Maverik Mission The Definitive Lacrosse Shaft Review

Maverik Mission The Definitive Lacrosse Shaft Review

Customizing and Stringing the Maverik Mission Shaft for Optimal Performance

When you purchase the Maverik Mission blank shaft, one of the best features is having the ability to fully customize it to match your playing style and position on the field. The Mission shaft arrives strung with a basic pocket, but for most players this will require adjustments and personalization to achieve peak performance. Fortunately, the Maverik Mission is highly versatile and can be set up in multiple pocket styles to deliver the ball control, hold and shooting/passing power you need.

Some key factors to consider when stringing your new Maverik Mission shaft include the type of head you’ll pair it with, desired pocket depth and shape, preferred shooting strings and sidewall setup, and any special stringing tricks like adding a mid-pocket nylon. Midfielders often prefer a medium pocket with quick ball release, while attackmen may opt for a deeper pocket with more hold and control for dodging defenders. The Mission’s 6-sidewall design gives great flexibility to string traditional styles like a mid-low, modified mid-low, or shifty U pocket. Using different shooting string and sidewall combinations – 1 straight, 1 nylon, 2 straights, 1 nylon, or 2 nylons – can significantly impact passing, control and hold.

When stringing your new Maverik, experiment with different sidewall hole patterns and head placements until you dial in the pocket sweet spot you want. Add multiple shooting strings at varied heights to fine tune passing speed and accuracy. Use stacked shooting strings, a mid-pocket nylon, or double up sidewalls in key areas to gain more ball control. Some players use a lower nylon to “bag out” the lower pocket for added depth. The right wax mesh, like Money Mesh or Throne Mesh from StringKing, also enhances hold. With the right techniques and adjustments, you can customize your Maverik Mission into the perfect stick that matches your game.

Overview of Maverik Lacrosse Company and Their Shafts

Maverik Lacrosse has been producing top-quality lacrosse gear for over 25 years. What started as a small company run out of founder Drew Adams’ grandfather’s basement has grown into one of the most popular and innovative lacrosse brands in the sport. Maverik is widely known for engineering cutting-edge shafts and heads that give players an edge on the field. The New York-based company has a motto of “By Players, For Players” – their gear is designed by lacrosse enthusiasts to help advance the sport.

When it comes to their line of shafts, Maverik is consistently leading the way with new technologies and materials. They make shafts in a variety of flexes, weights and shapes to suit every position’s needs. Some of their most popular shaft lines include the Union, Tank, Wonderboy, and of course, the Mission. Maverik shafts feature unique traits like Flex Rebend to reduce warping, Tactik texture for superior handle grip, and Strategic Weight Placement zones to shift balance. Maverik also combines space-age alloys like Scandium, Thermoplastic and Carbon to produce ultra lightweight but hard hitting shafts.

The Maverik Mission blank shaft embodies the brand’s engineering and innovation pedigree. It was designed from inception using feedback from NCAA and pro players to create the ultimate customizable lacrosse shaft. Maverik boasts how they “broke every rule in shaft design” to build the Mission with groundbreaking Factivity technology. This Factivity system uses Variable Wall Thickness in key zones along the shaft to amplify flex where you need it. The result is a shaft weighted and tuned exactly where your hands grip for maximized ball control and the fastest, most accurate passes and shots. When paired with the right head and customized stringing, the Maverik Mission gives players a distinct performance advantage thanks to Maverik’s engineering skills.

Maverik Mission Shaft Design and Technology

The Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft utilizes several innovative new technologies to provide players with maximum ball control, precision passing, and shooting power. Maverik designed the Mission from the ground up based on feedback from NCAA and MLL players to create the ultimate customizable blank shaft.

The standout innovation in the Maverik Mission is the Factivity system. Factivity uses Variable Wall Thickness in strategic zones along the shaft to amplify flex where players need it most. By tuning the wall thickness and flex profile, Maverik optimized the performance sweet spot in the upper handle area where players grip the stick. This results in unparalleled feel and ball control for dodging, passing and shooting.

