CAT

I recently picked up one of CAT’s popular work boots, the Invader Hi Steel Toe work boot. CAT markets this boot to “Industrial Athletes" in a YouTube video that has guys running around doing what I can only describe as workplace parkour. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that when I saw these boots, I sort of sat there with a puzzled look, trying to figure out if they were boots or sneakers on steroids. The boot-snob purist in me wanted to scream "abomination!" But there are some advantages to using comfortable shock-absorbing materials for work boots, especially if you're on your feet all day and being active. It also looks like these should be viewed as work boots with more style than most. So, while I might not be the target audience for the running and jumping, I get what they're trying to do. Are these funky-looking, budget-friendly boots actually good for work? Features & SpecsSafety ToeYes, ASTM F2413-18Electrical Hazard ProtectionYes, ASTM F2413-18Slip Resistant (SR) SolesYesConstruction method Glued/CementedSpeed HooksYesRemovable InsolesYesWaterproofNoWeight1lbs 13ozCountry of origin VietnamWide Widths AvailableFeatures and Spec Key Takeaways: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe The Cat Invader HI is a functional, sneaker-like work boot for guys looking to trade durability for comfort and don't need higher end features like waterproofing or resoleability. But they are very budget-friendly, stylish, and provide electrical hazard protection and a steel safety toe. How I Tested the CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe Boots? "How does this blogger guy know good work boots from bad work boots?" The answer: Because I actually work in my work boots! I’m a blue-collar guy doing blue-collar work. By day, I’m a metal fabricator and welder, so I know how important it is to have a good pair of work boots! I've also been reviewing boots for years, having reviewed dozens of them for Stridewise and other publications. So I've got serious on-the-ground expertise in testing work boots and writing usable content about them. Initial Impressions: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe My first thought was that the CAT Invader HI looked like an overbuilt, very loud sneaker! It's not my taste, and that's okay; this review isn't about me, it's about finding you the best boots for your money. It really does live up to the marketing, because it feels like an athletic shoe. And I know that plenty of working class guys are more stylish than me and would relish the chance to have a work boot that looks like a sneaker-fied Timberland, one of the best known work-boots-turned-casual-boots. CAT has positioned the Invader as an industrial athletic boot, and I can honestly say that it really does live up to that because it feels like an athletic shoe. Then again, plenty of work boots do. Materials like EVA, Poron, and other synthetics are fairly commonplace for lightweight, comfortable boots for work. Few are as stylish as the Invader, though. Construction: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe Durability: 2/5 stars Cemented construction with a Strobel Stitch Not resoleable The Invader's construction is pretty much identical to a high end sneaker. They use a Strobel construction (strobel stitch) for a lightweight feel and flexibility. This is a step above your usual cemented construction, where the upper is simply glued to the sole, because it's stitched before gluing for extra durability. A glued/cemented construction is great for out-of-the-box comfort and flexibility but not so great in terms of durability. It's better than the regular cemented build of a Chuck Taylor, but you can't resole these and it's not waterproof either. Now, if you want more durability than that, you may want to consider the RockRooster Moc Toe boots, which are Goodyear welted and only cost $119.99. While the welt on that boot is synthetic, making it harder to resole, it's still more durable than something cemented. Leather: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe Thin, polyurethane-coated leather made from scraps The leather upper is a polyurethane coated leather known as bi-cast leather. Basically, it’s made from leftover leather scraps coated with polyurethane. This faux leather is similar to the leather in a lot of cheap sneakers: it's made with leather but it's bonded leather, not a piece of leather cut from a cowhide. To be fair, it's somewhat good for sustainability that someone is using leftover scraps of leather like this to make a boot upper, just note it's not as resilient as the thick, full-grain leather found in many work boots such as Thorogood. Further Reading Thorogood Moc Toe Review – The Work Boot You Can Wear Out Thorogood makes some of the best-looking work boots out there, but are they made in America?Learn more → Sole: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe Comfortable EVA foam midsole and grippy, lugged outsole CAT combines an EVA foam midsole and an aggressive lug outsole. It looks a bit like a light hiking boot. (Is this the first work-hike-sneaker