Overview
The Nike Huarache line has dominated lacrosse footwear for years and the 9 Elite takes everything that made previous versions great and improves on it. This is the cleat worn by the majority of elite college and professional lacrosse players — and walking onto any college field you will see them everywhere.
At $129.99 the Huarache 9 Elite sits at the premium end of the cleat market. But for serious players who rely on their footwork — quick cuts, explosive first steps, hard stops — the investment in elite footwear pays off directly in performance.
Traction
The traction on the Huarache 9 Elite is exceptional on both natural grass and artificial turf. The molded cleat pattern is optimized for the lateral cutting movements that lacrosse demands — planting hard on a dodge, accelerating out of a cut, stopping quickly on a catch. Every movement feels grounded and confident.
In wet grass conditions, the cleats dig in effectively without feeling heavy or sluggish. This is one of the best-performing cleats in rain games we have tested.
Flywire Lockdown
The standout technology in the Huarache 9 Elite is Nike's Flywire cable system. When you lace up these cleats, the Flywire cables wrap around your foot and create a lockdown fit that eliminates internal slippage. On hard cuts your foot stays perfectly positioned inside the cleat — no sliding, no heel lift, no lost energy.
This is particularly important for attack players who rely on explosive direction changes. The Flywire system means every ounce of energy you put into a cut goes into the cut — none gets lost to foot movement inside the shoe.
Comfort
One of the biggest advantages of the Huarache 9 Elite over competing cleats is that it is genuinely comfortable from day one. There is no real break-in period — you can pull these out of the box, lace them up for a game, and feel comfortable immediately. The cushioning is well-placed and the upper conforms to your foot quickly.
Who Is It For?
- An attack or midfield player
- A player who relies on footwork
- Playing on grass and turf regularly
- Wanting elite level performance
- A serious high school or college player
- A defender needing ankle support
- On a tight budget
- Have wide feet — runs narrow
- A beginner not ready to invest
How It Compares
| Cleat | Price | Cut | Traction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Huarache 9 Elite | $129.99 | Low | ★★★★★ | Attack/Midfield |
| UA Highlight MC | $124.99 | Mid | ★★★★★ | Defense/Midfield |
| New Balance Burns X | $169.99 | Low | ★★★★☆ | Wide feet |
| Warrior Burn 9.0 | $59.99 | Low | ★★★★☆ | Budget |
Final Verdict
The Nike Huarache 9 Elite is the best lacrosse cleat on the market for attack and midfield players who want elite traction and a lockdown fit. The Flywire technology and comfortable out-of-box feel separate it from every competing cleat at this price point. If you are serious about your footwork and your game, these are the cleats to own.
If ankle support is a priority or you have wide feet, look at the UA Highlight MC or New Balance Burns X instead. But for the majority of offensive players the Huarache 9 Elite is the clear choice.