What makes the Tribe7 Fort7 Pro lacrosse goalie head unique. How does its weight compare to other popular goalie heads. Is the Fort7 Pro’s large face shape beneficial for goalies. What are the key features and performance aspects of this goalie head.
The Evolution of Tribe7 and the Fort7 Goalie Head
Tribe7, a San Diego-based equipment manufacturer, has been making waves in the lacrosse industry since its inception in 2009. Their mission? To produce durable and affordable lacrosse equipment for players of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality is evident in their product line, including the Fort7 goalie head.
The Fort7 goalie head comes in two versions: the original Fort7 and the Fort7 Pro. While both share the same face and head shape, the Pro version introduces an upgraded plastic material called Durovulc. This enhancement addresses the concerns of goalies who found the original version too flimsy, providing increased stiffness without significantly impacting the weight.
Weight and Maneuverability: How Does the Fort7 Pro Stack Up?
One of the standout features of the Fort7 Pro is its lightweight design combined with impressive stiffness. This combination aims to enhance goalies’ hand speed, potentially increasing their chances of making crucial saves during games.
The strung-up Fort7 Pro head weighs in at 440 grams (15.5 oz), which is slightly lighter than the popular STX Eclipse 2 at 444 grams (15.66 oz). This minimal weight difference ensures that goalies can move seamlessly with the stick, without feeling hindered by unnecessary bulk.
Expert Opinion on Weight Comparison
Dylan Mandeville, an experienced lacrosse goalie, offers his insights: “It’s comparable to the Eclipse II or Nemesis III goalie heads in terms of weight. It matches almost every head on the market except for the ECD Impact, and I don’t think anything is going to touch that for a while.”
Face Shape and Surface Area: A Game-Changing Design?
The Fort7 Pro’s face shape is one of its most distinctive features. Tribe7 claims that this goalie head boasts the largest ball-grabbing surface area in lacrosse, offering 12.5% more space than its closest competitor. This increase in surface area is equivalent to adding an 8-inch plate of mesh to any other head.
The face shape of the Fort7 Pro leans towards a triangular design, contrasting with the spoon-like or rounded shapes of heads such as the ECD Impact or STX Eclipse 2. Its closest comparisons in terms of shape are the STX Shield and Nike Prime Elite goalie heads.
The Science Behind Surface Area
The logic behind maximizing surface area is straightforward: more surface area equates to a larger area for making saves. This design philosophy could potentially give goalies an edge in stopping shots.
Practical Considerations of the Large Face Shape
While the increased surface area offers clear advantages, it’s important to consider how it affects performance in different scenarios. For instance, some goalies have noted that the prominent edges of the Fort7 can present challenges when making low saves, particularly off-stick low shots. The head may catch in the turf, causing it to spin, whereas more rounded edges allow for smoother transitions.
This characteristic isn’t necessarily a drawback but rather a design element that goalies should consider based on their playing style and preferences. With practice, many goalies may adapt to this feature and appreciate the additional coverage it provides.
Material Innovation: The Impact of Durovulc
The introduction of Durovulc in the Fort7 Pro version marks a significant upgrade from the original Fort7. This advanced plastic material addresses the primary concern of goalies who found the original version too flexible.
Benefits of Durovulc
- Increased stiffness for better shot stopping
- Minimal weight increase, maintaining maneuverability
- Enhanced durability for long-term use
While the upgrade to Durovulc does come with a higher price point, many goalies find the improved performance and longevity worth the investment.
Performance in Action: Real-World Feedback
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Fort7 Pro’s performance, let’s delve into the experiences of goalies who have used this head in competitive play.
Dylan’s Insights
Dylan Mandeville, who has been using the Fort7 Pro as his primary game head, shares his thoughts: “The face shape is a little different and that’s what drew me to this head. That extra 8 inches of space the head offers, I think, helps mentally for me. You’re telling me that I get an extra bit of space to make saves compared to any other head on the market, I’ll take that any day.”
