How does the Tribe7 Fort7 Pro goalie head compare to other popular options. What are the key features that set this lacrosse head apart. Is the increased surface area beneficial for making saves.
Overview of the Tribe7 Fort7 Pro Goalie Head
The Tribe7 Fort7 Pro is a lacrosse goalie head designed with maximum surface area in mind. Developed by San Diego-based equipment manufacturer Tribe7, this head aims to provide goalies with enhanced save-making ability through its unique shape and construction.
Available in two versions – the original Fort7 and the upgraded Fort7 Pro – this head has garnered attention for its bold design choices. While both iterations share the same face and head shape, the Pro version utilizes an advanced plastic material called Durovulc, offering increased stiffness without significantly impacting weight.
Weight and Maneuverability of the Fort7 Pro
How does the Fort7 Pro’s weight compare to other popular goalie heads? When strung, the Fort7 Pro weighs approximately 440 grams (15.5 oz), making it slightly lighter than the STX Eclipse 2, which comes in at 444 grams (15.66 oz). This minimal weight difference ensures that goalies can maintain quick hand speed and agility while using the Fort7 Pro.
Dylan Mandeville, a Lax Goalie Rat follower who has been using the Fort7 Pro as his primary head, notes that its weight is comparable to other popular options like the Eclipse II or Nemesis III. He states, “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.”
Impact on Performance
Does the Fort7 Pro’s weight affect a goalie’s ability to make saves? According to user feedback, the head’s weight does not seem to hinder performance. Goalies report being able to move seamlessly with the stick in hand, without feeling that the weight detracts from their ability to make saves.
Unique Face Shape and Increased Surface Area
One of the Fort7 Pro’s most distinctive features is its face shape, which Tribe7 claims offers the most ball-grabbing surface area of any goalie head in lacrosse. The company states that it provides 12.5% more space than the next biggest head, equating to an additional 8 inches of mesh compared to other options.
How does this increased surface area translate to on-field performance? In theory, a larger surface area should provide goalies with more room to make saves, potentially increasing their chances of stopping shots. The Fort7 Pro’s shape is more triangular compared to the spoon-like or rounded designs of heads like the ECD Impact or STX Eclipse 2.
Comparison to Other Heads
When compared to recently released heads like the ECD Impact, the Fort7 Pro demonstrates a noticeable size advantage in terms of ball-stopping ability. Its shape is most similar to the STX Shield or Nike Prime Elite goalie heads.
However, it’s important to note that the Fort7 is not currently on the list of approved USA lacrosse women’s heads, limiting its use to male goalies as of this writing.
Potential Challenges with the Fort7 Pro’s Design
While the increased surface area offers clear advantages, some users have reported challenges with the Fort7 Pro’s design, particularly when making low saves. The head’s more prominent edges can sometimes get stuck in the turf during off-stick low saves, causing the head to spin. This contrasts with the smoother transition offered by more rounded designs like the ECD Impact.
Is this a significant drawback? Not necessarily. Many goalies may find that with practice and adjustment, they can adapt to this characteristic of the Fort7 Pro. The trade-off between increased coverage and the potential for turf interaction is something each goalie will need to consider based on their playing style and preferences.
Material and Durability
The Fort7 Pro utilizes Tribe7’s proprietary Durovulc plastic material, which aims to provide increased stiffness without adding significant weight. This upgrade addresses concerns about the original Fort7’s flexibility, which some goalies found too flimsy.
How does the Durovulc material impact the head’s performance and longevity? While long-term durability data is limited, initial reports suggest that the Fort7 Pro offers improved rigidity compared to its predecessor. This enhanced stiffness may contribute to more consistent rebound control and potentially extend the head’s lifespan.
Tribe7’s Reputation for Durability
It’s worth noting that Tribe7 has a history of producing durable equipment. One of their early faceoff heads was famously tested by having a truck run over it, demonstrating the company’s commitment to creating robust lacrosse gear.
Side Profile and Offset Design
The Fort7 Pro features an interesting side profile that combines offset and forward-bending elements. The head starts with an offset back but then bends forward towards the top. What’s the reasoning behind this design choice?
This unique profile serves multiple purposes:
- It helps reduce bends in the top portion of the head, maintaining stiffness
- The offset provides improved throwing mechanics
- The design facilitates easier scooping of ground balls
By incorporating these elements, Tribe7 aims to create a head that balances save-making ability with other essential goalie skills like clearing and ground ball pickup.
Player Feedback and Real-World Performance
How do goalies who have used the Fort7 Pro in game situations feel about its performance? Dylan Mandeville 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.”
This sentiment echoes the intended benefits of the Fort7 Pro’s design – providing goalies with both a physical and psychological edge through increased surface area. However, it’s important to note that individual experiences may vary, and what works well for one goalie may not be ideal for another.
Adapting to the Fort7 Pro
For goalies considering switching to the Fort7 Pro, what should they keep in mind? Here are some key points to consider:
- There may be an adjustment period, particularly for low saves
- The increased surface area could boost confidence and save percentages
- The head’s weight is comparable to other popular options, minimizing the need for significant technique changes
- The stiffer Durovulc material may provide more consistent rebound control
As with any equipment change, goalies should allow time for practice and adjustment before using the Fort7 Pro in critical game situations.
Price Considerations and Value Proposition
How does the Fort7 Pro’s price compare to other high-end goalie heads? While specific pricing can vary by retailer and region, the Fort7 Pro generally falls into the premium category of goalie heads. The upgraded Durovulc material contributes to a higher price point compared to the original Fort7.
Is the Fort7 Pro worth the investment? For goalies who prioritize maximum surface area and are willing to adapt their technique, the Fort7 Pro could provide excellent value. The head’s unique design and potential for improved save percentages may justify the cost for serious players looking for an edge.
Factors to Consider When Evaluating Value
When determining if the Fort7 Pro is the right choice, goalies should weigh the following factors:
- Their current skill level and areas for improvement
- The importance of maximum surface area in their playing style
- Budget constraints and long-term equipment plans
- Compatibility with their current stick setup and stringing preferences
By carefully considering these elements, goalies can make an informed decision about whether the Fort7 Pro aligns with their needs and goals.
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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