Vaughn SLR 4

[TheGoalNet]

1 hour ago, coopaloop1234 said:

One of these days we'll bully convince him to use Warrior gear. 

But you're in Bauer now... you've seen the light? Why do you want me to go where you gave up? (if this were the 90s, there's endless jokes to be made there)

I have informal partnerships with Bauer and CCM. I don't get paid and but they usually set test sets.

Warrior and True have sent me stuff intermittently. Warrior has only sent sticks in the past.

I am down to try to new stuff... but there's also a balancing act:

1. What reviews get the most views, interest, etc

2. What gear do I enjoy wearing on the ice most?

3. How much bandwidth do I have to create additional content?

[coopaloop1234]

34 minutes ago, TheGoalNet said:

But you're in Bauer now... you've seen the light? Why do you want me to go where you gave up? (if this were the 90s, there's endless jokes to be made there) 

Shhhhh. 

I'm still absolutely beholden to Warrior catchers though. 

 

[IpaddyTECH]

I feel like Bauer and Warrior are like competitive cousins. Both make innovative, cutting edge technology, semi-cheaply manufactured in Thailand, yet good looking gear.

I feel like Bauer has slight edge with pads, blockers, masks, but everything else is either close or Warrior has the edge, especially with durability and sometimes affordability from what I've seen. Am I ball park here or way off?

But to try to stay on topic, I do love all my vaughn gear, super durable. I am very interested in trying a pair of these SLR4's if I ever get the chance. 

Edited December 6, 2023 by IpaddyTECH

[ser33]

8 hours ago, IpaddyTECH said:

I feel like Bauer and Warrior are like competitive cousins. Both make innovative, cutting edge technology, semi-cheaply manufactured in Thailand, yet good looking gear.

I feel like Bauer has slight edge with pads, blockers, masks, but everything else is either close or Warrior has the edge, especially with durability and sometimes affordability from what I've seen. Am I ball park here or way off?

But to try to stay on topic, I do love all my vaughn gear, super durable. I am very interested in trying a pair of these SLR4's if I ever get the chance. 

With all due respect, it is difficult to agree that Warrior produces innovative equipment with advanced technologies. Yes, their design is completely different from the classic design of other manufacturers, but over the past 5-7 years only Bauer has truly introduced something innovative. Or maybe I just don’t understand the meaning of the word “innovative” correctly

[ThatCarGuy]

6 hours ago, ser33 said:

With all due respect, it is difficult to agree that Warrior produces innovative equipment with advanced technologies. Yes, their design is completely different from the classic design of other manufacturers, but over the past 5-7 years only Bauer has truly introduced something innovative. Or maybe I just don’t understand the meaning of the word “innovative” correctly

You are correct. Warrior hasn't really brought anything new to the table in quite some time but with the way they've been building pads since G2, everyone's only recently caught up.

G2 had an integrated knee block, pretty solid rebounds, very good sliding for the time, super soft glove off the shelf, no wrist strap, adjustable blocker finger protection, inset knee strap for extra stability, and of course the wonderful shin pillow which made the pad feel more connected

[IpaddyTECH]

Haha I love brand loyal discussions, so no worries about disrespect. I think this is fun.  

I guess it does depend on how you define innovative. For me It's not just coming out with something new every year (which as we all know is more about marketing and sales), but creating something truly innovative (meaning new). Something nobody else has done before, and both Warrior and Bauer have had their years where the blew everyone else out of the water. But you're right, it's been awhile since warrior has had something as game changing as the G2. But you could kinda argue the same that Bauer hasn't done anything significant since the OD1N line, mostly just changing straps and break angles. The Mach to Shadow line is a very timid change as far as I've seen. But to your point, the G6 to G7 is warrior copying other brands for a change. Also, this goes beyond pads. Warrior's C/A's developed the hinge technology, the pants were some of the first with exterior armadillo style pads and elastic or cut outs for movement, their sticks are cutting edge, and everything from their knee pads to jocks are best sellers due to good protection and durability. So if you factor in the truly inventive advances in pad tech over the years, In my book, Warrior goes toe to toe with Bauer except Bauer narrowly coming out on top for the pads/blockers as I said. To be fair, lefevre pads have always blazed their own trail too. Then there's Brian's which makes fantastic stuff, but nothing really ahead of anybody else. Then you've got ccm and vaughn, which in my mind are almost always behind and copying others, with the exception of maybe vaughn gloves which have their own cult following. 

