The CAT Striver Steel Toe is a 6-inch leather work boot with an ASTM F2413-18 steel toe, electrical hazard protection and a slip-resistant rubber outsole, listed at $94.95. It's one of the cheapest steel toe boots Cat Footwear makes, and Amazon owners rate it 4.6 stars. The catches: Cat doesn't publish its weight or construction, and some owners find it heavy and stiff for the first week.
This review uses Cat Footwear's specs, the Amazon listing and owner feedback, each cited where it's used. We haven't worn the Striver on a job site, so there are no invented shift stories below. See how we research boots.
Steel toe | 6" lace-up | EH rated | Medium and Wide | 4.6 stars, 664 ratings | about $95Buy it if your job requires a steel toe and EH protection, you work mostly in dry conditions, and you want a proven leather boot for under $100.
Skip it if you stand in water, mud or snow for hours, you pass through metal detectors every day, or you want a boot you can resole.
CAT Striver Steel Toe Specs
The Striver Steel Toe is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars across 664 ratings, with 78% five-star and 3% one-star reviews (Amazon, retrieved 2026-09-28).
| Model | Striver ST, style 58000M (P91671 black, P91672 brown) |
| Height | 6" shaft, about 1.1" heel |
| Upper | Oiled full-grain leather |
| Safety toe | Steel, ASTM F2413-18 impact and compression |
| Electrical hazard | EH, up to 600 volts in dry conditions |
| Outsole | Slip-resistant rubber (Amazon also lists it as oil resistant) |
| Footbed | Removable PU sock liner over an engineered foam footbed |
| Lining | Mesh, with a recycled sock lining and CLEANSPORT NXT odor control |
| Waterproof | No membrane listed by Cat Footwear (see below) |
| Widths and sizes | Medium and Wide, men's 6-14 on Amazon |
| Weight, shank, construction | Not published |
| Price | $94.95 list |
Specs from the Amazon listing, Cat Footwear and Kohl's (retrieved 2026-09-28). Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Is the CAT Striver Waterproof? The Listing Is Confusing
The Amazon listing's headline includes the word "waterproof." Cat Footwear's own spec page for the standard Striver doesn't list a waterproof membrane. Cat sells a separate boot, the Striver Waterproof Steel Toe (style 59245M), with a waterproof build.
Treat the standard Striver as a boot with water-resistant oiled leather, not a waterproof boot. It will shed a quick walk through wet grass or light rain. It won't keep your feet dry through a day of standing water, slush or deep mud. If that's your job, skip to the waterproof version below.
The Striver Lineup Explained
CAT uses the Striver name on several boots that look almost the same in photos. This review covers the first one.
| Version | Waterproof | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Striver Steel Toe (this boot) | No membrane listed | Warehouses, factories, dry job sites, shop floors |
| Striver Waterproof Steel Toe | Yes | Outdoor work in rain, mud and wet grass |
| Striver XL Waterproof Steel Toe | Yes | Wet outdoor work, with a different build (check its listing for height and specs) |
| Women's Striver Steel Toe | No membrane listed | The same idea on a women's last and sizing |
Women shopping for a steel toe should compare the women's Striver with our best steel toe boots for women. Two women in the Amazon reviews say they buy the men's version in small sizes, though, so it's worth a look if you have a wider foot.
Safety Ratings in Plain English
The Striver has two safety ratings that most employers ask for.
- ASTM F2413-18 steel toe. The toe cap passed the standard's impact and compression tests. This is the rating a site means when it says "safety toe required."
- Electrical hazard (EH). Cat lists protection against open circuits up to 600 volts in dry conditions. EH is secondary protection against accidental contact, not a replacement for proper electrical PPE. Wet or worn soles reduce it.
The outsole is described as slip resistant and oil resistant, but Cat doesn't name a slip test standard for this model. If your employer requires a specific slip rating, ask before you buy.
What it doesn't have: no metatarsal guard, no puncture-resistant plate listed, and a steel toe that will set off metal detectors. Our safety boot types guide explains each rating, and our steel toe vs composite toe guide covers the weight and metal detector trade-offs.
Comfort and Fit: What 664 Owners Say
Comfort and fit are the two biggest positives in the reviews. Amazon's review summary says customers praise the quality, comfort and true-to-size fit, with about 80 review mentions of quality, 51 of comfort and 30 of fit (Amazon, retrieved 2026-09-28).
Break-in is mixed. One owner who uses the boots for remodeling says the first week was rough, and she eased it with thick wool socks and mink oil. After a month she calls them very comfortable. Another owner, on her third pair, says they were comfortable from day one.
Close-up of CAT Striver Steel Toe Work Boots showcasing durable design, steel toe protection, and slip-resistant soles, ideal for demanding work conditions.
To get the fit right:
- Start with your normal boot size. Owners generally say it runs true to size.
- Choose Wide if regular boots feel tight across your forefoot. Amazon stocks Wide in every size from 6 to 14.
- Stand up and check your toes. They shouldn't touch the steel cap, because the cap won't stretch.
- Wear the socks you work in when you try them on.
Our how tight should steel toe boots fit guide goes deeper. If your little toe rubs against the cap, read steel toe rubbing pinky before you return them.
Weight and Long Shifts on Concrete
Cat doesn't publish the Striver's weight. Owner feedback splits on it. About 7 reviews mention weight, and the summary says some find the boots light while others find them very heavy (Amazon, retrieved 2026-09-28). A steel toe boot with a leather upper won't feel like a sneaker, so expect a few days to get used to it.
