Update: April 18, 2025
On April 14, 2025, USA Lacrosse issued a consumer advisory (original advisory below) to let individuals know that there were two versions of the Gait Apex 2 available in the marketplace. Both versions used the same name, but only one had been approved by USA Lacrosse.
This consumer advisory was not a new ruling by USA Lacrosse. USA Lacrosse informed Gait on September 30, 2024 that its initial design had not been approved for play. Gait, which had already introduced the original version into the marketplace before submitting it for approval, later revised its design and the new design was approved on November 20, 2024.
However, the original version of the stick was not removed from the marketplace. The consumer advisory was issued so that individuals would not purchase a stick that had not been approved for play.
Since the consumer advisory came out, Gait has launched an exchange program where individuals owning the non-approved stick can replace it with the approved version.
The NFHS has also issued a memo that, in an effort to avoid financial hardship for some students, it will allow the use of the stick for the reminder of the 2025 season. Coaches and officials are advised that the stringing holes circled on the photos in the original advisory below are not compliant and cannot be used.
SPARKS, Md. (April 14, 2025) – There are two versions of the Gait Apex 2 women’s lacrosse head currently available for purchase in the marketplace. Although both heads use the same name, only one version has been approved for use in games governed by NCAA, NFHS and USA Lacrosse rules.
In the picture below, the version on the right was approved for play in November 2024. The version on the left was never approved for play.
The easiest way to tell the difference is that the not-approved version on the left includes a third row of holes for stringing on the plastic tabs on the sides of the head near the top of the pocket (shown with red circles around the tabs).
This close-up photo on the not-approved version shows the tabs more clearly.
One other difference is the addition of an extra two holes on the side of the not-approved head as noted on the picture below. On the approved version, these holes still appear on the outside of the head, but they are filled in on the inside of the head.
Consumers should make sure they purchase the version that has been approved for play by USA Lacrosse.
Individuals owning a version of the stick that has not been approved for play can contact the manufacturer for additional information.
