A classic broad-toe oxford with plenty of toe room and a non-metallic composite safety toe, the Braze CA1520 moves easily from the office to the factory floor. Its ESD construction and lightweight, all-non-metallic build make it a smart choice for anyone working around sensitive electronics.
Key Features of the Carolina CA1520 Braze
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Composite Safety Toe — Non-metallic broad toe meeting ASTM F2413 for compression and impact, with reduced cold transfer.
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Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) — Absorbs and neutralizes loose electrons, sending charges into the floor to protect sensitive equipment.
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Amber Gold Pitstop Leather Upper — Durable, sharp-looking full leather.
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Removable AG7™ Polyurethane Footbed — Carolina's comfort system, over a Pillow Cushion™ memory-foam insole and EVA midsole.
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Non-Metallic Shank & Hardware — Composite throughout, down to the eyelets; suited to detector-controlled access points.
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Cement Construction, Oil & Slip-Resisting Outsole — Lightweight, flexible, and grippy.
Static Protection for Electronics Work
ESD footwear channels static charge safely into the floor, reducing the risk of damaging sensitive components. The CA1520 pairs that with an all-non-metallic build — composite toe, composite shank, composite hardware — so there's nothing metal in the shoe to register at a detector.
Broad-Toe Comfort
The broad composite toe gives your toes noticeably extra room — a point wearers consistently single out. The AG7™ footbed and Pillow Cushion™ insole add cushioning underfoot.
Why Choose the CA1520?
It combines a composite safety toe, ESD protection, and a clean oxford profile in one lightweight non-metallic shoe — ideal for electronics, warehouse, and light-industrial settings that call for static control without a bulky boot.
Similar Styles to Consider
Need a composite-toe ESD shoe with a different last? See the Duke CA5541 oxford. Browse the full Carolina collection at Overlook Boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace the insole with my own orthotic?
The footbed is removable, but read this first. Carolina notes that if the shoe is worn in an SD-necessary environment, any replacement insole or orthotic must itself be static-dissipative — and even then, the shoe may no longer test SD. If your workplace requires a verified SD reading, check with your safety officer before swapping the footbed.
How much arch support does it have?
Carolina specifies the AG7™ polyurethane footbed as an enhanced-arch-support system. In practice, wearers who need substantial arch correction often add their own insert — the removable footbed makes that easy, subject to the SD caveat above.
Is this shoe EH rated?
No — the CA1520 is ESD (Electrostatic Dissipative), not Electrical Hazard (EH). The two are different and mutually exclusive: ESD deliberately conducts static to ground, while EH insulates against contact with live circuits. Don't substitute one for the other.
Do they need breaking in?
Expect a short break-in. Reviewers describe the shoe as firm out of the box, with limited give until it's worn a few times, so ease into full shifts rather than starting with one.
Is the toe metal?
No. The CA1520 uses a non-metallic composite toe, a non-metallic shank, and non-metallic hardware throughout — there is no metal anywhere in the shoe's structure.
