Looking for the Best Women’s Lacrosse Cleats. 15 Must-Have Features to Consider in 2023

Looking for the Best Women’s Lacrosse Cleats. 15 Must-Have Features to Consider in 2023

When it comes to women’s lacrosse, having the right cleats can make all the difference in your performance on the field. As a lacrosse player, your cleats are your connection to the ground – they allow you to start, stop, cut, and explode with power. That’s why choosing the best women’s lacrosse cleats for your specific needs and preferences is so important.

Lightweight Construction for Speed and Agility

One of the most important features in women’s lacrosse cleats is a lightweight construction. The lighter your cleats, the faster you’ll be able to move on the field. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour all offer cleats made with lightweight synthetic materials that won’t weigh you down. Look for cleats constructed with Pebax, TPU, or other ultralight polymers. The lighter your feet feel, the quicker your cuts, dodges, and sprints will be.

Breathable Upper Material to Keep Feet Cool

When you’re running up and down the field, your feet get hot. That’s why many of the best women’s lacrosse cleats use breathable woven upper materials like mesh. These allow air to flow in and out, keeping your feet cool and dry even during the most intense games. Breathable uppers paired with moisture-wicking linings also help prevent blisters by reducing friction inside the cleat.

Ankle Support and Protection Against Rollovers

women’s lacrosse involves a lot of lateral cuts, quick changes in direction, and pivots. This rapid side-to-side movement makes ankle support critical. Cleats with integrated ankle collars or extra padding around the ankles provide stability and prevent your ankles from rolling over. High-top cleats take this a step further for maximum ankle protection. For midfielders who cut more, high-tops are often preferred.

Traction and Grip for Quick Cuts and Changes in Direction

In addition to ankle support, women’s lacrosse cleats need great traction to allow those lightning-quick cuts and direction changes. Brands like Warrior and Adidas engineer cleats with advanced outsole traction patterns that grip the turf. Traction is also affected by cleat configuration – women’s cleats typically have more cleats positioned at the ball and heel of the feet for optimal grip. The best cleats bite into the ground with every stride, push-off, or cut.

Toe Protection for Hard Checks and Ground Balls

Women’s lacrosse can involve some tough physicality around the goal and in the midfield. That’s why women’s cleats feature extra toe protection. Thermoplastic toe caps add protection against hard checks, stomps, and picking up ground balls. Brands like STX and New Balance incorporate advanced toe caps that don’t add extra weight. Durable protected toes allow you to play tough at the draw circle without pain.

Padded Collar for Added Comfort Around Ankles

While ankle support is important, women’s lacrosse cleats should still be comfortable. Extra padding around the collar, especially on high-tops, enhances comfort and prevents chafing. This allows you to cinch the cleats tight enough for stability without sacrificing comfort. Padded linings around the ankles feel great and eliminate distractions.

Removable Sockliner to Accommodate Orthotics

If you wear custom orthotics for extra arch support or use performance insoles, look for women’s cleats with a removable sockliner or insole. This allows you to pop out the factory insole and replace it with your own custom option. A removable liner also allows you to increase cushioning or fit certain medical orthotics. This customizes comfort and fit.

Flexible Yet Supportive Midsole for Agility

A cleat’s midsole affects your lateral agility. Women’s lacrosse cleats balance flexibility with moderate midfoot support. Flex grooves in the sole allow your foot to move naturally for quick cuts and accelerations. But stiffer midsole shanks prevent the arch from collapsing, providing energy return for sprints. The best cleats strike this balance between natural motion and support.

Durable Outsole that Withstands Constant Stopping/Starting

Women’s lacrosse cleats really take a beating with all the starting, stopping, and changing direction. Look for durable rubber or TPU outsoles that provide superior traction without wearing down prematurely. Some brands like Nike even offer guarantees against blowing out the sidewalls. Abrasion-resistant outsole rubber also helps the cleats hold up season after season.

Variety of Styles Including Mid, Low or High Tops

Women’s lacrosse cleats come in a variety of styles to suit different player’s needs and preferences. Most popular are mid-cut cleats that provide ankle support while allowing mobility. Low-cut cleats offer freedom of motion and are very lightweight, while high tops provide maximum ankle stability. Consider if you want a snug fit, wider fit, or lots of protection when choosing a style.

