CAT Women's Mae Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot Review: a solid, no-nonsense safety boot for wide feet

I bought the CAT Women's Mae Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot in 9.5 Wide Black because I was tired of squeezing into “unisex” boots that were basically men's boots in smaller sizes. I’ve been wearing these on a warehouse site and outdoors in wet weather for a few weeks, roughly 8–10 hours a day, so I’ve had time to see what they’re really like, not just walk around the living room.

The first thing that stood out is that this is clearly built as a real safety boot, not just a fashion boot with a token steel toe. You’ve got the full package: steel toe, electrical hazard rating, slip resistant outsole, waterproof leather, and a proper shank. So if you need to meet safety standards at work, this isn’t just for show, it’s actually compliant.

On the flip side, you do feel that safety build. These are not light sneakers. They’re not bricks either, but if you’re used to soft hiking boots or running shoes, the weight and stiffness at the start will be noticeable. I had a couple of days where my legs felt more tired than usual, just from the added weight and the steel toe.

Overall, my first impression after a week was: pretty solid, does what it says, but not perfect. There’s good support and protection, but some comfort quirks and break-in issues, especially around the ankle and the top of the foot. If you want something tough for real work but still somewhat wearable for long shifts, these land in that middle ground. Not dreamy, but reliable enough that I kept wearing them instead of sending them back.

Value-wise, I’d put these boots in the “good but not dirt cheap” category. You’re paying for real safety features (steel toe, EH rating, slip-resistant sole, waterproof leather) and a women-specific fit in a wide size, which is not that easy to find. If you compare them to very cheap no-name safety boots, those might cost less, but you usually lose out on comfort, real waterproofing, or they fall apart faster.

Compared to higher-end brands that charge quite a bit more, the CAT Mae sits in a middle zone. You’re not getting luxury materials or super advanced cushioning, but you’re also not overpaying for branding and style. What you actually get for the money is a functional, standards-compliant work boot that fits wider women’s feet without crushing them. For me, that alone adds value, because I’ve wasted money on “unisex” boots that never fit right and ended up in the closet.

Where the value could be better is in the out-of-the-box comfort. The first few days are a bit of a grind: stiff leather, some pressure points, and slightly heavy feel. If you’re someone who expects to put on a new boot and feel like you’re in sneakers, you might be disappointed. You may also need to budget for aftermarket insoles if you want top-level underfoot comfort on concrete all day, which adds to the total cost.

Overall, I’d say they’re worth the price if you actually need the safety features and work in environments where boots get beaten up. If you just want a casual boot for occasional DIY or weekend wear, there are cheaper, lighter options that will feel nicer right away. But for real work, especially if you need wide sizing and don’t want to gamble on random brands, the Mae offers solid value for what it delivers.

Design-wise, the CAT Mae is pretty straightforward. Black leather, mid-height shaft, padded collar, simple lace-up. No weird patterns, no shiny hardware, no fake distressing. If you like clean, basic work gear, it’ll suit you. If you want something that looks more like a hiking boot, this is a bit more blocky and industrial, especially around the toe area.

The steel toe does make the front look slightly chunky. It’s not cartoonish, but it’s not slim either. In a 9.5 Wide, the profile is a little broad, which I actually liked for stability. On ladders and uneven ground, that wider footprint feels secure. But if you’re used to narrow boots or sneakers, it might look and feel a bit big at first. The shaft height at around 4.75 inches hits just above the ankle on me, which is a good compromise: more support than a low shoe, less restriction than a full 6–8" boot.

One design choice I appreciated is the padded collar and tongue. They help avoid rubbing on the ankle bones and the front of the leg, especially during break-in. However, the padding plus the waterproof construction means the boot runs slightly warm. In a cooler warehouse or outdoors in fall/winter, that’s fine. In a hot factory or summer heat, you’ll probably get sweaty feet and want moisture-wicking socks.

From a practical standpoint, the eyelets and laces are simple but functional. No speed hooks on the top—just regular eyelets all the way up—so lacing takes a bit longer than boots with hooks. Not a big deal, but if you’re constantly taking them on and off during the day, it’s something you feel. Overall, the design is more about function than style. It’s not ugly, just very work-focused. I’d happily wear it on-site or running errands after work, but I wouldn’t pick it as a casual boot for going out.

