Both cost around £80. Both carry EN ISO 20345 S1P certification. The Xnexz StrideX uses an aluminium toe cap and Kevlar midsole to go lighter and stay metal-detector safe. The Caterpillar Elmore goes wider, sizes up to UK 13, a removable footbed, and decades of proven trust. We make the StrideX, so we have tried to be genuinely honest about where each one wins. Here is the full breakdown.
- EN ISO 20345 S1P certified
- 200J Aluminium toe cap
- Kevlar puncture-resistant midsole
- EVA + Rubber anti-slip outsole
- Breathable mesh + microfiber upper
- Sizes UK 6.5 – 11
- 90-day risk-free return
- 180-day damage warranty
- S1P certified (EN ISO 20345)
- 200J Steel toe cap
- Non-metallic anti-penetration midsole (1,100N)
- EVA/Rubber cemented outsole
- Lightweight non-leather upper
- Sizes UK 6 – 13
- 30-day return policy
- Standard manufacturer warranty
What Does S1P Certification Actually Mean for Both Shoes?
Where they differ is not whether they protect, it is how. The materials behind that protection are what separates these two shoes across an eight-hour shift.
One thing S1P does not cover: heavy construction, demolition, forestry, or anywhere with serious falling-object risk from height. If your site specifies S3, waterproofing, or metatarsal guards, neither shoe is the right choice. Always check your PPE requirements before buying.
How Do the Toe Caps Differ Between the StrideX and the Elmore?
The StrideX uses an aluminium toe cap, which is around 30–40% lighter than the steel cap in the Elmore. Across an eight-to-ten hour shift on your feet, that adds up. Workers in warehouses, logistics, and hospitality tend to feel it by mid-afternoon.
Honest Note: steel has a longer track record and higher tensile strength, which matters in extreme compression environments. For light-to-medium S1P roles, aluminium does the same job, just lighter.
How Do the Midsoles Compare Between the Two Shoes?
Kevlar, the same para-aramid fibre used in body armour, has a tensile strength of 3,620 MPa. It is also flexible, which means the StrideX midsole bends naturally with your foot rather than forcing a stiff, flat-footed gait. Workers who walk significant distances per shift, particularly in warehouse picking or delivery roles, often report reduced lower-limb fatigue from flexible midsoles compared to rigid plate alternatives.
The Caterpillar Elmore's non-metallic midsole also meets the 1,100N standard and is not metallic, which means the midsole itself does not trigger metal detectors. However, the steel toe cap in the Elmore will still trigger detection equipment, so the non-metallic midsole alone does not make the Elmore metal-detector safe overall.
Which Shoe Is Metal-Detector Safe?
For workers in food production, pharmaceuticals, airports, secure facilities, or any workplace using metal detection as part of a hygiene or security protocol, this is not a preference, it is a hard requirement.
The StrideX's aluminium toe cap does not register on standard workplace metal-detection equipment (aluminium is non-ferrous and non-ferromagnetic). Combined with the Kevlar midsole, the shoe is fully non-metallic in all functional components, meaning no gate triggers, no shoe removal, no disruption to hygiene protocols.
The Elmore's steel toe cap will trigger standard gates. Its non-metallic midsole is a positive feature, but it does not change the overall picture for metal-detection environments.
If metal-detector compatibility is a requirement of your role, the StrideX has a clear, factual advantage here. If it is irrelevant to your workplace, this section does not apply to your decision.
Full Factor-by-Factor Comparison: StrideX vs Caterpillar Elmore
The table below compares both S1P safety trainers across fourteen key factors. Verdicts are based on verifiable specification data, not opinion.
| Factor | Xnexz StrideX | CAT Elmore | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (UK) | £79.97 | £79.99 | Draw |
| S1P Certification | EN ISO 20345 S1P | EN ISO 20345 S1P | Draw |
| Toe Cap Material | 200J Aluminium | 200J Steel | StrideX, lighter |
| Midsole Type | Kevlar (para-aramid, 1,100N) | Non-metallic insert (1,100N) | StrideX, more flexible |
| Outsole | EVA + Rubber (anti-slip, oil-resistant) | EVA/Rubber cemented (slip-resistant, fuel & oil resistant) | Draw |
| Metal-Detector Safe | Yes, fully non-metallic | No, steel toe cap triggers gates | StrideX |
| Upper Material | Breathable mesh + microfiber | Lightweight non-leather sporty | StrideX, more breathable spec |
| Footbed | Fixed insole | Contoured removable PU footbed | CAT Elmore, removable for orthotics |
| Size Range | UK 6.5 – 11 | UK 6 – 13 | CAT Elmore, wider range |
| Colour Options | Limited (check site) | Grey, Black, Navy | CAT Elmore, more choice |
| Return Policy | 90-day risk-free return | 30 days | StrideX, 3x longer window |
| Damage Warranty | 180-day damage warranty | Standard manufacturer warranty | StrideX |
| Brand Track Record | New UK brand (Taunton, Somerset) | Decades of global heritage | CAT Elmore, proven trust |
| Fits UK workers needing S1P | Yes, light-to-medium risk roles | Yes, light-to-medium risk roles | Draw |
Where Does the Caterpillar Elmore Genuinely Have the Advantage?