Bold, Vibrant Color Options to Stand Out on Field

Today’s women’s lacrosse cleats come in bright, bold colors and graphics that let you stand out on the field. Hot pink, neon yellow, bright greens – many brands offer flashy colors and patterns that showcase your style. Customizable cleats even allow you to design your own color scheme. The right colorful cleats intimidate opponents and show your confidence.

Customizable Options Like Personalized Graphics

If you want your cleats to perfectly match your style and personality, go for customizable options. NikeID, Under Armour Custom, and other custom cleat programs allow you to add your number, name, inspirational sayings, or fun graphics. Design your own color combinations too. Pair this with matching customizable socks for a complete look.

Proper Cleat Configuration for Field Surface

Women’s lacrosse cleats have cleat patterns designed specifically for the constant pivots and traction of the sport. They focus cleats at pressure points like the big toe, ball, and heel for optimal acceleration and pushes. But you’ll also want to match your cleat configuration to your field surface. Most lacrosse cleats come in turf and molded varieties best suited for grass or synthetic fields.

Lightweight Plate for Power Transfer in Shooting/Passing

Many women’s lacrosse cleats incorporate lightweight yet rigid midfoot plates right under the arch. This transfers power from your legs through to your feet, adding velocity to your passes, shots, and clears. Brands like Nike and Warrior optimize these plates for lightweight stiffness without reducing energy return. Test shots and passes in the store to feel the plate’s snap.

Finding the best women’s lacrosse cleats comes down to understanding the technical features that enhance your quickness, agility, and power on the field. Prioritize game-changing performance features like lightweight traction, ankle support, breathability, and durability from leading athletic brands. With the right cleats, you’ll notice a clear improvement in your level of play this season.

When you’re constantly sprinting up and down the field, cutting left and right, and exploding out of nowhere during a lacrosse game, your feet really take a beating. All that intense stop-and-go movement generates a ton of heat and sweat inside your cleats. That’s why breathability is such an important factor when selecting the best women’s lacrosse cleats.

Breathable Upper Material to Keep Feet Cool

The upper material of your lacrosse cleats plays a huge role in ventilation and coolness. Many top athletic brands now construct the uppers from lightweight woven synthetic meshes that maximize airflow to your feet. These breathable meshes allow hot air to escape out of the cleats while letting cooler air circulate in. This constant air exchange helps lower the temperature inside the cleat and wick away sweat.

Nike utilizes a combination of mesh and textile uppers in many of their women’s lacrosse cleats. The mesh panels align with hot spots on your feet that tend to overheat and sweat heavily during play. Strategically placed mesh zones offer critical ventilation right where you need it most. Under Armour and Adidas also build some women’s lacrosse cleats with one-piece woven mesh uppers that wrap the entire foot in breathability.

Moisture-Wicking Linings

In addition to breathable uppers, moisture-wicking linings help keep your feet cool and dry. These advanced linings draw sweat away from your skin and spread it across the fabric so it can evaporate. STX incorporates moisture-wicking materials in the linings of their women’s lacrosse cleats. The linings work in tandem with the ventilated uppers to prevent sweat buildup.

Preventing Blisters

Excessive sweat inside lacrosse cleats often leads to painful blisters as moisture creates friction between your feet and the lining. But breathable cleats that dissipate sweat virtually eliminate this friction. When your feet stay nice and dry, there’s less rubbing inside the shoes. Fewer blisters mean you can focus on your game versus dealing with annoying foot pain.

Keeping Feet Odor-Free

Sweaty, moist feet also cause odor and bacteria growth inside your cleats. Breathable lacrosse cleats allow air to continually flow through, keeping your feet dry rather than damp. When feet stay dry, you avoid issues with odor, fungi, and bacteria accumulation inside your shoes. Well-ventilated cleats keep feet smelling fresh all season long.

Brands like Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas pour serious research and development into engineering lacrosse cleats that offer maximum breathability. They understand how important airflow, cooling, and moisture-wicking are for peak lacrosse performance. Don’t settle for stuffy, hot cleats – select a pair this season that will keep your feet feeling fresh and energized all game long.

