Difference Between Vaughn 7600 & 7450 Chest Protectors

Hockey goalies wear a lot of equipment to protect them from the punishment they take protecting the goal. The chest and arm protector is one of the most vital pieces of equipment, since it covers the largest surface areas on the body which the goalie uses to stop the puck. Vaughn, a hockey equipment maker, models 7450 and 7600 are very similar in style and design. The 7600 model is a newer model and offers additional features and protection not present on the 7450.

  1. Weight

    • The VP 7600 Velocity Model of chest protector is lighter than the 7450, which allows the player to move more quickly. Quicker movement equates to more pucks stopped. The lighter weight comes from using lightweight materials that do not sacrifice the structural strength or the protection of the player.

    Chest Protection

    • The chest area is one of the most vital areas to protect on the body. The 7450 model uses a larger reinforced sternum plate with extra thickness. The 7600 uses a three-layered approach, which helps maintain the players flexibility in the chest area while still providing protection.

    Side Pad Wings

    • The side pad wings, extensions from the chest pad that run along the upper part of the ribs, are a feature offered on the 7600. The side pad wings are adjustable to protect the upper rib area of the player. This feature is not offered on the 7450, which exposes this area to shots.

    Shoulder Caps

    • The shoulder caps, which sit beneath the floaters of the protector, of the 7600 model chest protector extend further down the front of the protector compared to the 7450 model. This extension provides extra protection in the armpit area of the player. This extension and the side pad wing almost completely close the gap on the upper side of the torso that is present in the 7450 padding.

    Shoulder Floaters

    • The shoulder floater of the 7600 model are larger than those of the 7450. The shoulder floaters are the foam inserts which cover the top of the shoulders and down each side of the chest. This increased size helps reduce the force of shots the player takes in these areas and also increases the blocking area of the goalie to stop more pucks.