Cat Footwear is proud to announce our latest collaboration with British designer Nigel Cabourn. Cat Footwear and Cabourn are the perfect match based on a shared passion for ability, function, everyday utility, and respect for providence. With years of construction and workwear heritage we have a story to tell.

Beginning in 1942 The US Navy Seabees, the construction battalion, famous for their ability to build anything anywhere, used Caterpillar machinery. They were  the main inspiration for Cat Footwear’s collaboration with Cabourn.

Nigel’s motivation doesn’t stem from fashion trends, but from a love for quality and for the product itself: timeless styles considered down to the last detail.

It was Cat machine’s role for the military that captured Cabourn’s attention. Caterpillar crawler tractors were a trusted companion for the Seabees, known for some of the toughest construction jobs in history. The Seabees pride themselves on being able to take on any challenge  -all while protecting themselves and those around them.

With this inspiration, we’ve created two styles: Utah and Omaha, named after D-Day beaches cleared by the Seabees using Caterpillar machinery.

 The Utah

Classic Cat features combined with military inspired details make the Utah the perfect definition of Cat Footwear meets Nigel Cabourn. Built on the outsource of our Holton boot, a true industrial work style, the Utah has a protective steel toe and a traditional Goodyear well around its outer edge. It comes in two colorways; Leather Brown and Camo Black

Leather brown is understated, a celebration of traditional tones. Its upper is made from vintage inspired textured materials: a hammering bone quarter panel and Harry suede’s vamp. It’s mud and toe guards are rich tan full grain leather.

The black camo pushes our expression of workwear and military heritage. A black soul and full grain leather guards pair up with a camo print canvas quarter panel hand-picked by Cabourn. Rich army green and textured, hairy suede rounds off a pallet that accentuates Utah’s overbuilt, tough character. In the details traditional Caterpillar yellow branding stands out with pride.

The Omaha

Omaha is a luxe-utilitarian canvas high top in two colorways, DIjon and Black. A boot that’s heavily influenced by vintage US Navy style and Nigel’s past work. As a true hybrid, it’s a meeting of minds.

The tonal tans of its upper and guards are both classic workwear and pure military, channeling heavy-duty canvas service boots worn in the 1940s.We’ve added an industrial accent with a custom-moulded, grooved-rubber toe cap, full-grain leather mudguard and thehighest quality workwear materials in our armour.

The canvas is heavy duty. The outsole is over-engineered, with a slight elevation for extra ruggedness. Finishing touches include heavy-duty metal hardware, durable heritage-inspired laces and brass Cabourn- branded lacekeep

Check our the video below with Nigel talking about the collaboration and check out the collection here.