Women’s lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-intensity sport that requires players to execute quick cuts, dodges, and changes in direction. All of this explosive lateral movement puts a lot of stress on the ankles. That’s why proper ankle support and rollover protection are key factors to consider when selecting women’s lacrosse cleats.

Ankle Support and Protection Against Rollovers

The repeated lateral pushes involved in lacrosse can cause the ankle to roll over if it’s not adequately supported. Cleats that lack sufficient ankle stability place you at risk of painful ankle sprains and rolls. This is why it’s so important to choose women’s lacrosse cleats engineered to provide maximum ankle protection.

Integrated Ankle Collars

Many top athletic brands design women’s lacrosse cleats with integrated ankle collars made of synthetic leather or thermoplastic material. These extra-stiff collars are molded right into the upper to wrap firmly around your ankles. The snug support of the collar enhances stability when cutting side to side.

Padding Around Ankles

In addition to ankle collars, strategic padding placed around the ankles enhances support and comfort. Brands like New Balance and Under Armour incorporate padded foam or EVA foam linings right above the heel counter. This added cushioning around the ankles prevents your feet from sliding inside the shoes when changing direction aggressively.

High-Top Cleats

For maximum ankle stability, many midfielders and defenders opt for high-top women’s lacrosse cleats. The higher collar and extended construction literally provides an extra layer of support surrounding the ankles. High tops are also ideal for athletes recovering from ankle injuries who need extra reinforcement.

Outrigger Designs

Some brands like Warrior take women’s lacrosse cleat support even further with innovative outrigger designs. These provide a wider platform under the heel to prevent rollovers. Outrigger shapes give you more surface contact with the turf for greater later motion control.

Choosing women’s lacrosse cleats with advanced ankle support technology allows you to plant, cut, and pivot aggressively without worrying about your ankles. Prioritize solid stability so you can focus on your lightning-quick dodges and direction changes rather than potential injuries.

In a fast-paced sport like women’s lacrosse that involves nonstop cutting, dodging, and changes in direction, having cleats with great traction is critical. The grip on your cleats allows you to push off the turf for explosive movements and quick accelerations in any direction.

Traction and Grip for Quick Cuts and Changes in Direction

Today’s top athletic brands pour significant R&D into engineering lacrosse cleats with maximum traction and grip to facilitate those lightning-fast cuts and direction changes. Here are some key traction technologies to look for in your next pair of women’s lacrosse cleats:

Advanced Outsole Patterns

Brands like Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas optimize the outsole tread patterns on women’s lacrosse cleats specifically for multidirectional traction. Complex interlocking traction nodes, targeted cleat positioning, and deep flex grooves in the sole allow your feet to grip the turf when pushing off in any direction. Advanced outsoles provide 360 degrees of top-notch grip.

Cleat Configuration

The configuration of cleat studs strongly influences traction. Women’s lacrosse cleats typically concentrate more cleats at the ball and heel of the feet for optimal acceleration and gripping from lateral motions. The forefoot and toe also have enhanced traction for grabbing the turf when changing direction.

Right Cleats for Surface

Traction relies on the proper cleat studs for your playing surface too. Most brands offer options for turf fields with shorter molded cleats or natural grass with longer cleat studs. Match your studs to field surface for the best grip.

Durability

No traction technology matters if the cleats wear down prematurely. Look for women’s lacrosse cleats with durable rubber or TPU outsoles engineered to maintain traction over many games before degrading. Abrasion-resistant materials prevent studs from shearing off.

When selecting your next pair of women’s lacrosse cleats, pay close attention to the traction systems used. Advanced grip technology lets you play at the lightning-fast speed the game demands by allowing explosive cuts, dodges, and direction changes on a dime.

Women’s lacrosse is a rough-and-tumble sport, especially around the goal and in the midfield where players battle fiercely for possession. All those ground balls, picks, and hard checks can really beat up your feet. That’s why reinforced toe protection is such an essential element in women’s lacrosse cleats.

Toe Protection for Hard Checks and Ground Balls

The repeated stomps, stomps, and picks in lacrosse can easily lead to toe bruising and nail issues without proper protection. Here are some of the toe protection technologies engineered into the best women’s lacrosse cleats:

Thermoplastic Toe Caps

Many top athletic brands mold super-stiff thermoplastic material into a cap shape right over the toes. This reinforced shield absorbs impacts from kicks and stomps that would otherwise bruise toes. Toe caps also protect the nails from excessive roughness. Under Armour, Nike, and New Balance all incorporate durable toe caps.