boot?!) EVA is the same kind of foam found on many popular running shoes and it's fairly common to find them in lightweight and medium-weight work boots like Irish Setter's Wingshooter ST. The rubber outsole provides enough traction. I didn't have any problems while I was testing these. Comfort, Fit & Break In: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe Comfort: 4/5 stars Given the fact that the boots are built like sneakers with a glued-on outsole and have lower-quality leather, there is absolutely no break in time whatsoever. If I had to compare them to any of my boots or shoes, I’d say they feel closer to my Reebok Nanos in terms of the feel. The arch support is pretty good, and if you need more or less, you can always remove the insole and swap it out with the insole of your preference. One complaint I had was that the steel toe leaves your toes feeling a bit cramped and really detracts from the overall comfort of the boots. If the steel toe cap had been a little more roomy, I would have given the CAT Invader a 5 out of 5 stars for comfort. Sizing CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe I sized down a half size The CAT Invader runs long so you will have to size down. I’m an 11.5 on a Brannock (one of those measuring devices you see at shoe stores), and I wear either 11.5 or 12 in sneakers, depending on the brand. In the Cat Invader, I wear a size 11. I went down half a size to one full size down from your sneaker size for these boots. If you own a lot of boots from heritage brands like Red Wing or Truman, I'd say to order your usual boot size. I'm an 11 in brands like those. Safety Features: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe Safety: 4/5 stars ASTM-rated steel safety toe ASTM-compliant for electrical hazards Slip-resistant soles When it comes to safety, the CAT Invader Hi offers what I consider the standard that most boots have: an ASTM-rated steel safety toe, and they are ASTM-compliant for electrical hazards. If your employer or job site you’re working at requires met guards or puncture resistance, these boots won’t work for you. Things To Consider Before Buying: CAT Invader Hi Steel Toe Consider your work environment. Do you get your feet wet frequently? You may want to consider a different boot that’s waterproof, like the CAT Threshold. Perhaps your job is particularly brutal on boots. If it is, you should probably avoid these and consider something a little more durable, like the Timberland Pro Boondocks. Hate wearing boots? Then you’ll probably love the CAT Invader! Do you work in a warehouse or store like Home Depot? The CAT Invader will perform well for you in those types of environments. Right: CAT Invader Hi; Left: Rockrooster's Goodyear welted work boots Price and Value CAT Invader Boots Price & value: 5/5 stars Priced at $129.95, I would say the Cat Invader is fairly priced. However, there are better built, more durable boots at this price point, such as Rockrooster's Goodyear welted boots. But what you give up in durability, you gain in comfort. Further Reading RockRooster’s Walker Review: Do They Make Good Moc Toe Work Boots? RockRooster's Walker is a super durable, Goodyear welted work boot that'll last as long as you do.Learn more → I’ve worn Rockrooster boots, and the Cat Invader is definitely more comfortable. It’s cheap enough to be replaced twice a year if necessary and still be cheaper than most boots offered by Thorogood or Red Wing. If you don't need a ton of safety features, I can definitely say the Invaders are a great model for feeling comfortable on the job. CAT Invader Boots vs. CAT Threshold I've also worn the CAT Threshold, which is one of CAT’s other top-selling boots. They failed my waterproof test abysmally and instantly leaked water. Of course, that could have just been a bad boot. The steel toe Threshold is superior in that has full-grain leather, reinforced heels and toes, and a wider toe box which allows for a more natural toe splay. It’s still a glued construction, but it feels much more like a boot than the Invader. (This might be a pro or a con depending on what you're looking for.) CAT Threshold The CAT Invader, on the other hand, doesn’t have waterproofing, the leather is basically fake, and it feels more like a sneaker than a boot. The slightly cramped toebox is the Invader's only drawback in terms of comfort. Further Reading CAT Threshold Work Boot Review | Why They’re So Inexpensive I breakdown CAT's waterproof Threshold boot to see if it stands up to its price tag. Learn more → In my opinion, If you like the feel of sneakers or light hiking boots, get the Invader Hi. If you have wide feet or prefer a more boot-like feel, get the Threshold. Final Thoughts: Cat Invader Boot Review While the CAT Invader Hi lacks in the durability department, I think it offers a lot in terms of comfort and performance. These boots perform well in a light duty environment such as warehouses but should probably be avoided if you spend a lot of time out at job sites. I will warn you, though, if you do buy them, you may start having an intense urge to wear joggers to work!