Are Gait Apex Lacrosse Sticks Worth It Heres What Apex Lacrosse Players Should Know

Are Gait Apex Lacrosse Sticks Worth It Heres What Apex Lacrosse Players Should Know

The Evolution of Lacrosse Stick Technology

Lacrosse has come a long way since its origins as a Native American sport played with handcrafted wooden sticks. In recent decades, lacrosse stick technology has rapidly evolved to produce equipment that gives players unprecedented performance capabilities on the field. Modern lacrosse sticks are engineering marvels, constructed from space-age composite materials that are both incredibly lightweight and highly durable. Brands like Gait have been at the forefront of lacrosse stick innovation, continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of ball control, handling, passing and shooting precision.

Today’s elite lacrosse sticks like the Gait Apex utilize advanced carbon-composite shafts that optimize balance and feel in the player’s hands. They incorporate aerospace-grade alloys and tight fiber weaves to create shafts that are incredibly stiff yet weigh mere ounces. This allows players to wield their sticks with lightning quick reflexes and maximize ball speed on passes and shots. At the same time, engineered flex points in shafts like the Apex give players enhanced feel for cradling and handling the ball.

Heads have evolved right alongside shafts, with mesh designs that cater to players’ specific needs. Gait’s Flex Mesh heads have a soft flexible pocket that provides unmatched ball control, along with quick release channels for lightning-fast passing. Strategically placed stiffening ribs give the scoop added stability for ground balls. Pockets are meticulously crafted to each player’s preferences with customized stringing patterns. Today’s engineering advances allow heads to be incredibly lightweight yet deliver consistent durability season after season.

While ancestral lacrosse players could scarcely imagine the sticks used in modern competition, brands like Gait continue to push the envelope. Continued materials science and computer-aided engineering will open up new possibilities for optimizing lacrosse sticks. One thing remains unchanged though – the satisfied smile that lights up a lacrosse player’s face when they pick up a perfectly balanced stick that feels like an extension of their own arm.

Gait Apex Shaft Design for Optimal Balance

One of the most important aspects of any lacrosse stick is the overall balance and feel it provides the player. Lacrosse requires tremendous hand-eye coordination, fast reactions, and nuanced stick handling. The shaft design plays a pivotal role in optimizing these facets of performance. This is an area where advanced engineering in the Gait Apex line really shines through.

The Gait Apex shafts utilize strategically tuned stiffness levels and flex points to give players a stick with incredible balance. The primary material is a ultra-premium grade carbon fiber composite strategically oriented to deliver just the right amount of flex. This allows the Apex to have a rigid backbone for excellent stability and ball speed, while still retaining enough flex for crisper handling.

Engineers also carefully construct defined pivot points nearer the head, providing play that facilitates quicker rolls, splits, and shot accuracy. Meanwhile, the lower handle area remains ultra-stiff for maximum ball speed on passes and clears. The end result is a shaft design that feels like a natural extension of the player’s arm.

Intensive computer modeling helps Gait lacrosse engineers experiment with variables like wall thickness, fiber orientation, and layering. This facilitates unprecedented fine-tuning of the flex profile and balance. Rigorous field testing also ensures the performance lives up to expectations. The Apex has to not just meet, but exceed the capabilities of the world’s best lacrosse players.

Ultimately, succeeding with advanced carbon composite materials requires extensive expertise. Gait has continually led the way with employing aerospace-grade composites to build lighter, stronger lacrosse sticks. This obsession with quality materials science and precision manufacturing is what sets the Apex lineup apart in terms of optimal balance.

Of course, crafting the perfect lacrosse stick goes beyond materials alone. The shape, dimensions, and other details have been carefully refined over decades with input from the world’s best players. When you pick up a Gait Apex, you’ll immediately notice how the balance, flex points, and overall feel allow you to take your game to the next level.

Flex Mesh Heads Provide Great Ball Control

The head of a lacrosse stick is where all the action happens – catching, cradling, scooping, passing, shooting. Heads require an intricate blend of stiffness, flex, and engineered pocket placement to deliver top performance. This is another area where Gait’s Apex line truly excels through the use of advanced Flex Mesh head technology.

Gait Flex Mesh heads are constructed from a specially formulated soft flexible polymer blend. This gives them a “broken-in” feel right out of the package while still retaining structural integrity for faceoffs and checks. The material has enough give to gently pocket the ball on catches, while also allowing quick release on passes. In effect, Flex Mesh heads provide the dual benefits of great ball control and handling combined with crisp passing and shooting.