The removable PU sock liner is a plus on concrete. PU holds its shape longer than plain foam, and because it comes out, you can swap in an aftermarket insole for more arch support. Amazon shoppers often pair this boot with a heavy-duty support insole. Our best insoles for work boots guide covers the options. If you stand on concrete for 10-12 hours, also compare our best work boots for standing on concrete.
Durability and Build
Owners mostly praise the durability. One says the boots show little wear after a month of kicking apart frozen snow and ice during a remodel. Another liked the look so much he wore them as going-out boots for about a year before moving them to work.
The complaints are small but real:
- One owner got a pair with eyelets set lower on one boot than the other and exchanged it. Check both boots side by side when they arrive.
- One 3-star review from Mexico says they look good but aren't as comfortable or tough as another budget brand.
Cat doesn't list a Goodyear welt for the Striver. Plan to replace it when the outsole wears down, rather than resole it.
Where the Striver Works and Where It Doesn't
Good fits:
- Warehouse and distribution work on dry concrete
- Manufacturing, shop floors and maintenance
- Dry construction sites and home remodeling
- First steel toe boot for a new job on a tight budget
Poor fits:
- All-day outdoor work in rain, mud or snow
- Winter work in the cold, since it isn't insulated
- Airports, secure sites or anywhere with daily metal detectors
- Linemen or ironworkers who need a heavier, more specialized boot
CAT Striver vs CAT Second Shift
The CAT Second Shift Steel Toe is the other budget CAT boot people compare it with. On paper, the two are very close.
| CAT Striver Steel Toe | CAT Second Shift Steel Toe | |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $94.95 | $124.95 |
| Height | 6" | 6" |
| Safety toe | Steel, ASTM F2413-18 | Steel, ASTM F2413-18 |
| EH rated | Yes | Yes |
| Shank | Not listed | Steel |
| Insole | Removable PU sock liner | Removable PU sock liner |
| Odor control | CLEANSPORT NXT | Not listed |
| Sizes | Medium and Wide, 6-14 | Medium and Wide, 7-14 |
| Waterproof | No (separate WP version) | No (separate WP version) |
Choose the Striver if you want to save about $30 at list price or need a size 6. Choose the Second Shift if you want a listed steel shank for more support on ladders and uneven ground.
CAT Striver Pros and Cons
Pros
- ASTM F2413-18 steel toe and EH rating for under $100
- 4.6 stars from 664 Amazon ratings, with comfort and quality the top themes
- Wide width in every size from 6 to 14
- Removable PU insole, easy to swap for an orthotic
Cons
- Not waterproof, despite the Amazon headline
- Weight, shank and construction aren't published
- Some owners find it heavy and stiff for the first week
- Not listed as resoleable
CAT Striver Alternatives
Each of these fixes one reason you might pass on the Striver. Ratings are from Amazon and change often.
CAT Striver Waterproof Steel Toe
Steel toe | Waterproof | EH rated
The same budget idea with a waterproof build. Buy it if you work outside in rain or wet grass. Skip it if you work indoors in the heat, where a waterproof boot traps more sweat.
Check the CAT Striver Waterproof price on Amazon
CAT Second Shift Steel Toe
Steel toe | Steel shank | EH rated | about $125 list
Buy it if you want a listed steel shank and a classic CAT look. Skip it if price is your main concern. Read our CAT Second Shift review.
Check the CAT Second Shift price on Amazon
CAT Revolver Pull-On Steel Toe
Steel toe | Pull-on | 4.4 stars, 2,933 ratings | about $100
Buy it if you'd rather step into a boot than lace it. Skip it if you want ankle lockdown for ladders and rough ground.
Check the CAT Revolver price on Amazon
Timberland PRO Boondock 6" Composite Toe Waterproof
Composite toe | Waterproof | EH rated | 4.5 stars, 10,189 ratings | about $170
Buy it if you need a waterproof boot that won't set off metal detectors and can spend more. Skip it if you need to stay under $100. Read our Timberland PRO Boondock review.
Check the Timberland PRO Boondock price on Amazon
Comparing more options? Our best steel toe boots guide ranks picks by job, and our best waterproof work boots guide covers wet sites.
FAQ
Is the CAT Striver waterproof?
The standard Striver Steel Toe has no waterproof membrane listed by Cat Footwear, even though the Amazon headline says "waterproof." Cat sells a separate Striver Waterproof Steel Toe.
Is the CAT Striver EH rated?
Yes. Cat lists protection against open circuits up to 600 volts in dry conditions.
Does the CAT Striver run true to size?
Most Amazon owners say yes. Order your usual boot size and choose Wide if boots usually feel tight across your forefoot.
Is the CAT Striver good for concrete floors?
Owners rate it well for comfort, and the removable PU sock liner can be swapped for a supportive insole. For 12-hour shifts on concrete, a lighter boot with more cushioning may suit you better.
Can you resole the CAT Striver?
Cat doesn't list Goodyear welt construction for this model, so treat it as a boot you replace, not resole.
Is the CAT Striver better than the Second Shift?
They share the same safety ratings and height. The Striver costs about $30 less at list price, and the Second Shift has a listed steel shank. Pick by budget and how much support you need.
The Bottom Line
The CAT Striver Steel Toe is a well-rated, affordable leather safety boot with the ratings most sites ask for and Wide sizes across the range. It isn't waterproof, Cat doesn't publish its weight or construction, and some owners need a week to break it in. Choose by your job:
- Dry sites, warehouses, shop floors, under $100: Check the CAT Striver Steel Toe price on Amazon
- Outdoor work in the wet: the CAT Striver Waterproof Steel Toe.
- Want a listed steel shank: the CAT Second Shift.
- Metal detectors or wet sites, bigger budget: the Timberland PRO Boondock.
