Vaughn is known for their impressive hockey goalie gear and their protective works of art can be seen on goaltenders of all ages and playing levels. Vaughn is one of the top manufacturers of goalie equipment in the world and can be seen on elite NHL goaltenders like Jonathan Quick, Tuukka Rask and Antti Niemi just to name a few. The newly released Vaughn Ventus line of goalie pads offer excellent protection and offer some unique features that are designed to maximize your goaltending game play.

Lets take a closer look.

The all new for 2013 Ventus LT leg pads come in three models, the Custom ProLT90, LT80 and LT60 junior goal pads.  The new Ventus butterfly leg pads feature a full flat front surface and a solid one piece outside roll that helps maintain the pads firm shape.  The new stylish Ventus graphics give the pad a taller, longer appearance to help trick the shooter. Internal foam core construction consists of multiple layers of foam densities and thicknesses in an arrangement that gives the pad a solid frontal blocking surface as well as firm edges for maximum net coverage. The new internal structure also allows the pads to twist and flex in crucial locations improving the performance and positioning of the pad. The internal construction gives the goaltenders added extension when in the butterfly position and allows faster pad rotation for improved net coverage. Vaughn’s internal knee cradle comes with an angled strap system that positions the straps below the bend of the knee creating less friction and improving comfort. The leg cradle-landing pad is shaped to encapsulate the leg and cushion the body when dropping down to the ice. The knee and leg cradles are designed to improve pad control and provide faster pad rotation and response times for more effective blocking positioning.

Vaughn fans will notice right away the similarities between the Vaughn Vision and the Vaughn Ventus catch gloves. Small tweaks have been made to the Ventus catcher including the new wider cuff design for improved chest and arm fit and allows improved mobility when handling the puck. Backhand protection now features a segmented design like the Velocity series for an easy closure and seamless protection. Loyal Vaughn goaltenders will have no problem transitioning to the new Ventus catcher, as the internal construction and feel are very similar to the Vision line.

The Ventus blocker might look similar to the Vaughn Vision blocker because of the board angle and side hand protection but in fact the internal components have been completely redesigned, improving protection and durability.  Active goaltenders that like to play puck will especially appreciate the new wider cuff opening that provides improved wrist mobility. Hand protection has been improved like the ergonomically shaped palm, constructed with Vaughn’s special MSH3 material that retains a grip when wet and will not become stiff over time. The palm is also padded to help reduce puck vibrations while providing more comfort through the game. Thumb and index finger protection have been reinforced to provide better protection and offer a wider opening for better stick handling.

Vaughn’s new VGS LT90 Ventus goal stick provides an exceptional feel and balanced design. According to Vaughn the goal stick has an average weight of only 690 grams. The paddle features a flat-faced profile design to more effectively make saves and add control over rebounds. The LT90 goal stick is constructed from pure carbon fiber composite and epoxy resins all layered in precise order to provide incredible durability, strength and stiffness. The entire goal stick is molded under high pressure and heat to ensure optimum performance and consistency throughout. The stick also features ribbed chambers in the paddle and blade that help reduce twisting and add stiffness when shooting the puck. The inner core of the paddle and blade are constructed with high impact foams to reduce and dampen vibrations and limit unwanted paddle flexing.

The Vaughn Ventus line of goalie equipment features all the necessary components and protective features to maximize the goaltending experience. Additional information on the new for 2013 Vaughn Ventus goalie gear is available at Inline and IceWarehouse.com.

The long anticipated Bauer Reactor Goalie equipment is finally here! Starting April 15th, Bauer’s all new Reactor goalie gear will become available. The original Bauer Reactor line was launched in 1994, setting a new standard for goaltending equipment by providing innovative, functional and protective gear. The Reactor line created the foundation for many of the goalie gear products seen on the market today.

The newly designed Bauer Reactor line is stylish, lightweight and protective, perfect for today’s goaltending playing styles. The new Bauer Reactor goalie equipment is geared toward goaltenders that tend to play more aggressive and are quick to challenge the shooter in an attempt to make the save. A handful of NHL goalies can be seen wearing the new gear including  goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

The Reactor pads will be offered in three different models for the US including the Reactor 2000, Reactor 4000 and the Reactor 6000. The Reactor line includes goalie leg pads, goalie catcher and blocker, goalie ice skates, goalie sticks and accessories like the Reactor clavicle protector, knee guard and goalie jock/jill. Along with the Reactor goalie gear, Bauer will be releasing their brand new line of Concept goalie masks.

