11 Of The Best Loafers For Men, From Classic Pairs To Sporty Styles (2024)

Allen Edmonds Randolph Penny Loafer

Sizes: 5 to 16 | Colors: 4 in total, including Coffee Brown and Black | Materials: Leather

The footwear masters at Allen Edmonds really know how to make a great leather shoe. Their bestselling penny loafers are made from 100% soft calfskin leather on the upper and with a comfortable leather lining and cork insoles that easily mold to the shape of your foot. Note: Allen Edmond shoes tend to run on the big side, so it’s best to order a half-size down.

What the reviews say: “I have been wearing AE shoes for over twenty five years. I got my first pair of AE wing tips with my first good paying job out of college... I bought this style last year in black. They work well with pin stripes, dress slacks or jeans.” —Nordstrom

Johnston & Murphy Cort Whipstitch Venetian Loafer

Sizes: 8 to 13 | Colors: 3 in total, including Mahogany Full Grain and Black Full Grain | Materials: Leather, EVA

You can get a great pair of leather loafers without investing a big spend. Johnston & Murphy’s Venetian Loafers look sophisticated—if slightly bohemian, even—in a sharp moccasin style, with whipstitching seams and a Nappa leather lining that’s soft and comfortable. Wear these with a decent pair of jeans for a night on the town, and you’ll feel dressed up without trying too hard.

What the reviews say: “It’s a good quality shoe. The thick cushioning in the heal was a welcome surprise. The toe box is long so there’s some wiggle room there. Even with the extra room at the toe, the heal doesn’t slip. The construction quality is excellent.” —Amazon

Sizes: 7 to 15 | Colors: 8 total, including Chestnut and Obsidian | Materials: Leather or suede

Amberjack’s bestseller, The Loafer, is built for serious comfort: It’s outfitted with an athletic insole—the same found in your running shoes—with heat-activated foam that conforms to your foot’s shape. The outsole is made from a durable hiking-boot material for all-day support, and there’s a soft sheepskin lining inside that's laser perforated to allow airflow (meaning: you can wear this pair without socks and not get sweaty).

What the reviews say: “I was impressed by the leather and comfort. They have great traction and are right off the bat comfortable.” —Amberjack

Cole Haan Modern Classics Penny Loafer

Sizes:7 to 13 |Colors:3 total, including British Tan and Black |Materials:Leather, rubber, EVA

For a classic loafer that’s extremely comfortable, Cole Haan’s penny loafers score high marks. They have a traditional silhouette, crafted from full-grain, oiled leather, with a modern EVA footbed for cushion and support. Rubber pads on the outsole give you plenty of grip and traction, so you can wear this pair in slippery conditions, too.

What the reviews say: “Bought these for my dad for father's day and he loves them! He wears them every day to work and raves about how nice and comfortable they are. Highly recommend.” —Amazon

G.H. Bass Davis Suede Driver Moc Loafer

Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: 5 total, including Brown and Navy | Materials: Suede, rubber

Driving loafers make any road trip a stylish affair. These sophisticated moccasin-style loafers from G.H. Bass’s The Classics collection guarantee it. They’re ultra-comfortable, incredibly light and come with all sorts of stylish details—plus, a hearty sole with rubber that helps keep your foot on the gas.

What our fashion editor says: “It doesn’t get any more classic than G.H. Bass loafers. This pair doesn’t look stuffy, though, and having worn Bass shoes myself, I can attest to the longevity and quality of the leather.”

Sizes:40 to 47 |Colors:7 total, including Saddle and Sunset Red|Materials:Leather, suede, rubber

M.Gemi is know for their wildly popular loafers. This pair is handcrafted in Italy, where shoemakers obsess over every last detail, including using a small flame to singe away stray threads, according to the brand. This pair also comes in fun colors and the nubby grippers on the sole provide that traction you want when your foot is on the peddle.

What the reviews say: “A very comfortable driver made with top quality materials. This is my first M Gemi shoe. I definitely recommend to anyone wanting a driving shoe.” —M.Gemi

Cole Haan Men's GrandPrø Topspin Penny Loafer

Sizes:7 to 16 |Colors:4 total, including Navy Ink and British Tan|Materials:Leather, suede, rubber

If you want a sneaker-like loafer, Cole Haan put a sporty spin on the traditional design. This pair has layers of cushioning to add bounce and spring to your step and the shoe’s materials are engineered to weigh less so you avoid leg fatigue.

