Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro XP Intermediate Goalie Catch Glove

Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro XP Intermediate Goalie Catch Glove

New for 2018 is the Vaughn Velocity VE8 XP Pro Catch Glove.  The glove is something entirely new for Vaughn as it is the first time Vaughn has made a 75 degree palm angle at the retail level. This glove is made for a goalie that likes the feel of the CCM/Reebok Premier glove but wants to stay in the Vaughn family.  The Velocity VE8 Pro XP glove has the single cuff design that adds strength and stability to the wrist area.  This feature is also popular with goalies that like to stick handle with the pocket of the glove facing upward.  The palm of the glove has an extra layer of foam on the outer portion of the glove that adds extra protection for the goalies hand. Another new feature is the split T design of the pocket.  At the base of the pocket there is a single t that splits into a double t the higher it goes in the pocket.  The single t at the base gives the glove much more flexibility then a traditional double t base.  As the pocket transitions into a double t, the glove then takes on the soft open characteristic of a double t pocket.  This is popular as it creates a soft catching pocket which is much more forgiving then the single t pocket.  This t pocket design also allows the glove to open and close fully which give the goalie the blocking surface area and the max closure of the glove.

Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro XP Glove Features:

• One piece cuff thumb design
• 75 degree palm break
• HDPE polyethelene molded palm and back thumb
• Large wide span T-web with new spilt VE8 design
• Pre-formed palm flex area
• Four piece back hand protector
• Offset t-web creates deeper pocket
• Full grip interior palm surface
• New visually disruptive graphics
• Full pull wrist strap for glove control
• Added foam padding in palm area
• Reinforced finger palm area perimeter edge
• Adjustable inner hand padding for precise fit
• 43” perimeter size
• Padded wrist strap
• Light weight

Vaughn Velocity Gloves – VE8 Pro vs. VE8 Pro XP

When most goalies think of the Vaughn Velocity series, they automatically think of a hybrid style goalie like Jonathan Quick or Tuuka Rask. Although this is very much the case, Vaughn does offer two versions of the Velocity VE8 glove that could be used by a hybrid or butterfly style goalie.  With the two different Velocity VE8 gloves, one has one piece cuff/thumb and one with a two piece cuff with two different break positions. This gives the goalie the option on the type of closure they want and the stiffness of the cuff.  The VE8 Pro has the traditional Vaughn 60 degree break with a two piece cuff design and a game ready thickness palm.  For goalies that like the traditional feel of a Vaughn glove (example being a 5500) and wants/needs more wrist movement, this is the version that would best suit this goalie.  The second version of the 2018 Velocity Glove is the VE8 Pro XP. The VE8 Pro XP an entirely new design for Vaughn, this has a 75 degree break in the hand (which is commonly seen in the Reebok/CCM Premier series).  The palm on the glove also has an added layer of foam on the outer portion of the glove for extra protection.  The VE8 Pro XP also has a one piece cuff design that is popular among blocking (butterfly) style goalies because it adds rigidity to the cuff area of the glove.  Both of the new VE8 gloves use the same new split T that allows for a deep pocket and increased overall flexibility.

Sizing Differences: Youth, Junior & Intermediate

Many parents do not understand the sizing terms used in goalie equipment. Youth, junior and intermediate are often confused as too which term goes with which age group. We will explain the differences to help eliminate any errors in the ordering process. Youth goalie gear is the smallest on the market. This is generally for your five year to eight year old goalies. Youth gear is generally less expensive and not made with high quality materials. Higher quality materials and foams at a youth level pose two issues. One; they are too stiff for a small goalie to move around and two; the goalie will outgrow the gear before they even break it in. Therefore it is ok to have lesser quality at the youth goalie gear age group. The junior goalie equipment is for the eight year to the twelve year old goalie. This again is not made with the highest quality materials. The quality is certainly better then the youth gaolie gear however the need for flexibility and movement outweighs the need for high end materials that will last several years. In the junior level gear, specs are more defined and equipment is made with performance in mind. Generally junior goalie equipment will have a lot of performance features that will be found in higher level gear. Lastly is the intermediate level goalie equipment. Intermediate gear is generally for eleven to fourteen year old goalies or even smaller adults. This gear generally uses higher density foams and higher quality materials. Goalies in this age group put a lot of wear and tear on their gear so manufactures need to build it accordingly. Everything about intermediate gear is made with higher level performance features and extra protection features. Players at this age group are playing faster and shooting harder therefore the goalie gear needs to be better as well.