CATFOOTWEAR.COM Blog

What is an Earthmover?

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:04:00 GMT

Being an Earthmover means having the strength, passion, confidence and courage to affect the world around you.

Through machines and footwear, Caterpillar has been empowering the world to shape its future for over five generations. Yet, it is the spirit of those dedicated enough, confident enough, and bold enough who really take control and transform the status quo into the extraordinary. Those individuals are Earthmovers. The hard work, resolve, and passion that they exude reflects the character inherent in everything that bears the Caterpillar name.

This year, we are excited to embark on a campaign for Earthmovers. Follow us on Twitter @catfootwear, and on Facebook to meet our Earthmovers and hear their story.

Earthmover Spotlight: Corey McGuire Post [Protosong]

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 07:26:00 GMT

We have recently been able to connect with a new Cat footwear fan and passionate individual, Corey McGuire. Soccer player, musician, writer and entrepreneur and only a senior at Seattle Pacific University, Corey’s accomplishments don’t stop there. This past winter he started the music collaboration called Protosong Project. Protosong offers an exclusive playlist of unreleased songs from Pacific Northwest artists, and here’s the cool thing – you pay what you want for it. You heard me – whether it’s one dollar or twenty, all those songs are yours. At the end of the release, your giving provides clean water to people in developing nations while also supporting participating artists. Check out their website, get music and give back!

Corey is wearing the men's Poe.

Blogger Event in NYC

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:10:00 GMT

Last Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, we celebrated the launch of our Autumn/Winter 2012 collection at our midtown Manhattan showroom. Over 50 fashion bloggers were in attendance for the media-only preview event, which showcased styles from the Autumn Winter 2012 collection. The AW12 collection, currently avaiable on CatFootwear.com, focuses on quality, rugged leathers, old-fashioned craftsmanship and sophisticated details that defy their modest price tag.

Bloggers who attended Thursday’s media-only preview event were treated to cocktails sponsored by Iceberg Vodka, all-natural popcorn from Pipsnacks, dessert cups by Bee’s Knees Baking Co., and, of course, a complimentary pair of shoes of their choice.

Featured shoe styles from Cat Footwear’s AW12 collection for women included the Corrine ($230), a fresh take on the classic riding boot, the Marin ($210), an edgy, flat, “granny style” boot, and the Rita ($170), a comfortable-yet-stylish slouchy boot. Featured styles for men included the Isaac ($150), a lace-up boot that combines contemporary comfort with a vintage feel, the Dougald ($140), a rugged yet elegant two-toned oxford, and the Haverhill ($140), a leather boot which features this season’s most popular silhouette: the monk strap.
Adding a bit of spunk to the showroom, our Cat Footwear x Shontelle boots were also on display during the event. Designed in collaboration with the Bajan singer-songwriter, the Shontelle collection showcases the songstress’s fearless, sexy style with bold colored leathers and funky heels.

Bloggers were also able to get an exclusive sneak peak of Cat Footwear’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, a vibrant, fresh shoe collection that features luxuriously crafted leather oxfords in fresh pastel tones with bright, neon rubber soles.

A special thanks to all of the bloggers who attended the event!

Derek Warburton (www.dereklovesshopping.com)

Alex Crawford (TSBMen.com) and Sarah Stannard (StyleSarah.com)

Audrey Ong (AudreyAllure.blogspot.com)

Earthmovers

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:48:00 GMT

Martine Rose

Martine Rose is in her fifth season of menswear fashion design with her eponymous label. Known as “one of the most exciting designers working in London right now,” she aims to bring originality to traditional menswear staples through new color and material choices. Her designs have been lauded by both press and industry alike. She currently resides in London, England.

Miya Ando

In her work as an artist, Miya creates quiet, abstract, meditative environments with metal. Her upbringing, as well as her Japanese and Russian ancestry deeply impacts every aspect of her work. She is at heart, a minimalist, creating 2D and 3D installations that put forth quiet and transcendental environments for introspection, reflection, and solace. She currently resides in New York, NY.

