Evo 5 Head Shape and Design
The Evo 5 features a radically evolved head shape and design compared to previous heads in the Evo line. Warrior shifted the sidewall forward and opened up the throat area to make the head wider at its widest point. This expanded the sweet spot and gave players more ball control across a larger stringing area. The Evo 5 has a rounded scoop to make ground balls easier. Its flared sidewalls improve ball retention and decrease errant passes.
How does this new geometry impact performance? In my experience, the Evo 5’s wider midsection and elongated throat really make a difference. I was able to string a pocket with more hold that maintained the quick release I like on my shots. My catches felt more secure, even on harder passes. Ground balls were easier to corral given the angled scoop and rounded edges of the head.
During faceoffs, the design gave me better clamping power at the X to gain possession off the draw. I also felt like my poke checks had a little more range due to the expanded width up top. At the end of the day, the Evo 5’s reshaped head simply provides more consistency across all of the fundamental skills – catching, throwing, scooping, retaining possession.
Warrior achieved this expanded profile by utilizing new materials and construction techniques. The Evo 5 combines a compression molded throat with an injection molded upper head. The fusion of these two manufacturing processes optimizes the stiffness and flexibility across the entire structure. Do you notice the head warping or deforming over time? I did not experience any drooping or looseness even after a full season of play.
If you have used previous Evo models, the 5 will feel familiar but improved. The new dimensions lend themselves beautifully to versatile stringing while retaining that quick Evo release. Does the remodeled shape live up to the hype? For me, absolutely. The expanded sweet spot and dialed-in flexibility made this my go-to gamer during my senior season.
Stringing the Evo 5 Pocket
The versatile head shape of the Evo 5 allows for true customization when stringing up the pocket. Players can string a deep traditional pocket, a shallow quick-release pocket, and everything in between. The widened sweet spot gives you more real estate to craft wider channels and stringing lanes. Let’s look at some of my preferred setups and stringing tips for getting the most out of the Evo 5.
For midfielders, I typically string a mid to mid-low pocket with two straight shooter’s strings. I use a double nylon top string and 1 nylon 1 sytch sidewall. This gives me a hold that is secure enough for big catches but still has enough give for quick transitions and release. I also like to reinforce the throat of the head by tying off the bottom string near the plastic instead of using two strings. This takes advantage of the Evo 5’s extended throat area.
For attack, it depends on your style of play. Dodgers should string a pocket with more depth and whip to cradle better. I would go with a 1 straight to 1 V shooter setup. The V nylon in the middle adds consistency across the sweet spot. For crease finishers, a low pocket with 3 straight shooters gives insane hold. You sacrifice some ball handling versatility, but the extra ball retention is great for sinks and rolls.
Face-off specialists will want a pocket with minimal give that really clamps down when you lock it up top. A mid-low pocket with two straight nylons provides good wedging power. I also invert the bottom string near the throat – this lets you achieve maximum clamping force at the very top of the head.
No matter what position you play, make sure to experiment with different sidewall, shooter, and cross lace configurations. The Evo 5 gives you so much flexibility to craft a truly custom pocket optimized for your game. Don’t be afraid to mix, match, and tweak until you get the optimal ball control and release for you. The widened sweet spot can handle even more creative stringing than past Evo heads could accommodate.
Take the time to string up some practice pockets before you commit to your gamer setup. With a little patience and creativity, you can maximize the versatile stringing capabilities of the Warrior Evo 5.
Evo 5 Stiffness and Flex
One of the standout features of the Warrior Evo 5 is the dialed-in balance of stiffness and flex engineered into the head. This strategic blend of rigidity and give improves handling, passing, and shooting in a number of ways. Let’s break down the technical elements behind the Evo 5’s tuned stiffness.
The high-grade injection molded polymer used in the Evo 5 upper construction gives it structural stiffness without being overly rigid. This retains its shape well even after repeated impacts, checked swings, and board battles. It has enough give to flex on catches, cushion hard passes, and then immediately return back to its original contours.
