Who knows about these pads?

[CH Goalie 39 0]

Hey guys. I'm stuck in the decision between a couple of these pads under the $700 marker.

Let me know what you know about these pads and what you think would be the best choice.

1) Vaughn Velocity 7400

http://goaliemonkey.com/vaughn-goalie-leg-...ty-7400-sr.html

2) Vaughn Epic 8600

http://goaliemonkey.com/vaughn-goalie-leg-...ic-8600-sr.html

3) TPS R6

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...rksid=p3907.m29

The only one i don't have a picture of the back of the pad is the 8600. I saw the little picture on the Vaughn catalog but it's not too easy to see, so if anyone can find that, greatly appreciated also.

Thanks for all your help guys!

[Law Goalie 147]

If you're trying to get the best pad for your $700, the answer is none of the above. If your heart is set on an 11" pad, the TPS Summit Pro NHL-spec pads would be vastly superior to all of them, and pretty close to the R6 in how they play. The Koho 700s would also be worth a look, though they're a much more traditional pad than the others you've listed.

If you can deal with a 12" pad, look through the clearance section of GM - there are some absurdly good deals on pro-grade old-spec pads, some under $500.

If you're dead set on one of those three, the cut-rate Velos are probably the best value for money. Very, very few people have had any success or enjoyment with the Epics (stupidly overbuilt pad), and much the same could be said of the R6, which is a minimal design with a ton of excess crap superadded.

[CH Goalie 39 0]

My friend, I COMPLETELY forgot about the summits.

Thanks chief.

Do you think those 700s would hold up in hopefully Juniors?

(trying out)

[Law Goalie 147]

Quite well, from what I've heard. And if the team picks you up and gives you a gear budget, GoalieMonkey now has a full custom program in place for the 700 Pros - anything but graphics.

Personally, I'd get the 700s at 37" with custom knee placement, no break below the knee, and RBK Premier 2 knee-blocks (the one-piece ones with the full Jenpro patch). Then again, I've got basically the same thing in my Supremes right now. :)

Then again, the Summits are a proven professional commodity. That might be the safest bet - and they have them in all-white at 35" so you don't clash with the team. Pluss, you can knock another 2/3 of a pound or so off a Summit pad (each) by cutting off all the excess stuff from the leg channel, including that stupid outside calf-wrap and the 'accordion' thigh guards. You could shave even more off if you pulled the middle calf-strap (totally useless), or switched them to nylon quick-release, or even went to a single strap on the calf (lowest strap angled up to the top buckle), which I've seen several guys using with TPS and Eagle pads, in particular.

[CH Goalie 39 0]

I'm really leaning towards the Summits. I really like the color on display there. It matches the blocker and glove I have now. I sent them an email asking if they would maybe get those in stock, but if not i'm just gonna go white.

I know these aren't in my price range that i said before, but man, are these SWEET.

http://goaliemonkey.com/louisville-tps-goa...mmit-7-pro.html

[Fleury2929 0]

what about Smith 3000's? They are pro quality pads just a little bit over $700.

Seems good to me.

[Law Goalie 147]

Very different pad than the Summits - but certainly worth considering.

[dcdot377 0]

I tried on the R6's in a store and the only thing that i like was the toe thingy. I slides as your foot rotates. The salesman said that TPS had a pattent and you wouldnt see it on anyother pad for a few years

[Law Goalie 147]

If he said that, he was lying through his teeth.

First off, if they have a patent on the sliding toe bridge, it's unenforceable: there's a ton of prior art.

Second, the sliding toe bridge can be found on pads from Smith, Battram, Sherwood, Eagle, and a host of other companies.

[vision 0]

Might not be lying, just might not know the truth. TPS made the claim that they "invented" the sliding bridge and spread that to their retailers, not all of which are smart enough to dig into it. Nor might they have any clue about where to find better information.

Pretty well accepted that Pete developed the original and many have copied them, some even with Pete's permission.

::m