Low Shot Performance
While the larger face shape offers advantages, some goalies have noted challenges with low shots due to the prominent edges. This characteristic requires adaptation and may influence a goalie’s technique for handling low shots, especially those off-stick and close to the ground.
Design Features: Beyond Size and Weight
The Fort7 Pro incorporates several design elements that contribute to its overall performance and appeal to goalies.
Side Profile
The side profile of the Fort7 Pro features an interesting design. It begins with an offset back but then curves forward towards the top. This design choice serves multiple purposes:
- Reduces bends in the top section, enhancing stiffness
- Maintains the throwing and scooping benefits provided by the offset design
- Balances performance across different types of saves and ball handling scenarios
Stringing Options
The Fort7 Pro’s design allows for versatile stringing options, enabling goalies to customize their pocket to suit their playing style and preferences. The head’s shape and string holes provide ample opportunity for both traditional and mesh stringing techniques.
Regulatory Considerations: USA Lacrosse Approval
An important consideration for potential buyers, particularly in women’s lacrosse, is the regulatory approval status of the Fort7 Pro. As of the time of writing, the Tribe7 Fort7 is not included on the list of approved USA lacrosse women’s heads. This exclusion means that female goalies are currently unable to use the Tribe7 Fort7 goalie head in official USA lacrosse competitions.
Implications for Players and Teams
This regulatory status has several implications:
- Limited adoption in women’s lacrosse programs
- Potential need for multiple heads for different competition levels
- Consideration for male goalies who may transition between mixed and single-gender competitions
Players and coaches should stay informed about any updates to the approval status and consider how it might affect their equipment choices and competition eligibility.
Comparing the Fort7 Pro to Market Competitors
To fully appreciate the Fort7 Pro’s position in the market, it’s valuable to compare it directly with some of its main competitors.
Fort7 Pro vs. ECD Impact
The ECD Impact is known for its innovative design and lightweight construction. When compared to the Fort7 Pro:
- The Fort7 Pro offers a larger face shape and more surface area
- The ECD Impact may have an edge in terms of overall weight
- The Impact’s more rounded edges may provide smoother ground ball pickups
Fort7 Pro vs. STX Eclipse 2
The STX Eclipse 2 is a popular choice among goalies at various levels. Comparing it to the Fort7 Pro:
- Weight is very similar, with the Fort7 Pro being slightly lighter
- The Fort7 Pro offers more surface area for potential saves
- The Eclipse 2 may have a more traditional feel that some goalies prefer
Fort7 Pro vs. STX Shield
The STX Shield shares some similarities in face shape with the Fort7 Pro:
- Both feature a more triangular design compared to other heads
- The Fort7 Pro likely offers more surface area
- The Shield may have different stringing options or pocket formations
These comparisons highlight the unique attributes of the Fort7 Pro while also showcasing the diverse options available to goalies in today’s market.
Is the Tribe7 Fort7 Pro Right for You?
Choosing the right goalie head is a personal decision that depends on various factors. Here are some key considerations to help you determine if the Fort7 Pro might be the right choice for your game:
Pros of the Fort7 Pro
- Large surface area for increased save potential
- Lightweight design for quick hand movements
- Durable Durovulc material in the Pro version
- Unique face shape that may offer mental advantages
Potential Cons to Consider
- Prominent edges may require adaptation for low shots
- Not approved for USA women’s lacrosse (as of this writing)
- May have a different feel compared to more traditional head shapes
Ultimately, the best way to determine if the Fort7 Pro is right for you is to try it out if possible. Many goalies find that the unique features of this head enhance their game, while others may prefer more traditional options.
Consider your playing style, the level of competition you face, and your personal preferences when making your decision. Remember that the right equipment can boost your confidence and performance on the field, but it’s your skills, training, and mindset that truly make the difference in the goal.
Tribe7 Fort7 Goalie Head Review
By Coach Damon
In this post, we’ll review the Tribe7 Fort7 goalie head.
Tribe7 is an equipment manufacturer based in San Diego. Founded in 2009 with the intention of producing durable and affordable lacrosse equipment for all players from beginner to advanced/college/pro players.