Comfort is where this boot is good but not perfect. Out of the box, they felt stiff, especially around the ankle and the top of the foot. The steel toe area had enough width in the 9.5 Wide, which I really appreciated—no crushed toes—but the leather over the laces pressed down a bit when I bent my foot. After about 3–4 days of wear, that eased up as the leather softened and creased where my foot naturally bends.

Underfoot, the combination of the EVA footbed and PU midsole gives moderate cushioning. On concrete floors for an 8–10 hour shift, my heels and arches felt tired by the end of the day, but not in pain. Compared to a pure running shoe, it’s obviously firmer. Compared to a lot of older steel toe boots I’ve tried, it’s actually more forgiving. I’d call it “workable” comfort: you can get through a full shift, but you’ll feel like taking them off when you get home. If you have plantar fasciitis or really sensitive feet, plan on adding a better insole.

The wide width is honestly one of the big positives. My forefoot had room to spread out, and I didn’t get that burning sensation across the ball of the foot that I usually get in narrower boots. No major rubbing on the pinky toe either. The heel lock is decent; I didn’t have much heel slip once I adjusted the laces properly. I did get a small hotspot on the back of one heel on day two, but it went away once the collar padding compressed a bit and I switched to slightly thicker socks.

Heat-wise, these run a bit warm. The waterproof leather and lining don’t breathe like mesh sneakers. On cool or cold days, that’s actually nice. On hot days, expect sweaty socks. Good moisture-wicking work socks help a lot here. So, in practice: after the first week, I was comfortable enough to keep wearing them daily, but I wouldn’t call them plush. They get the job done, and if you prioritize safety and support over that soft sneaker feel, they’re acceptable for long shifts.

The materials are what you’d expect from a serious work boot in this price range. The upper is 100% full-grain leather, and you can feel the difference compared to the cheap faux leather boots. It’s firm, a bit stiff at first, and holds its shape. It does need some break-in, but it also feels like it will last longer than softer, “buttery” leathers that look nice but collapse quickly.

Inside, the nylon mesh lining is there for breathability. It’s not magic, but it does help a bit with moisture. After a 9-hour shift, my socks were damp but not completely soaked, which for a waterproof steel toe boot is pretty fair. The EVA footbed is standard work-boot insole quality: some cushioning, mild arch support, removable. If you have foot issues or stand on concrete all day, you’ll probably want to swap in a better insole after a while.

The midsole is molded PU (polyurethane), which gives a balance of durability and cushioning. It’s firmer than a running shoe but softer than old-school hard work boots. Under that, you’ve got the T1260 rubber outsole, which is rated for oil and water resistance and is abrasion resistant. The tread pattern isn’t super aggressive like a hiking boot, but it has enough bite for wet warehouse floors, loading docks, and asphalt. On muddy ground, it’s okay but not great—the lugs aren’t deep enough to really grab in thick mud.

There’s also a nylon shank for support, which you feel most when you’re on ladders or uneven surfaces. It keeps the boot from bending too much in the middle, which is good for foot fatigue. Overall, the materials feel honest: not luxury, but clearly chosen for work and safety, not for looks. If you’re expecting super soft leather and plush insides, you’ll be disappointed. If you want something that can take some abuse, this setup makes sense.

Durability is always hard to judge long-term, but after a few weeks of regular use, I can at least say how they’re holding up so far. The leather shows some creasing where the foot bends, which is normal, but no cracking or weird wrinkles. I’ve scraped the toe area against pallets and metal shelving more than once, and there are visible scuffs, but they’re cosmetic. The structure of the toe and the leather itself still feel solid.

The outsole doesn’t show much wear yet, even with a lot of walking on concrete. The tread edges are still pretty sharp, and there are no chunks missing, which I’ve had happen with softer soles on cheaper boots. The cement construction (glued sole) is usually the weak point over time, but right now the bonding looks clean—no separation at the heel or along the sides. Obviously, we’re talking weeks, not years, so long-term will depend on how hard you are on your gear.

