smiths

[cook22 0]

Is there a real huge difference between smiths and the vaughn velos?

[Netminder32 32]

Yes...

[cook22 0]

performance wise i ment to say

[Netminder32 32]

evolution of Smith/Vaughn pad

1) Pete Smith created the Velocity V1 pad for Vaughn

2) left Vaughn and created the Smith SP1000 for his company, an evolution of the Velocity V1 with some advancements

3) created the SP2000 flat faced pad

4) created the SP3000 (a budget minded SP2000, one colour, no graphix)

5) created the SP4000 an evolution of the flat faced SP2000

and watch for this season the SP5000??? new pad in the works. no one has any info or pics on this one other than the rumour that there is a new smith pad in the works....

so at the end of all of this, with the Smith, you get a pad with somewhere between 1 and 3 generations of advancements at a fraction of the cost of the Vaughn....

during this time Vaughn has introduced the V2...only changes, add a calf wing/wedge and alter the graphic. nothing earth shattering....

So why do people still buy/wear Vaughns? Brand recognition (see the pros wearing 'em), Prestige (I'm wearing somthing most cant afford), Resale (high demand = higher resale), Ignorance (don't know about smaller companies like smith), Availability (available right off the shelf from your local hockey store)...and probably more that I'm missing...like maybe Brand Loyalty (I'm on my third pair of Vaughns) :) ...Familiarity (my new pair feels exactly like my old pair)...

[Netminder32 32]

performance wise i ment to say

Best thing to do is go to the Smith site and read. The improvements are far too many for me to type here...

Smith SP1000's

[U of M Goalie 0]

Yeah I love my V2's but the truth is Smith has really made some great imporvements to the pads. NHLers like Cam Ward and Alex Auld get special stuff done to their pads that usually come stock on Smith pads, but you would have to ask for and custom order it from Vaughn. If ya want the name just research what you like about the SMiths and tell Vaughn to do it, if the name and prestige are not a problem just go through the various smith pad models, I'm sure you will find something you like.