This weekend the best collegiate lacrosse teams will take the field in highly innovative Nike uniform systems, with select uniforms featuring inspirational designs that pay homage to the sport’s ancient roots.
From its indigenous North American origins as a competitive ritual between hundreds of players on a giant field, lacrosse has become a staple of the American sporting landscape. Athletes now face off in an intensely physical contest requiring a uniform with durability and optimal ventilation. And with the title at stake, no compromise can be made.
NIKE VAPOR MEN’S LACROSSE UNIFORM
The Nike Vapor Lacrosse Uniform, worn by the Duke and Syracuse men’s teams, is designed for speed and agility. The jersey, while still a traditional loose fit, is slightly more contoured to the body to limit distractions on the field. It is constructed with a combination of lightweight and recycled Dri-FIT fabrics for moisture management, with sleeve openings cut for full range of motion. The back of the jersey is constructed with a full Dri-FIT mesh panel for increased thermoregulation. The shoulders feature stretch woven fabric, flat seaming and a functional high-density print that helps protect against abrasion from body and stick checks. The shoulder area also showcases a design pattern distinctive to each school.
Cornell’s Nike Hypercool Uniform features the same flat seams and high-density shoulder construction, but employs a specific burnout mesh panel in the back of the jersey for optimal zoned ventilation in areas where athletes need it most.
In their quest for a championship, Duke wears blue with white accents away, and white with blue at home. Syracuse plays in a trio of uniforms — white, anthracite with bright orange accents, and their traditional orange colorway. Cornell plays in red with white accents when away, and white with red accents at home.
The men complete their Nike Lacrosse system of dress with baselayer that works in concert with the jersey and short. The Nike Pro Combat Hypercool Fitted SS Top 2.0 and Pro Combat Hypercool Compression 6-inch shorts help keep the body cool and dry with lightweight protection for peak performance. Cooling zones in the jersey and pant align with baselayer ventilation for optimal thermoregulation, breathability and moisture management.
NIKE VAPOR WOMEN’S LACROSSE UNIFORM
The women’s game is predicated on speed and finesse over force. The Nike Vapor Women’s Lacrosse Uniform worn by UNC and Syracuse features a new body-led design that updates the traditional women’s lacrosse kit, including short-sleeve or racerback shirt options and a kilt with built-in shorts.
With increased freedom of movement, the new kilt with built in shorts allows for a five-inch skirt, resulting in fewer distractions on the field. The lay-flat waistline eliminates a drawstring in favor of a power mesh elastic band to keep the kilt in place. UNC players will wear a short-sleeve jersey, while Syracuse opts for a racerback with a cutaway shape to align with the Nike Pro Hypercool Flash Bra baselayer. Both team jerseys are constructed of lightweight Dri-FIT stretch fabric in front and burnout mesh in back for increased ventilation.
Playing for the title this weekend, UNC’s away look pairs a traditional Carolina blue shirt with a gray kilt. At home, the Tar Heels will wear white with Carolina blue accents. Syracuse goes navy with orange accents away, and white with orange accents when hosting.
Paying homage to the origins of the sport and the schools, each team’s uniform features a unique school-inspired pattern on the front of the jersey and a distinct Native American-inspired geometric, argyle pattern on the back. The pattern on the back speaks to the ancient game where players were often adorned with geometric patterns and designs before the game as appropriate embellishments for a deeply meaningful ritual. Each school features the same root design pattern in unique ways.
NIKE MEN’S HUARACHE IV LACROSSE CLEAT
Engineered to the exacting specifications of elite-level lacrosse athletes, the Nike Huarache IV Men’s Lacrosse cleat is built for explosive speed. An ultra-light upper combining synthetic leather and dynamic Nike Flywire technology delivers optimal midfoot support, ensuring the foot is locked down for quick lateral cuts. Similarly, the innovative sidewall shovel cleats enable seamless movement in all directions — a requirement for top-flight competition. A perfect mix of mid-foot cushioning and support from a ¾-length Phylon midsole paired with a low-profile forefoot provides an ultra-responsive ride.
The new Nike Huarache IV cleat colorways feature a premium grey nubuck material package, chrome outsole and team-specific “electric varsity” accents.
NIKE WOMEN’S SPEEDLAX IV LACROSSE CLEAT
To reach pinnacle performance, lacrosse athletes require flexibility and full range of motion. The Nike Women’s Speedlax IV combines a lightweight synthetic upper for comfort and durability and a dual-pull fit system for lockdown support. Reducing the overall number of layers to the upper also functions to reduce weight and increase flexibility. The ¾-length Phylon midsole is paired with a low-profile forefoot for unmatched response and timing.
The new Nike Women’s Speedlax IV colorways feature team-specific “electric varsity” hues paired with grey accents and a chrome outsole.
NIKE VAPOR GAME SOCK
Both the men’s and women’s teams will also wear the Nike Vapor game sock, which combines cushioning, compression and structure precisely where needed. The socks feature an advanced zonal cushioning system that helps relieve cleat pressure for maximum comfort, as well as Nike Pro Combat-inspired padding at the Achilles to provide a tight and comfortable feel articulated to the biomechanics of the heel.