Maverik’s new DuraFlex technology reinforces the lower shaft area to prevent warping or deforming over time. The Mission uses a combination of premium alloy metals like Scandium, Thermoplastic, and Carbon fiber to produce an ultra lightweight but high strength shaft. Maverik straightened the lower shaft and shifted walls thinner here to improve durability. The shaft walls graduate from 5mm to 7mm lower down to eliminate distortion after heavy checks.

Some additional technologies in the Maverik Mission include Tactik texture on the handle for superior grip and control when maneuvering the stick through heavy traffic. The shaft features a smooth HyperWhip finish in the upper shaft zones to promote quick, effortless passing and shooting. For custom stringing, the shaft has a 6-sidewall design and optimized sidewall hole pattern spacing to allow any pocket style. With its smart design and futuristic construction, the Maverik Mission gives players the tools needed to dominate the field.

Weight, Flexibility and Strength of the Mission Blank

When designing the Maverik Mission blank shaft, the engineers at Maverik focused heavily on optimizing the weight, balance, flexibility and strength to give players maximum performance. By carefully selecting premium alloy metals and using Variable Wall Thickness, they created a shaft that is incredibly lightweight yet delivers a potent flex profile exactly where players need it.

The Maverik Mission is constructed from a blend of Scandium, Thermoplastic, and Carbon fiber to produce an ultra lightweight but hard hitting shaft. The shaft weighs just 125 grams while still providing excellent durability and ball feel. Maverik strategically removed weight from the lower shaft using advanced tapering methods to shift more mass up top where players grip the stick. This results in easier maneuverability down low while giving more whip up high.

Maverik’s Factivity technology amplifies flex in the upper handle through Variable Wall Thickness in the shaft design. Walls measure 5mm to 7mm throughout the lower shaft then graduate to just 2.5mm to 4mm in the upper zones. This allows the top of the shaft to really load up and snap back when shooting or passing. Advanced carbon fiber placement reinforces high stress areas for premium strength and durability where needed.

The Maverik Mission brings together the perfect blend of ultra lightweight design, strategically tuned flex profile, and indestructible alloy metals. Maverik broke the rules for traditional shaft construction to make the Mission stronger, more flexible and perfectly balanced for today’s lightning fast game.

Ideal Positions and Player Types for the Maverik Mission

The Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft is designed to be highly customizable for players at every position on the field. The lightweight yet robust construction makes it versatile for midfielders, attackmen, defensemen, FOGOs, and goalies alike. However, there are certain player types and positions that can benefit most from the Mission’s specialized performance features.

For midfielders, the Maverik Mission provides the ideal flex profile for ripping off wickedly fast shots during transitions or driving top-shelf rockets from up top. The tuned flex point in the upper shaft loads up beautifully for clearing long bombs down field. The lightweight build also prevents arm fatigue during extended shifts at both ends of the pitch.

Dodging attackmen will love using the Mission’s strategically placed flex point and Tactik grip to dance around defenders while protecting the rock. The pinpoint accuracy and insane ball hold from a custom pocket let you thread needles to find cutting teammates. Face-off specialists benefit from the lightweight agility and the flex point’s whip on clamp wins to gain possession off the draw.

For defensemen, the Mission offers superior poke check control while the lightweight lower shaft allows quick footwork and body positioning to contain dodging threats. The strategically balanced design also helps deliver crushing checks. Finally, goalies can use the variable flex point to make reaction saves look easy by getting their stick in passing lanes quickly.

The Maverik Mission shaft stands out through its versatility to adapt to any position’s needs. With customized pocket stringing and flex tuning, players of all styles can boost their game with this cutting-edge shaft.

Customizing and Stringing the Maverik Mission Shaft

One of the best features of the Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft is the ability to fully customize it through pocket stringing to match your playing style. The Mission arrives strung with a basic starter pocket, but most players will want to personalize the pocket to achieve top performance.