Where CAT Genuinely Wins
- Size range: UK 6 through to UK 13. If you wear a size 12 or 13, the Elmore fits you. The StrideX currently stops at UK 11. That is a meaningful gap for larger feet.
- Removable footbed: The contoured, removable PU footbed is a real advantage. Workers who use orthotics, have plantar fasciitis, or simply prefer to swap in their own insoles will find the Elmore more accommodating. The StrideX does not currently offer a removable footbed.
- Colour choice: Three colourways, grey, black, navy. Useful where a specific site uniform or personal preference matters.
- Brand trust: Caterpillar has been making workwear and footwear for decades. If you buy CAT, you know what you are getting. That track record is real and worth something, especially for B2B procurement decisions where a brand being on an approved supplier list removes paperwork.
Where Does the Xnexz StrideX Genuinely Have the Advantage?
Where StrideX Genuinely Wins
- Lighter toe cap: Aluminium at 200J protection is measurably lighter than equivalent steel. If you are on your feet for eight-plus hours, lighter materials accumulate into real fatigue savings.
- Flexible midsole: Kevlar bends with your foot. Rigid plates, even non-metallic ones, create a flatter gait that strains feet and calves over long shifts. Workers who cover significant distance per shift tend to notice the difference.
- Metal-detector safety: The only S1P shoe in this comparison that is fully non-metallic in all components. Critical for food production, pharmaceutical, and secure environments.
- Return window: 90 days versus 30 days. This gives you three full months of real shift testing before committing. For a new brand you have not worn before, this is meaningful buyer protection.
- Damage warranty: 180-day damage warranty. Standard manufacturer warranty on the Elmore does not specify a comparable duration.
Who Should Buy the Caterpillar Elmore S1P?
Best for workers who need UK sizes 12 or 13, use custom orthotics, or work somewhere CAT is already on the approved PPE list. If you wear a larger size, the Elmore is one of the very few trainer-style S1P options at this price that actually fits, that alone makes the decision easy.
The removable PU footbed is a practical advantage for anyone using podiatrist-recommended insoles. You cannot swap a fixed insole, and with the Elmore you do not have to.
If CAT is already on your company's supplier list, buying the Elmore removes the paperwork entirely. And if the trust that comes with decades of proven performance matters to you, that is a completely fair reason to choose it.
Who Should Buy the Xnexz StrideX?
Best for sizes UK 6.5–11 who want lighter protection, a flexible midsole for long shifts, or need fully metal-detector-safe footwear. If you work in food production, pharmaceuticals, airports, or any detection-gate environment, the StrideX is the clear choice here, the Elmore is not an option in those settings.
New to Xnexz? The 90-day return means three months of real shifts before you commit. And if the brand's purpose, made for hardworking people who rarely buy something for themselves, means something to you, that is a real reason to choose it.
What Are the Honest Limitations of Both Shoes?
If your site specifies S3, or your HSE assessment flags heavy falling-object risk, roofing, demolition, or deep excavation, neither shoe is the right choice. Look at S3-rated boots from Caterpillar, Magnum, V12, or Portwest instead.
Where both shoes genuinely belong: warehouses, delivery, hospitality kitchens, hospital wards, security, trade finishing, and light manufacturing. In those environments, S1P is exactly what you need, and both shoes do it well.
The Honest Final Verdict
After going through every factor, here is the clearest way to summarise where each shoe earns its place:
At essentially the same price, both shoes are genuinely competitive in the S1P trainer category. The decision should come down to three practical questions: Do you need a size above UK 11? Do you use custom orthotics? And do you work in a metal-detection environment? Answer those three questions honestly, and the right shoe usually picks itself.
If you are a first-time Xnexz buyer and still not sure, the 90-day return policy exists precisely for this. Try the StrideX on real shifts for up to three months. If it does not perform the way you hoped, return it. We would rather you made the right choice than the comfortable one.
Try the StrideX for 90 Days, Risk Free.
If it is not the right shoe for your working day, return it. No awkward questions. Certified S1P protection. Aluminium toe. Kevlar midsole. Made for the long shift.
Shop Xnexz StrideX - £79.97
