Lacrosse is a fast-paced game with lots of movement. That means to really perform at your best, not to mention avoid injury, you need the right cleats. Lacrosse cleats should be comfortable, lightweight, and help you get the traction you need on whatever surface you play on.
We reviewed dozens of lacrosse cleats to identify the best of the best. We looked at men’s, women’s, and youth lacrosse cleats of all different fits, ankle styles, cleat styles, and materials to narrow down your options. And, of course, we looked at reviews from real customers to make sure that they loved every single pair of cleats that we chose just as much as we think you will.
Our top pick for the best lacrosse cleats, and the clear winner, is the Under Armour Men’s Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe. It’s a lightweight, high cut lacrosse cleat with excellent support, comfort, and protection.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Lacrosse Cleats
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Lacrosse Cleats Overall | Under Armour Men's Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe | 4.7 |
| Best Women's Lacrosse Cleats | Under Armour Women's Highlight Turf Lacrosse Shoe | 4.9 |
| Best Budget Lacrosse Cleats | ASICS Men's GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe | 4.5 |
| Best Men's Lacrosse Cleats | New Balance Men's Burn X2 Low-Cut Lacrosse Shoe | 4.6 |
| Best Youth Lacrosse Cleats | Under Armour Kids' Highlight R.m. Jr. Lacrosse Shoe | 4.8 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Lacrosse Cleats Overall: Under Armour Men’s Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe
Our pick for the best lacrosse cleats overall is the Under Armour Men’s Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe.
These high top lacrosse cleats have a UA ClutchFit upper that fits snuggly around your ankle for comfort and support. They measure 7 inches from the arch to the top of the shaft. They also have a 3D molded MPZ tongue that forms to your foot for additional protection. At the same time, the cleats also have extended eye row cutouts to give better flexibility despite the high cut as well as make it easier for you to put your foot in and out of the shoe.
These lacrosse cleats are made from a lightweight material that forms to the shape of your foot and ankle to provide support without discomfort or too much limitation of flexibility. The molded 4D Foam footbed molds to the shape of the bottom of your foot for excellent arch support and the reduction of slippage and cleat pressure. The UA PlasmaX plate works with your foot’s natural motion to provide the utmost stability and traction. The forefoot uses V56 technology to minimize toe hyperextension.
These shoes are available in men’s sizes 7 to 16 and in five different colors.
Under Armour Men’s Highlight M.C. Lacrosse Shoe Key Features:
- High-tops with UA ClutchFit upper and 3D molded MPZ tongue
- Flexible material
- 4D foam footbed
- UA PlasmaX Plate
- V56 technology in the footbed
Best Women’s Lacrosse Cleats: Under Armour Women’s Highlight Turf Lacrosse Shoe
Our top pick for women’s lacrosse cleats is similar to our top pick overall. Under Armour Women’s Highlight Turf Lacrosse Shoes are also high tops with a molded 4D foam footbed. Like with our top pick, that 4D footbed prevents slippage and cleat pressure while providing excellent support for the foot.
However, these cleats are designed for women, so they have a narrower fit. They’re also turf cleats, which means that the outsole has a rubber tread with a greater number of nubs than our top pick. It also means that those nubs are smaller in size than the ones on our top pick. These small mini-lugs provide excellent traction and grip on synthetic fields. They’re also great for dry natural fields.
In addition, these cleats have a textile upper that’s lightweight and breathable yet provide strong support for the ankle. The toe box is made from the same lightweight, flexible synthetic as our top pick so they conform to the shape of the foot. These shoes are available only in white and have metallic silver logo accents. They’re available in women’s sizes 5.5 to 11.
Under Armour Women’s Highlight Turf Lacrosse Shoe Key Features:
- Turf cleats
- High tops
- Lightweight, breathable textile upper
- Lightweight, flexible toe box
- 4D foam footbed
Best Budget Lacrosse Cleats: ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe
If you’re shopping on a more limited budget, then the ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe is a great option for you. ASICS is well known for its high-quality gear for a variety of different sports. These lacrosse cleats are no exception.
They’re a mid-cut shoe, so they balance the range of motion and weight with ankle protection and support. They’re extremely lightweight compared to other lacrosse cleats. That’s in no small part thanks to the breathable, moisture-wicking mesh fabric that’s found throughout the shoe, keeping your feet cool and dry. The rest of the body of the shoe is made from synthetic leather.
They have a gel cushioning system in the insole to provide comfort and support for the feet. The synthetic rubber sole provides excellent grip and traction on the ground while the 10mm heel gradient works with your natural motion to help you move faster with less strain. The flexible body and full lace-up design provide firm support for the foot and ankle and a custom-feeling fit.