Let’s take a closer look:

The Bauer Reactor pads are designed for the hybrid / battlefly style goaltender because of the flexible-lightweight design. The Bauer Reactor goalie pads feature a lightweight Pro core insert, triangle outside roll, quick release thigh & knee straps and NHL legal under-pant thigh protector. The Bauer Reactor knee cradle setup is slightly different on the Reactor 6000 because the knee cradle is sew in, instead of using their (AKL) Adjustable Knee Lock system like the Reactor 2000 & 4000 models.

The Bauer Reactor goalie catcher features lightweight construction, awesome new Reactor design, skate laced single T pocket design on the 4000/6000 models, full hand closure and free flex cuff for excellent mobility.

The Reactor goalie blocker features Bauer’s maximum coverage side hand protection and soft Nash palm with extra layer of reinforcement on the 4000/6000 models.

Bauer’s new top of the line Reactor 6000 ice hockey goalie skates feature an ultra thick pro felt tongue with extended length and padded high density metatarsal guard, a 3D anaformable boot, redesigned ankle collar and extra padding under the foot bed. The Bauer Reactor goalie skates will also feature an improved reinforced VERTEXX cowling, super-strong 4mm removable stainless steel runner and hydrophobic Clarino synthetic liner.

Bauer’s new composite Reactor goalie sticks offer similar technology and materials as the Reflex and Totalone lines with the main visual difference being the slick updated Reactor graphics. The Bauer Reactor Goalie Stick will of course be replacing the Reflex family of goalie sticks.

Last but not least I wanted to highlight Bauer’s all new Concept goalie masks. Two models are available, the top of the line Concept C1 and Concept C2. The Concept C1 goalie mask provides pro level protection thanks to some really impressive technologies. NHL goaltender JamesReimer of the Toronto Maples Leaves recently started using Bauer’s impressive new C1 mask. The C1 mask features an ultra lightweight carbon fiber shell with a reinforced outer TeXtreme® layer. TeXtreme® technology is exclusive to Bauer, weighing 20% less than conventional carbon without sacrificing strength. The liner on the C1 is a mechanically attached SUSPEND-TECH liner with PORON® XRD™ foam closest to the face for enhanced protection and max comfort. The cage on the C1 is constructed from ultra light titanium oval wire, available in certified straight bar and non-certified cat eye cages. The cage on the C1 and C2 masks come with new (SAW) shock absorbing wire clip system. SAW technology improves impact absorption and reduces cage denting.

Additional information on the new Bauer Reactor goalie equipment line will be available online April 15, 2013 at Inline and Ice Warehouse.

The new Mission SLYDE Goalie Leg Pads are finally available and come with innovative Pro-Rated performance enhancing technology.  Roller hockey goalies have always been at somewhat of a disadvantage because of surface friction, limiting leg pad slide across the crease. Roller goalies naturally adapted by learning to hop laterally across the crease but this leaves them more susceptible to lower shots. The Mission SLYDE leg pads improve a goaltenders lateral side-to-side movements and mobility by placing strategically positioned slide bars in areas of amplified resistance. With this new technology, roller hockey goaltenders will be able to slide across the crease using conventional ice hockey moves.

The Mission SLYDE Series goalie pads are available in two stock colors, white/black/silver and black/white/silver. Mission’s new edgy design flows across both leg pads in one continuous pattern making the leg pads seem larger. Mission’s SLYDE goalie pads are not completely new however; Mission used the Bauer One80 goalie pads as the foundation, but by incorporating Mission’s new SLYDE technology the overall design has been enhanced for roller hockey specific goaltending.

If your looking for a matching set of goalie pads, Mission has you covered with their SLYDE goalie catcher and SLYDE goalie blocker. Lightweight HEX foam protection and other small tweaks provide roller hockey goaltenders improved performance and protection.

Mission’s new SLYDE technology allows roller hockey goaltenders to make saves only dreamed of before! For more information on Mission’s new SLYDE goalie pads check us out online at InlineWarehouse.com.

Mission has been a leading force in the roller hockey industry for a while now. They saw the lack in roller hockey skates specifically designed for goalies and saw this as an opportunity to revolutionize the roller hockey goalie skate. With the introduction of Axiom G7 Goalie Skate, they have done just that!

