Vaughn ION Pro Goalie Pads & Gloves Review — What’s New vs. the SLR4 and the Pro Select
Goalie pads, glove and blocker — nearly every pro feature, one price point down
On this week's InGoal Radio gear segment, Kevin Woodley sits down with Cam from The Hockey Shop to break down the new Vaughn ION Pro goalie leg pads, glove and blocker — Vaughn's mid-level set for 2026 — and what's actually changed from the outgoing Ventus SLR4.
- The Vaughn ION Pro is a Canadian-made, mid-level set positioned below the flagship Ventus SLR4 with a lower price but retaining many pro-level features.
- A knee stack integrated into the pad face reduces rotation and rocking in the butterfly, making this the stiffest Vaughn pad off the wall to date.
- The glove upgrades from the SLR4's single-T to a double-T web, and a skate-lace closure means it's nearly game-ready out of the box.
- The ION blocker combines 17mm HD foam with carbon front-face layering and a steeper top angle to produce harder, more controlled rebounds.
- QuickSlide outer edge, toe binding, and RRC adjustable strapping together improve lateral speed and long-term fit as the pad breaks in.
The Vaughn ION Pro pads and gloves are Canadian-made and slot in as a second price-point line below the flagship Ventus SLR4 — but that lower price tag still comes with a stack of top-end features.
Leg pads
The ION line rebuilds the pad around a knee stack integrated directly into the face for a tighter face-to-knee tie-in and less rotation and rocking in the butterfly, making this the stiffest Vaughn pad off the wall to date. A QuickSlide outer edge and toe binding speed up post-to-post movement, and RRC adjustable strapping lets you remount the straps for a tighter fit as the pad breaks in.
Glove
The glove moves back to double-T webbing, up from the SLR4’s single-T, with a wide-open pocket and Shock Shield palm padding. A skate-lace closure needs minimal break-in, so it’s close to game-ready right out of the box.
Blocker
The new ION blocker pairs 17mm of HD foam with carbon front-face layering in an “Active Rebound” build for a harder, livelier rebound, and a steeper top angle that deflects pucks up and away instead of letting them roll over the top.
Who it’s for
Goalies who want most of the pro-level feel of Vaughn’s flagship SLR4 without paying flagship pricing. Questions on sizing or fit? The goalie experts at The Hockey Shop Source for Sports can walk you through it.
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