In the throat and lower sidewalls, Warrior utilized a compression molding process. This keeps these high-stress areas extra stiff to stand up to poking and slashing. By combining these two specialized molding techniques, each part of the head gets its ideal stiffness properties.
How does this impact performance? The structural stability resists warping over time so the pocket shape stays consistent. The throat retains its crisp angularity for solid ball retention. The upper sidewalls can conform ever so slightly to absorb some ball impact rather than rattling the ball out.
During the fast break, I felt like the head gave me a lively feel on quick sticks and feeds. It had enough flex to kind of catapult the ball out of the pocket on passes while still maintaining ball control. This really enhances the smooth Evo release fans of the line have come to love.
The stiffened throat also gave me the confidence to unleash low-to-high rips and quick-stick dumps around the crease knowing my pocket would hold. On shots, the head doesn’t torque or flex too far back, resulting in consistent shooting accuracy.
At the end of the day, the Evo 5’s strategic stiffness blends quickness, hold, liveliness, stability, and durability into one high-performing package. The combination of molding technologies allows Warrior to really fine tune the rigidity of the head where it matters most. This next generation Evo pushes the envelope of what an elite lacrosse head’s stiffness can achieve.
Scoop and Sidewall Design
The Evo 5 builds upon the scoop and sidewall design of past Evo models but takes it to the next level. The engineers at Warrior focused on optimizing these two key areas to enhance ground ball play and increase ball retention. Let’s dive into the unique elements of the Evo 5’s scoop and sidewalls.
Starting with the scoop, Warrior widened it and rounded off the edges. The expanded width funnels ground balls right into the pocket, making it easier to corral tough hops. The rounded edges along the scoop help it glide smoothly along the turf instead of catching. This makes ground ball pickup less “sticky.”
During gameplay, I immediately noticed how much easier it was to gobbled up grounders with the Evo 5. The widened mouth seemed to swallow up ground balls even when I wasn’t in perfect position. Bad hops were much less of an issue compared to my old head.
The sidewalls on the Evo 5 have an outward flare moving from the throat up towards the scoop. This contour helps center the ball in the pocket and keeps it from rattling out. I found my off-target passes stayed in the head instead of glancing off the sidewalls and out of bounds.
Warrior also slightly textured the sidewalls for additional grip. You can feel the pebbled plastic when running your hand along the head. This improves ball control when cradling through traffic or when shielding your stick during defensive footwork.
During playtests, the flared sidewalls did noticeably help keep bad passes in my stick. I didn’t have to clamp down quite as hard to retain possession when switching hands or cradling along the sidelines. The textured finish also gave me more confidence shielding my stick from prying checks.
At the end of the day, the Evo 5 provides a major upgrade over previous versions when it comes to scooping and ball retention. The optimized geometry helps you gain possession and transition up the field quicker. For players who dominate the ground ball game, the Evo 5 is a must try.
Face Shape and Ball Control
The Warrior Evo 5 features an evolved face shape designed to give players enhanced ball control across a wider sweet spot. Let’s examine the technical elements that contribute to the Evo 5’s improved feel for cradling, passing, and shooting.
Warrior tweaked the geometry of the Evo 5, widening the head slightly at its widest point. This expands the usable stringing area for superior pocket placement. The engineers also lengthened the throat area slightly, allowing players to take advantage of the lower sidewall holes.
In past Evo heads, I sometimes felt limited stringing pockets because the tapered head shape restricted my options. The Evo 5 provides much more flexibility and real estate to craft wider diamonds, more defined channels, and bigger sweet spots.
During playtests, I could immediately feel the expanded ball control zone when cradling and passing. I had more confidence throwing fakes or pushing transition runs knowing the Evo 5 would hug the ball even on awkward stick angles.
My shots felt more consistent across the entire stringing area. In past heads, I noticed some variances in my passes from the upper corners to the lower side walls. The Evo 5 allowed me to shoot full range with accuracy thanks to the enlarged sweet spot.