Reinforced Toe Bumper

Some brands take toe protection even further with extra material layers wrapped over and under the toes. This added reinforcement acts like a bumper, diffusing force from collisions. Brands like STX use multi-layer toe bumpers for maximum foot protection.

Air Vents

While toe caps add protection, some are designed with mesh ventilation to prevent overheating. Strategically placed air vents allow good airflow to keep feet cool and dry even with the extra material up front. Breathable toe caps eliminate heat buildup.

As a women’s lacrosse player, you know those collisions are inevitable around the draw circle and midfield. Give your toes the protection they deserve with advanced cleat toe cap technology so you can keep on playing hard.

While performance and protection features are crucial in women’s lacrosse cleats, comfort is still important too. All the ankle support and stability features won’t help if your cleats cause blisters or chafing around your ankles. That’s why clever comfort technologies like padded collars enhance the lacrosse cleat wearing experience.

Padded Collar for Added Comfort Around Ankles

Many athletic brands design women’s lacrosse cleats with strategically placed padding around the ankle opening and collar:

Plush Foam Padding

Brands like New Balance use soft, plush foam padding lining the collar and ankles. This helps prevent the stiff ankle collar from digging into your skin, especially as you cinch the laces tighter for stability. The pillowy foam minimizes irritation.

EVA Foam

Some brands incorporate EVA foam in the collar padding. This lightweight yet cushy foam mold to your ankles, enhancing comfort. EVA foam also holds up well over time versus packing down.

Heel Lock Lining

In addition to collar padding, extend padding down into the heel improves comfort and lockdown. Brands like Under Armour use heel lock linings to prevent your foot from sliding around when cutting aggressively. This enhances stability and comfort.

Moisture-Wicking Lining

Moisture-wicking linings are also important to keep your ankles comfortable and chafe-free. Synthetic linings whisk away sweat so your ankles remain dry versus getting irritated from moisture buildup inside the cleats.

Don’t settle for lacrosse cleats that cut into your ankles or cause blisters. Prioritize strategically padded collars so you can achieve a locked-in fit without sacrificing comfort and play your best out there.

If you rely on custom orthotics or performance insoles to support your arches and alignment, it’s important to choose women’s lacrosse cleats with removable sockliners. This allows you to remove the factory insole and customize the fit and comfort.

Removable Sockliner to Accommodate Orthotics

Here are some of the benefits of selecting women’s lacrosse cleats with removable sockliners or insoles:

Accommodating Orthotics

The main benefit of a removable sockliner is being able to take out the factory insole and replace it with your own custom orthotics. Podiatrist-recommended orthotics provide tailored arch support, cushioning, or alignment correction. Removable liners allow these devices to fit in your cleats.

Extra Cushioning

A removable liner also allows you to add extra insoles for more cushioning. Some players layer foam or gel insoles over the factory liner for underfoot shock absorption and comfort on hard playing surfaces.

Precision Fit

You can also replace the sockliner with a more precision-contoured insole to enhance the customized instep fit. Aftermarket insoles better mold to your foot shape versus a generic one-size-fits-all liner.

Odor Control

Finally, removable sockliners make it easy to regularly replace old insoles with fresh anti-odor ones to keep feet smelling clean. Fresh insoles minimize bacteria buildup inside your cleats.

Look for women’s lacrosse cleats manufactured with removable sockliners to enjoy the benefits of customized, enhanced comfort and support this season.

The midsole of women’s lacrosse cleats plays a key role in optimizing agility and mobility. While you need some stiffness and support through the arch, the best cleats balance this with enough midsole flexibility to allow natural foot movement.

Flexible Yet Supportive Midsole for Agility

Here’s how athletic brands strike the perfect balance of flex and support in lacrosse cleat midsoles:

Flex Grooves

Deep flex grooves are carved horizontally across the midsole, right in the areas that bend with your foot. These grooves allow more natural forefoot flexion for quicker cuts, dodges, and accelerations.

Stiff Midfoot Shank

Though the forefoot remains flexible, stiffer plate-like shanks are integrated under the midfoot arch area. This provides a rigid lever for powerful pushes off the turf, while preventing the arch from collapsing.

