Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro Carbon Chest & Arm Protector
Vaughn has released the new extremely lightweight Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro Carbon Chest protector which features wide shoulder floaters, Kevlar ballistic style internal chest padding, high density chest pad blocks with carbon fiber inserts, high density molded elbows with a 4 point adjustment for a customized fit, adjustable high density padding in the side rib cage, side chest extensions with covered buckles and molded high density foam shoulder caps and lower cap extension. They have increased bicep padding and high density foam inserts in the large arm floaters for easy break in. Add the aero-space mesh sleeves and you’re experiencing maximum comfort!
Vaughn chest protectors account for 50% of all chest protectors worn in the NHL. The Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro Carbon Chest Protector series is built for the hybrid style goalie. The Velocity VE8 Pro Carbon Chest Protector is the newest generation of the Velocity V7 XF Carbon Pro series. The XF was Vaughn’s top selling pro unit. The shoulder floaters on the VE8 Pro Carbon Chest Protector contour around the goalie in a very natural manner allowing for the maximum amount of flexibility. Vaughn also added a second layer of protection built underneath the shoulder floaters, this second layer is velcro’d in and can easily be taken out or put back in. Some goalies love to have this added layer in practice for additional protection and take it out in games for added flexibility. For 2018 Vaughn has added a strap at the top of the shoulder floaters that can be snapped and unsnapped. The reason for this is for goalies who wear suspenders. Traditionally goalies have fought to find a place to put their suspenders, often times the suspenders would slide down over the goalies shoulder and interfere with the goalies arms. By having these straps, the suspenders are locked into the proper position and cannot fall down over the goalies arms. The blocks in the chest and sternum area use a high density hd foam with carbon fiber reinforcement. This provides pro level protection and added durability. Everything about the VE8 Pro Carbon allows the goalie the flexibility and agility needed in a hybrid style of play.
Differences between the Ventus SLR Pro Carbon and the VE8 Pro Carbon Chest & Arm Protectors: The main difference between the SLR Pro Carbon Chest Protector and the VE8 Pro is the shoulder area. The Ventus SLR has a larger and more squared off design to the chest protector. The VE8 Pro Carbon unit tapers to the goalies body in a very natural flow of the shoulder area. For goalies that have issues with the mask hitting the shoulder floaters when they turn their heads, the VE8 has much less size in this area and generally eliminates the issue of the mask hitting the shoulder floaters. Generally the goalies that are blocking or butterfly style goalies prefer the SLR Ventus and the goalies that are athletic and mobile like the VE8 Pro Carbon unit.
Chest Protector Style – Athletic Hybrid Style
Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro Carbon Chest Protector Features:
- Wide shoulder floaters with new graphic
- New colors with two color options
- Kevlar® ballistic style chest pad internal padding
- HD chest pad blocks with carbon fiber inserts
- HD molded elbow pads with 4 point adjustment
- Adjustable side rib cage HD padding
- Chest pad side extensions with covered buckles
- Extremely light weight
- Extra bicep padding
- Larger sternum protector with extended length
- Tapered forearm padding to fit into glove
- Adjustable wrist straps for security and fit
- HD molded shoulder caps with lower cap extension to cover rib cage area
- Large back pad with HD spine pad
- Large arm floaters with HD foam inserts pre shaped for easy break-in
- Aero-spacer mesh sleeves for fast break in and maximum comfort
Athletic Style (Hybrid) Vs. Blocking Style (Coverage) Chest Protectors
There are two basic designs in the goalie market in regards to chest protectors. These are based on the two types of styles that goalies play – hybrid and coverage. The hybrid goalie needs a more athletic style chest protector that allows him/her to move freely and maximize their agility. These units contour around the body with little to no gaps. The shoulder floaters are also smaller and form around the goalie in a more natural manner. Arms and elbow guards move freely and do not bind up, allowing for maximum mobility. The big upside to having an athletic style chest protector is the movement and freedom these provide. The downside to the athletic style chest is a decrease in size and materials. Now we are not saying they are not protective because most chest protectors are built to a very high standard and are have great protection qualities. However to make something move better you have to take something away and by doing this there will obviously be less material. We can say honestly that athletic chest protectors are extremely protective and the added materials in the blocking style are more about taking up space then adding protection.
The blocking style chest protectors are built for the coverage goalies that like to play big and take up as much space in the net as possible. The shoulder floaters are much wider and usually have multiple layers. The arm and elbow guards are also flared wider to take up as much space as possible. The blocking style chest protector tends to have more gaps and extra space on the goalies body because of the extra size. The upside to the blocking style chest protectors is the extra space it takes up. These chest protectors can easily make the shoulder width of a goalie four to six inches wider compared to an athletic style chest protector. Also, since the arms and elbow are bigger, there are less gaps for the puck to squeeze between the goalies body and arms. The downside to these blocking style units is the lack of movement. Because of the extra bulk, movement can be compromised. You can’t have the best of both worlds, if you make it bigger it will take away mobility.