Men’s 6” Composite Toe Tiger D3O® External Metguard is the perfect choice for any job site.
The MITER EXT Men's 6" Waterproof Comp Toe Tiger D3O® External Metguard Bandit Walnut Leather Upper is the perfect choice for any job site. Featuring a composite safety toe cap, you can be sure your feet are protected from any hazards that may arise. The D3O® External Metguard adds an extra layer of protection to your metatarsals, making these shoes an ideal choice for those who work in hazardous environments.
Key Features of the Carolina CA5586
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Composite Safety Toe Cap — Non-metallic toe meeting ASTM F2413 for impact and compression, with reduced cold transfer.
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Winged D3O® External Met Guard — Metatarsal protection meeting ASTM F2413 Class Mt75, worn outside the upper for full instep coverage.
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Waterproof SCUBALINER™ — Carolina's sealed proprietary waterproof lining system.
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Bandit Walnut Leather Upper — Durable leather with a warm finish.
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Mesh Lining & Removable Dual-Density Foam Footbed — Breathable, with memory foam over a supportive base.
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PC2™ Internal Polyurethane Midsole — Pillow Cushion 2: an internal PU midsole that cradles the dual-density footbed for anatomical support.
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Electrical Hazard Rated — Tested to withstand up to 18,000 volts at 60Hz for one minute without leakage.
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Non-Metallic Shank — A composite alternative to a steel shank.
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Cement Construction & Oil-Resisting Heavy-Duty Rubber Outsole — Lightweight, with dependable grip.
Why D3O® for a Met Guard
D3O® is a rate-sensitive polymer: soft and flexible while you walk, but its molecules lock together on impact to absorb and spread the force. That's what allows a met guard to sit over your instep without feeling like a splint — the guard only stiffens when something hits it.
Full Instep Coverage
The winged shape wraps the sides of the instep rather than just capping the top, extending Mt75 protection across the metatarsal bones that a safety toe leaves entirely exposed.
Light for a Met-Guard Boot
Composite toe, composite shank, a polymer guard, and a cement-constructed sole that bonds directly to the upper. Nothing in the protective structure is metal, and the boot stays flexible and light — unusual in a category built around heavy hardware.
Why Choose the CA5586?
Composite-toe and Mt75 metatarsal protection, waterproofed, on a lightweight cement-constructed platform — for steel handling, heavy material yards, and any site where a hazard assessment calls for met-rated footwear.
Similar Styles to Consider
Prefer the met guard tucked under the leather? The Line Builder CA8533 uses an internal guard in a pull-on Wellington. Browse the full Carolina collection at Overlook Boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an external and an internal met guard?
An external guard, like the one on the CA5586, sits on the outside of the boot over the instep. It gives the most coverage and takes the hit before anything reaches the leather, but it's visibly bulkier and can catch in tight spaces. Both meet the same Mt75 standard when rated.
What does Mt75 mean?
It's the ASTM F2413 rating for metatarsal impact protection at 75 foot-pounds — the same impact energy as an I-75 safety toe, applied to the instep instead of the toes. A boot can carry a safety toe with no Mt rating at all; the two are separate tests.
Do I actually need a met guard?
It depends on what's above your feet, not on what boot you like. Met guards are specified where heavy objects can drop or roll onto the instep — steel handling, foundries, material yards, logging. Your site's hazard assessment sets that requirement. If it doesn't call for Mt-rated footwear, a plain composite toe is lighter and more flexible. Because a guard is rated as part of the finished footwear, it's worth choosing a met-rated model from the start.
Is it light enough to wear all day?
For a met-guard boot, yes. The composite toe, composite shank, and cement construction keep the weight down, and the D3O® guard stays soft until it's struck, so it moves with the foot rather than bracing against it.