ASICS Men’s GEL-Prevail Mid Lacrosse Shoe Key Features:
- Mid-cut
- Gel cushioning insole system
- Synthetic rubber sole
- Mesh and synthetic leather body
Best Men’s Lacrosse Cleats: New Balance Men’s Burn X2 Low-Cut Lacrosse Shoe
Sure, our top pick is also a men’s lacrosse cleat, but the New Balance Men’s Burn X2 Low-Cut Lacrosse Shoe provides a low cut alternative. These lacrosse cleats are designed with speed in mind, so they’re especially well suited for midfielders since that position requires a great deal of running. Defenders and attackers, however, may also appreciate the unique features of these cleats.
They have a bootie style construction that fits closely and is low cut but still sits pretty high up on the foot in the front to provide protection against things like other players’ cleats and sticks. The knit upper with kinetic stitch stability and the supportive knit collar both provide the highest level of flexibility and comfort. A TPU support skin helps protect the shoes — and your feet — from the elements. The plush insole provides additional support and comfort for your foot while the one-of-a-kind cleat play is built to maximize speed.
These lacrosse cleats are available in a huge range of men’s sizes from as low as a 4 all the way up to a 14. It’s also available in both standard and wide widths in each size. In addition, these lacrosse shoes come in five different colors.
New Balance Men’s Burn X2 Low-Cut Lacrosse Shoe Key Features:
- Low cut
- Bootie style body
- Knit upper
- TPU support skin
- Plush insole
Best Youth Lacrosse Cleats: Under Armour Kids’ Highlight R.m. Jr. Lacrosse Shoe
Adults aren’t the only ones who get to have all the fun, though. Under Armour Kids’ Highlight R.m. Jr. Lacrosse Shoes are excellent lacrosse cleats for both boys and girls.
Like the adult Highlight Lacrosse cleats, these have a UA ClutchFit upper for comfort and support around the foot and ankle. The shoes’ upper is made from performance synthetic material for support without being too heavy. At the front of the shoe is the mesh tongue with open holes for ventilation. They also have extended eye row cutouts for ankle flexibility and to make putting the cleats on and taking them off easier.
The die-cut EVA sock liner helps with comfort and stability for kids’ feet. It’s also quite durable to help the shoe last through the sort of wear and tear that only kids seem to be able to put their shoes through. The cleats themselves are rubber molded so they’re lightweight while also providing aggressive traction.
The shoe is available from little kids’ size 3 to big kids’ size 6.
Under Armour Kids’ Highlight R.m. Jr. Lacrosse Shoe Key Features:
- High-top
- UA ClutchFit upper
- Open holed mesh tongue
- Die-cut EVA sock liner
- Rubber molded cleats
Who Should Buy Lacrosse Cleats
Lacrosse cleats are essential for any lacrosse player. If you have cleats designed for another sport already, it may be tempting to just use those instead of buying a brand new pair of cleats. However, cleats from other sports aren’t really interchangeable. Lacrosse cleats are designed specifically for the unique aspects of the game. Lacrosse cleats are designed to provide traction and mobility on your play surface. They’re also designed to be breathable and lightweight and to provide support and protection for the player’s feet and ankles.
If you play on grass fields, you need either cleats with either molded or interchangeable studs. These large studs help dig into the grass and dirt for the best performance. Interchangeable studs allow you to change out the studs for different lengths and shapes to optimize your cleats for the exact field conditions. They’re great for people who play on multiple fields, but also for customizing your cleat set up to the different conditions that can show up in the same field from day-to-day.
If you play on turf, you’ll need turf shoes. Turf shoes have smaller nubs to help with performance on synthetic surfaces. If you regularly play on both natural and artificial surfaces, it may be worth it to buy both traditional cleats and turf shoes. And if you’re looking for cleats for other sports, then you may want to check out The Best Softball Cleats.
Important Features to Consider
Lacrosse cleats should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting lacrosse cleats:
- Fit. A proper fit is essential for lacrosse cleats. Poorly fitting cleats will not only be uncomfortable and offer less help with performance, but they can also lead to blisters or even more severe injury. Well-fitting lacrosse cleats should have no more than a finger of space between the ankle of the shoe and your skin. The heel and forefoot should fit snuggly, but your toes shouldn’t feel scrunched. Your feet shouldn’t feel like they’re moving around inside the shoes as you move, either. You should have a good range of motion in the shoes and they should feel comfortable and flexible. You shouldn’t experience any discomfort or pain. Men’s shoes tend to be wider than women’s shoes, but that’s really the only difference. Men with narrow feet may get a better fit from women’s shoes, while women with wide feet may have better luck with men’s.