One of their early pieces of equipment was a faceoff head that was so tough ECD filmed a truck running over it.
There are 2 versions of the Fort7 goalie: the original Fort7 and the Fort7 Pro.
Both versions feature the exact same face and head shape (i.e. same plastic mold) however the Pro version uses an upgraded plastic material they call Durovulc. This newer plastic provides a lot more stiffness with little increase in weight but a bit more of a dent to the wallet.
Lots of goalies complained that the original version was too flimsy so they upgraded the plastic to give it more stiffness with the same large surface area.
Let’s have a look at this goalie head.
To help us with this review of the Fort7 Pro goalie head we’ve recruited the help of Lax Goalie Rat follower Dylan Mandeville, who has been using the Fort7 Pro as his gamer for a while now!
Tribe7 Fort7 Pro: Weight
The Fort7 Pro was designed specifically to be super lightweight and stiff at the same time.
This allows for your hands to be as fast as possible giving you more chances to make big saves in games.
The weight of the strung up Fort7 Pro head comes in at 440 grams (15.5oz).
For comparison my strung up STX Eclipse 2 is 444 grams (15.66oz). While obviously the mesh used can impact these totals it gives you an idea that the Fort7 is just slightly lighter than the Eclipse 2.
In terms of feel, I find the weight of this head to be pretty comparable to a lot of the other heads we’ve tested.
I can move seamlessly with the stick in my hands and I don’t feel as if the weight is deterring me from making any saves.
Dylan’s thought’s: It’s comparable to the Eclipse II or Nemesis III goalie heads in terms of weight. It matches almost every head on the market except for the ECD Impact, and I don’t think anything is going to touch that for a while.
Tribe7 Fort7 Pro: Face Shape
One of the more noticeable qualities of the Fort7 goalie head is its face shape.
According to the Tribe7 website –
The Fort7 has the most ball grabbing surface area of any goalie head in lacrosse. 12.5% more space than the next biggest head. It’s the same as adding an 8 inch plate of mesh to any other head. As in must have it, for more saves.
I’m not sure what head they’re comparing the Fort7 to get that 12.5% number however one thing is clear. Tribe7 definitely went with the more is a better approach as the face shape is really maximized to the limits.
The shape is more of the triangular variety versus the spoon-like or rounded ECD Impact or STX Eclipse 2.
The most comparable head shape of the Fort7 is the STX Shield (left in the photo below) or the Nike Prime Elite goalie heads.
Max surface area makes a lot of sense in terms of saving ability. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in physics from Harvard to understand that more surface area equals more room to make saves.
When you compare the Fort7 Tribe7 to the recently released ECD Impact goalie head, you’ll see the Fort7 has a sizable size advantage in terms of ball stopping ability.
The one thing that I found when using this head was that while the face shape is certainly bigger than that of the ECD Impact, I found that the more prominent edges of the Fort7 presented a challenge on low shots.
When going to make low saves, especially off-stick low, I found that the head would get stuck in the turf causing the head to spin whereas the more rounded edges of a head like the ECD impact allow for a more smooth transition.
I don’t necessarily see this as a negative though. I think is just something you need to consider when purchasing a head and what your preference is as a goalie. I’m also sure that after some more reps this is something I could get used to with this head and think about all of the additional coverage that you’re going to get.
One very important detail – the Tribe7 Fort7 is NOT on the list of approved USA lacrosse women’s heads. That’s a bummer and it means that – as of this writing – female goalies cannot use the Tribe7 Fort7 goalie head.
Dylan’s Thoughts: The face shape is a little different and that’s what drew me to this head. That extra 8 inches of space the head offers I think helps mentally for me. You’re telling me that I get an extra bit of space to make saves compared to any other head on the market, I’ll take that any day.
The side profile of the Fort7 Pro is pretty interesting:
It starts out offsetting back but then bends forward towards the top. I think this is a good design for the top to reduce the bends and keep it stiffer while still providing the throwing and scooping benefits that the offset-ness gives you.
Tribe7 Fort7 Pro: Throat
The throat design of the Fort7 resembles that of the StringKing Mark 2G goalie head.
