Vaughn Epic 8600 Pad Review

[meaks17]

I just got these pads in and went out and skated with them, since so many people are interested I figured I would do a review right away to get the information out, if there is any interest I will do one later on to address the durability after more use.

Pad Info:
11" NHL Spec width
34'' +1'' height
(I am 5'9 with about a 17" atk and these are the perfect size, my knee lands in the center of the cradle)
All Black color

Feel 9/10:
Pretty stiff pads but it seems like after some break in that they should hold an alright s curve, regardless, when I went down my butterfly still closed up fine. Butterfly rotation is great, no problems whatsoever, no problems with my knees falling off the stacks like with my old SWDs. The leg channel and knee stacks are so comfortable, it felt like I was landing on memory foam, unbelievably comfortable! These felt just as light as my old SWDs which is impressive considering how much more protection and detail is in these.

Durability (leaving this blank for now):
Although I cannot comment on long term durability, I am going to go out on a limb and say that, from visual inspection and the materials used in the pads, that these will last at least 3 years if not longer than that (I play about 4-5 times a week September-March, and 1-3 during the summer). Stitching is solid and all in place.

Butterfly 9/10:
The knee stacks keep me pretty elevated in my butterfly. Rotation into the butterfly is so smooth and easy as stated before. Despite the stiffness my butterfly closed the 5 hold easily. I was very impressed by how easy it was to slide in these pads, improvement ten fold over my old SWDs. The only problem i had was when I was sliding, if I did not get my drive leg up high enough, the boot channel would contact the ice and I wouldn't go anywhere, which I will account to just needing to get used to the pads.

Protection 10/10:
Did not feel anything from shots to the face of the pad (had a former NAHL player shooting on me). In the leg channel there was plenty of calf protection.

Fit 10/10:
I am coming from a very open leg channel, and this is a more busy, typical Vaughn leg channel. This is not bad at all, it may lust take a tiny bit of time to get perfectly comfortable in this setup. 34"+1" is the perfect fit for me being 5'9" with about a 17" atk.

Craftsmanship 9/10:
These have all of the details of any top level Vaughn's, when I first pulled them out I was in awe. Every little detail is awesome! The leather straps are easily replaceable and good quality. Materials seem pretty nice quality.

Things I would change:
Only thing I would mod is make the top two straps on the pad leather like the rest of the straps instead of buckles.

Overall 9/10:
Awesome pads, you cannot go wrong for this price!

***I will take some pics tomorrow and post them as my pads are in my stall at the rink

[TurcoWolv]

Solid Review...

After much debate about my next set of pads I settled on these, I've heard too many good things about these not to give them a shot.

34+1 in Montreal colors ( Or Fresno State Colors!), Can't wait! I'll post a Roller Hockey specific review next week.

[meaks17]

Finally got my camera working here are the pics if anyone wants to see them (sorry for the bad quality).

[GBGoaltending]

Did you get the 8600 blocker aswell or is that another vaughn model blocker in the picture?

[meaks17]

It is the 8600 blocker, I took off the 8600 decal underneath the Epic on the blocker to match the face of the pad though.

[TxAg35]

Nice review, I have a question, over time have these become more flexible?

[banks30]

wear do you usally wear your drive strap I just got visions and have no clue wear to put them

[bguminey]

Im a huge fan of all black or black with accents and I must say very very nice and excellent review

[Södy]

how do they hold up?

[meaks17]

Originally Posted by TxAg35

Nice review, I have a question, over time have these become more flexible?

They have gotten quite a bit more flexible than they were out of the box, but are still a stiffer pad compared to what else is out.

[meaks17]

Originally Posted by banks30

wear do you usally wear your drive strap I just got visions and have no clue wear to put them

These Epics do not have a drive strap, but here is a resource that can help you out...

Vaughn Hockey - World Leader In Custom Goalie Equipment - EPIC Drive Strap

[meaks17]

Originally Posted by Södy

how do they hold up?

So far so good. The only similarly priced pad that I have to compare these to is the Sherwood C5's; and these blow them out of the water in terms of durability.

[Södy]

Good. I have the C5s, too and after 2 seasons there is a cut in the boot area, the boot area is starting to get loose and on the inner foot area on the edge the nylon falls apart. So I'm looking for new pads within the next few months and I'm sure I will get these cause of the price!

edit:

for the stiffness, these are having an s-curve? are they more flexible as the c5s?

and would you say overall, these are a step up from the c5?

[meaks17]

These are definitely a huge step up over the C5's...As for the pad themselves, they are quite a bit stiffer than the C5's but if you work them in the will hold an S curve (not as big of one as the C5's though)

[Södy]

umm stiffer than the C5s?

Can you make a pic where you can see the s-curve after working on them?