Count on this men’s lightweight athletic aluminum toe internal metguard work shoe for the protection and durability you need.
Fortified with an aluminum safety toe cap and Poron® XRD® internal metguard, this is one hardworking lace-up.
Key Features of the Carolina CA1906
-
Aluminum Safety Toe Cap — A metal cap, lighter than steel and thinner than composite; meets ASTM F2413 for impact (I/75) and compression (C/75).
-
Poron® XRD® Internal MetGuard — A soft, flexible foam that stiffens on impact. Carolina rates its metatarsal guards to ASTM F2413 Class Mt75.
-
Neutral Coco Leather Upper — Durable leather on an athletic last.
-
Mesh Lining — Breathable against the foot.
-
Removable AG8™ Intelli/Sphere Dual-Density Footbed — Premium cushioning with enhanced arch support.
-
Mello/Sphere EVA Cushioning Midsole — Sneaker-style shock absorption underfoot.
-
Non-Metallic Shank — Composite support with no steel in it.
-
Electrical Hazard Rated — Tested to withstand up to 18,000 volts at 60Hz for one minute without leakage.
-
Cement Construction — A bonded sole that keeps the shoe light and flexible.
-
Lytning™ Oil- & Slip-Resisting Outsole with Tech-Tonic Rubber Pads — Traction on wet and oily floors.
Met Protection in an Athletic Shoe
Metatarsal guards usually arrive bolted to a heavy boot, because a rigid plate needs a rigid platform. XRD® changes that. It's a foam — soft and breathable to the touch — whose cells lock together under sudden load, absorbing and spreading impact. That lets the guard sit inside a low athletic shoe instead of strapped over the laces.
What a Metatarsal Guard Actually Protects
A safety toe covers the toes and nothing else. The metatarsals — the long bones running from your toes back toward the ankle — sit exposed under thin leather on an ordinary shoe. A dropped die, a rolled pipe, or a load slipping off a forklift lands there.
Aluminum Toe: Lighter Than Steel, Slimmer Than Composite
An aluminum toe cap meets the same ASTM impact and compression thresholds as a steel one at roughly a third less weight, and it keeps a slimmer profile than composite. Aluminum is a metal, so like steel it transfers cold; if a warm toe box matters more than a slim one, choose the composite-toe CA1907.
Why Choose the CA1906?
Toe and metatarsal protection with an EH rating, in the lightest shoe Carolina builds on this platform.
Similar Styles to Consider
Want a composite toe and waterproofing on the same platform? The Lytning CA1907. Browse all met guard boots at Overlook Boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Poron® XRD®?
A rate-sensitive foam. Soft, thin, and breathable under normal movement, it stiffens instantly on impact to absorb and disperse force, and recovers afterward for repeated hits. XRD is a licensed trademark of Rogers Corporation.
Is the toe cap metal?
Yes. Carolina specifies an aluminum safety toe cap on the CA1906. Aluminum is a metal — lighter than steel and thinner than composite, but metal. The shank is non-metallic and the met guard is foam. For a fully non-metallic toe, the CA1907 uses a composite cap.
How does an aluminum toe compare to steel and composite?
All three meet the same ASTM I/C thresholds. Steel is the thinnest and least expensive, but heaviest. Aluminum is markedly lighter than steel and nearly as thin. Composite is the only fully non-metallic option and the warmest in winter, though bulkier at the same rating.
Can I add a met guard to a shoe I already own?
No. The guard is built into the shoe's structure and rated as part of the finished product. Choose a met-rated model from the start.
Is it waterproof?
The CA1906 is a leather shoe without a waterproof membrane, which keeps it light and breathable. The CA1907 carries Carolina's sealed SCUBALINER™.
Does the EH rating still apply when the shoes are wet?
Treat it as reduced. EH testing is performed under dry conditions; moisture, damp leather, and worn outsoles all degrade insulation. EH footwear is secondary protection — never a substitute for de-energizing a circuit or using primary PPE.