Mission Axiom G7 Goalie Skates

When you see the Axiom G7 Goal Skate, it is obvious that Mission took a lot of time researching and developing the skate. Mission worked with several goalies to make a skate that  would conform to the roller hockey goalies style. The first and most noticeable innovation seen on this skate is the FrontLoad Chassis Technology. It may look like the skate is missing a wheel, but Mission purposely left this wheelout for a couple different reasons. First off, this gap provides an area for goalies to put their straps without getting caught in their wheels. More importantly, the FrontLoad Chassis Technology allows goalies to be more on the balls of their feet. In roller hockey, it is quite difficult to slide across the crease, so roller hockey goalies need to almost jump across their net and being on the balls of your feet makes this movement much easier.

The Axiom Goalie Skate sits on top of four 59mm Rink Rat Crossbar Goalie Wheels (XXX Grip 76A) with Mission ABEC 5 608 Bearings. Mission tested with both the 47mm and the 59mm wheel sizes, but goalies preferred the 59mm so Mission went with the popular vote. On the interior of these skates Mission has used their sublimated “Mission Haze” brushed nylon with foam pads in the ankle to make this skate incredibly comfortable. Cosmetically, they have designed this skate to fit right in with the rest of the Axiom line up so your getting an awesome looking skate.

The Mission Axiom G7 Goalie Skate is available for pre-sale now at InlineWarehouse.com and is scheduled to arrive in mid September.

Click here to order your Axiom Goalie Skate right now!

I got a chance to talk with Warrior’s Hockey Product Manager, Keith Perera, about Warrior’s first line of goalie gear. They will be coming out with two product lines called the Messiah and the Swagger. Warrior has put a lot of effort into their goalie line knowing that they really have one shot to prove to goalies that they belong in the market.

Although Warrior is new to the goalie market, they have a lot of expertise in the field. Their design team has past experience with other elite goalie companies including Eagle and Vaughn, and they have had many elite level goalies testing their products to give feedback. Warrior is ready to be a contender in the goalie market.

The Messiah line, which is Warrior’s pro level line will be available through IW by request only, but IW will be carrying the Swagger line.

Swagger Leg Pads

The Swagger leg pads have an inner foam core that uses Zotefoam™ components, which is going to provide a lot of protection that will not compress over time. To provide a high level of durability Warrior has used some sublimated Tuff Tech material. In addition to the durability, the Tuff Tech material doesn’t retain water which helps maintain a super lightweight feel. On the back side of the pad, Warrior has used a Nash leather in the leg channel to help with durability as well as provide a comfortable fit. On the inner side of the pad, Warrior has used a strip of HD foam which allows the pad to lay flush on the rink as well as hold its shape over time. With all the technology that has gone into this pad, it is perfect for a butterfly style goalie because the pad uses the players body weight to keep the pad from rotating when on the rink. These pads have an estimated retail price of $649.99

Swagger Catch Glove

The Swagger catch glove will provide an elite level of protection with a quick break-in design, which means the glove is game-ready right out the package. The glove uses a Clarino synthetic leather liner to provide a comfortable fit as well as an Antimicrobial V-Tek™ liner to wick away moisture. The Swagger catch glove offers a large thumb box with an adjustable strap to allow  for a more customizable fit and full thumb protection. The Swagger catcher uses multi-flex backhand protection to provide full coverage of the hand. The estimated retail price of the Swagger catch glove is $199.99.

Swagger Blocker

The Swagger blocker uses a flared design at the top and bottom of the blocker to allow for easier rebound control and an improved paddle-down position. This blocker offers an adjustable side board for maximum surface coverage while still staying within sizing regulations. Warrior uses a backhand saddle design on this blocker to reduce rotation on the hand and provide optimum positioning. The Swagger blocker uses a 3-D mesh in the fingers for breathability as well as an antimicrobial V-Tek™ liner to help wick away moisture. The palm of the Swagger blocker features a padded Smart Palm which dampens vibration impact as well allow for a firm grip of the stick. This blocker’s estimated retail price is $149.99.

The Swagger goal pants use molded Zotefoam™ which allows for less foam to be used because the Zotefoam™ is so durable and strong. This smaller amount of foam allows for the pants to be more form fitting which makes the pants feel very lightweight. The Swagger goal pants use a high-strength poly-weave material in the high impact areas for added durability. Warrior has used the same antimicrobial V-Teck™ liner as the catch glove and blocker which wicks moisture away from the body. These pants use a stretchable mesh in the inner leg as well as the back side for added flexibility. The Swagger goal pants use a 420-denier nylon shell to provide a high level of durability. The Swagger goal pants have an estimated retail price of $139.99.

After seeing all of Warrior’s advancements in the player market, it is great to see them jumping into the goalie market. Look for the Warrior goalie line here at Inline Warehouse and Ice Warehouse.