Mark 3A vs 3V vs 3T vs 3D: Which Mark 3 Head Is Best for You?

Short answer: the Mark 3A is for attack, the Mark 3V is for midfield and all-around play, the Mark 3T is for short-stick defensive midfielders and LSMs, and the Mark 3D is for close defense.

All four Mark 3 lacrosse heads are made from the same stiff Mark 3 plastic and cost the same. From the 3A to the 3D, each head gets stiffer and heavier, and the face goes from pinched to wide.

Stiffness is rated on our own 1 to 10 scale. Weight is for the unstrung head.

The Mark 3A has a narrower face and weighs 10 grams less. Its scoop is flatter, with less forward tilt than the 3V, for a quicker release when you shoot and feed.

The Mark 3V is a little stiffer, with a fourth sidewall strut, and flares out at the scoop for easier catching and ground balls.

Choose the 3A if you mostly handle the ball, feed and shoot.
Choose the 3V if you also scoop ground balls and play both ends of the field.

The Mark 3T has a wider face than the 3V, for a bigger catching window and more margin on ground balls. It's stiffer and 7 grams heavier, and its scoop sits between the 3V and 3D.

Choose the 3V if you're a midfielder who plays more offense.
Choose the 3T if you're a short-stick defensive midfielder or LSM who checks, picks off passes and carries the ball in transition. Box lacrosse players like the 3T too.

The Mark 3D is our stiffest head and the heaviest Mark 3, 13 grams more than the 3T. Its face shape is built to resist warping, for harder checks that hold up all season.

Choose the 3D if you're a close defenseman who checks the most.
Choose the 3T if you're an LSM or short-stick defensive midfielder who also carries the ball up the field.

• The same stiff Mark 3 plastic, made to hold its shape longer.
• 32 sidewall stringing holes.
• A Locking Bolt that goes through the front and back of the shaft, so the head doesn't rattle.
• Unstrung, pre-strung or custom strung.
• The same price at every position: $119.99 unstrung, pre-strung from $169.99, custom strung $174.99.
• A 6-month warranty.

Tom Schreiber, Brennan O'Neill, Pat Kavanagh and Chris Kavanagh play the Mark 3V. Each replica comes strung the way the pro strings it.

Which Mark 3 head is best for attack?
The Mark 3A. It's our lightest Mark 3, with the narrowest face for control and a quick release. Attackmen who also want a little more stiffness and help on ground balls should look at the Mark 3V.

Which Mark 3 head is best for an LSM?
Both the Mark 3T and Mark 3V work. The 3T is stiffer, with a wider face for checks and ground balls. The 3V is lighter and pinched, for an LSM who carries the ball and shoots.

Which Mark 3 head is best for defense?
The Mark 3D, our stiffest head. Defensemen who also carry the ball up the field should look at the Mark 3T.

What's the difference between the Mark 3 and Mark 2?
The Mark 3 heads are made from a new, stiffer plastic that holds its shape longer. The Mark 3A weighs over 5% less than the Mark 2A.

Do all four cost the same?
Yes. Every Mark 3 head is the same price, unstrung or strung.

Is there a warranty?
Yes. Every StringKing lacrosse head comes with a 6-month warranty.

Every Mark 3 head ships strung or unstrung, with a 6-month warranty.

Shop men's lacrosse heads · How to choose a lacrosse head

Updated October 2026