Name: Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Youth Goalie Leg Pads
SKU: 188071

Intro & New Features

New for 2024 is the SLR4 Youth goalie leg pads from Vaughn. These pads build on the previous SLR2 with the modern look, simple strapping, QuickSlide sliding surface, and bungee cord toe ties. The SLR4 lets young goalies try their hand at goaltending while enjoying the same feel and tech that high-level goalies experience.

External Material

Vaughn used classic jenpro synthetic leather on the exterior of the pads, a common option in goalie pad manufacturing due to its water resistance and durability. In addition, the pads have been outfitted with Vaughn’s own QuickSlide, renowned among many elite and professional goalies for its unparalleled glide along the ice. Growing goalies will greatly benefit from and enjoy the speed that QuickSlide offers when down on the ice.

Internal Construction

The core of the SLR4 Youth leg pads is made entirely of HD foam for good protection and seamless performance. One of the main focuses of the SLR3 series centres around rebound management, a skill that goalies at all levels—from youth to pro—are constantly trying to master. The SLR4 leg pads’ core gives them strong pop on the rebounds, making that mastery easier to reach by simplifying directing rebounds away from the net.

Pad Break

The pads are pre-curved with no break, which means they are stiffer but curved to fit developing goalies, specifically those who go down into butterfly often. The curve enhances seal along the ice, meaning it will be tougher for rogue pucks to trickle past when they aren’t looking or if they lose track of the puck.

Boot Angle & Toe Taper

The SLR4 sits at a 60° boot angle with a 90° toe taper. The toe taper ensures good coverage, whether standing or in butterfly. The boot angle positions the pad a little higher on the skates, making them appear taller. The boot angle and coverage also help greatly with rebound control.

Knee Cradle

The knee cradle is wide for enhanced pad rotation (the motion made when the goalie is entering into butterfly). The angled adjustment strap is there to keep the pads snug while not sacrificing range of motion. It is important for young goalies to get a handle at pad rotation early, as over or under-rotation can cause pucks to slip through cracks or potential injury later down the road as they grow older. The SLR4 pads are optimized to help develop this skill.

Strapping

In addition to the knee cradle, proper strapping will always be important to pad rotation. The straps on the SLR4 are simplified with velcro and are even easier to adjust in a pinch. Vaughn also doesn’t neglect the younger generation when it comes to toe ties, which is one of if not the most important piece of equipment to help with rotation. Toe ties determine the depth of the rotation, thus having good toe ties will also dictate a goalie’s pad rotation effectiveness. For the SLR4, Vaughn opted for bungee toe ties.

Goalies have been quickly switching from standard and skate lace toe ties to bungee-style pro laces over the past few years due to the latter’s increased durability and efficiency. The bungee toe ties have their own stretch and recoil, putting less stress on the goalie’s joints and lowering their energy usage, helping them play longer. For developing goalies, bungee cord toe ties both simplify the game and lower the risk of injury later as they grow older.