- Ankle cut. Lacross cleats can be low, mid, or high cut at the ankle. Low profile shoes are more lightweight and offer more mobility but less ankle protection. Mid-cut shoes offer more support and protection to the ankle than low-cut shoes do, but not as much as high-cut shoes. They also offer less mobility restriction than high-tops, but still less mobility than low-cut shoes. High-tops offer the most ankle protection and support, but the least mobility and are heavier than either of the other two styles. High-tops are best for players with ankle injuries.
- Cleat style. Molded cleats have large studs designed for traction and mobility on grass, dirt, and mud. Some cleats have detachable and interchangeable studs that you can easily remove and replace. This allows you to optimize the cleats for the particular field conditions, such as wetness. Cleats with detachable studs tend to be more expensive, but you don’t have to replace them just because the studs are worn out. Many players find the versatility of detachable cleats to be worth it, but if you find yourself replacing cleats just because the studs are worn out, a detachable option may actually save you money over time. There are also turf shoes, which have a bunch of smaller nubs for grip on synthetic surfaces like artificial turf.
- Position. The position you play on the field also makes a difference. Defensive players typically go with low-tops because of their flexibility and weight. Midfielders tend towards mid-cut cleats for their balance of protection and mobility, but many prefer low-cut cleats. Attack players tend to prefer the protection and support of high-tops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cleats are used for lacrosse?
There are a variety of different types of lacrosse cleats, primarily differentiated by ankle height and cleat style. Lacrosse cleats can have high, mid, or low cut at the ankle.
Lacrosse cleats most commonly have large studs for digging into grass and dirt. Traditionally, these studs are round to offer the best traction. However, some are bladed to provide traction for forward and backward movement while allowing quick lateral movement. Some cleats have a mix of these two styles. Other cleats have what are called turf studs. These are smaller studs designed to get traction on turf. Because there isn’t dirt or mud for the shoes to dig into, turf studs tend to be much smaller than traditional studs.
How should lacrosse cleats fit?
The ankle of your lacrosse cleats should have no more than a finger width of space between the shoe and your body. The forefoot and heel should both feel snug. However, the shoe should also be flexible, comfortable, and grant you a good range of motion. You shouldn’t experience any pain or discomfort when running, walking, or standing. You also should not feel pressure from the studs on the bottom of the shoes.
When purchasing lacrosse cleats, remember that real leather stretches while synthetics don’t. You may want to go a little bit tighter with leather cleats to give room for that stretch. Be sure to try them on with whatever socks you wear while playing. Try them on in the afternoon when your feet are naturally a bit swollen to replicate how they’ll be when you play. Be sure to move around plenty while trying on shoes to make sure they’re comfortable and won’t impede with your playing.
Do cleats make a difference?
Cleats do make a difference. They allow you to get traction on the field to help you move faster and with more agility, as well as prevent falls. Lacrosse specific cleats are designed to help you particularly with the types of movement you do while playing lacrosse. In addition, choosing lacrosse cleats designed for your typical play surface, turf or grass, gives you superior traction on that surface.
Can you wear football cleats for lacrosse?
Many sports use cleats, but they’re not all the same. Both football and lacrosse cleats help players by offering improved traction. In this aspect, football cleats can be helpful for lacrosse players. However, lacrosse cleats have more studs, provide greater breathability, and tend to be lower cut. Lacrosse cleats are also generally more lightweight. They’re designed for more mobility and airflow, while football cleats are designed more to protect the player from injury.
Other Lacrosse Cleats We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other lacrosse cleats. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best lacrosse cleats list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for you. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Men’s Lacrosse Cleats
New Balance Men’s Burn X Mid-Cut Lacrosse Shoe
The lacrosse cleats are designed for speed and are a great mid-cut option.
Key Features:
- Fast tongue wrap
- Full TPU skin upper
- TPR outsole and rubber sole
Cost: $80-100
New Balance Men’s Burn X2 Mid-Cut Lacrosse Shoe
These cleats are the mid-cut version of our pick for the best men’s lacrosse cleat.
Key Features:
- Mid-cut
- Bootie style body
- Knit upper
Cost: $40-195
New Balance Men’s Freeze v1 Lacrosse Cleat
This is New Balance’s original lacrosse cleat design and it’s quite a market debut.
Key Features:
- One-of-a-kind QuixRail plate
- Bootie style tongue
- ExploWeave saddle
Cost: $30-110
New Balance Men’s Freeze v1 Lacrosse Shoe
This is the turf version of the lacrosse cleats that we just discussed,
Key Features:
- Bootie style tongue
- ExploWeave saddle
- Nubby turf-style bottom
Cost: $90
New Balance Men’s Freeze v1 Turf Agility Lacrosse Shoe
This is another similar New Balance shoe, designed with optimal agility in mind.