The Flex Mesh material facilitates pocket formation that conforms perfectly to each player’s preferences. Custom stringing patterns can be tied to fine tune shooting accuracy or create extra hold for bulldozing through traffic. Expert stringers are able to form deeper pockets for elite offensive players who want maximum ball control.

Strategic stiffening elements are incorporated into the scoop and sidewall areas to retain stability when going after ground balls or jostling with defenders. This combines the best attributes of stiff and flexible head designs into one high-performance package. The lightweight Flex Mesh material also helps minimize neck fatigue during intense competition.

Throughout the design process, Gait engineers carefully model Flex Mesh heads to identify the optimal balance between flex and stiffness. CAD software combined with 3D printing facilitates rapid prototyping to test different pocket geometries. Getting the optimal configuration takes countless design iterations and feedback from pro players.

The result is a lacrosse head that feels like an extension of the player’s own hands. Superior ball control builds confidence, while the quick release action keeps the offensive flow moving. When you see the ease with which elite players cradle, pass, and shoot with Flex Mesh heads, it’s easy to see why they’ve become a top choice for Apex sticks.

Apex Lacrosse Heads Are Legal for All Levels of Play

Lacrosse leagues from youth to college impose strict regulations on head dimensions to ensure fair play. Stick engineers must work within these constraints while still pushing performance to the limits. Gait Apex heads achieve the highest levels of ball control and shooting accuracy while remaining fully legal across all levels of competition.

For high school and college play, heads must adhere to parameters like minimum sidewall height and maximum flare. Gait engineers employ advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques to optimize Apex heads within these boundaries. CAD software allows them to take a holistic, parametric modeling approach to head geometry.

By tweaking variables like pocket placement, sidewall angles, and scoop shape, engineers create heads that maximize the allowable flare and pinch to improve ball handling. The use of CNC machining ensures every head meets QA standards and has a consistent, legal structure. Gait also rigorously tests heads for structural integrity to prevent warping or damage during checks.

For youth leagues, additional dimensional constraints further limit pocket depth and head width. Gait accordingly designs scaled-down Apex heads that give young players enhanced performance versus typical beginner sticks. The heads still retain a pinch and optimized ball ramps to facilitate easier scooping and quicker passes as skills develop.

The legality of Apex heads across all levels means players can progress without needing new equipment. One head can take a player from junior league novice all the way to starting collegiate midfielder. Gait also offers a range of handles allowing players to “step up” stick capabilities as they grow and improve.

Ultimately, designing elite yet legal lacrosse heads requires tremendous engineering expertise. Gait continually develops construction techniques that maximize ball control and handling while satisfying regulations. This know-how lets Apex players perform at the top of their game with complete confidence in their gear.

Apex Lacrosse Sticks for All Positions

Lacrosse requires specialized sticks for each position to optimize individual skills and game strategy. Gait thoroughly researches position-specific needs in designing its wide range of Apex sticks. From lightning-quick midi sticks for midfielders to big oversized heads for goalies, Apex gear facilitates peak performance across the field.

For midfielders, the emphasis is on quick sticks that excel at tight passing sequences, fast breaks, and sniper shots on goal. Accordingly, Apex midi heads have narrowly pinched sidewalls for increased ball control. They also feature contracted but optimized pocket placement for cleaner cradling and quicker ball release. Scoops are designed for easy ground ball pickup during transitions.

Attack players gain an edge with Apex sticks providing exceptional passing precision and shooting accuracy. Heads with customized stringing like a high mid-pocket facilitate keeping the ball tucked in while maneuvering around defenders. Oversized soft mesh pockets allow absorbing checks and stick fakes to free up space for shots.

Defenders benefit from Apex long pole heads that are ideal for poke checks, intercepting passes, and moving the ball in transition. Extra-wide heads provide a large sweet spot for picking off errant passes. Stiffer sidewalls prevent scooping mishaps when corralling loose balls.

For goalies, oversized Apex heads with extra-deep pockets are designed to maximize stopping power. The higher sidewalls and pinched scoop make the oversized head easier to maneuver. Custom pocket stringing helps control rebounds and outlet passes after saves.