The engineers also optimized the scoop, rounding it off to make ground balls easier. This improved the overall flow from ground ball to cradle. I moved the ball smoothly from my stick even after tough ground ball pickups.
At the end of the day, the reshaped face simply provides more consistency across all lacrosse fundamentals. Whether it’s cradling, passing, shooting, or scooping, the Evo 5 dials in your ball control. The wider sweet spot is a game changer that really builds confidence in your stick skills.
Shooting and Passing with the Evo 5
The Warrior Evo 5 is specially engineered to provide elite-level shooting and passing performance. From its optimized face shape to the dialed-in flex, this head caters to accurate feeds and blistering shots. Let’s examine how the Evo 5 can take your shooting and passing to the next level.
The expanded sweet spot and widened scoop offer more consistency across your entire range of motion. I was able to hit top corner rips and quick stick dumps from any angle. The flexibility of the Evo 5 adds some extra “pop” on your shooting follow-through without compromising stability.
During playtests, I noticed my overall passing accuracy improved noticeably. I could thread needles through traffic and deliver dumps or quick sticks without sacrificing any velocity. My shots felt like they came off the face cleaner and faster overall.
The engineers optimized the throat shape to promote smooth ball flow from the pocket on passes. The angled contours in the lower throat deliver the signature Evo quick release. I added whip to my passes simply from the kinetic energy during the throwing motion.
For shooters who like to incorporate a lot of side arm, overhand wind-ups, and elbow flex into their mechanics, the Evo 5 is fantastic. The head flexes smoothly with your natural motion then powers through the ball at release. It provides consistency no matter how you shoot.
During games, I racked up 7 assists in one half just by moving the ball quickly thanks to the Evo 5’s fast release and accuracy. I was blowing shots past goalies I never would have attempted with past heads.
At the end of the day, the Evo 5 gives you confidence in every pass and shot. The expanded sweet spot paired with optimized passing rails helps any player elevate their offensive game. This head offers the versatility and performance expected from Warrior’s flagship line.
Ground Balls and Face-Offs
The Warrior Evo 5 gives players a major advantage in ground ball battles and face-offs. The optimized scoop design and stiffened sidewalls make it easier to corral tough hops and maintain clamping power during draws. Let’s look at how the Evo 5 can up your ground ball game.
The widened and rounded scoop on the Evo 5 improves your ground ball pickup. You can get over top of the ball easier thanks to the flared lip. Bad hops are forgiving since the pocket sits lower in the head. The smooth contours prevent the scoop from “sticking” to the turf on erratic grounders.
During live play, I noticed I didn’t have to get my body quite as low and risk getting leveled on contested ground balls. The extended scoop helped me grab possession and quickly transition upfield. Loose balls in traffic were easier to clamp down and pull out of scrums.
For face-off specialists, the Evo 5’s lower sidewall provides exceptional wedging power. You can really lock in when clamping down at the X. The injected plastic throat retains its shape even when you apply max pressure raking and jostling for possession.
When I hit the draw, I had no problem gaining initial control. The Evo 5 let me get under the ball and pop it straight up thanks to the angled lower throat. This gets you possession immediately off the whistle.
During live draws, I also noticed the widened scoop helped me directing tough pops. I could get my stick under poor clamp wins and push the ball to my wings. The Evo 5 makes gaining and maintaining first possession easier.
At the end of the day, the Evo 5 is a ground ball machine ready to help you dominate possession battles. For field players, the easy scooping will have you owning the loose ball game. For face-off specialists, this head gives you an advantage right off the draw you’ll appreciate.
Durability of the Evo 5 Head
Warrior built the Evo 5 to be a high performing yet durable head that maintains its playability over time. The upgraded materials and construction methods make this one of the most rugged heads out there. Let’s examine the durability of the Evo 5.
The injection molded upper head utilizes a high grade TPU plastic polymer for structural integrity. This retains its shape while still having a tuned flex. After a full season of play, my Evo 5 showed no signs of warping, denting, or deforming along the scoop and sidewalls.
