New for 2012, the Graf G4500 goalie skates offer the performance and durability that you have come to expect from Graf with some improvements that make this a vast improvement over the previous G3 model. The boot of the G4500 features a tech mesh outer material and a HDPE and AEPE foam inner material. The tech mesh provides both light weight and durability, and the HDPE and the AEPE foam inner allow the boot to have a bit more flexibility - great for beginners or for those with a thinner or lighter body type. The achilles area of the skate is cut downward to give the goalie incredible ankle flexibility, and this area has been reinforced with a 1.5mm microfiber material to provide extra protection against wear. The interior of the boot is made of Graf"s polyester cellular lining for comfort, light weight, and breathability with anatomical ankle padding for comfort. The boot features a full outsole to help reduce torque. The cowling that comes standard with the G4500 skates has gone through an addition by subtraction process for 2012. Gone is the traditional Grilamid toe cap (an additional bump out strip at the end of the toe cap) and the additional material on the forward inside edge of the cowling previously used to support additional Overdrive blades. In addition to removing the Overdrive blade mount, the forward inside edge of the cowling has been cut back (narrowed) dramatically. The end result is a cowling that is 30% lighter, and it also allows the cowling to be tipped farther towards the inside edge before making contact with the ice. Goalies who like to keep lower to the ice but still want a cowling that allows for a greater attack angle will really love the G4500. A replaceable skate blade also comes standard.