Through extensive design iterations and testing, Gait ensures every piece of Apex gear is optimized for its position. The company draws continuous feedback from players to identify new areas for improvement. For lacrosse players seeking every possible edge over the competition, having the right stick for your position is a must.

Apex Goalie Sticks Feature Oversized Heads

The goalie position in lacrosse demands specialized equipment tailored for their unique role as the last line of defense. Gait Apex goalie sticks are designed with extra-large heads to aid in blocking shots and controlling rebounds. The oversized head effectively expands the goalie’s blocking reach and provides a significant advantage versus shooters.

Apex goalie heads are significantly wider than field heads, with an expanded area above the scoop. This increased surface area improves the goalie’s chances of stopping shots aimed high or wide. The extra width also enhances the ability to deflect low bounce shots down into the turf before they cross the goal line.

In addition to added width, Apex goalie heads are deeper from the scoop to the throat. This allows them to fully encompass and control balls that make their way into the pocket. The deeper pocket helps secure the ball after saves for quick outlet passes to clear the zone.

To complement the oversized head, Gait engineers Apex goalie shafts for maximum durability. These shafts employ thicker composite walls and reinforced joints to withstand the abuse of blocking scores of 100+ mph shots. Stiff construction prevents shaft flex and energy dissipation during saves.

Despite the large surface area, Apex goalie heads maintain a pinched profile to aid maneuverability. Strategically placed stiffening ribs on the scoop and sidewalls enhance stability as well. Durability is also boosted by stainless steel screw attachments and chunking at stress points.

During design, Gait utilizes extensive player feedback to identify improvements to passing accuracy, ball control, and rebound predictability. While the basic oversized profile remains constant, the details are continually refined. In the hands of a skilled goalie, an Apex stick is an impenetrable fortress thwarting shot after blistering shot.

Gait’s Quality and Craftsmanship Built to Last

With lacrosse sticks taking a pounding game after game, durability and longevity are key considerations. Gait Apex sticks are crafted to the highest standards to deliver reliable high performance season after season. From premium materials to meticulous construction, Gait’s quality shines through in every Apex stick.

It starts with aerospace-grade composite materials formulating exclusively for Gait. The premium carbon fibers and resins ensure lightweight strength and resilience to withstand endless checks and slashes. Robotic manufacturing techniques guarantee precise placement and alignment of each layer in shafts and heads.

Gait engineers continuously refine wrap directions, thicknesses, and carbon/resin ratios to optimize flex and stiffness. Extensive computer simulations reveal composite layups that trim weight without sacrificing ball speed or stability.Durability is further enhanced on Apex shafts via chunking in high-stress areas around the head junction and grip. This added material beefs up weak points prone to breakage.

When it comes to heads, Gait employs advanced polymers engineered for both flexibility and ruggedness. The materials retain shape and integrity rather than warping under heating and humidity. Stainless steel screw attachments deliver rock-solid durability throughout the life of the head.

With every manufacturing step scrutinized for precision and quality assurance, Apex sticks deliver reliable excellence year after year. Gait spares no expense with premium-grade materials and components. The result is lacrosse gear that players can trust implicitly as they leave it all on the field in pursuit of victory.

Top Collegiate and Professional Players Use Apex

In the ultra-competitive realm of college and pro lacrosse, players demand equipment that delivers every possible performance advantage. The fact that so many elite players rely on Gait Apex sticks speaks volumes about the quality and capabilities engineered into each model.

Walk through the locker rooms of perennial NCAA powerhouses and you’ll see Apex sticks stacked from floor to ceiling. Big name NCAA stars and Tewaaraton Award winners have brought home championships with Apex in hand. The same goes for pro leagues like the NLL and Premier Lacrosse League where the very best in the world compete.

This adoption among top collegiate and professional players confirms that Apex sticks truly represent the pinnacle of lacrosse engineering. The advanced carbon composite shaft construction provides the perfect flex profile for blistering shots, pinpoint passing, and cat-like ball handling. Oversized heads with Flex Mesh pockets facilitate anchoring the ball while maneuvering through traffic.

Elite players continuously work with Gait’s design team through the Apex engineering process. Their input helps dial in handle dimensions, pocket placement, shooting sweet spots, and other performance attributes. No detail goes overlooked; everything is scrutinized to shave weight, improve feel, and build in durability.

Ultimately, you cannot argue with success. The skills and achievements of Apex-wielding lacrosse stars showcase the performance potential of these sticks. For developing players with aspirations of playing at higher levels, using the same gear as the pros can provide motivation to keep improving.