What the reviews say: “Most comfortable sneaker ever worn. Bought for Europe trip. Walked all day on cobblestone and was like walking on air. So good that this is my second pair ten months after the trip.” —Zappos

Sizes:6 to 14 |Colors:3 total, including Caramel and Black |Materials:Leather, suede, rubber

Adelante’s loafers are handmade in Pastores, Guatemala, from full-grain leather and are the kind of shoes you’ll keep forever. This pair has a boat-shoe design with a soft calfskin lining, handsewn vamp, high-density memory foam insole and stacked leather heel. Note that these shoes are made to order, so there’s a 2-week turnaround time.

What our fashion editor says: “I love how the Nautico combines the classic look of a boat shoe with the polished appeal of a loafer. Each pair is a work of art, and the price is affordable for the high level of craftsmanship and detail that goes into the design.”

Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: 2 total, including Snuff and Milkshake | Materials: Suede, leather

Todd Snyder, the king of cool collaborations, partnered with Alden, a 19th-century Massachusetts shoe company founded by Charles H. Alden. It’s a traditional penny loafer with a modern two-tone colorway and high-end details: beautifully soft suede uppers, a flexible welted sole and an easy unlined style you can slip on with ease. Note: The brand recommends ordering a half size smaller than your normal size.

What the reviews say: “Still a terrific shoe, but the snuff suede isn’t quite as light as it appears in the photos, so the contrast between the two tones isn’t as noticeable as I had hoped.” —Todd Snyder

Sizes: 7 to 15 | Colors: 4 total, including Granite Suede and Hickory Bison| Materials: Leather, suede, rubber

It can be a pain to shop if you’re a guy with wide feet. Tecovas’s stylish loafers come in standard D and EE (Wide) widths in four colorways—done in either suede or full leather—and have a padded leather sole. These run a bit small, so order a half-size up.

What the reviews say: “These shoes met all expectations: well made, interesting look—like the foot of a boot without the shaft—quite comfortable. As recommended, I ordered a half size larger than my other dress shoes and these fit nicely.” —Tecovas

Sizes: 8 to 13 | Colors: 4 total, including Black and Chestnut | Materials: Leather

You’ll want something versatile when you’re looking for dress loafers. Charles Tyrwhitt’s offer the right mix of easy style and more formal trappings, with soft leather uppers and a grippy outsole. The breathable, durable design is a mainstay of the brand’s shoes—making these loafers as comfortable and functional as they are stylish.

What our fashion editor says: “There are times you want a more traditional dress loafer, and this pair from Charles Tyrwhitt fits the bill without being wildly expensive. Importantly, they’re not stiff or stuffy, thanks to the modern tassel detail.”

Santoni Gavin Penny Loafer

Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: Black | Materials: Leather, rubber

Santoni’s traditional penny loafers embody the sharp, smart style of the shoe’s heyday in the 1930s. This pair is the ultimate luxury, handcrafted in Italy by artisan shoemakers and made to be worn with a slim suit and martini in hand. If you want the finest craftsmanship combined with a timeless look, Santoni’s shoes are your best bet.

What the reviews say: “This shoe is really the nicest loafer I have seen or worn. I fell in love with this shoe. Another great job by Santoni. It looks extremely stunning.” —Nordstrom

Sizes:7 to 13 |Colors:3 total, including Whisky and Natural |Materials:Leather, rubber

Fun fact: The original penny loafers are based on a 1930s design that was popular with college students (it fit the two cents needed for a phone call, as J.Crew calls out here). This pair features leather uppers and an unlined interior that softens over time. Wear without socks for the right look. Note: they run big, so size down.

What the reviews say: “Great quality leather and the fit is excellent. I tend to go half a size smaller with loafers and that worked out great for these.” —J.Crew

Peter Millar Excursionist Penny Loafer

Sizes: 8 to 13 | Colors: 3 total, including Chocolate and Loden | Materials: Leather, suede

Clean, casual, and perfectly understated, these suede loafers from Peter Millar are stylish whether you wear with chinos or jeans. Their upper is velvet-soft, and they come in neutral colors that you can wear a pair with any pants. Note: the fit is true to size.

What the reviews say: “Gorgeous shoe soft and comfortable material and quality is outstanding. Style everything you can want, design old money.” —Peter Millar

Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: 2 total, including Stone Grey and Tobacco Brown | Materials: Suede and leather

Suede is a popular choice for loafers since the material is naturally soft, and strikes a nice balance between casual and sophisticated. Banana Republic’s loafers are surprisingly well made an affordable price, with an easy slip-on style and rich suede construction. They’ll go great with a pair of jeans and a lightweight jacket or a more formal suit and topcoat.

What our fashion editor says: “Suede loafers have a sophisticated air to them, and this pair from Banana Republic rivals more expensive designs with its elegant stitching and leather stacked heel.”