Which Men's Lacrosse Mesh Is Best for You?
Mesh is the netting strung into the head to make the pocket. It decides how the ball feels when you catch, how well your pocket holds it, and how it releases when you pass or shoot. Three things decide the right mesh: field player or goalie, how soft or firm you want it, and how much you want to spend.
Quick Picks
Every mesh below comes as a single piece or as a kit with the strings you need.
Best overall
Type 5
Our newest mesh, made to play the same in rain, heat and cold.
Lightest
Type 4
Under 20 grams, and the only one that comes in soft.
Value
Type 3
Twisted yarn for feel and snap, at a lower price.
Most colors
Type 2
Durable, affordable, and in the most colors.
Goalie
Grizzly 2
Our lightest goalie mesh, for faster hands and fewer rebounds.
Goalie · Value
Grizzly 1
Reliable goalie mesh at a lower price.
Soft or Hard?
Each mesh comes in more than one feel. The letter after the name tells you which.
s = semi-soft
x = semi-hard
f = soft (Type 4f only)
Softer mesh
Breaks in quickly and forms a pocket with more hold and more feel. It's easier to string and easier for newer players to catch with.
Firmer mesh
Takes longer to break in, then holds its shape longer. The pocket stays more consistent from game to game, and the release is crisper.
If you're not sure, start with semi-soft.
Compare Every StringKing Mesh
All of our field mesh is 10 diamond. Our goalie mesh is 12 diamond.
| Mesh | Feels | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Type 5 | 5s semi-soft, 5x semi-hard | Players who want the most consistent pocket in any weather |
| Type 4 | 4f soft, 4s semi-soft, 4x semi-hard | Players who want the lightest mesh, or a soft pocket |
| Type 3 | 3s semi-soft, 3x semi-hard | Players who want performance mesh for less |
| Type 2 | 2s semi-soft, 2x semi-hard | New players and stringers who want colors |
| Grizzly 2 | 2s, 2x | Goalies who want the lightest, fastest pocket |
| Grizzly 1 | 1s, 1x | Goalies who want reliable mesh for less |
What Makes Mesh Different
Diamonds
Mesh is counted by how many diamonds run across it. Field players use 10-diamond mesh, which makes a tighter, more controlled pocket. Goalies use 12-diamond mesh to fill their wider head.
Weight
Lighter mesh makes a lighter stick and quicker hands. Type 4 weighs under 20 grams. Type 2 weighs about 30 grams.
Weather
Rain and heat can change how a pocket plays. Type 5 is treated to hold its shape and feel in rain, heat and cold.
Twisted yarn
Type 3, Type 4 and Type 5 are knit from twisted yarn we call Twistex. It adds texture for grip, and a little stretch for snap on your release.
Kit or Single Piece?
Mesh Kit. A piece of mesh plus the strings to string it. This is what most players need.
No String Kit. Just the mesh, for stringers who already have strings.
Custom Mesh Kit. Build a kit in the mesh and string colors you want.
Don't want to string it yourself? Buy a strung head, or pick a custom pocket and our stringers will build it for you. Want to learn? uSTRING has free step-by-step stringing guides.
What the Pros Use
Type 5, Type 4 and Type 3 are the mesh we supply to our 12 National Lacrosse League teams.
Is My Pocket Legal?
High school and college rules limit how deep a field player's pocket can be. Hold the stick level with a ball in the pocket: the top of the ball must stay above the bottom edge of the sidewall.
If the pocket is too deep, shorten the bottom string. As mesh breaks in, the pocket gets deeper, so check it during the season.
Goalie pockets have no depth limit.
Questions
What's the best lacrosse mesh for a beginner?
A strung head, so the pocket is ready to play. If you're stringing your own, Type 5s or Type 3s, both semi-soft.
What's the difference between Type 5s and Type 5x?
Type 5s is semi-soft: it breaks in faster and has more hold. Type 5x is semi-hard: it holds its shape longer and has a crisper release.
Does Type 5 work in the rain?
Yes. It's treated to hold its shape and feel in rain, heat and cold.
Can I use field mesh in a goalie head?
No. Goalie heads need 12-diamond goalie mesh, like Grizzly 2 or Grizzly 1.
Is there a warranty?
Yes. Every StringKing mesh comes with a 6-month warranty.
Find Your Mesh
Every mesh comes as a single piece or a kit, with a 6-month warranty.
Shop men's mesh · How to choose a head · Lacrosse pocket guide
Updated October 2026