Sonja Wajih
Sonja Wajih's passion and skill for dance knows no boundaries. She has trained and appeared in numerous performances in the United States including Laza Morgan’s Step Up 3D music video, and an upcoming video for musical artist Fat Joe. Sonja has also taught dance abroad, teaching Hip-Hop, Latin and Modern dance styles to school children in Greece. She currently resides in Brooklyn. NY.

Shontelle
There is nothing ordinary about Shontelle. After signing with a record label, the 23 year old Bajan singer-songwriter is set to take the world by storm. Born on the island of Barbados, her prolific songwriting and singing talents drew her toward the stage where she began by carving out a reputation in the Caribbean music world. Shontelle crafted songs for other top artists when she was discovered after writing the female power anthem “Roll.” Her albums “Shontelligence” and “No Gravity” both boast platinum singles and international hits including “T-Shirt,” “Impossible,” “Perfect Nightmare” and “Say Hello to Goodbye.”

Style Guide : Fall 2012

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:13:00 GMT

Looking for ideas on how to wear your Cat Footwear Women's boots? Look no further! From shorts and tights to ponchos and skinny jeans, our boots match all of the season's hottest trends in apparel. A special thanks to Jon Cotay (AKIRA Chicago) and Christian Rios for styling and photography!

Featuring: Annette

Featuring: Corrine

Featuring: Rita

Stella

Fashion's Night Out!

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Join us tonight as we celebrate Fashion's Night Out in NYC! We'll be at Harney & Sons Fine Tea Shop in Soho (433 Broome Street) with SHONTELLE. Not only will Shontelle be hanging out (and performing!!) but we'll be selling her signature line of boots. Stop by to say hi and pick up a pair for yourself.

Mike Rowe Works Donation

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 16:06:00 GMT

We are excited to announce that starting today, and running through the end of the year, we will make a $1 donation for every pair of boots or shoes from the Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear collection sold on catfootwear.com.

Cat Footwear and Mike Rowe – creator, host and executive producer of Discovery Channel’s popular television show ‘Dirty Jobs’ – launched the Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear collection in the Fall of 2011. The partnership, according to Kelly Ballou, Marketing Manager for Cat Footwear, was a natural fit. “Mike Rowe is well-known for his work on Dirty Jobs,” says Ballou. “But it’s his passion for promoting the skilled trades – the very people who buy our work boots – that drew us together.”

In 2008, Rowe launched his website, mikeroweWORKS.com, focused on the decline in blue collar trades and the crumbling state of infrastructure in the United States. According to Rowe, “I wanted to focus our country on the declining interest in the skilled trades.” Rowe continues, “Going to school and mastering a skill or trade is a good job. And it’s an important part of our economy that shouldn’t be overlooked.” According to Rowe, “The foundation was established to give something back and to challenge the prevailing definition of a “good job.” We wanted to increase awareness for the skilled trades, help create opportunities and support the organizations that help make civilized life possible.”

The money raised through the Cat Footwear online promotion will be donated to the Mike Rowe Works Foundation to – amongst other things – establish tool scholarships for students entering the skilled trades.

Flexion Anti-Fatigue Guarantee

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:06:00 GMT

FLEXION workboots are made for all kinds of work and all-day comfort. We're so sure that FLEXION workboots are the most comfortable, we'll let you work in them for 30 days. At the end of your 30-day trial, if you don’t feel that FLEXION has helped to fight off fatigue and provide you with superior comfort, we’ll give you your money back, no questions asked. You can return them to a participating retailer with a dated sales receipt or by calling Cat Footwear at 1.800.789.8586 for a return authorization code and instructions.

Want to shop the shoes? Click here

Flexion is always... Hard at work, easy on you.

Start your engines! We’re going racing!

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:55:00 GMT

Hey racing fans! Who wants to come to sunny Daytona, Florida with us in February to watch the big race? Click on over to our Facebook page to enter for a chance to win a trip for you and a guest to join us for the best weekend of your life (Ok, maybe just the best weekend of your year. Or at least the best weekend of your month!)