Dual-Density Foams

Some brands use dual-density EVA or compressed foam in the midsole. Softer foam under the forefoot facilitates flex, while higher density foam under the arch offers support. This tuned construction optimizes natural motion and stability.

Curved Shape

Many women’s lacrosse cleats incorporate a curved or contoured midsole shape. This mirrors the shape of the foot for smoother heel-to-toe transitions during sprints.

The best women’s lacrosse cleats strike an ideal balance between flexibility where you need it and support where you need it most. Tuned midsoles with strategic stiff and flex zones optimize quick cuts, dodges, and acceleration.

The nonstop starting, stopping, cutting, and pivoting in women’s lacrosse really puts cleats through the wringer. An extremely durable outsole is crucial so your traction and performance don’t decline prematurely before the season ends.

Durable Outsole that Withstands Constant Stopping/Starting

Here are some outsole technologies that enhance cleat lifespan and durability:

Rubber Compounds

Premium rubber compounds resist abrasion far longer than standard rubber. Brands like Nike use high-grade solid rubber on lacrosse cleat outsoles for enhanced durability. As an added bonus, premium rubber also provides better traction.

TPU

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is an extremely hardy synthetic material that outlasts standard rubber. Under Armour and New Balance incorporate TPU into outsoles. The material retains its structural integrity and traction much longer than basic rubber.

Reinforced Walls

Some brands focus durability enhancements on the cleat sidewalls. This is the area most prone to blows outs. Nike builds reinforcing threads into the sidewall rubber to prevent rips and tears before they happen.

Warranties

High-performance lacrosse cleat brands will stand behind their durability claims with warranties against defects and premature wear. Nike offers a 6-month outsole warranty – a testament to their rubber’s resilience.

Don’t jeopardize your mobility and game with cleat outsoles that wear out too quickly. Seek out lacrosse-specific durability technologies so your traction and performance remain locked-in all season long.

Women’s lacrosse cleats come in a range of styles – low, mid and high tops – so you can select the ideal pair based on your position, playing style and preference.

Variety of Styles Including Mid, Low or High Tops

Here’s an overview of the different lacrosse cleat styles and their key characteristics:

Low Tops

Low-cut lacrosse cleats end right above the ankles, providing a very lightweight and maneuverable feel. Low tops offer the most freedom of motion for quick dodges and cuts. The trade-off is less ankle support.

Mid Tops

Mid-cut cleats rise just over the ankle joint, supplying a blend of flexibility and support. This makes mids a versatile option suitable for all field positions. Mid tops are the most popular lacrosse cleat style.

High Tops

High-top women’s lacrosse cleats extend almost to the calf for maximum ankle coverage and stability. The extended collar hugs the ankle tightly to prevent rollovers. High tops add peace of mind for midfielders who cut hard.

Consider Playing Style

Think about your position and style of play. Attackers and speedsters may opt for more low top mobility, while defenders choose added high top support. Midfielders fall somewhere in between with mid cuts.

It’s great that brands offer lacrosse cleats in diverse styles so you can find the ideal pairing of weight, height, and ankle coverage. Whether you choose low, mid or high tops, just be sure to get a snug supportive fit.

One fun aspect of women’s lacrosse cleats today are the vibrant color options that allow you to express your style. Bright, bold cleat colors also intimidate opponents by showcasing your confidence.

Bold, Vibrant Color Options to Stand Out on Field

Today’s lacrosse cleats for women incorporate eye-catching color palettes like:

Neon Accents

Electric neon pink, green, orange and yellow accents create bold visual interest against darker base colors. Neon allows your cleats to really stand out on the field.

Two-Tone Colors

Combining two complementary colors on the upper, like purple and black, makes your cleats pop. The contrast draws attention and provides a stylish look.

Premium Prints

Vibrant all-over graphic prints in premium patterns like camo, leopard and floral make a visual statement. Printed cleats display creativity and fearless confidence.

Metallic Finishes

Shimmering metallic gold, silver and copper cleats project an eye-catching glimmer under the lights. Metallic lacrosse cleats get you noticed.