To be honest, cutting edge "technology" in pads is going to "top out" at some point right? There's only so much you can do with leather and foam. Soon I think it's all going to be about quality/affordability and which company packages the "tech" you like in a single piece of gear, in a way you prefer. 

Vaughn's SLR4's are certainly catching up to everybody else nicely, but I can't think of anything Vaughn has innovated. Maybe the carbon? But other brands have already had their versions of "extra stiff" foam for a while now. 

 

[coopaloop1234]

3 hours ago, ThatCarGuy said:

You are correct. Warrior hasn't really brought anything new to the table in quite some time but with the way they've been building pads since G2, everyone's only recently caught up.

G2 had an integrated knee block, pretty solid rebounds, very good sliding for the time, super soft glove off the shelf, no wrist strap, adjustable blocker finger protection, inset knee strap for extra stability, and of course the wonderful shin pillow which made the pad feel more connected

Good summary. 

It's part of the reason why many of the Warrior offerings have lost their muster. Not only with myself, but overall interest from most goalies. 

The G3/G4 were probably when Warrior was the most popular due to their designs being innovative and their super lightweight gear. Now that everyone has caught up and surpassed them, their interest seems to be waning. 

Couple that with a lot of manufacturing issues related to Covid and True, they have lost the momentum that they had. 

That being said, despite being a traitor like TGN says, their gloves are still hands down the best out there. The entire design was THE reason I went with my RGT set in the first place and abandoned Vaughn. I've tried a myriad of gloves from other manufacturers since (CCM 2.9, Hyperlite, Mach, 2S) and they've all never done the trick. Mach was the closest and a lot of that had to do with the absence of the wrist strap. 

 

[ThatCarGuy]

1 hour ago, coopaloop1234 said:

That being said, despite being a traitor like TGN says, their gloves are still hands down the best out there. The entire design was THE reason I went with my RGT set in the first place and abandoned Vaughn. I've tried a myriad of gloves from other manufacturers since (CCM 2.9, Hyperlite, Mach, 2S) and they've all never done the trick. Mach was the closest and a lot of that had to do with the absence of the wrist strap.

You'll be happy to know I converted a kid who's been loyal to all bauer gloves since 1S to a G6.0

[IpaddyTECH]

Sorry I can't help myself hehe

 

Me: I like warrior. Warrior gooood.

Everybody else: Yeah they used to be the best years ago, they literally invented the standard of the modern innovative pad but now everybody else has just (barely) caught up to them. But they haven't reinvented the wheel, again, in some time. Also their gloves are arguably the best. This is why I don't like warrior anymore. 

Me: ???

Warrior: 

[seagoal]

3 hours ago, IpaddyTECH said:

Vaughn's SLR4's are certainly catching up to everybody else nicely, but I can't think of anything Vaughn has innovated. Maybe the carbon? But other brands have already had their versions of "extra stiff" foam for a while now. 

 

I'm most curious to see how they handle the relationship of stiffness and weight because for a long time, the only way to get Vaughn pads to be stiff was to end up with crazy heavy pads.  My V9's were spec'd to be Extra Stiff, I just kinda said "F it, why not."  And those things are so damn heavy.  Funny though, my reaction was "alright that's it, jumping to Bauer" and not "alright, that's it, jumping to SLR."

[coopaloop1234]

2 hours ago, ThatCarGuy said:

You'll be happy to know I converted a kid who's been loyal to all bauer gloves since 1S to a G6.0

Pretty easy to do when Warrior gloves are superior in all aspects 

Now you just to shake some sense into @Hockey34

1 hour ago, IpaddyTECH said:

Sorry I can't help myself hehe

 

Me: I like warrior. Warrior gooood.

