache 4 Lax Cleats Review
The Nike Huarache 4 Lax Cleats review is here! – While picking the lax cleats for men or women in the market, you’ll find a wide range of variety both in Men’s and women’s lacrosse cleats. From High quality expensive lacrosse cleats, to cheap lacrosse cleats.
Finding the perfect lacrosse footwear is definitely going to be tougher than you thought, because every player needs something different.
Before buying the lacrosse cleats there are certain things you must know. Read the full lacrosse cleats buying guide to get answers to all your questions.
Like, Do I need lacrosse turf shoes or actual lacrosse cleats ? How will I ensure that Nike lacrosse cleats fit my foot ? And last but not least, Are the Nike Huarache 4 cleats right for me ?
Contents
- 1 The Bottom Line for Nike Huarache 4 Lax
- 1.1 Nike Specs for the Nike Huarache 4 Lax
- 1.2 Nike Lacrosse Cleats Sizing Chart
- 1.
3 Video Review – Nike Huarache 4 LaxLacrosse Cleats
- 2 Final Words
3 Video Review – Nike Huarache 4 LaxLacrosse CleatsThe Bottom Line for Nike Huarache 4 Lax
Nike Huarache Lax Cleats are the 4th version of the most iconic styles in the sport.
Being equipped with Dynamic Flywire technology, this cleats bring explosive speed in mid cut design.
This Flywire technology makes this an ultra-lightweight shoe with maximum comfort and protection.
Thin nylon fibres in this cleat are strategically placed on the inside of the shoe which gives it perfect strength and places your foot comfortably.
This also prevents unwanted slipping on ground.
Nike Specs for the Nike Huarache 4 Lax
The cleats come with Lightweight upper for comfort and durability, Flywire technology for added lockdown, and lightweight support 3/4- length wedge Phylon midsole for smooth midfoot cushioning and for optimal feel and responsiveness low-profile forefoot.
TPU outsole provides lightweight traction and control Sidewall shovel cleats for quicker and stronger edge moves.
Nike Lacrosse Cleats Sizing Chart
As you must be already aware about the importance of choosing the perfect size lacrosse cleats.
It is very critical to pick cleats where your heels won’t rub, toes don’t scrunch and ankles won’t feel any sprain in your latest Nike Huarache 4 lax cleats.
- Nike lacrosse cleats tend to run small, by about 1/2 shoe size.
- Warrior lacrosse cleats (owned by New Balance) tend to run true to size.
- Under Armour lacrosse cleats tends to run true to size
Video Review – Nike Huarache 4 LaxLacrosse Cleats
Final Words
Nike Huarache 4 Lax Lacrosse Cleats are definitely worth buying cleats, we highly recommend it without any second thoughts.
Get them now!
Alpha Huarache 7 Cleats by Nike
Earlier this year, Nike sent over a brand new pair of their Alpha Huarache 7 Pro lacrosse cleats, and seeing as the Swoosh has long crafted top notch footwear, I was obviously excited. My current cleats are a more basic pair of Nike lows, and while I really like them, I’m always excited to see what Nike’s top of the line products have in store – they consistently put an extra bit of attention into the form and function of their footwear and it usually results in a fantastic product. It’s a lot of pressure, but if any brand can live up to its past successes, it’s Nike.
I opened the box, marveled at the frosty limited edition design quickly, and then brought my old cleats and the new cleats out to a field, and did some agility work in both sets of shoes. While I still haven’t been able to wear the new cleats in a game, I got a good feel for what these boots are all about, and it’s good. It’s really good.
Appearance
Before we talk performance, let’s get the aesthetics covered, because these cleats are certainly head turners.
I’m not entirely sure what the color combos will be for the retail versions of the cleat, but if the promo cleats give us any indication it’s that these cleats will look good no matter what.
My reasoning for this is that there are a lot of small details, but the overall look is super clean. The promo cleat is almost all white, and this makes the smaller detailing aspects really pop. The patterning on the back of the heel, the shimmer of the large green swoosh, the small Huarache and Nike logos, the faded NIKE on the inside of the foot, and the lace ends are all powerful, but none are overwhelming. It’s a great mix of bold and classic, and has a super premium overall appearance. The lightly colored (but shimmering!) sole of the cleat really stands out as well with the deep patterning, but we’ll get to that more later!
The single-piece toe has light patterning, but like the rest of the shoes, there are VERY few seams. This will make the cleat easy to clean, and should also keep more water out than your normal cleats on a muddy or soaked field.
Overall this cleat will certainly earn you a double take or two.
Comfort/Weight
The Huarache 7 is certainly lightweight, but it doesn’t feel flimsy like some other super light cleats can feel, so I was curious if something so seemingly strong and rigid could also be comfortable. Lightweight materials can be super stiff, so I had to put them on and run to see what was happening.
To my surprise, the cleat was pretty much ready to go right away, and the biggest reason for this was the flex that the cleated sole of the shoes allows. With almost every pair of cleats I’ve ever owned, it took some time to break them in. The uppers had to soften and mold to my foot, but the cleat plate also needed to break in. Like a face off head, the plastic in a cleat plate eventually breaks down and gets softer, and then those are your favorite cleats.
In this case, the Huarache 7s felt more broken in than your average cleat, and that flex point right under the ball of my feet was already there.
Within a couple minutes, it felt like I’d had the cleats for a month. My older cleats took time to break in, but these were much closer right away.
The upper is a snug fit, and while my foot felt very locked in and secure, there wasn’t a hint of constriction or discomfort. Whether I was running in a straight line, at an angle, sideways or backwards, I felt very secure in knowing that these cleats were ready for it all, and my feet felt great. The lower part of the upper is less breathable, but the top portion, and the tongue are both breathable, allowing your feet to be protected and stay dry, without overheating.
Stability/Traction
Nike used flywire all over this shoe, but they locked it down with additional stitching and the cleat feels extremely stable, no matter what movement is being done. As I said above, it’s a great cleat right out of the box, and a big part of this not only the comfort, but also the function and performance. From a stability standpoint, this cleat is superb.
On the traction front we come back to the cleated sole of the shoe yet again, and there is really good reason for this – this sole is truly something else. The organic looking indents that run throughout the bottom allow for strength as well as flex, and it looks like a bee’s honeycomb in many ways. Nature provided inspiration and Nike ran with it. Now we can too. It’s cool stuff, and it works.
The actual cleat points are also different. Gone are the old circular cleat cones, and in their place we see more triangular cleat heads. Seeing as lacrosse movements are often multi-directional, and require agility and quickness at the drop of a hat, this approach makes a ton of sense. A sharp edge allows a push in any direction, and the edge corresponds with the movement that would be made. It’s a REALLY well designed cleat pattern and it delivers on connecting a player to the ground.
Durability
I’ve only possessed these cleats for a couple of days, so commenting on actual durability would be impossible.
I can say that the limited seam approach in the design really intrigues me. Almost of the stitching, seams, and material joining sections have been covered, and while I definitely believe this will make the shoes easier to keep clean, I’m curious to see if it also provides improved durability. We will have to wait and see on this one, but I don’t see any areas on the cleat that create a cause for concern.
Value
This is definitely a premium, lacrosse-specific product, and it’s going to have a higher price point than your average lacrosse cleat or athletic shoe. Quite frankly, it’s a great product, so a higher price point seems fair. There is a lot of really good stuff going on here, so the question becomes – how important is a great pair of cleats to YOU? If you’re looking for a pair that can deliver in every way, then the Huarache 7s are going to be your best option.
Have I always loved and almost always worn Nike cleats? Yes, yes I have. I’m not ashamed to admit it, and it doesn’t make me biased.
