Editor’s Note: Welcome to a Goalie Mesh Review, written by long-time stringer Van O’Banion! Van has been around the stringing game for what seems like an eternity, and has been around long enough that Connor (old man that he is) learned a TON from Van’s old tutorials. It’s all true. Check out what Mr. O’Banion has to say about that all-important goalie mesh!
Goalie Mesh Review by Van O’Banion
I have excluded all Micro, Soft, and Hard 17 diamond and 20 Diamond Mesh due to the fact that very few lacrosse goalies are using them anymore. Maybe innovation can change this fact, but for now we are focusing on what matters most, which is the 12-diamond goalie mesh, which currently dominates the market. For this Goalie Mesh Review, I looked at the following four types of 12 diamond mesh*:
- East Coast Dyes 12 Diamond Goalie Mesh
- JimaLax 12 Diamond Goalie Mesh
- Throne 12 Diamond Goalie Mesh
- Stringking Grizzly Goalie Mesh
*Disclaimer: Stylin’ Strings only uses the highest quality stringing materials in our pockets. This article is an informative comparison meant to educate players on the differences between the various offerings of mesh so that they can make an informed decision when choosing their next pocket. At the end of the day, there is no winner, just four different options to choose from.
Ranking System – Numbers 1 to 5 are used with “5” being the best rating.
Overall unique points for each mesh piece:
- East Coast Dyes Soft, Light, & Wax Coated, Large Diamonds
- Jimalax Hard Coating, Large Diamonds
- Throne Wax Coating, Smaller Diamonds
- StringKing Grizzly Ultra-light, Non-coated, Large Diamonds woven from FlexLite™ fibers to control stretching.
Categories Reviewed:
- Rebound The amount of give a goalie pocket has directly affects how the ball will project after it hits the mesh at a high velocity
- Longevity The length of time that the mesh will last, also known as durability.
- Ease of Stringing The degree of difficulty using the mesh to make a functional channeled pocket with the correct amount of whip.
- Break In The time and effort it takes to form and soften the mesh to the peak of its life.
- Maintenance The amount of time and difficulty to keep the pocket with correct whip, and shape.
East Coast Dyes
- Rebound 5 /5 A Large diamond wax coated mesh. When strung properly, with a deep pocket, will mold and slow down the ball when contact is made resulting in less rebound.
- Longevity 5 / 5 The wax coating on the mesh provides little to no abrasion which bodes well for goalies. A big time D1 goalie for the 2015 season used the same piece of East Coast mesh in the beginning season as the end. We saw it with our own eyes.
- Ease of Stringing 2.5 / 5 The diamond size mixed with a wax coating makes this mesh difficult to string correctly. It can lead to anything but a low pocket to whip out easily.
- Break In 5 /5 Wax coated, yet very easily stretched. It does not take much work to form your perfect pocket.
- Maintenance 2.5 / 5 The thinner of the wax mesh repels dirt and moisture however bags out quite easily. The mesh changes over time requiring constant maintenance. We have done this for many goalies over the summer at tournaments.
Throne of String
- Rebound 4.5 / 5 A thick wax coated base of mesh. Due to the thickness of the wax and size of the diamonds doesn’t give as well as other mesh when hit with a ball at a high velocity. However this difference is minimal and the overall quality makes this mesh one of the tops in the industry.
- Longevity 5 / 5 This mesh receives the highest rating due to it’s similar qualities to Jimalax 12 diamond, as well as the thick wax coating which has created a time tested sturdy mesh that we personally have never seen rip or break.
- Ease of Stringing 4 / 5 This wax coated mesh is very easy to stretch as well as great for all goalie heads. We did not give this a 5 due to the wax coating getting on other strings and hands while creating the pocket.
- Break In 5 / 5 Wax coated yet very easily stretched. Does not take much work to form your perfect pocket.
- Maintenance 4 / 5 The thickness of the mesh and wax coating gives this mesh a great score. It doesn’t stretch much or bag out lending to a very low maintenance pocket.
Jimalax
- Rebound 3 / 5 A Hard, coated mesh is stiff and durable. It can be molded and strung into a great channel, however isn’t as soft and intensifies the rebound effect. However a great stringer can offset the stiffness and rebound attributes.
- Longevity 5 / 5 This mesh receives a 5 due to the fact that we have never seen it break or tear. Wearing will happen to all mesh but we know this mesh will out live any goalie head on the market.
- Ease of Stringing 2 / 5 “We would give this mesh a 3.5 for the white color only” however there is no consistency between the colors and it is the only mesh on this list with a “add water attribute”, meaning you need to soak it before stinging into a pocket.
- Break In 2 / 5 This hard, coated mesh has a difficult break in process due to it’s stiffness. It requires soaking, constant stretching, and a hefty amount of wall ball and “elbow grease” to get this mesh to it’s prime age.
- Maintenance 3 / 5 The hard coating on this mesh eventually wears thin and softens. This makes the pocket change over time requiring adjustments to the sidewalls as well as the shooters to keep the pocket performing at it’s best.
StringKing Grizzly
- Rebound 3.5 / 5 Ultra-light, soft, non-coated and durable, resulting in a serious lack of give. Not the best option for all goalies so it doesn’t get the highest rating.
- Longevity 2 / 5 *This is the rating for the first series of Grizzly 12 diamond goalie, since the study StringKing has re engineered their mesh. With that being said this original mesh was created placing too much value on being lightweight, which in turn does not increase the mesh’s durability. We have seen quite a few cases of the mesh ripping from taking high velocity shots.
- Ease of Stringing 4 / 5 Grizzly mesh is easy to string in all goalie heads. It also stretches quickly to maximum depth as well as very easy to maintain correct whip.
- Break In 5 / 5 Non-wax coated and pretty much broken in from the minute it is strung in your head.
- Maintenance 4 / 5 This mesh does not stretch much after being strung into a stick meaning it doesn’t bag out so there isn’t much adjusting needed to keep the shape and whip intact. The fact that we have seen this mesh rip and witnessed goalies constantly using string to repair any tears in the mesh brings the overall grade down.
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We hope you found this goalie mesh review to be informative and helpful! See you next time.
