Union-made in Carolina's Martinsburg, Pennsylvania factory, the Sarge Hi 809 is an 8" soft-toe work boot that leads with comfort — heavily oiled leather, three moisture and odor technologies, and a resoleable welt.
Key Features of the Carolina 809
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Soft (Plain) Toe — Built without safety toe components.
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Amber Gold Pitstop Leather Upper — Heavily oiled full-grain leather that needs little breaking in.
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DRi-LEX® Lining — Wicks moisture and keeps the foot cool and dry.
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Poron® Permafresh Insole — Cushions underfoot and guards against microbial and fungal development.
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Removable AG7™ Polyurethane Footbed — Carolina's comfort system with enhanced arch 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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Steel Shank — Underfoot stability and support.
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Welt Construction & Dual-Density Polyurethane Outsole — Resoleable, oil- and slip-resisting, shock-absorbing.
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Union-Made in the USA with Global Parts — Built by UFCW Local 1776 in Martinsburg, PA.
Comfort First
Without a toe cap, the 809 is lighter and more forgiving across the forefoot. The DRi-LEX® lining and Poron® Permafresh insole handle moisture and odor, and heavily oiled leather means the boot is comfortable from the first week.
Built to Be Rebuilt
Welt construction stitches the outsole to the upper, so the boot can be resoled rather than replaced — the reason a well-kept pair outlasts several cemented ones.
Why Choose the 809?
An American-made 8" soft-toe boot built around comfort and durability, for work that doesn't require a protective toe.
Similar Styles to Consider
Need a protective toe? The 1809 is the steel-toe version of this exact boot. Prefer a 6" height? See the 309. Browse the full Carolina collection at Overlook Boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 809 have a safety toe?
No. Carolina builds it without safety toe components, so it carries no ASTM impact or compression rating and won't satisfy a site requirement for protective footwear. The steel-toe version is the 1809 — the same boot otherwise.
Are Carolina Sarge boots actually made in the USA?
Yes, with a qualification Carolina states plainly: assembled in Carolina's own Martinsburg, Pennsylvania factory by members of UFCW Local 1776, using globally sourced components.
Can the 809 be resoled?
Yes. Welt construction stitches the dual-density PU outsole to the upper, so a cobbler can replace it when the tread wears down.
What sizes and widths does the Sarge come in?
Carolina builds it in B (narrow), D, 2E, 3E, and 4E, with some widths running to size 18 — an unusually broad range.
Is the 809 waterproof or insulated?
The 809 is an uninsulated boot without a waterproof membrane. The DRi-LEX® lining moves moisture outward, which keeps it comfortable across three seasons. For wet ground, Carolina builds boots with a sealed SCUBALINER™.
Does the EH rating still apply when the boots 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.
