Cat Excavator Superlite Work Boots Review

Cat Excavator Superlite Work Boots Offer Super-Comfortable Work Days

Cat Excavator Superlite work boots make some compelling claims about their comfort and durability. We hear that a lot, especially in the premium work boot space. I’ve been wearing them as my everyday boot on all kinds of jobsites for a couple of months to see if they’re as good as they sound.

Pros

• True-to-size fitting
• Excellent comfort level
• Premium materials with solid construction
• Fully non-metal design
• Lightweight design with a composite safety toe

Cons

• Lace hardware durability may be an issue
• Had more water intrusion than I expected

Cat Excavator Superlite Fit

If you’re ordering on the internet and don’t have the benefit of trying on several sizes, knowing whether to go up or down is key. I’m a 10-1/2 and the Cat Excavator Superlite boots were dead on in that size. Go ahead and order your regular size.

The boot fits like a standard work boot with a secure heel and midsection leading into a toebox that gives your toes room to move without being too large. From day 1 through weeks of everyday wear, I don’t have any complaints about the overall fit.

Style

I prefer a 6-inch hiker style boot like the Cat Excavator Superlite. I’m not a huge fan of the current trend of toecap protection from a style perspective, but they really help with the long-term durability. There’s a TecTuff heel counter to help with abrasion resistance there as well. While I wasn’t too sure about how these reinforcements were going to affect my Cat work boots, the longer I’ve worn them, the less I’ve minded the look.

I went with the “Bungee Cord” color with its brown and black color scheme offset by yellow accents and logos. If you want a more classic work boot look or less contrast between the boot and toecap, go with “Honey Reset”. You can also opt for “Pewter” to get a darker take on the ones I reviewed.

The upper is made from nubuck leather and there’s a partial welt holding the boot together. The result is a look and feel of higher quality than you might get with less expensive work boots.

Comfort

Cat Excavator Superlite work boots are ridiculously comfortable. A lot of that is thanks to what Cat calls “Ease Technology”.  It’s stronger than the EVA foam you find in running shoes, so it lasts longer while giving you better cushioning than many work boot midsoles out there.

Several brands are shifting into this type midsole and it’s completely changing the comfort level you can expect from a work boot. Cat’s version promises 30% more shock absorption, 15% lighter weight, and 15% better durability than standard EVA. From what I’m feeling every day, those are valid claims.

I noticed the boot material loosening up after the first couple of weeks. It’s not so much stretch as the midsole and insole settling in. While they’re still very comfortable, it does make me wonder how long the midsole will hold up over time compared to less cushy materials.

Helping keep the weight down some is a composite NanoToe. It’s ASTM F2413-18 rated, giving me confidence in the protection despite it not being a traditional steel toe.

While the materials, liners, and seams are waterproof, you can still get water inside. I noticed it when I was hosing off some concrete splash and water got in both boots through the tongues.

Other Key Features

There are several other features, some that may be required for your job. Here’s a quick list of what you can expect:

• Electrical hazard (EH) rated (ASTM F2413-05 1/75)
• Slip-resistant outsole
• Security-friendly, fully non-metallic construction
• Outsole lug that mimics natural walking gait cycles

Additional Field Notes

The one complaint I have is with the lace hardware. The eyelets on the rubber accent (third ones down) are starting to tear and are threatening to come out. I don’t need a fully non-metallic boot and would rather have metal hardware here.

The combination of a welted front and cement heel is curious. The front welt holds the boot together strong in an area that is one of the first to fail on cement boots. However, stopping the welt two-thirds back helps maintain better flexibility than a full welt. I prefer the durability of a full welt, but it’s awfully hard to argue with the design considering how comfortable my feet have been.

Price

Retail prices on Cat Excavator Superlite work boots are $160 for men and $155 for the women’s version. That’s on the more affordable side of the premium class.

The Bottom Line

There’s no doubt that Cat Excavator Superlite work boots are some of the most comfortable I’ve worn and they are lighter than many of my other mid-height boots. The material choices and construction are mostly solid, but the eyelets could use an upgrade and they’re not as watertight around the tongue as I’m used to. Overall, the comfort level makes them well worth a shot, especially if you need a fully non-metal boot or non-metal safety toe.

Check out more information from Cat by clicking here.