All we need is your name, email and zip code (sorry, this contest is for US residents only!) But we would really like it if you would “like” us too. Here’s what you have the chance to win:
-    Round trip airfare
-    Hotel stay in Daytona Beach, FL
-    Infield tickets to watch the race from the Cat Footwear RV
-    Food, drinks and transportation the day of the race
-    A chance to meet the driver of the #31 car, Jeff Burton

Sound like fun? Sign up now! Contest ends on November 20th, 2011.

mikeroweWORKS Foundation

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:03:00 GMT

So a lot of people have been asking us lately, why Mike Rowe and Cat Footwear? Why the partnership? We think Mike puts it best in this little note he wrote:

I’m not an expert. Never claimed to be one. But I know a few, and after 300 dirty jobs I could probably fill a book with what I’ve learned from these guys. You don’t need to be an expert to own the right footwear—you just need to know what works.

So I decided to create boots and shoes with Cat Footwear. Why? Because wherever I go, that’s what I see the experts wear. Cat footwear on the guys who do the kinds of jobs that make civilized life possible for the rest of us.

And if you don’t think that Mike already knows lot about hard work, let us tell you more. By traveling the country, Mike has learned that unfortunately, our country is facing a huge gap in trade skills people. Right now there are more skilled laborers exiting the workforce than entering it. That’s why he created the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. To draw attention to and raise money to support the skilled laborers of our country. Since Mike did such a great job in his little note above, we'll leave you with another message from him:

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation is another way for mikeroweWORKS.com to support The Trades. Monies raised will be disbursed to a variety of existing initiatives and organizations, including scholarship funds, community colleges, trade schools, etc. I established this foundation for the same reason I started mrW – to give something back, and challenge the prevailing definition of a “good job.” For decades, we have put a premium on a four-year degree, and told and entire generation that Trade Schools and skilled labor are “alternatives” to “higher education.” That attitude is warping expectations, wrecking opportunity, and destroying our country.

To learn more about Mike, his foundation and his work with the trades, just click here.

Our Dirty Little Secret is Out...

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 04:45:00 GMT

Yes, that's right! We've been keeping a "dirty" little secret for some time now and we're finally able to share the great news. We are proud to announce that we will be parterning with MIKE ROWE (host of Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs) on a special line of boots and shoes - tough enough to stand up to all of the dirty jobs that Mike puts them through on the show! Check out all of the details in the press release below:

CAT® FOOTWEAR PARTNERS WITH MIKE ROWE

The ‘Dirty Jobs’ television host will collaborate with brand to launch a signature series, ‘Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear’

ROCKFORD, MI (May 25, 2011) – Cat® Footwear announced today that they are partnering with Mike Rowe, creator, executive producer and host of Discovery Channel’s popular television show ‘Dirty Jobs,’ to produce a signature series of work boots and shoes to be introduced at retail later this year, under the name ‘Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear.’
“As a champion for the American worker, Mike Rowe is the perfect partner. From his show, Mike has extensive experience with the challenges that the everyday worker faces. We want to help minimize those challenges by making the best gear possible – tough, durable and comfortable for the long haul, which is what the Cat Footwear brand is all about,” said Kelly Ballou, Marketing Manager for Cat Footwear.

“Cat saw me on TV and took pity,” said Rowe. “Actually, they took pity on my boots, and called to ask if I'd like to wear something a bit more in keeping with my line of work. I said sure, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that, while tough, the boots that will bear my name are NOT constructed of yellow iron."
“We’ve always felt that Mike Rowe is a great representative of the same qualities that the Cat brand stands for,” says Rob Koenen, Vice President and General Manager for Cat Footwear. “Mike has had the good fortune to work with a lot of men and women who know the meaning of hard work. Mike’s website – www.mikeroweWORKS.com – speaks to this and we are proud to partner with him.”

