As a dedicated mom of multiple children playing travel lacrosse, my life is a whirlwind of practices, games, and the never-ending excitement of watching my kids grow on the field. In fact, they may be growing too much – I feel like I am constantly buying new cleats to throw in my travel bag! While cleats are not cheap, I understand first hand how quality footwear can make or break an athlete. That’s why I like New Balance lacrosse cleats.
Having purchased multiple brands of cleats over the years for both boys and girls, I thought I would share with you my thoughts on New Balance lacrosse cleats, from a lacrosse mom’s perspective. I’ll share why I like this brand and why they’ve become a staple for many lacrosse players.
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Why Lacrosse Cleats Are a Must
Before I dive into my perspective on New Balance cleats, I should probably start with why lacrosse players even need cleats. For some of you this may be obvious, but for the newie lacrosse mom, I”ll explain.
Traction
Even from the sidelines, you can see that lacrosse involves quick sprints, sharp cuts, and rapid changes in direction. Lacrosse cleats are therefore designed with specialized outsoles that provide excellent traction on both turf and natural grass. This traction is crucial for maintaining balance and agility during gameplay.
Ankle Support
Lacrosse cleats often feature higher ankle collars or additional support structures. This added ankle support helps prevent injuries during lateral movements and collisions with other players.
Durability
The rigors of the lacrosse field demand durable footwear. Unlike your average athletic shoe, lacrosse cleats are built to withstand the demands of the sport, including running, jumping, and contact with the ground and other players.
Comfort
Lacrosse cleats are designed with player comfort in mind, especially during long games and practices. They offer cushioning and support for the feet, ensuring that players can focus on their performance without distractions or discomfort.
Safety
The unique design of lacrosse cleats with cleats or studs helps prevent slipping, especially in wet or muddy conditions. This enhances player safety and reduces the risk of accidents on the field.
Different Kinds of New Balance Lacrosse Cleats and Their Features
New Balance offers a variety of lacrosse cleats, tailored to specific playing styles and preferences. But for now, we’re going to explore the 2 most popular options for youth lacrosse players, both boys and girls: the Freeze LX 4.0 (Mid and Low) and the Burn X. Let’s take a closer look at both cleats below.
New Balance Freeze LX 4.0 (Mid and Low)
This cleat offers a balance of durability, support, and mobility. It also comes in different styles- the Low for more flexibility and the Mid or Jr. for more ankle protection. Here are a few other features:
- Synthetic/Mesh Material: The combination of synthetic and mesh materials in the upper provides durability and breathability, for those long games.
- TPU Molded Cleat Outsole: If your athlete plays on turf and grass, the TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) molded cleat outsole provides great traction on both surfaces.
- Traditional Tongue: Along with the synthetic upper, the traditional tongue offers added protection and a snug fit, helping keep the ankle in place for added support during cuts and maneuvers.
- QUIX Outsole Technology: This feature is another bonus in cleats that helps provide traction during quick, cutting movements. Lacrosse, like soccer, requires constant cutting, faking, pivoting in order to break free from your opponent.
The Freeze LX v4 comes in a Mid or Jr style which covers the ankle and a Low which does not. Depending on your size, it comes in white, black, blue or neon yellow. Pro mom tip- colored cleats are a great way to identify your son in a game since boys wear helmets. Girls wear goggles so colored eyewear is another great option for spotting your daughter on the field, but I digress!
New Balance Burn X3
These cleats, while similar to the Freeze LX 4.0, have a slightly different style so it’s a matter of personal preference. They also come in both girls and boys sizes.
- Knit upper with Kinetic Stitch: One of the key differences with these cleats is that the upper is not thick like the Freeze. It has a knit upper with kinetic stitch, similar to a soccer cleat, which provides stretch and support.
- Achilles pads: These pads offer additional heel support from the cleats of our generation. Pro mom tip- generic or lower quality brands of cleats typically lack heel support and after a while your child will begin to complain that his heel hurts.
- Lace closure: This feature allows the laces to fit securely against the top of the foot
- Hybrid tongue: This type of tongue construction gives the support of a mid-cut but the look of a low-cut collar.
The New Balance Burn X3 comes in black, white, blue and red. Unlike the Freeze LX 4.0, it only comes in 1 style as it’s a hybrid of a low cut and mid cut. So it’s really up to your child as to which style he or she prefers.
New Balance Lacrosse Cleats
Chances are, if your child sticks with lacrosse long enough, you’ll cycle through many brands of cleats like I did. Some brands, in my lacrosse mom’s opinion, were better than others. But New Balance cleats work for us. They tend to hold up better with the amount of wear and tear my kids put into them. The traction as well as ankle and heel support give me comfort knowing that while injuries can occur in any sport, they won’t be as a result of the cleat giving out.
So set up your chair on the sidelines and get ready to enjoy some lacrosse!
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