I've been wearing the CAT Mae Steel Toe Waterproof for six months while doing yard work and outdoor chores, and I still reach for them. They fit my feet a little narrowly, but I've had no problems with the boots so far. That experience matters more to me than a star rating, although it doesn't tell you how they'll hold up on a full-time construction site.
On paper, the Mae pairs a steel safety toe and electrical-hazard rating with a waterproof full-grain leather upper. Its typical listed price is $119.95; Amazon showed 4.4 stars from 2,649 ratings when I checked on November 2, 2026. The trade-offs are worth knowing: no listed insulation, limited Wide sizing, and cement construction that makes conventional resoling difficult.
I'll separate what I've experienced in my own pair from manufacturer specifications and other owners' reports. My six months of yard work aren't a laboratory waterproofing test or a substitute for the safety label on your own boots. See how we research boots.
Steel toe | Waterproof leather | EH rated | Medium and Wide | 4.4 stars, 2,649 ratings | typical price $119.95Buy it if your job requires a steel toe, you work outside in rain, mud or wet grass, and you want a women's-specific boot that's comfortable early on.
Skip it if you have wide feet and can't find Wide in your size, you work in freezing cold, you pass through metal detectors every day, or you want a boot designed for easy resoling.
CAT Mae Specs
The Mae is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars across 2,649 ratings. 73% are five-star and 6% are one-star (Amazon, retrieved 2026-11-02).
| Model | Mae Steel Toe Waterproof, P91010 (Cocoa). Also sold in Black and Bay Leaf |
| Safety toe | Steel, ASTM F2413-18 impact and compression (I/75 C/75) |
| Electrical hazard | EH, open circuits up to 600 volts in dry conditions |
| Upper | Waterproof full-grain leather |
| Lining | Nylon mesh with a sock liner |
| Footbed and midsole | Molded EVA footbed, molded PU midsole |
| Outsole | T1260 rubber, oil, water and abrasion resistant, slip resistant |
| Construction | Cement (outsole glued on, not stitched) |
| Shank | Listed as steel on Amazon, nylon at Academy and Farm & Fleet (see note below) |
| Shaft height | 4.75" on Amazon. Retailers market it as a 6" boot (see note below) |
| Insulation | None listed |
| Sizes and widths | Women's 5-11. Wide in 5-10, size 11 in Medium only |
| Weight | No per-boot weight published |
| Price | $119.95 typical, $100.76 at retrieval |
Specs from the Amazon listing and the Academy and Farm & Fleet product pages (retrieved 2026-11-02). Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Two spec notes. Amazon lists a 4.75" shaft, while stores call the Mae a 6" boot. Those numbers may reflect different measurement methods, but I couldn't verify why they differ. The shank is listed as steel on Amazon and nylon at two US retailers; I can't confirm which applies to every version. If shank construction matters for your work, ask CAT Footwear for the specification for your exact model and size.
Safety and Waterproof Protection
The Mae has the two safety ratings most job sites ask for. Here's what each one does and doesn't cover.
- ASTM F2413-18 steel toe (I/75 C/75). The toe cap passed the standard's impact and compression tests at the 75 level. That's the rating a site usually means by "safety toe required." It doesn't mean the boot carries every protection in the standard.
- Electrical hazard (EH). Cat lists protection against open circuits up to 600 volts in dry conditions. EH is a secondary safeguard against accidental contact. It's not permission to work on live electrical equipment, and wet or worn soles reduce it.
What it doesn't have: no metatarsal guard and no puncture-resistant plate listed. The steel toe may trigger metal detectors, depending on the screening equipment. Our safety boot types guide explains each rating, and steel toe vs composite toe covers the weight and metal detector trade-offs.
Waterproofing. Cat describes the upper as waterproof full-grain leather and doesn't name a branded membrane. I've had no problems with my pair in six months of yard work. Amazon owners report dry feet in harder conditions. One owner feeds 21 horses through a South Florida rainy season, walking through puddles about 3 inches deep, and says the waterproofing is superb. Another, a custodian who works partly outside, says nothing wet gets in unless you're in deep snow (Amazon reviews, retrieved 2026-11-02).