Initially the ‘Mike Rowe Works by Cat Footwear’ series will include a small assortment of work boots and a few rugged casual shoes, inspired by Rowe’s firsthand experiences from more than 300 jobsites. “The series that we are developing with Mike will be built with his unique perspective on addressing some of the challenges that he’s experienced doing the ‘Dirty Jobs’ show. Mike has an amazing legion of followers that he can tap into for product feedback. That’s going to be a valuable part of the development process for us, as we continue to build and test the product offering,” said Ballou.

Retail prices will range from $100 to $130. Retailers will get a first look at the series beginning in early June.

You will be able to find the shoes here at catfootwear.com in the fall!

And here's your first sneak peek at a photo from our recent photo shoot with Mike!

Electrical Hazard or Electro Static Dissipating...Which do I need?

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:22:00 GMT

Today we have with us Karry Johnson, our US National Sales Manager to tell us about the difference between Electro Static Dissipating footwear and Electrical Hazard protecting footwear.

The difference between Electro Static Dissipating (ESD) footwear and Electrical Hazard (EH) can be confusing! Both deal with what seems to be similar things, when in fact they are quite different. To help you be as safe as you can be in your working environment, let’s go over the differences.

We’ll start with ESD. The human body behaves as a walking isolated conductor of electricity. When you walk, you body generates a static charge. (Think about those times as a kid when you would rub your socks on the carpet to try to shock your friend.) So when you work in a technical environment, such as a factory where you are making electric chips, you don’t want to give off the static electricity generated by your own body because it could zap the chips, making them useless. Wearing Cat’s ESD boots, like the Elkhart or Gunnison, will minimize the charge that your body creates.

EH boots, on the other hand, are designed to significantly reduce the flow of electricity through your body. EH boots like the Alaska or Silverton are ideal for when you are working with live electrical circuits or wires. EH boots will help to stop the electricity from the wires from zapping you; instead they slow the electricity down as it comes to and goes through your body. Cat Electrical Hazard footwear is rated ASTM F2413-05 1/75 EH and will protect the wearer in open circuits up to 14,000 volts in dry conditions.

Hopefully these descriptions provide a little bit more understanding and can help you in finding the best pair of shoes or boots for your job! Thanks to Karry for taking the time to explain the difference to us!

It's Racing Time!

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:54:00 GMT

Back in February we were fortunate enough to take a group of Cat Footwear customers and contest winners with us to the Daytona 500 to cheer on Jeff Burton and the #31 car! Although the race didn't go exactly the way the #31 team had planned, they kicked the racing season off in a great way. It is safe to say that a fun day was had by all.

We know we're a little behind on posting these photos, but hopefully you're were following us on Facebook during the race and saw our updates! Enjoy the photos!

Early morning start on the bus

Group photo outside the Cat Footwear RV.

Jeff Burton taking a photo with the guys from The Free Beer and Hot Wings Morning Show and their "Stock Car Math" winners.

There's the #31 Hauler

Checking and re-checking the car before the race.

A shot of the stands before most of the fans have arrived.

The Pace Car

The Pit Box

Globe Trotting Cat Boots

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:55:00 GMT

Just had to take a minute to post this awesome note with photos that we received from a consumer this week! We love getting emails like this!

Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 12:12 PM
To: Web - Caterpillar Footwear
Subject: thank you for making such great boots

Dear CAT

I wanted to take a moment to let you know how incredible your boots are. My small company does humanitarian engineering projects all over the world, and your work boots are one item I would not dream of going into the field without. From Haiti (just after the earth quake) to the deserts of Western Africa to the cold of Mongolia your work-boot keep my feet warm in the the cold, cool in the heat and at all times safe even when working with heavy machinery. They are the only boot I would ever think wearing while sleeping, an important consideration when you are sleeping in a building where there is a high risk of aftershocks.