Today’s lacrosse cleats allow you to showcase your vibrant style and intimidate the competition with fearless looks. Lace up in your boldest colors and prints, and let your swagger show out there.

Taking women’s lacrosse cleat customization to the next level, some brands offer personalized graphics so you can design your own one-of-a-kind cleats.

Customizable Options Like Personalized Graphics

Here are some of the custom lacrosse cleat personalization offerings to look for:

Add Name/Number

Options like NikeID allow you to add your name, jersey number, or other text graphics to the lacrosse cleats. This personal touch really makes them your own.

Unique Color Combos

In addition to graphics, customizable lacrosse cleats let you select custom color combinations for different cleat elements. Choose your perfect color scheme.

Meaningful Graphics

Many brands offer select graphics like flags, hearts or wings that you can customize with colors and placement. Show your personality through meaningful symbols.

Matching Socks

For the complete look, customize your cleat colors and patterns, then design matching lacrosse socks printed with your graphics. The perfect personalized pair.

Custom women’s lacrosse cleats allow you to showcase your unique style, passion and personality. A personalized pair makes a bold statement every time you step on the field.

To maximize traction and performance, women’s lacrosse cleats need to have the proper cleat configuration tuned specifically for the constant lateral motions of the sport. The cleat layout should also match your playing surface.

Proper Cleat Configuration for Field Surface

Here are some key elements that comprise optimal cleat configuration for women’s lacrosse:

More Cleats at Ball/Heel

Women’s lacrosse cleats concentrate more cleats or studs at the ball and heel of the foot to enhance acceleration and grip at push off. brands optimize traction where you need it most.

Enhanced Toe Traction

The toe area of women’s cleats also sees enhancements for optimal grip at the turf when changing direction. Angled toe traction aids in cuts and pivots.

Turf vs. Grass Studs

Most brands tune lacrosse cleats for either turf or grass surfaces. Shorter turf studs provide stable traction on artificial fields, while longer grass studs deliver grip on natural grass that can’t be beat.

Rotational Traction Zones

Some brands map out rotational traction zones tailored for key motions in lacrosse like planting, pivoting and rotating through strides. The cleats deliver multidirectional grip.

Understand how cleat configuration enhances performance so you get a pair with ideal stud placement and surface traction tailored for women’s lacrosse.

To generate maximum power in passes, shots, and clears, women’s lacrosse cleats are engineered with lightweight yet rigid midfoot plates. These plates transfer energy from your leg muscles right into the ball.

Lightweight Plate for Power Transfer in Shooting/Passing

Here’s how athletic brands optimize these midfoot power plates:

Lightweight Materials

Plates are constructed from lightweight Pebax or TPU that doesn’t weigh down the cleat. Minimal mass keeps feet feeling light and fast.

Stiff Construction

The plate material resists flexing to remain super stiff as you load your feet. This stiffness returns power rather than absorbing it.

Energy Return

The rigid lever construction maximizes energy return for snappy releases right as you shift your weight forward. More energy equals more velocity.

Strategic Placement

Plates are positioned right under the midfoot to concentrate leverage under the arches. Trampoline-like energy return right where you need it.

Test out shots and passes in cleats with tuned midfoot power plates. You’ll immediately feel the extra torque as you fine-tune your shooting form this season.

Finding the right size is crucial for women’s lacrosse cleats to deliver a locked-in fit that enhances agility and stability. That’s why top athletic brands offer lacrosse shoes for women in a full range of sizes from 5 up to 14.

Offered in Full Range of Sizes for Proper Fit

Here are some sizing considerations for women’s lacrosse cleats:

Size Variety

Leading brands like Nike, Under Armour and STX manufacture women’s lacrosse cleats in standard sizes from 5 up to 14. This wide range provides a good fit for all players.

Half Sizes

In addition to standard sizing, many lacrosse cleats come in half sizes like 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5. Half sizes improve the chances of a precision fit.

Width Options

Some brands offer wide width cleats for those needing a more spacious toe box. Choose standard or wide widths depending on your foot volume.

Trying On

Since sizing varies between brands, always try on lacrosse cleats in the store for both length and width. This guarantees the correct size for full comfort.

With all the pounding your feet take during intense lacrosse games, getting the right size women’s cleats ensures stability, enhances performance, and can even prevent injuries. Find your ideal fit.