Key Features:
- ExploWeave upper
- TPU molded cleat outsole
- Rubber turf-style sole
Cost: $35-85
New Balance Men’s FreezeLX 2.0 Box Lacrosse Shoe
This lacrosse shoe actually has a full-contact gum rubber sole designed for play on indoor surfaces.
Key Features:
- Bootie construction
- No-sew overlays
- Designed for indoor play
Cost: $45-210
New Balance Men’s FreezeLX 2.0 Turf Lacrosse Shoe
This is an updated version of the New Balance Men’s Freeze v1 Lacrosse Shoe.
Key Features:
- Bootie tongue
- Mid-cut ankle
- Rubber outsole and a synthetic and mesh upper.
Cost: $65-170
New Balance Men’s Rushlx V1 Lacrosse Shoe
Here’s another high-performance men’s lacrosse cleat from New Balance, this time from a whole different line.
Key Features:
- Supportive asymmetrical mesh collar
- Reinforced no-sew seams
- Synthetic upper
Cost: $55-70
Under Armour Men’s Highlight M.C. -Limited Edition Lacrosse Shoe
These cleats are the same as our overall top pick, but they come in three different limited edition patterns.
Key Features:
- UA ClutchFit upper
- 3D molded MPZ tongue
- Extended eye row cutouts
Cost: $110-140
Under Armour Men’s Spotlight Turf Lacrosse Shoe
These turf shoes have a soft, woven upper and bootie construction with a molded ankle color to provide a sock-like fit.
Key Features:
- TPU heel unit and coating on the toe box
- SuperFoam insole for shock absorption
- Lightweight and stable speed plate
Cost: $35-90
Warrior Men’s 2nd Degree 3 Lacrosse Shoe
These high-quality yet affordable lacrosse cleats are a great option for players on a limited budget.
Key Features:
- Medial cork screw studs
- VaporTek moisture-management liner
- Synthetic upper
Cost: $20-40
Warrior Men’s Gospel Lacrosse Shoe
This is another great option from Warrior and is a bit more high-end than the last one.
Key Features:
- ExploWeave synthetic non-stretch upper
- Asymmetrical lacing lines
- Combination blade-peg TPU outsole
Women’s Lacrosse Cleats
New Balance Women’s Draw V1 TPU Molded Lacrosse Shoe
This women’s lacrosse cleat balances performance and price in one great pair of shoes.
Key Features:
- Rubber sole
- TPU molded cleat outsole
- Synthetic upper
Cost: $25-75
Under Armour Women’s Finisher Turf Lacrosse Shoe
This turf shoe may be low cut, but it’s high-performance and high-quality.
Key Features:
- Die-cut EVA sock liner
- Lightweight, durable synthetic upper
- Comfortable, lightweight toe box
Cost: $50-80
Under Armour Women’s Highlight MC Lacrosse Shoe
These lacrosse cleats are the women’s version of our overall top pick.
Key Features:
- Lightweight textile upper
- Molded 4D foam footbed
- Lightweight, molded TPU cleat plate
Cost: $115-120
Under Armour Women’s Leadoff Low Rm Running Shoe
Here’s another great pair of high top lacrosse cleats from Under Armour.
Key Features:
- UA ClutchFit upper
- Molded 4D foam footbed
- Lightweight, molded TPU cleat plate
Cost: $65-120
Under Armour Women’s UA LAX Finisher MC
Don’t want high top cleats? Here’s a low cut alternative, also from Under Armour.
Key Features:
- Die-cut EVA sock liner
- Synthetic upper
- Molded TPU cleat plate
Youth Lacrosse Cleats
New Balance Kid’s Freeze 2.0 Junior Mid-Cut Lacrosse Shoe
These shoes have the same benefits of the adult Freeze 2.0 cleats we’ve already talked about but in a smaller package.
Key Features:
- Mid-cut
- Padded collar
- Mesh lining
Cost: $40-130
New Balance Kids’ Freeze LX Jr Lacrosse Shoes
These cleats are a similar, but more affordable, mid-cut option from New Balance.
Key Features:
- Mesh collar
- Full bootie tongue
- Mesh lining
Cost: $55-80
New Balance Kid’s Rush V2 Junior Lacrosse Shoe
Capping off our list is one last, even more affordable, mid-cut youth lacrosse cleat from New Balance.
Key Features:
- Mesh and synthetic upper
- Rubber sole
- Available in standard and wide sizes from little kid size 1 to big kid size 6
Cost: $15-40