Your work boot's nearly infinite adaptability was highlighted recently. I had just finished a mission to Northern Senegal where we were helping establish a small locally owned factory to produce clean cook stoves and fuel pellets. Getting back to New England, I went to see the work a buddy of mine has been doing restoring a 150 year old farmhouse. It struck me, as I was standing there in the snow, that just hours before I had been in a desert. In both cases I knew that me my feet were so safe that I did not have to worry about them, and so comfortable that neither extreme temperature was a consideration. Thank you for an outstanding and well priced product. Attached please find a photo I though you might like which shows just what your glorious boots can put up with.

Your faithful customer,

Nathaniel

Nathaniel is wearing the Hydraulic!

Cat Footwear at the P.Diddy pre Super Bowl Party

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:02:00 GMT

Celebrities came out in droves to celebrate Super Bowl XLV, at Capital A Entertainment’s Big Game Parties at Fairpark. The event was hosted by P.Diddy and we were there! Cat Footwear participated in the gifting lounge and had the opportunity to gift a number of celebrities with boots from our Legendary Raw Collection.

Among the celebrities who scored a pair of our boots were: CSI: Miami actor Omar Miller, NY Jets QB Mark Sanchez, UFC legend Chuck Liddell, Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young, Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, and Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino of Jersey Shore.

Chuck Lidell checking out a pair of the Vinson from Cat Footwear

DJ Irie was loving the Abe TX!

Omar Miller also was loving the Abe TX

Get a pair of the Vinsons on catfootwear.com, just like The Situation

CAT® FOOTWEAR HONORS 2010 CNN HEROES WITH FOOTWEAR GIFTS AT STAR-STUDDED TRIBUTE

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:45:00 GMT

During the busy holiday season boots from Cat Footwear's new Legendary Raw Collection for men and women were presented to the 2010 CNN Heroes award winners at a special star-studded tribute held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles November 20^th.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper hosted the tribute, which was filmed for a special Thanksgiving night broadcast. Celebrity presenters included Halle Berry, Demi Moore, Kid Rock, Renee Zellweger, Gerard Butler, and Jessica Alba. Special performances were provided by Sugarland, Bon Jovi, and John Legend, featuring Common and Melanie Fiona.

Each winner was presented with a check for $25,000 to further support their missions. The Hero of the Year received an additional $100,000. The Heroes and their organizations include: Guadalupe Arizpe De La Vega (FEMAP Foundation), Susan Burton (A New Way of Life Reentry Project), Linda Fondren (Shape Up Mississippi), Narayanan Krishnan (Akshaya USA), Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow (Mary’s Meals USA Inc.), Harmon Parker (Bridging the Gap, Inc.), Aki Ra (Landmine Relief Fund), Evans Wadongo (Sustainable Development for All-US), Dan Wallrath (Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops), and winner of the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year Award – Anuradha Koirala with Friends of Maiti Nepal.

“Cat Footwear is excited to honor the CNN Heroes and be a part of such a worthy event. These men and women truly are earthmovers – and embody the Cat brand’s legacy of hard work,” said Kelly Ballou, Cat Footwear Marketing Manager. “Their stories are very inspiring.”

To find out more about the CNN Heroes Awards and the honored Heroes, please visit: www.CNNHeroes.com

2010 CNN Heor of the Year Winner, Anuradha Koirala

2010 CNN Hero of the Year finalist, Aki Ra

2010 CNN Hero of the Year finalist, Magnus MacFarlane-Borrow

Cat Footwear & the Dominator on CNN.com!

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:22:00 GMT

Check out this video clip from cnn.com! See if you can spot Cat Footwear on the Dominator during the interview with Reed Timmer, from Discovery Channel's StormChasers!

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/10/13/n_stormchaser_car.cnnmoney/

Cat Footwear Goes Storm Chasing

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 03:19:00 GMT

Cat footwear is going tornado chasing! Check out the Storm Chasers team in their season premier TONIGHT on the Discovery Channel. First, catch Reed Timmer and the guys on MYTHBUSTERS at 9PM EST and then keep watching for their STORMCHASERS season premier at 10PM EST. See if you can spot the Cat sign on the back of the Dominator and the Cat shoes the guys are wearing. Tune in every Wednesday to see all of this season’s wild adventures or visit www.tornadovideos.net to catch even more storm chasing action!