Apex Lacrosse Sticks Designed for Optimal Performance

Lacrosse sticks seem simple enough on the surface – just a shaft with a netted head. But engineering the optimal design for passing, catching, cradling, and shooting takes tremendous expertise. Gait pours immense R&D into crafting Apex sticks that improve skills and boost on-field performance.

Apex shafts feature strategically tuned stiffness to ensure maximum ball speed on shots, clearing passes, and outlet passes after saves. The flex profile adds precision for winding stick maneuvers, quick redirects, and split dodges. Ergonomic handle shaping coupled with textured grips give players superior control during passing and shooting.

Engineered pocket placement, sidewall angles, and channel designs in Apex heads enhance control, release speed, and accuracy. Pockets can be customized with variable stringing patterns to match a player’s position and style. For example, mid-pockets facilitate cradling through traffic while low pockets quicken release.

During the design process, Gait utilizes advanced computer simulation and modeling tools to analyze head and shaft attributes. Aerodynamic factors are studied to maximize ball speed and minimize erratic release. Pocket geometries are simulated to refine passing and shooting accuracy.

The result of all this engineering is lacrosse sticks with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. Every subtle nuance combines to boost skills. Quicker reaction times, tighter passing lanes, blistering shot velocity, ankle-breaking dodges – Apex sticks help elevate all aspects of play.

Apex Sticks Offer Custom Stringing Options

One size rarely fits all, especially when it comes to lacrosse stick stringing. Gait recognizes every player has unique preferences for pocket placement, shooting sweet spot, hold, and ball release. That’s why Apex heads can be fully customized with personalized stringing options.

When you order an Apex stick, Gait offers several pocket patterns to match your style and position. Options include higher or lower shooters, deeper or shallower pockets, and various sidewall string configurations. Experienced stringers will also work with players directly to create fully customized mesh pockets.

For midfielders and attack players, a mid-to-low pocket typically works best for keeping the ball tucked in while moving through traffic. A low pocket also enables quicker release for precision passing. For defenders, a mid pocket retains ball control while also allowing long clearing passes.

Beyond pocket placement, shooters can choose nylon shooting strings to form ideal shooting sweet spots. Additional V shooting strings, double runners, and lace provide further fine-tuning. Cheater strings allow customizing hold strength for one-handed cradling and protecting ball possession.

With Apex stringing options, players can match their lacrosse stick setup perfectly to individual style. Dialing in your pocket, hold, and shooting capabilities is critical for performing your best. Gait’s customization takes your stick from stock to bespoke with precision craftsmanship.

Apex Lacrosse Sticks Use Lightweight Composite Materials

In the quest for maximizing lacrosse stick performance, weight is a key consideration. Excess mass in the shaft and head slow player reaction time, reduce shot speed, and contribute to fatigue. Gait Apex engineers utilize featherweight composite materials to minimize weight while boosting durability.

Apex shafts are constructed from advanced carbon fiber composites that trim every possible ounce without compromising strength. The aerospace-grade pre-preg carbon material has a superb strength-to-weight ratio. Computer-optimized layup orientations and wall thicknesses pare away extras grams.

Apex heads also employ cutting-edge lightweight polymers engineered for lacrosse. By formulating materials specifically for heads, Gait achieves the ideal flex and performance attributes at a minimum weight. The resulting heads are up to 30% lighter than typical designs.

Reducing mass requires extensive computer simulation to predict structural integrity. Gait engineers use finite element analysis to identify areas that can safely shed material without weakening the stick. Critical stress points are reinforced to prevent breakage.

The lightweight Apex construction enables quicker handling, faster shots, and reduced fatigue versus heavier sticks. Less mass also lowers inertia to facilitate quicker changes of direction. Late-game advantage goes to the team with less weary arms hoisting heavy sticks.

While cutting-edge lacrosse sticks keep getting lighter, strength and durability remain uncompromised. By tapping advanced materials science, Gait pushes the boundaries of possible with the Apex line. Less weight equals more performance.

Apex Sticks Improve Player Skills and Performance

Great gear won’t instantly transform an average player into a lacrosse phenom. But using sticks like the Gait Apex can elevate skills, boost confidence, and unlock untapped potential. When engineered for peak performance, equipment can help players reach new heights.