When stringing the Maverik Mission, key factors to consider are the head style, desired pocket shape/depth, shooting strings, and sidewall set up. Attackmen may prefer more hold from a deeper pocket while midfielders need a quicker release pocket. The Mission’s 6-sidewall design gives flexibility for traditional mid-low, modified mid-low, or shifty U pockets.

Dialing in the right shooting strings and nylons can significantly impact passing and shot speed, hold and ball control. Playing with shooting string patterns like 1 straight 1 nylon, 2 straights 1 nylon, or 2 nylons helps fine tune the channel hold and release point. Some players use a lower nylon to increase depth. The right mesh, like Money Mesh or Throne Mesh, boosts hold too.

When stringing your new Maverik, don’t be afraid to experiment with different sidewall configurations and head placements to find your ideal pocket sweet spot. Focus the pocket in the upper throat area to take advantage of the Mission’s tuned flex point for Accuracy. With the right adjustments, you can customize your Maverik Mission into the perfect pocket for dominating the competition.

Maverik Mission vs Other Popular Blank Shafts

The Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft is one of the top-rated blank shafts on the market, offering an unparalleled mix of cutting-edge technologies and premium materials. But how does it compare against some other popular blank shafts from brands like Epoch and StringKing?

Looking at other lightweight shafts like the Epoch Dragonfly and StringKing Metal 2, the Maverik Mission holds up extremely well. It matches the benchmark 125-gram weight of the Dragonfly but uses more robust Scandium and carbon to prevent durability issues. The Factivity variable flex is more tunable and optimized than the Dragonfly’s fixed flex point.

Comparing to StringKing’s legendary Metal 2, the Maverik Mission actually beats it in innovating shaft design. Metal 2 uses consistentthickness walls without strategic flex profiling. It also lacks tactile gripping texture in high stress areas. Maverik took metal shaft construction to the next level with the Mission’s flex tuning and glossy HyperWhip finish.

Across the board, the Maverik Mission introduces more groundbreaking technologies than premium shafts from other top brands. Factivity profiling, DuraFlex strengthening, an optimized sidewall layout, and tactile grip textures really set this shaft apart. For players seeking the ultimate competitive edge from a fully customizable blank, the Maverik Mission is hard to top.

Pricing and Availability of the Maverik Mission

The Maverik Mission is one of the premier customizable lacrosse shafts on the market, and its pricing reflects the high-end construction and technology. The Mission retails for $140 but can be found online and in select lacrosse stores for around $99.

This positions the Maverik Mission in the upper tier for metal shaft pricing along with shafts like the Epoch Dragonfly Elite and StringKing Metal 2. However, players find the extra performance from features like Factivity, DuraFlex, and Tactik textures well worth the investment. The Mission often outperforms shafts costing much more.

The Maverik Mission comes sized for all players, including 30″, 40″, 50″ and 60″ lengths. This allows youth athletes all the way up to professional players to experience the benefits. Maverik offers the Mission in a range of colorways like black, blue, red, orange, green and yellow to suit team preferences.

Players can find the Maverik Mission stocked by most major online lacrosse retailers including Lacrosse Unlimited, Sideline Swap, and Lax.com. The shaft is also carried by physical stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, sports equipment shops, and college bookstores. With great availability across the web and local retailers, players at all levels have access to this top-tier customizable shaft.

Pros and Cons of the Maverik Mission Blank Shaft

The Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft has emerged as one of the top-rated metal shafts thanks to an innovative design and premium construction. But like any piece of lacrosse gear, it has both advantages and drawbacks to consider.

Starting with the positives, the Maverik Mission offers an incredibly lightweight yet robust shaft weighing just 125 grams. The tuned flex profile and Variable Wall Thickness provide unmatched feel and ball control. Factivity technology amplifies flex right in the upper handle sweet spot where players grip the stick. The shaft also introduces groundbreaking features like DuraFlex to prevent warping.