It’s a comfortable grip but the throat does start to get rather wide toward the head. So if you’re one of those goalies that like to position their top hand as close to the head as possible it might get uncomfortable.
I was a “top hand against the plastic” goalie but the Fort7 throat does have these little nubs that made putting a single finger on the throat very comfortable for me.
Tribe7 Fort7 Pro: Stringing
An important factor in a goalie head is: can I throw in a tasty pocket very easily?
With the face shape of the Fort7 it fairly easy to throw in a nice pocket.
The distribution and number of top string holes as well as side string holes is great. There’s tons of bottom string holes too.
But one knock on this goalie head that I’ve heard from a lot of experts (and even intermediate) stick stringers is the holes are too small. You can see in the pics below its tough to get 2 revolutions of regular string through it. That’s not even the thicker paracord 550.
The cutout scoop, while it does reduce weight, also caused goalie stringers some issues.
Lots of stick stringers had the same feedback regarding the stick hole size:
Other testimonials –
Tribe7 Fort7 Pro: Durability
The Fort7 Pro is made of our proprietary DUROVULC polymer blend, an advanced material that rewrites the strength-to-weight ratio in lacrosse heads.
As mentioned earlier, many goalies complained that the original version was too flimsy so Tribe7 upgraded the plastic to give it more stiffness with the same large surface area.
Both versions feature the exact same face and head shape (i. e. same plastic mold) however the Pro version uses the upgraded Durovulc material that provides a lot more stiffness with little increase in weight but a bit more of a dent to the wallet.
I think the head flex is relatively okay. It’s not quite the reinforced scoop that ECD Impact or the stiffness of the Warrior Nemesis 3 possesses but it certainly is very stiff and sturdy.
The Fort7 also has winglets on the scoop, to cover and direct more shots while also having teeth on the inside of the scoop, to securely clamp down on more ground balls, making the crease your own personal fort.
Dylan’s thoughts: I’ve used the head for over a year and I think it’s held up pretty well, especially in the summer. I did get one little crack in the bottom of the head after playing in 35-degree weather at our Halloween game though. But I sent an email to the company and they instantly gave me a discount and wanted to send me another one head.
Tribe7 Fort7 Pro: Price
The Fort7 Pro comes in at $107. 99 unstrung. That is comparable to heads such as the STX Ecplise II and ECD Impact heads which come in at 109.99 each on lacrosse monkey.
You also have the option of purchasing a strung head for an extra $45.99. You can choose from a standard or custom option. The custom option allows you to pick the color of mesh, sidewalls, and shooters you want with your head.
Tribe 7 allows you to provide them with any additional requests you may have for getting your head string like how you would like your channel done or the number of shooters you would like in the mesh.
Lastly, you can purchase the Fort7 Pro as a complete stick for $227.77. This comes with the Tribe7 Elite7 shaft, their newest Titanium-Scandium shafts that combine light weight and strength into the perfect premium package.
There’s also a previous version of the Fort7 head made with a different plastic that is priced at $74.99 for those who might be looking for a cheaper option.
Tribe7 Fort7 Pro Goalie Head Video Reviews
Here is the Lax Goalie Rat video review of the Fort7 featuring Coach Damon, Evan, and a new guest: reader and goalie Dylan Mandeville.
Here is ECD Greg’s review of the Fort7:
Here is Chris from MainelyMesh (who since retired from making videos) reviewing the Fort7:
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tribe7 Lacrosse (@tribe7lax)
Conclusion
Thanks a ton to the Tribe7 company for sending us over a Fort7 head to check out. We talked with their team and their are awesome guys and a great company!
The Tribe7 Fort7 is a very solid option for us goalies looking for max surface area while keeping things light and stiff.
The biggest knock on the head is the small stringing holes.
I’d probably recommend this goalie head more for the beginner goalies than the college guys but I wouldn’t be surprised if we spot a few D1 goalies trying out the Tribe7 Fort7 this upcoming season.
Anyone using the Tribe7 Fort7 (newer version)? Leave me a comment down below and let me know your experience.
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