Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro XP Senior Goalie Catch Glove

Vaughn Velocity VE8 Pro XP Senior 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.

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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
• 45” max 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.

Senior Level Gloves Vs. Pro Level Gloves

Catch gloves are the one items that we generally recommend spending a little more money on (out of pads, blockers & gloves). The main differences you will see in a senior catch glove vs. a pro catch glove are the synthetic leathers and more importantly the felt used to protect the hand. It is the felt that makes a glove protective and function properly. If the felt does not crease properly, the glove will not open and close properly. If the felt is too thin, the goalie will feel stingers in the palm. In the past mid-level gloves were pretty bad with felt issues. However in the past two to three years, the high mid-level gloves are being made much, much better. The lower mid-level gloves still can have stinger issues, so if you are concerned at all with stingers – we recommend going with a higher mid-level glove or a pro level glove. The pro level gloves are built with pro felt which enables proper closure angle and creasing for break in. They also come in different padding options – games ready (most common) and practice palm. A practice palm is essentially so stiff that you cannot open or close the glove however the felt is so thick that you will probably never get a stinger. Most high level goalies only use a practice palm in practice situations just to prevent injury. For games they generally use a game ready palm.