In terms of drawbacks, the Maverik Mission sits at the higher end for pricing at around $140 retail. While worth it for most, the price tag is steep for some budget-focused players. Additionally, the Tactik texture which is designed to improve grip can feel abrasive on bare hands to some. Lastly, the lightweight build requires care to prevent denting or cosm

Common Questions and Answers About the Mission Blank

The Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft is packed with new technologies and construction methods that may raise some questions for players. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Maverik Mission blank.

What is the shaft made of? The Mission uses a premium blend of Scandium, Thermoplastic, and Carbon metals for an ultra lightweight but strong build.

What is Factivity technology? Factivity allows Maverik to use Variable Wall Thickness in strategic zones to amplify and tune flex where players need it most.

How durable is the shaft? Maverik’s DuraFlex tech reinforces stress areas to prevent warping. The metals used resist dents and deforming all season long.

Can you customize the flex? Yes, strategic stringing and pocket placement takes advantage of the Factivity tuned flex point for personalized performance.

Does it come strung? The Mission includes a basic starter pocket but players will want to customize stringing to match their game.

What colors are available? The 2023 Mission comes in a range of colors like black, blue, red, green, orange, yellow, and more.

What length options are there? Maverik produces the Mission in 30”, 40”, 50” and 60” lengths to fit all players.

Does Maverik offer a warranty? The Mission is backed by Maverik’s 1-year limited warranty on defects and workmanship.

By breaking down key questions players have about the Maverik Mission, it’s easy to see why this innovative shaft is a top choice for lacrosse athletes across all positions and skill levels.

Playing with the Maverik Mission: Performance Review

Once you string up the Maverik Mission with your preferred pocket style and specs, it’s time to take it out on the field and see how this blank shaft performs in game action. Testing during shooting, passing, cradling, and defensive play reveals the Mission’s strengths.

Right away when cradling, the lightweight build is noticeable as your arms don’t fatigue as quickly on long possessions. The tuned Factivity flex point lets you feel the ball sit right in the pocket sweet spot with each dodge and cut. Quick sticks are effortless thanks to the fast release.

Passing really highlights the Mission’s strengths. The snap at the top of the shaft makes whip passes and lazar beams down field an absolute breeze. You can place lead passes to teammates perfectly in stride. The faster throwing motion improves timing on pick and rolls through the box. Factivity technology gives you touch and control on dump passes to cutters.

Shooting performance sees a big boost from the Maverik Mission as well. The Factivity flex point adds velocity on side arm lasers and blistering overhand rips. You can pick corners with accuracy thanks to the balanced design. The lightweight feel promotes shooting on the run during transitions or leaning out from behind the cage.

Overall, the Maverik Mission blank truly takes your passing, shooting, dodging and defensive skills to the next level once you experience the advanced performance-enhancing technologies in live game action across the field.

Top Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Maverik Mission

The Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft gives players an instant competitive edge thanks to the innovative Factivity technology and premium construction. But you need to optimize a few key factors to get the most out of this high-performance shaft.

First, take the time to properly break in the pocket and shooting strings when you initially string your Mission. This allows the nylons and mesh to mold to the optimal shape. Use a pocket break-in tool like the StringKing Lacrosse Pocket Pounder to accelerate the process.

Next, experiment with adding a wax mesh product like StringKing Throne Mesh Wax or Mesh Wizard to increase grip and hold on passes and shots. Applying wax 1-2 times per month conditions the mesh. Don’t overdo it though as too much wax slows release.

Make sure to test out different head placements along the shaft to find your ideal shooting sweet spot and take full advantage of the tuned Factivity flex profile. Finding the right balance of hold and release requires trying different setups.

Consider stringing a double mid-pocket nylon for added hold if you play midfield. For attack, try a three-shooter setup to fine tune release speed and placement. Use a U-string or 1 straight, 2 nylons to maximize control and feel.

