Laxers are fashionable sportsmen. That’s a fact. We play a game where good style and flow can actually improve performance (not scientifically proven) and there are keen explorers always on the forefront of technology to make us look damn fine. We thought it was well past time for us to check in with the latest helmet fashions in Part 1 of a series of articles called "TopJFlow, what constitutes good flow?" where we look from head to toe at the latest styles from our stateside neighbours. What the heck, maybe it'll give y'all some inspiration. We'll start with helmets, and work progressively downwards till we hit cleats. Plan?
First off let’s begin with the type of helmet. In honesty, there really is only one helmet of choice and that’s a Cascade, either a Pro7, CPX, or a CPX-R (does that stand for racer?). They really are so far ahead of the competition it really isn’t even funny. Notable mention goes to the Brine Triumph.
Unless your helmet is black, it’s usually about a chrome mask, and white chinstraps are a safe choice unless you can get one in your team’s colours. Also make sure you’ve got good tilt (your eyes should be looking through the top grill) and preferably some flow out of the back of the helmet. Not too much, but a few curls, and if your short hair, invest in a flowbucket.
Without further ado, let's look at the latest trends going round:
Trend 1 - Digital patterns
Long gone are the days of solid block colour decals or vent stripes. Times have changed and the patterns of choice currently are either houndstooth, camo, or checkerboard. These patterns can be used on the vent stripes or back panel, or even on the visor. The helmet on the left is a Madlax custom design, using the "houndstooth" pattern. We like.
Long gone are the days of solid block colour decals or vent stripes. Times have changed and the patterns of choice currently are either houndstooth, camo, or checkerboard. These patterns can be used on the vent stripes or back panel, or even on the visor. The helmet on the left is a Madlax custom design, using the "houndstooth" pattern. We like.
Trend 2 - Names on the back
As sported by some NCAA teams such as Syracuse and also more recently by Gin ‘n Juice at the Worlds, having your player name on the back of the helmet in the position customarily used for the team name has become one of the latest fads of the lacrosse world. We’re not entirely sold on the idea, but it does look pretty cool in the picture to the left as sported by Josh Amidon of Syracuse. It's a little like the argument for player names on the back of the jersey, is it just too much?
As sported by some NCAA teams such as Syracuse and also more recently by Gin ‘n Juice at the Worlds, having your player name on the back of the helmet in the position customarily used for the team name has become one of the latest fads of the lacrosse world. We’re not entirely sold on the idea, but it does look pretty cool in the picture to the left as sported by Josh Amidon of Syracuse. It's a little like the argument for player names on the back of the jersey, is it just too much?
Trend 3 - Larger creative decals
Going beyond your standard team letter as a decal is not a new idea, but we've some awesome designs in the last few years. For example check out the Iroquois design to the left, with the golden scary eagle thing, and of course who can forget the Wales dragon that has been sprawled over their helmets for the last couple of years. Using these can give your team a real personal look - hint, try and use some form of design from your team's history/nickname.
Going beyond your standard team letter as a decal is not a new idea, but we've some awesome designs in the last few years. For example check out the Iroquois design to the left, with the golden scary eagle thing, and of course who can forget the Wales dragon that has been sprawled over their helmets for the last couple of years. Using these can give your team a real personal look - hint, try and use some form of design from your team's history/nickname.
Trend 4 - Script Fonts
As sported by the “Terps” and the Blue “Jays” in recent NCAA seasons this involves having your club or team name emblazoned on the side of your helmet in a script type font. It's very classic and in our opinion pretty damn rad. Usually these helmets makes room for a number at the back panel, where the team name would go traditionally, (or a number on the opposite side). It could even make room for your player name at the back. [See Trend 2]. Only problem we can see with this is you don't want more than 5 or 6 letters as it'll lose the effect, and you need a good team nickname....
As sported by the “Terps” and the Blue “Jays” in recent NCAA seasons this involves having your club or team name emblazoned on the side of your helmet in a script type font. It's very classic and in our opinion pretty damn rad. Usually these helmets makes room for a number at the back panel, where the team name would go traditionally, (or a number on the opposite side). It could even make room for your player name at the back. [See Trend 2]. Only problem we can see with this is you don't want more than 5 or 6 letters as it'll lose the effect, and you need a good team nickname....
Trend 5 - The all over wrap
Headwrapz are a company started by a 14 year old from the states, who decided he didn't want to limit himself to just having decals in conventional places. He invented an all over helmet sticker, than be customised and printed to your desires. This literally changes the ball game on helmet design, and we've picked out a rather cool design to the left from Adrenaline lacrosse to demonstrate the potential. You can cover your entire helmet in a logo, with cool prints [Trend 1] and not only that, if your decide to play for a summer ball team with different decals, you can just peel it off and paste a new one on that matches. No new helmet purchase needed (except for those of you who are stash monkeys). Result.
Headwrapz are a company started by a 14 year old from the states, who decided he didn't want to limit himself to just having decals in conventional places. He invented an all over helmet sticker, than be customised and printed to your desires. This literally changes the ball game on helmet design, and we've picked out a rather cool design to the left from Adrenaline lacrosse to demonstrate the potential. You can cover your entire helmet in a logo, with cool prints [Trend 1] and not only that, if your decide to play for a summer ball team with different decals, you can just peel it off and paste a new one on that matches. No new helmet purchase needed (except for those of you who are stash monkeys). Result.
Ok, so very few teams in the UK actually have team helmets (Warwick, Stockport, Loughborough to name a few have done over the years...) and even then, being creative with your decals may be a way off...(typically sticking to a 1 letter "W" or "L" or "S" is the norm). However gradually the UK is catching up with the US in terms of trends, and hopefully we'll start to see a few more inspirational designs appear over the country. Hopefully our series of TopJFlow will illuminate these latest trends and maybe stoke up a few ideas in the design fire. So get designing, the world is your oyster. Although do remember that sometimes simple + minimal with a pinch of subtlety can actually be good.
Here at TopJLax we are always looking for the latest designs, so if you've had custom gear done, or have some mock-ups, or even spotted a sick bit of gear on the web or at a tournament, send us over a picture and we'll put it up on the site for everyone to see.
