Although they’re called loafers, they’re the workhorse of men’s dress shoes. You can wear them at home or work because they seem equal parts comfort and style. They can dress up casual wear without wearing out your feet. Leather loafers can be worn for much of the year, and they come in a variety of colors and in styles that vary from casual to almost formal. Because they’re so versatile, a good pair of loafers can become an essential part of a man’s shoe collection, even if he doesn’t own many pairs of shoes. Below are some of the best:
1. Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Authentic Original Boat Shoe
The Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Authentic Original Boat Shoe is an affordable imported leather loafer with a manmade sole. The slotted collar and lacing details give the shoe a bit of a sporty look and the perforated footbed provides plenty of comfort. It comes in assorted neutral colors such as ice, bone, white, tan, brown and navy.
2. Sanuk Men’s Vagabond Slip-on Shoe
With the comfort of a slipper or sandal, Sanuk Men’s Vagabond Slip-on Shoe is a great choice for wearing at home or at the beach. Made from canvas and sporting a rubber sole, you’ll enjoy sinking your feet into the foam footbed. The frayed seams give it a super casual look and the shoes come in a variety of colors such as khaki, charcoal and black.
3. Sanuk Men’s Chiba Sidewalk Surfer
Another casual and comfortable slip-on from Sanuk is the Sanuk Men’s Chiba Sidewalk Surfer. Made from textile and with a rubber sole, the padded stretch collar gives your feet room to breathe. You can get them in chocolate and olive as well as tan, brown and black, and enjoy a great day of casual outdoor walking. The happy smile on the Sanuk tag is a reminder of the U shaped outsole. It’s easy to slip this shoe on or off, but you may not feel like taking it off too often.
4. Crocs Men’s Walu Loafer
Another trusted name in shoes is crocs, and a popular choice is the Crocs Men’s Walu Loafer. It has an upper made from canvas and sueude and a croslite midsole. Croslite is an innovative resin used by crocs, the material that gives them their distinctive lightweight comfort and durability. The rubber outsole of this particular shoe sometimes comes in a complementary color to the shoe, providing a neat look to go along with its casual ease and relaxed fit.
5. Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Billfish Boat Shoe
The Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Billfish Boat Shoe combines a smart two-toned look with plenty of wearability. Made from 100% leather except for its rubber sole — even its lining is made from breathable leather — you can expect to spend a little more for this shoe, but customer satisfaction runs high. The stitching around the shoe gives it a little extra style.
6. Rockport Men’s Business Slip-On
If you need a loafer that looks good in the boardroom, check out the Rockport Men’s Business Slip-On. Sleek and stylish, this imported loafer is made from 100% full grain leather and comes in just one standard color: black. A rubber sole and comfortable foot bed provide the durability you need for a working day. A half-inch platform and one inch heel also gives the shoe a boost of confident style.
7. Rockport Men’s Shakespeare Circle Penny Loafer
A little more affordable, but still super stylish for the work day is Rockport Men’s Shakespeare Circle Penny Loafer. Similar in height to the Business Slip-On, this shoe comes with more styling details on the upper. It has moc-toe stitching and a fold-over collar. You can purchase it in one color: black brush, but sometimes one color is all you need. Besides being a really handsome shoe, you can also count on its quality and durability.
8. Salvatore Exte Men’s Suede Leather Driving Shoe Davinci Slip-On Loafer
If you’re looking for a very different loafer style choice, try the Salvatore Exte Men’s Suede Leather Driving Shoe Davinci Slip-On Loafer. This unusual 100% leather shoe has an interesting texture, moccasin stitching and a brushed buckle. It also has a rubber sole and a very slight (quarter inch) heel. Even your color choices are a little unusual, since this shoe comes in yellow, red and royal blue as well as the more usual coffee, grey and navy. The leather upper is made from soft suede.
9. The DC Men’s Villain TX Skate Shoe
You might not think of action sports when you think of loafers, but that’s the kind of shoe that DC specializes in. The DC Men’s Villain TX Skate Shoe is a sporty and durable slip-on shoe that you can feel good about wearing. Its rubber sole has good grip and its leather upper looks cool and stylish. While most of the color choices are black and white, there are a surprising number of ways to combine and tone those neutrals. The cushioned insole is another great feature.
10. The Timberland Men’s Earthkeepers Kiawah Bay Boat Shoe
The Timberland Men’s Earthkeepers Kiawah Bay Boat Shoe is a classic boat shoe, durable and stylish. Made from premium leather with a synthetic sole, it comes in brown, dark brown, taupe, light taupe, navy, nubuck and chocolate. However, due to the naturalness of the leather, you can expect some color variation. The shoe is a low-top rawhide lace-up that will dress up jeans or other casual wear. You may also enjoy the nautical flags that dress up the interior collar and the removable cushioned footbed.