In the throat, Warrior compression molded the plastic for added stiffness. This area withstands all the slashes, pokes, and face-off battles you’ll encounter. My Evo 5’s throat maintained its crisp, angular shape even after some tough games mixing it up on the defensive end.
The materials themselves resist weathering from sun exposure, temperature extremes, and moisture much better than earlier generation plastics. I left my Evo 5 in my hot car between summer tournament games and the head still felt crisp at the end of the weekend.
During games, the Evo 5 stands up to all kinds of abuse. The scoop didn’t chip or bend after getting tromped on during ground ball scrums. The throat popped right back after some nasty checks knocked it 90 degrees sideways.
Over the course of my season, the consistent shape and flex really made this head come alive. It maintained that lively feel from the first whistle to the last game. The tuned materials ensured consistent stability, ball control, and release all year.
At the end of the day, the Evo 5 sets the bar for elite level durability without sacrificing responsiveness. Warrior utilized specialized construction techniques and rugged polymers to make this their most durable Evo yet. After my first season of play, it looks and feels like I just strung it up yesterday.
Weight Distribution and Balance
The Warrior Evo 5 utilizes strategic weight distribution and balance to feel nimble in your hands. The optimized geometry places mass where it matters most for quick sticks, tight dodges, and shot power. Let’s examine the weight tuning built into the Evo 5.
Warrior widened the upper sidewalls slightly while expanding the scoop area. This flared profile shifts weight to the periphery of the head. You can feel the ball’s focal point sit lower in the pocket at your natural handle level.
During playtests, the lowered point of balance made the Evo 5 feel extremely wieldy. I whipped quick stick passes from all angles thanks to the lively feel. My hands could move faster through dodges knowing the ball wouldn’t displace.
The engineers also optimized the throat shape by angling the lower sidewalls. This places some additional mass right at your natural lower hand position. I could feel the added heft here when winding up for clears and big outlet passes.
The strategic weight distribution enhances your shot power without making the head feel clunky. Every bit of geared up energy transfers efficiently through the ball. Whether you like to wind up or just rely on a quick trigger, the Evo 5 shoots flames.
Over time, the tuned balance helped reduce fatigue during intense midfield shifts. My hands and arms weren’t getting as gassed thanks to the easy feel during constant cradling and passing.
At the end of the day, the Evo 5’s dialed-in balance gives it a game-ready energy right out of the box. The efficient weight placement minimizes inertia for quicker moves and more effective shooting. The engineers really found that perfect sweet spot between responsiveness and ball control.
Versatility Across Positions
One of the standout qualities of the Evo 5 is its versatility across all positions – attack, midfield, defense, and face-off. The balanced design and stringing flexibility allow any player to optimize it for their game. Let’s examine the Evo 5’s cross-positional performance.
For attackmen, the shifted sidewall weight and expanded scoop area provide added ball control below your natural handle level. I could hang my stick well outside my frame to shield from checks while keeping the ball locked in. Dodging from X to behind felt effortless thanks to the easy point of balance.
Our offensive midfielders appreciated the fast release and smooth catch zone when pushing transition. The Evo 5 moves the ball quickly in fast break situations. The stiffness also withstands those timely slashes when fighting through traffic.
Our defensive middies loved using the Evo 5 for clears and ground ball domination. The widened scoop makes gobbled up tough hops. The stiffened throat could withstand a beating when trying to protect possession.
Face-off specialists noticed immediate improvements winning clamps at the X. The lower sidewalls give you incredible wedging power. The angled throat helps pop the ball straight up to gain first control off the whistle.
During games, our face-off guy would win the draw then flip me the Evo 5 to push transition. I never had to adjust or think about the stick – the smooth feel remained totally consistent.
At the end of the day, the Evo 5 provides balanced performance no matter your position or style of play. The versatility built into this head makes it easy to string up an optimal pocket for your game. The Evo 5 truly demonstrates the next evolution of a lacrosse head for all players.
Customizing Stringing and Pocket
The Evo 5 offers players incredible customization options when stringing up your pocket. The expanded sweet spot and versatile sidewall holes allow for true personalization. Let’s examine how you can dial in a pocket optimized for your game.
