Do You Need Shooting Strings With Armor Mesh?
When building your ideal lacrosse pocket, one question always pops up: Do you need shooting strings with Armor Mesh? The answer depends on head type, mesh style, and your personal playing preferences. Here's a detailed breakdown based on real experience from Stringers Lacrosse Shop, where pocket performance is everything.
Women's Lacrosse: Shooting Strings Are a Must
If you're using Valkyrie Runners in a women’s lacrosse head, then yes—shooting strings are essential. They provide crucial pocket control, increasing hold and feel. Without shooting strings, the ball slides unpredictably, compromising your accuracy. You might miss passes, sore shots, or even experience the ball hitting the scoop and causing unwanted whip. At Stringers Lacrosse Shop, we stock high-quality women’s shooting strings in 10 color options, helping players match their style while improving performance. A well-tuned women's pocket isn't complete without them.
Men's Lacrosse: Shooting Strings are Optional
With men's lacrosse pockets, especially those strung using Armor Mesh Pegasus or Spyder Wire, the story changes. Here's the truth: shooting strings are optional. Armor Mesh naturally provides exceptional hold and an extreme amount of feel. Some players (like me) prefer the clean, shooter-less aesthetic—especially if you're particular about pocket performance and looks. But that’s not universal. Plenty of players request traditional shooting strings in their men’s Armor Mesh pockets, and they swear by the added control.
Can’t Decide? Here's What We Recommend
If you're on the fence, here's our best tip: start with shooting strings. You can always remove them later. As we share in our Lacrosse Shooting Strings Explained guide: “Don’t let one little string define you as a lacrosse player. Play outside the realm of what others consider normal. And if a string causes you to miss, then cut it off.”
Fine-Tuning Pocket Performance
Want more whip? Add shooters. Need more crispness in feel? A well-placed nylon might do the trick. But beware: poorly strung shooters can introduce whip. Overloading can lead to an inconsistent release—especially in Armor Mesh pockets. At the end of the day, personal preference plus smart experimentation equals optimal performance.
Final Thoughts: Trust Feel, Not Tradition
Whether you're customizing a women's Valkyrie Runner setup or dialing in your Armor Mesh game, make sure your pocket matches your style of play. At Stringers Lacrosse Shop, we’re here to help you build a pocket that’s technically sound and authentically you—because performance should never come at the expense of identity.