Wild Outdoors Tested and Approved!

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:42:00 GMT

Tim Roller from Tim Roller's Wild Addiction TV. Tim is seen below left at a Cabela's event with a monster brown trout his friend caught. They of course, are wearing CAT Footwear for all the events, just like they were when they landed the big fish. Tim asked about a boot for a bear hunt he was going on and we sent him the Diagnostic Hi WP.

Here is what Tim had to say about his Diagnostic Hi WP CAT boots:

"Just wanted to give you an update on the Diagnostic Hi boots you sent me. I just returned from a two week bear hunt in northern Ontario. This is rugged wilderness with extreme terrain. We were constantly walking in everything from rock to mossy swamps. The CAT boots were simply remarkable and performed flawlessly. I must admit I was a bit skeptical going in, as I've never found a boot that can stand up to what we put our footwear through. As a professional hunter, I spend six months of the year trekking across all kinds of conditions throughout North America, putting hundreds of miles on my boots. The combination of comfort and performance I've experienced with the Diagnostic Hi boots is undoubtedly the best I've ever had with a boot. Anyone who spends any amount of time on their feet realizes how important comfortable feet are. In my job, it really is everything. Thanks to CAT for understanding the importance of comfort and performance in footwear, and for producing a boot that far exceeds those criteria. I look forward to putting the Diagnostic Hi to more tests throughout the rest of the fall!"

Congratulations IRWIN® UTC Champion!

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:38:00 GMT

Cat Footwear would like to congratulate DELWYN THORNTON, winner of the IRWIN® Tools North American Ultimate Tradesman Challenge Champion.

Delwyn beat contestants from all over the United States and Canada on the tests of a tradesman’s speed, precision and agility and now he’ll be taking home a custom IRWN Mustang GT Premium pace car as well as a year’s supply of Cat boots and shoes!

Congratulations Delwyn!

Flexion 30-day Guarantee

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:43:00 GMT

We're so sure the Flexion collection is the most comfortable work footwear you have ever worn, we'll let you work in them for 30 days. If you are not satisfied, you can return them by calling Cat Footwear at 1.800.789.8586 for a return authorization code and instructions. If you purchased in a retail store, you may bring the shoes and a dated sales receipt to return them to that location.

Want to shop the shoes? Click here

Flexion is always... Hard at work, easy on you.

Irwin Tools / Ultimate Tradesman Challenge

Mon, 31 May 2010 00:05:00 GMT

Cat Footwear is partnering with Irwin Tools for the Ultimate Tradesman Challenge, a touring competition that tests the speed, precision and agility of tradesman throughout the US and Canada. Sixty regional winners will win a free pair of our tough boots or shoes, and the Grand Prize Winner has a chance to win $1 million!

The 6-step contest challenges participants to prepare a channel and board to fit together through a series of actions – Grip, Mark, Clamp, Rip, Drive and Complete. The current leader completed the challenge in less than 35 seconds!

Interested in entering the Challenge? There are 19 remaining opportunities scheduled through August. Check out http://www.irwin.com/challenge/ to find a Challenge near you.

Daytona 500 2010

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:51:00 GMT

Jeff Burton and the Cat Racing team kicked off the 2010 racing season at the Daytona 500. Cat Footwear kicked off its support for the #31 Cat team by hosting a group of customers and some lucky winners from the Free Beer and Hot Wings morning show at the race. We even got a chance to meet Jonathon Hillstrand, captain of the Time Bandit from Deadliest Catch.

Check out the #31 car in action!

Up close with with the #31 Pit Crew

We had a great time hanging out at the track with the crew and our guests! Congrats to Jeff and the team on a great race. We're excited to see what this racing season brings!