Inside, the lining and insole are holding up. No tearing at the heel, which is where I often see early damage on some boots. The insole has compressed a bit under the heel and ball, but that’s normal foam behavior. If you’re heavy or on your feet constantly, you’ll probably want to replace the insole every few months anyway. The laces are basic but haven’t frayed or snapped yet, and the eyelets are still firmly set in the leather.

Overall, the boot feels like it can take day-to-day work abuse: dust, light impacts, wet conditions, and constant walking. It’s not some indestructible tank, but for the price and build, the durability seems pretty solid so far. If you take basic care—wipe them down occasionally, maybe hit them with a leather conditioner once in a while—they should last a reasonable amount of time for regular work use. There are tougher boots out there, but they’re usually heavier and more expensive.

In terms of performance on the job, the Mae boots do what they’re supposed to do. The steel toe is properly rated (ASTM F2413-11 I/75 C/75), and you feel that peace of mind when you’re moving carts, working around pallets, or dealing with heavy boxes. I banged the toe on a couple of metal shelves and edges, and my toes were fine. The toe cap does make the front feel a bit heavier, but you forget about it after a while.

The slip-resistant outsole is solid on wet concrete and slightly oily spots. I tested these on a warehouse floor with some spilled water and near a loading dock where there’s usually a thin film of dust and occasional oil drips. No scary moments, no sliding when turning quickly. On smooth metal ramps they’re okay, though you still need to be careful—that’s more about the surface than the boot. Outside on wet pavement and grass, grip was good. In thick mud, the tread clogs up, and you lose traction, but that’s expected with a moderate tread pattern.

The waterproof leather holds up well to rain and shallow puddles. I walked through wet grass and small puddles several times, and my feet stayed dry. I wouldn’t stand in ankle-deep water for 20 minutes and expect miracles, but for typical rainy-day job site conditions, they do the job. I didn’t feel any leaks at the seams after a few weeks, which is a good sign. Just keep in mind that waterproof plus leather equals less breathability, so again, warm feet in hot weather.

Support-wise, the nylon shank and mid-height shaft give decent stability. On ladders, I felt secure; the boot doesn’t flex in a weird way under the arch. Lateral stability is good too—no rolling off the side of the sole when stepping on uneven surfaces or edges. If your work involves a mix of walking, standing, and occasional climbing, these handle it fine. If you’re doing heavy-duty construction all day on rough terrain, you might prefer something taller and more rugged, but for warehouse, factory, and light outdoor work, the performance is pretty solid.

On paper, this boot checks a lot of boxes. It’s a 4.75-inch shaft, full-grain leather, waterproof, steel toe, electrical hazard rated up to 600 volts, and slip resistant. The sole is rubber with their T1260 compound, and there’s a molded PU midsole and EVA footbed for cushioning. It’s built with cement construction, which usually means a bit lighter and more flexible than old-school Goodyear welt, but not as easily resoleable.

In hand, the boot feels solid but not oversized. The 9.5 Wide actually looks like a normal boot, not a big clown shoe. The leather is fairly stiff out of the box, more like a proper work boot than a casual leather sneaker. Inside, there’s a nylon mesh lining that feels okay against the sock, not scratchy. The insole is removable EVA, with a bit of arch support but nothing crazy. If you use custom insoles, you can swap them in without a problem.

They’re clearly designed with women in mind, not just a shrunk men’s last. The heel is narrower, and the forefoot in the wide size actually has room for toes to spread. My foot is on the wider side with a slightly high instep, and I didn’t feel that usual pinch right behind the steel toe that I get in a lot of other safety boots. That said, the top of the boot over the laces did press down a bit the first few days, especially when crouching or going up stairs.

In terms of use case, this is not a fashion boot. It’s built for warehouse, light construction, trades, landscaping, factory work—anything where you need steel toe and slip resistance but don’t need a massive 8" logger boot. If you want something you can wear from the site to the bar and look trendy, this is more on the practical side. It looks decent and clean, but the main vibe is “work gear,” not “street style.”