Follow CAT's care guidance for the leather and check for worn seams or damage over time. Our guide to how to waterproof work boots covers the options, and GORE-TEX vs waterproof leather explains how each approach holds up.
Six Months Wearing the CAT Mae: What I've Noticed
Sarah's notes
- How long: six months so far, and I'm still wearing them.
- What for: working in the yard and general outdoor chores.
- Problems: none in six months.
- Fit: on the narrow side, but they fit.
- Laces: good overall. I like them.
- Color: I love the brown Cocoa, but for others Black can be the better choice.
These photos help show the rounded toe, padded collar and relatively low-cut, hiker-style shape. In my yard-work use, the fit has felt narrow but workable for my feet. I haven't had trouble with the laces or noticed a problem with the boots over six months. That doesn't mean everyone will get the same fit or durability, especially if they wear them for long industrial shifts.
Sizing and Fit
For me, the Mae runs on the narrow side, but it fits. Owner reports vary. Amazon's review summary says many owners find plenty of toe room from the round toe, while some find the boot narrow (retrieved 2026-11-02). One owner with a bunion calls the toe box roomy. A reviewer in Mexico says they run large.
To get the fit right:
- Start with your usual women's boot size.
- Order Wide if regular boots feel tight across the ball of your foot. Wide is offered in sizes 5-10, but not in 11.
- Stand up and check your toes. They shouldn't touch the steel cap, because the cap won't stretch.
- Try them on with your work socks, late in the day when your feet are largest.
Check the return policy for your selected size, seller and location before ordering; terms can change. Our how tight should steel toe boots fit guide goes deeper. If your little toe rubs the cap, read steel toe rubbing pinky before you return them. Bunions? Compare our best work boots for bunions.
Comfort for Long Shifts
Comfort early on is the most common praise in owner reviews. Several owners say the Mae felt good from day one. One owner who works on her feet for 8-13 hours a day says they help a great deal. Another says the first two days were a little uncomfortable, then they felt better than her old steel toe work shoes.
The listed molded EVA footbed and PU midsole are intended to provide underfoot cushioning, but comfort depends on fit, socks and the work you do. Owners report good results with their own inserts. One owner with flat feet uses corrective inserts in them, and another swapped the insert for more cushioning and now wears the boots all day. If you stand on concrete for long shifts, our best insoles for work boots guide is worth a look.
Weight gets mixed feedback. Amazon's summary says some owners find the boots not too heavy, while others find them slightly heavy (retrieved 2026-11-02). Cat doesn't publish a per-boot weight. A 2-star reviewer with a bone spur found them heavy and painful, even in Wide. If you have a specific foot condition, buy where you can return them easily.
Build Quality and Durability
After six months of yard work, I haven't had a problem with my pair. That's encouraging, but I can't use that experience alone to predict outsole life for someone wearing these eight to twelve hours a day. Amazon's review summary also includes positive quality feedback. Quality and value for money are among the top themes in the review summary (retrieved 2026-11-02).
The complaints to know about:
- Scuffing. Owners say the leather scuffs easily, especially the Black. Regular leather care helps.
- Laces. Some owners call the stock laces weak (ShopSavvy review summary, retrieved 2026-11-02). Mine have been good overall. If yours fray, see our best boot laces picks.
- Squeaking. The same summary mentions occasional reports of one boot squeaking. Our guide on how to stop work boots from squeaking covers the fixes.
- Resoling limitations. The outsole uses cement construction rather than a Goodyear welt. Conventional resoling is generally difficult or uneconomical; ask a repair specialist before assuming it can be done.
