Vaughn 6000 Chest Protector: I haven’t had a broken rib for weeks
Written: May 03 '04 (Updated Dec 13 '05)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Excellent protection, double shoulder cups, extra sternum protection.
Cons: Velcro wears out quickly, some straps come loose.
The Bottom Line: If you can find a deal like I did, you won't find a better chest protector than the 6000.
|
|
|
| puckmugger's Full Review: Vauhgn Legacy Chest & Arm Protector VP 6000 |
While wearing a Heaton AB4800 and playing at a much lower level of hockey than I currently am, I broke two ribs in a game. It was a freakish play where a falling player accidentally butt ended me with his stick, so I more or less relegated the instance to nothing more than improvident chance. However, when a hard slap shot broke my shoulder, I knew it was time for an upgrade.
▪ The comparisons
After looking at a number of various brands, I narrowed my search to the top of the line Eagle, Brian’s Altimax and the Vaughn 6000.
When trying on all three chest and arm protectors, I was pleased with the beefy double shoulder cups and thick chest protection. All of them were pretty comfortable – as much so as something that makes you look like the Michelin man might be anyway. I was confident that any of them would offer more than adequate protection.
In careful comparison I decided that the Eagle was a little bulkier feeling and the arms didn’t offer the same amount of mobility. It was a nice piece of gear, and it was comfortable, but perhaps not quite as agile as the other two.
The next factor I weighed in my decision was the price. The Vaughn and the Brian’s were close to the same price in the store. I jumped on the net and looked for a better price on either of the chest protectors. When I found no deals on the Brian’s, and a killer deal on the Vaughn 6000, I knew I had a winner.
In all, the three of these chest protectors at the same price might have been a nearly impossible decision. They were all outstanding with only minor differences.
▪ The Vaughn 6000
The 6000 is a near pro quality chest protector. As mentioned it has double shoulder cups. The shoulder is one of the most painful places to take a hard shot. Double cups assure that even if the chest protector moves, there will still be coverage on the shoulder. Further, if everything is perfect, there is double the normal padding on the shoulders.
The arms are highly articulate on the 6000. Large cheaters protect the forearms and biceps. A full plastic elbow pad protects the elbows nicely. The spinal and kidney protection is fairly good, but there are some newer models that are a little more substantial in that area.
The arms and elbow pads are of the lace in variety and fully adjustable. The straps are comfortable on the back and wrists. Double straps at the waist keep the chest and arm firmly in place and like the dual shoulder pads are redundant in nature and keep things from flying loose if one strap gives up.
The chest protector is thick enough to protect from hard shots. A second outer layer of protection over the sternum keeps hard shots from breaking your heart, well literally anyway.
The neck protection is better than most of the other chest protectors I have used as well. Once the fit is properly adjusted, the neck protector is high enough to render a bib style neck protector needless. I would still recommend a lexan throat guard with any chest protector.
▪ The Good and Bad
The chest strap on the 6000 is a little bit too long, rendering it nearly useless when lacing a belt through it conventionally. However after some experimentation I found that ignoring the actual loop and lacing my belt through the webbing above the loop put things into the right position.
I generally wear my chest protector tucked into my goal pants and also added suspenders to the front of my 6000 to snug things up a little bit. Getting the puck between the pants and chest protector isn’t my idea of a good time.
I have been tagged in the armpit a few times in my 6000. I don’t know if this is a legitimate complaint even though it really hurts sometimes. I haven’t seen any chest protectors that protect the armpits.
As far as broken bones, I am pleased to report that I have never had a broken bone while wearing the 6000, hence the title of this piece. I have gone approximately 192 weeks now without any broken bones. Here’s hoping for another 192 or more.
The Velcro on the wrist straps wore out after the first year or so. While this is moderately annoying, Velcro does wear out. All of my gear has far outlasted the Velcro straps on it. I replaced the wrist straps on my 6000 with elastic. It doesn’t fit quite as tight now, but won’t wear out.
Some of the back straps and arms straps had a tendency to work loose during games. I ended up sewing them where I like them to keep them securely in place.
▪ Bottom Line
My 6000 has served me well and despite a few minor flaws, I have been very pleased with my 6000. Of course, I had access to heavy-duty sewing equipment that helped me to modify my gear. Nonetheless, I think that goalies should all know how to sew. It will save you more money and headaches than you can imagine.
With the exception of the suspenders I sewed on my 6000 chest protector, anyone with a needle and thread can fix the minor issues of the 6000. The simple fact is that straps come loose and Velcro wears out. All Goalie chest protectors will likely have some similar problems.
The Vaughn Legacy 6000 is as good as any that I have used.
Some of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Fitting Goalie Gear
Vaughn Velocity II Goal Pads
Heaton AB 4800 Chest Protector
Battram Custom Goalie Equipment
© 2005 Scott Noble – All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
Thanks to openroad for adding this item so I could review it.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
puckmugger
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Location: wandering the fringes of the goal crease
Reviews written: 488
Trusted by: 247 members
About Me:
My book is now available in major bookstores or by order from my profile page.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.