Everybody else: Yeah they used to be the best years ago, they literally invented the standard of the modern innovative pad but now everybody else has just (barely) caught up to them. But they haven't reinvented the wheel, again, in some time. Also their gloves are arguably the best. This is why I don't like warrior anymore. 

Me: ???

Warrior: 

I could see myself using a set of G7's easily. I really do think their strapping set up is generally fantastic, as is the overall feel of their pads. G6 didn't interest me enough, but the G7 looks good. Though, if the default stiffness is the same as the G6, I'd probably go a tad softer. My Ultrasonic stiff/curve profile is about as ideal as I want for a thighrise. 

Though good luck getting me out of a Mach blocker. Especially with how the Shadow is shaping up. 

[Madmedic6]

On 12/5/2023 at 5:58 AM, keeperton said:

I think Vaughn is really nailing it with this line. The SLR series pants are fantastic, even just going from the SLR2 to SLR3 I noticed a huge improvement (and I already really liked the SLR2 pants). These look almost the exact same as the SLR3 pant, but they didn't need really much of anything changed.

I'd be most interested to try the blocker and pads. The thickness of the board intrigues me and I've liked all the SLR pads in the past.

I have custom slr4 pants on order. I've been in koho/ccm pants since 03 so this is going to be a change for me. The biggest selling point for me was the double external hip pads and flexibility with sizing. 

[ThatCarGuy]

53 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Now you just to shake some sense into @Hockey34

He's next. Probably G6.1

54 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Though, if the default stiffness is the same as the G6, I'd probably go a tad softer. My Ultrasonic stiff/curve profile is about as ideal as I want for a thighrise. 

It's expected to be the same as G6. The below the knee break on my G6 set has broken in nicely and started to take a curve so I'll probably stick with a stock stiffness set for myself

53 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Though good luck getting me out of a Mach blocker. Especially with how the Shadow is shaping up. 

I thought we had an agreement how we felt about that blocker

[coopaloop1234]

5 minutes ago, ThatCarGuy said:

It's expected to be the same as G6. The below the knee break on my G6 set has broken in nicely and started to take a curve so I'll probably stick with a stock stiffness set for myself

Good to know. 

Quote

I thought we had an agreement how we felt about that blocker

I don't remember talking to you about anything. 

 

Mods, can we rename this thread: Warrior vs Bauer: why both are top of class. 

[Wonder35]

Question

Do any of you wear out your gear to the point that it is unsafe to wear?

Admittedly, I am not a typical representative of today's goaltenders. But the amount of gear lust on this forum makes these pages, at times, sticky and near pornographic. Does anyone buy off the shelf? I realize that there is a vast network of nearly new equipment readily available on a multitude of sales sites. Do they increase the buying and turnover frenzy?

Perhaps the butterfly style and its seemingly endless variations encourage one to seek and find the latest pad/glove/C/A gizmo? I don't fully understand this phenomenon. 

The manufacturers need to push their products and I understand that. It''s business. But why is there such a massive and lucrative market there which encourages y'all to throw money at the latest and greatest?

 

 

[coopaloop1234]

5 minutes ago, Wonder35 said:

Question

Do any of you wear out your gear to the point that it is unsafe to wear?

Not in a long, long time. My RGT Pro chesty was getting pretty worn down, but I wouldn't call it unsafe. Just hurt a bunch. 

Quote

Admittedly, I am not a typical representative of today's goaltenders. But the amount of gear lust on this forum makes these pages, at times, sticky and near pornographic. Does anyone buy off the shelf? I realize that there is a vast network of nearly new equipment readily available on a multitude of sales sites. Do they increase the buying and turnover frenzy?

I think to put it simply, many of us got into the position because of the novelty of goalie gear. It's an almost 50/50 split for me for drooling over gear as it is for me actually playing. 

Aside from my one custom set I've had, everything is normally off the shelf at a local retailer. (minus a few Sideline Swap grabs). 

Quote

Perhaps the butterfly style and its seemingly endless variations encourage one to seek and find the latest pad/glove/C/A gizmo? I don't fully understand this phenomenon. 