Optimized Apex flex profiles allow players to hone passing, shooting, and stick handling. The sticks become natural extensions of a player’s arms, facilitating new techniques. As mechanics improve, players can execute faster shots, quicker releases, and tighter passes.

Well-tuned Apex heads build skills by enhancing control. Superior cradling minimizes turnover-causing bobbling or loose balls. Dialed-in pockets foster confident catching and improved accuracy. Playing time spent mastering fundamentals leads to greatness.

With expertise gained using Apex gear, players gain awareness of new possibilities. Go-to shots emerge from sweet spots. Quick-release passes find narrow shooting lanes. Defensive pokes precisely intercept errant passes. Overall field vision improves.

Gradually, next-level skills crystallize and become second nature. Performance metrics like shot speed, points, takeaways, and ground balls tick upward. Stepping up to quality gear like Apex sticks awakens dormant potential within.

Apex Sticks Available in Various Flexes and Weights

Lacrosse players have varying preferences when it comes to stick flex profile and balance. Gait recognizes this by offering the Apex line in a range of flex ratings and weights tailored to different positions and personal style.

For midfielders who like some flex for quicker stick handling, the Apex 60 flex rating provides nice bend and whip. Defenders who prefer more rigidity for clearing passes downfield may opt for an Apex 70 stick. Faceoff specialists can choose an Apex X80 with maximum stiffness for clamp speed.

Handle dimensions also vary from the standard 60-inch midfielder stick to 52-72 inch poles for defensemen. Attack players may opt for the increased maneuverability of a 30 inch midi handle. Goalies have oversized 40 inch handles for blocking range.

In terms of weight, shaft lengths dictate much of the overall heft. But Gait also offers a range of ultra-lightweight shafts weighing as little as 5 ounces for minimum fatigue. Heads also come in varying stiffnesses and pocket styles to match needs.

With so many flex and weight configurations available, Apex players can select sticks that feel like natural playing extensions of their physique and personal style. Stiffness that overpowers one player may feel perfectly balanced for another. Optimized setup transcends positions.

By offering a spectrum of specs spanning flex, balance, and weight, Gait ensures every lacrosse athlete can find their personal Apex match. The right stick maximizes skills and potential.

Apex Sticks Provide Precise Ball Handling

Victories on the lacrosse field require tight ball control during dodges, catches, cradling, and shot attempts. The difference between a goal and a turnover often comes down to stick handling precision. Gait Apex sticks deliver refined responsiveness for mistake-free possessions.

Optimized flex profiles in Apex sticks provide snappy rolls, quick redirects, and stability for dangling through contact. Tuned torque and balance facilitate keeping the ball exactly where you want it at high speeds.

Superior pocket design enhances control and feel. Custom stringing creates ideal hold strength and shooting sweet spots. When the ball touches nylon, it sticks. Yet Apex heads still enable fast interior passing thanks to honed release channels.

For possession receivers, Apex heads absorb checks without bouncing the ball free. For face-off middies, pinpoint clamping and explosive pops spring the ball with perfect trajectory to awaiting sticks.

With command of the ball maximized by Apex’s nuanced engineering, players execute their skills with poise and precision. Cradling through three defenders becomes effortless. Hidden shooting lanes are hit every time. Fundamentals become greatness.

Apex Heads Enable Crisp, Accurate Shooting

Unleashing a blistering shot into the top corner of the goal is one of lacrosse’s great thrills. Gait Apex heads are engineered for lightning-quick, pinpoint accurate shots that find net. The keys are optimized ball ramps, quick release, and dialed-in shooting strings.

The precisely angled ramp and sidewall geometries in Apex heads guide shots with laser precision. Passing lanes seem to widen as cutters hit their spots on cue. Whippy Apex handles generate tremendous force as shots explode off the mesh.

Superior stringing creates ideal hold until the moment of release, preventing drops or hesitations. Shooting nylons form evolved pockets with defined sweet spots. Vs, Us, double runners, and laces all finesse accuracy.

Apex engineers analyze every structural nuance with vector diagrams, stress flow mapping, and computer simulations. The key is honing ball flight the instant it leaves the strings. Even slight adjustments to sidewall angles impact performance.

With an Apex stick elevated to lethal weapon status, snipers experience euphoric thrills. Bottoms corners, top shelves, bounce shots – the goal lights up at will. Defenders are left shaking heads in frustration after goals ripped off in the blink of an eye.