Keep the shaft clean by occasionally wiping it down with a damp cloth to maintain the HyperWhip finish for quick release checks. Finally, USE IT! Get out and play with your new Mission often to gain shooting, passing and confidence with this precision tuned lacrosse shaft.

Important Safety Considerations When Using the Mission

While the Maverik Mission lacrosse shaft provides players with optimized performance and control, like all lacrosse gear it requires proper safety measures during use. Following key safety tips helps minimize the risk of player injury.

Check for cracks or dents in the shaft before use, as damage can cause breakage during play. Maverik’s DuraFlex and premium alloys reduce this risk, but inspect regularly. Ensure the head is properly secured using a proper torque on the screw to prevent head rattling or loosening over time.

Tape up the bottom portion of the shaft if needed to improve grip and prevent slippage when carrying or passing the ball. Use caution when utilizing advanced techniques like overhand wind-ups or sidearm slash shots to not make contact with other players’ helmets or unprotected body parts.

When facing off, keep hands and the crosse lower to avoid dangerous clamps up high near the neck or head area. Defenders should avoid overly aggressive poke checks near opponents’ faces or unpadded areas. Goalies must wear appropriate protective gear like chest plates when standing in the crease.

Following basic safety best practices when wielding your Maverik Mission shaft promotes safe, injury-free play. The premium construction avoids most durability concerns, but pregame inspections and smart play will keep players safe all season long.

Comparison to Other Maverik Shaft Models

Maverik produces a deep lineup of high-performance lacrosse shafts. So how does their flagship Mission blank compare to other popular Maverik shafts like the Union, Tank, and Wonderboy?

The Mission beats the Maverik Union shaft thanks to its more strategically tuned flex point and lighter overall weight. The Union provides a consistent kick point versus the Mission’s variable flex profiling. At 140 grams, Union is heavier than the featherlight 125-gram Mission.

Looking at Maverik’s Tank model, the Mission wins out with its premium alloy metals versus the Tank’s cheaper aluminum. Tank lacks flex tuning technology and has basic sidewall drilling. Mission provides a much more customizable and lightweight experience.

The Wonderboy competes as Maverik’s most advanced shaft beside Mission. It offers similar Factivity technology but weighs slightly more at 130 grams. The Wonderboy also carries a higher price tag than Mission. Overall, Mission beats Maverik’s other shafts through meticulous construction and innovative flexion engineering.

Across Maverik’s shaft lineup, the Mission stands at the top as their most premium offering. From its ultra lightweight design to groundbreaking Factivity flex profiling, the Mission represents the pinnacle of Maverik’s high-performance lacrosse shaft engineering and technology.

Conclusion: Who Should Buy the Maverik Mission Lacrosse Shaft

The Maverik Mission has cemented itself as one of the premier high-performance lacrosse shafts money can buy. If you’re looking for the ultimate in lightweight construction, strategic flex profiling, and total customization, this shaft should be on your radar.

Midfielders benefit greatly from the Maverik Mission thanks to the tuned flex point that whips off insane outside shots on the run. Attackmen will love increased hold and control for dodging between defenders in tight quarters. Face-off specialists gain an advantage clamping and raking on draws.

Defensemen can deliver pinpoint poke checks while maintaining stick positioning thanks to the lightweight agility of the shaft. Goalies benefit from quicker reaction time potential with the Maverik Mission in hand. Ultimately, the Mission suits players of all positions.

Beyond the performance benefits, players seeking to stand out love the customized flex tuning and stringing personalization the Mission enables. The gorgeous glossy finish and intricate flex shaft design look and feel like a truly high-end piece of lacrosse engineering.

Considering its elite-level technologies, premium materials and sheer versatility, the Maverik Mission is a worthwhile investment for lacrosse players serious about maximizing their game. Maverik crafted a shaft focused directly at boosting skills, control, and competitiveness across the field.