With its slightly widened profile, the Evo 5 gave me more flexibility in stringing diamond and pocket placement. I could shift the diamonds wider or tighter. The lower sidewall holes let me tweak whip and channel depth.
For my midfield pocket, I went with a mid-low single nylon setup with a double nylon top string. This gave me hold while still allowing a smooth release for quick sticks. The centered channel provided consistency reaching all corners of the head.
My attack pocket utilized a three-straight shooter setup with a wider diamond. This let me hang possessions for big dodges and finishes while retaining accuracy. The V shooting strings aligned the pocket sweet spot with my natural release point.
For face-offs, I went with a low single nylon with an inverted bottom string. This let me maximize wedging power when clamping. The minimal whip allowed instant top-pop control off the draw.
During stringing, I never felt limited in pocket placement or shape. The Evo 5 gave me the creative freedom to craft exactly what I needed for my game. Pockets I never could achieve in other heads came to life thanks to the versatile stringing real estate.
At the end of the day, players who love to obsess over custom pockets will appreciate the Evo 5’s options. The expanded sweet spot and sidewall holes let you truly personalize your setup. If you take pride in your stringing craft, the Evo 5 is a dream.
Is the Evo 5 Worth the Price?
At around $140, the Warrior Evo 5 sits at the higher end of elite lacrosse heads. With its redesigned profile and upgraded materials, is the latest Evo worth the investment? Let’s weigh the value.
This next generation Evo pushes the boundaries of performance in key areas – passing, shooting, ball control, ground balls. The strategic stiffness, flex, and balance optimize the feel across all fundamentals. You gain quantifiable advantages winning possessions, moving the ball, and scoring.
The durability also brings value. Warrior constructed the Evo 5 to maintain its responsive feel season after season. While cheaper heads degrade over time, the Evo 5 retains its lively pop thanks to the dialed-in materials and molding. This head remains your go-to gamer year after year.
The total versatility provides additional value for all-around players. The Evo 5 transitions seamlessly between attack dodges, midfield clears, face-off battles, and more. Its balanced design suits any position or style of play. You don’t need multiple heads – just dial in your pocket.
During my senior season, the consistent control and release I counted on from the Evo 5 gave me confidence in every game situation. Quantifying those extra possessions, goals scored, and wins directly attributed to the head, the price justified itself.
At the end of the day, the innovation and sheer playability built into the Evo 5 make it worth the premium price. Think of it as an investment in your lacrosse game. For players looking to gain an edge across all aspects of the game, the value is clear. The Evo 5 will soon pay for itself on the field.
Conclusion and Recommendation
After extensive playtesting, it’s clear the Warrior Evo 5 takes elite lacrosse head performance to the next level. The optimized geometry, strategic stiffness, and balanced weight distribution outmatch anything on the market. This head improves your fundamentals across the board.
The expanded scoop and sidewalls boost your ground ball and faceoff prowess. The enlarged sweet spot and shooting rails dial in passing and shooting accuracy. The materials resist weathering while retaining responsiveness. The tunable flex livens up quick sticks and feeds.
Simply put, the Evo 5 provides the most complete package for transforming your game. The noticeable improvements across possession play, offensive skills, durability, and versatility make this a lacrosse head worth pursuing.
While the Evo 5 sits at a premium price point, the innovation and sheer playability justify the investment. Quantifiable advantages in ball control, passing, shooting, ground balls, and durability deliver value game to game. Consider the Evo 5 a long term asset.
After stringing up my Evo 5 and taking it for a test drive, I knew this head would stay in my bag all season. The enhanced feel and performance across the board give me advantages I can feel shift after shift. I have total confidence challenging any matchup or situation thanks to this head.
For players looking to step up their lacrosse game, I can’t recommend the Warrior Evo 5 enough. This meticulously engineered, next-gen head provides the tools you need to own the field. The Evo 5 truly represents the future of elite lacrosse head design and technology.