The manufacturers need to push their products and I understand that. It''s business. But why is there such a massive and lucrative market there which encourages y'all to throw money at the latest and greatest?

Because we're absolute suckers to put it bluntly. 

[keeperton]

6 minutes ago, Wonder35 said:

Question

Do any of you wear out your gear to the point that it is unsafe to wear?

Admittedly, I am not a typical representative of today's goaltenders. But the amount of gear lust on this forum makes these pages, at times, sticky and near pornographic. Does anyone buy off the shelf? I realize that there is a vast network of nearly new equipment readily available on a multitude of sales sites. Do they increase the buying and turnover frenzy?

Perhaps the butterfly style and its seemingly endless variations encourage one to seek and find the latest pad/glove/C/A gizmo? I don't fully understand this phenomenon. 

The manufacturers need to push their products and I understand that. It's business. But why is there such a massive and lucrative market there which encourages y'all to throw money at the latest and greatest?

Yes and no.

If I find a piece of equipment that I truly love, I wear it to hell and back. My current examples are:

• My CA: it's a Warrior Ritual G2 Classic Pro. I love how this thing feels and plays, even if I get stingers in certain spots and it's rather worn after 6 years at this point.
• My base layers, I wear them until there are holes in them.
• I typically use gloves until they're too soft in the palm/I get too copious of stingers at my level of play. Unfortunately that usually means they're great for closing, but I don't like having purple fingers. This takes about two years typically.
• Masks. I have two (for painting), but my 960 XPM is in desperate need of some refurbishing of the hardware. Shell is still perfectly fine.
• Skates: I will use skates into the ground. My 2X Pro skates started to come apart at the toe a little bit and pinch my ankle. They're still usable, but not comfortable, so I keep them as back-up skates.

I like to have back-up units of things typically too, especially if I'm playing 3-4 times a week and coaching for 3-6 hours a week. I also keep my older set of stuff for when I play in "lower" or "old man" leagues since it plays more old school and makes me feel nostalgic to be using such soft gear (even though it's only G3netiks, so not even old construction style, just a soft pad). I'll even loan the gear out to people if/when they want to try playing goalie or need a sudden substitute and I can't cover (since I have my brother's stuff from when he played in college in ~2008 and is much larger than me). I think the gear is fun, I love seeing designs advance, that's often where my opinions are rooted; I like seeing material science percolate into commercial implementation and good design.

The things I replace tend to be because there's something about them that really bothers me. I replaced my pants, for example, because I was getting too many bruises in the thigh (SLR2 pro carbon->SLR3 pro carbon). I like playing in the new pads, but I like stiff and I usually find something about the strapping I dislike. I hop between blockers because none have truly spoken to me yet (though if I get a True one that may change, loved how that felt).

[ThatCarGuy]

38 minutes ago, Wonder35 said:

The manufacturers need to push their products and I understand that. It''s business. But why is there such a massive and lucrative market there which encourages y'all to throw money at the latest and greatest?

For very few of us on here it's to attempt to gain a competitive edge whether that be in youth, juniors, or college hockey. For the rest of us I have no idea. 

I've really only recently found what works for me in all situations and now I'm trying to find a set that does that rather than continue modifying my own. The things I tend to wear out most are gloves and skates which is really all I'd need to replace year to year. But when a manufacturer fixes a problem I've genuinely encountered and attempted to fix (G6 lack of calf pillow and mediocre strapping) it makes me more inclined to replace my set. 

Edited December 7, 2023 by ThatCarGuy

[Hockey34]

2 hours ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Pretty easy to do when Warrior gloves are superior in all aspects 

Now you just to shake some sense into @Hockey34

He’s tried it didn’t work and now that I have a Vapor90 it definitely won’t work because I love that glove 

[coopaloop1234]

12 minutes ago, Hockey34 said:

He’s tried it didn’t work and now that I have a Vapor90 it definitely won’t work because I love that glove 

It's ok to be wrong. We'll get you there. 

[ethanallen]

1 hour ago, Wonder35 said:

Question

Do any of you wear out your gear to the point that it is unsafe to wear?