Where the CAT Mae Works Best
Good fits:
- Yard work, farm chores and barn work in wet grass or mud
- Custodial and maintenance jobs that move between indoors and outdoors
- Warehouse and light industrial work that requires a steel toe
- Hot climates where you want a shorter boot. One South Florida owner chose it for that reason
Poor fits:
- Outdoor work in freezing temperatures, since it isn't insulated and steel conducts cold
- Airports, secure sites or anywhere with daily metal detectors
- Jobs that need a metatarsal guard or puncture-resistant sole
- Wide feet in size 11, since Wide stops at 10
CAT Mae vs Alternatives
CAT Mae vs CAT Echo
The CAT Echo Waterproof Steel Toe is the boot most often compared with the Mae. It appears next to the Mae in Amazon's own comparison block.
| CAT Mae | CAT Echo | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety toe | Steel | Steel |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| EH rated | Yes | Yes |
| Upper | Full-grain leather | Nubuck leather |
| Amazon rating | 4.4 stars, 2,649 ratings | 4.3 stars, about 3,800 ratings |
Ratings and features from Amazon (retrieved 2026-11-02). Echo prices vary widely by color and size, so compare both on the day you buy.
Choose the Mae if you want smooth full-grain leather that's easy to wipe clean. Choose the Echo if you prefer the softer look of nubuck or find it cheaper in your size.
Timberland PRO Women's 6" Direct Attach MaxTRAX Steel Toe WP
Steel toe | Waterproof | 4.5 stars, 653 ratings | about $160
Buy it if its specifications and fit suit you and you're comfortable paying more. Skip it if you want to stay near $100.
Check the Timberland PRO MaxTRAX price on Amazon
KEEN Utility Women's San Jose 6" Aluminum Toe
Aluminum toe | Roomy KEEN toe box
Buy it if the Mae feels narrow and you want more toe room, or a lighter alloy toe. Skip it if you want a lower price. Check the listing for the waterproof version if you need one.
Check the KEEN San Jose price on Amazon
Comparing more options? Our best steel toe boots for women and best work boots for women guides rank picks by job. For outdoor sites, see best work boots for women in construction.
CAT Mae Pros and Cons
Pros
- ASTM F2413-18 steel toe and EH rating on a women's-specific boot
- Six months of yard work on my pair with no problems so far
- Comfortable early on for most owners, with little break-in
- Works with aftermarket inserts and orthotics, per owner reports
Cons
- Runs on the narrow side for some feet, including mine
- No listed insulation; not my first choice for sustained freezing conditions
- Leather scuffs easily, especially in Black
- Cement construction makes conventional resoling difficult and often uneconomical
FAQ
Is the CAT Mae waterproof?
Yes. Cat lists a waterproof full-grain leather upper, and owners report dry feet in mud and puddles. My pair has had no problems in six months of yard work.
Does the CAT Mae run true to size?
Most owners order their usual size. It runs on the narrow side for me and some owners, so choose Wide if boots often feel tight across your forefoot.
Is the CAT Mae insulated?
CAT doesn't list dedicated insulation for this model. For sustained cold-weather work, I'd look for a boot with verified insulation and appropriate traction.
Can you replace the footbed in the CAT Mae?
Owners report using their own inserts, including corrective orthotics. Try your insert in the boot before your first long shift.
Can you resole the CAT Mae?
The Mae uses cement construction, which generally makes traditional resoling difficult or uneconomical. A repair specialist can assess damage, but don't buy it expecting an easy outsole replacement.
The Bottom Line
The CAT Mae Steel Toe Waterproof is a comfortable, well-rated women's safety boot. It has a steel toe, an EH rating and waterproof leather, and my pair has had no problems in six months of yard work. It feels a little narrow on my feet, isn't listed as insulated, and isn't designed for easy resoling. Choose by your needs:
- Wet outdoor work, farm chores or yard work with a steel toe: Check the CAT Mae price on Amazon
- Prefer nubuck or a lower price in your size: the CAT Echo Waterproof Steel Toe
- Another waterproof steel-toe option at a higher typical price: the Timberland PRO MaxTRAX Steel Toe WP
- Need more toe room: the KEEN Utility San Jose