Admittedly, I am not a typical representative of today's goaltenders. But the amount of gear lust on this forum makes these pages, at times, sticky and near pornographic. Does anyone buy off the shelf? I realize that there is a vast network of nearly new equipment readily available on a multitude of sales sites. Do they increase the buying and turnover frenzy?

Perhaps the butterfly style and its seemingly endless variations encourage one to seek and find the latest pad/glove/C/A gizmo? I don't fully understand this phenomenon. 

The manufacturers need to push their products and I understand that. It''s business. But why is there such a massive and lucrative market there which encourages y'all to throw money at the latest and greatest?

 

 

I am wearing a smattering of gear at this point. Started out with a Battram leather trapper, an Eagle blocker, Vaughn LT80 chesty, Eagle jock, no name mask, neck guard and knee guards. I bought a brand new pair of TronX pads that are already looking pretty bad in three months of five ice times a week. I have replaced the chesty, the helmet and will replace the pads and gloves.

I am just beginning my journey as a goalie. I don't know that I will do what many in golf do, but I tend to find something and stick to it as long as it works. My driver is actually quite  old, and I only switched shafts when I grew taller. Same with my putter. I really don't care what others say about my gear. I have a feeling I will do the same with goalie gear. I will switch when I outgrow it or it's no longer usable.

[Hockey34]

4 hours ago, coopaloop1234 said:

It's ok to be wrong. We'll get you there. 

I’m fine with being “wrong” with this but at least I’m not backwards like @A.YOUNGoalie13

[coopaloop1234]

3 hours ago, Hockey34 said:

I’m fine with being “wrong” with this but at least I’m not backwards like @A.YOUNGoalie13

We don't discuss backwards goalies in this thread. 

Next thing you know you'll be saying we need to respect wheeled bag users. 

[ser33]

4 hours ago, coopaloop1234 said:

We don't discuss backwards goalies in this thread. 

Next thing you know you'll be saying we need to respect wheeled bag users. 

I use a rolling bag. but I still hold the club in my right hand.lol

[ser33]

20 hours ago, IpaddyTECH said:

Haha I love brand loyal discussions, so no worries about disrespect. I think this is fun.  

I guess it does depend on how you define innovative. For me It's not just coming out with something new every year (which as we all know is more about marketing and sales), but creating something truly innovative (meaning new). Something nobody else has done before, and both Warrior and Bauer have had their years where the blew everyone else out of the water. But you're right, it's been awhile since warrior has had something as game changing as the G2. But you could kinda argue the same that Bauer hasn't done anything significant since the OD1N line, mostly just changing straps and break angles. The Mach to Shadow line is a very timid change as far as I've seen. But to your point, the G6 to G7 is warrior copying other brands for a change. Also, this goes beyond pads. Warrior's C/A's developed the hinge technology, the pants were some of the first with exterior armadillo style pads and elastic or cut outs for movement, their sticks are cutting edge, and everything from their knee pads to jocks are best sellers due to good protection and durability. So if you factor in the truly inventive advances in pad tech over the years, In my book, Warrior goes toe to toe with Bauer except Bauer narrowly coming out on top for the pads/blockers as I said. To be fair, lefevre pads have always blazed their own trail too. Then there's Brian's which makes fantastic stuff, but nothing really ahead of anybody else. Then you've got ccm and vaughn, which in my mind are almost always behind and copying others, with the exception of maybe vaughn gloves which have their own cult following. 

To be honest, cutting edge "technology" in pads is going to "top out" at some point right? There's only so much you can do with leather and foam. Soon I think it's all going to be about quality/affordability and which company packages the "tech" you like in a single piece of gear, in a way you prefer. 

Vaughn's SLR4's are certainly catching up to everybody else nicely, but I can't think of anything Vaughn has innovated. Maybe the carbon? But other brands have already had their versions of "extra stiff" foam for a while now. 

 

this makes sense since I'm not very knowledgeable about Warrior and what you said really sets him apart from the rest (which I knew, but not in all the details). but for me innovation is, first of all, new materials, perhaps. but if changes to the generally accepted design improve performance, then I agree with you