The 8 best loafers for men, from classic penny loafers to suede drivers

Best overall: Vince Hann Loafer

Los Angeles-based brand Vince's Hann Loafers are sleek, minimalist Venetian-style shoes that combine style, comfort, and elegance in one package—all at a decent price. These loafers are as comfortable as slippers straight out of the box but refined enough to pair with a casual suit or dress-up jeans and a tee. The Hann loafers exude relaxed sophistication with their soft pebbled leather outer, low profile, and unfussy style.

Best penny loafer: G.H.Bass Larson Weejuns

The American heritage brand G.H. Bass introduced its Weejuns, which are the original penny loafer, in 1948. The Larson Weejuns are truly iconic and stay true to the brand's nearly 150-year history with impeccable style, hand-stitched construction, and the use of luxe materials like box leather (calfskin). I sized down a half size, as recommended, and although they started off a little stiff, after a short break-in period, they've become very comfortable. Note: they shouldn't be worn in wet weather as it can damage the leather.

Best for comfort: Amberjack Loafer

Amberjack has staked its reputation on crafting super comfortable dress shoes and boots, and they deliver with The Loafer. I wore these comfortably all day straight out of the box and found that they didn't require a break-in period, didn't give me any blisters when worn without socks, and got even more comfortable over time. Plus, they're crafted in Portugal from full-grain leather, are lined in soft sheepskin, and come in 12 different colorways in leather and suede.

Best budget: Florsheim Hampton Venetian Loafer

I've written about Florsheim, the American heritage brand, before and will likely do so again since they do a great job balancing price and performance. The Hamptons are a moc-toe style Venetian loafer that I've had for about two years and still love. These sleek loafers have held up nicely, started out comfortable, and have only gotten more so over time (I've walked several miles at a go in them). They have garnered a number of compliments as well.

Best driving loafer: Greats Corsa Driver

You might be surprised that a sneaker brand makes one of the finest driving mocs around, but if you know anything about Greats, you know the Brooklyn-based DTC brand has a stellar reputation for producing an exceptional shoe at a reasonable price, and that's exactly what they did with the Corsa Driver.

Hand-sewn in Portugal from a supple suede (it also comes in leather), they're also lined in leather with a cushioned foot bed and nubby outsole for traction. These drivers are incredibly comfortable straight out of the box and fit true to size.

Best suede: Jack Erwin Edward Loafer

The New York-based direct-to-consumer shoe brand Jack Erwin's Edward suede loafer, like all of its footwear, offers top quality for an exceptional price. They make these unlined penny loafers from a rich but durable suede for a shoe that's both stylish and easy-wearing. They're Blake stitched so they can be resoled down the line, fit true to size, and come in six handsome colorways.

Best Horse Bit: Grant Stone Horse Bit Loafer

DTC brand Grant Stone may be best known for its boots, but the company also makes outstanding shoes, including horse bit loafers (a style introduced by Gucci in 1953) that are beautifully made, from the brass hardware to the hand-stitched moc toes. Slipping these loafers on, I found them to be both comfortable — and getting more so with each wear — and extremely solid as if they'll be with me for years to come. I like dressing these up with a tie and sports coat, although they also look snappy with jeans and a casual button-up shirt, elevating whatever they're paired with.

Best tassel: Blackstock & Weber Clásico

Tassel loafers, which feature decorative tassels on the vamp, work as well with jeans and a polo as they do with a suit, and Blackstock & Weber's version, the Clásico, is the ne plus ultra of the style. Chris Echevarria, a rising menswear star (although he was already a veteran of the fashion industry), launched the brand from his Brooklyn apartment in 2017 and produces a beautifully designed loafer that's handmade in Portugal using top-of-the-line materials and Goodyear welting so they can easily be resoled when needed. These shoes were easy to break in, are super comfortable, and feature a lug sole for a bit more edge that'll easily up your style game.

FAQs

How do I style loafers for men?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that's certainly true when it comes to popular brands making some of the best loafers for men. Loafers can be styled plenty of different ways, starting with the classics: They work very well as a dress shoe alternative alongside comfortable men's workwear (like chinos, a well-fitting polo or an Oxford shirt, and a cotton blazer).

Maintaining a crisp, cleaned-up loafer with the help of your best shoe polish gives you a pair of work shoes you can confidently wear to the office. If your pair has a sneaker-like sole or a more casual nubuck leather, they can work in place of sneakers with chino shorts and a pocket tee for a touch of high-low, laidback prep style.

You can also wear your loafers for formal events, like with a light cotton or linen suit to an outdoor summer wedding. And in a final show of versatility, a more casual style of loafer can be paired with rolled dark blue jeans and an Oxford shirt or well-fitting polo – off the clock, cold beer in hand.

How do I choose the best pair of loafers for men?

Choosing the best loafers for men is a fun quest all its own, but it requires focusing on how you plan to wear them. If you want an alternative to dress shoes, opt for a pair from a brand that uses a dress shoe-esque design to create a streamlined, sharp pair of loafers ready for both the office and a classy wedding.

Yet, there are companies making more sporty driving loafers, like Greats, emphasizing the grippy design you can wear behind the wheel of a car. Amberjack's use of sneaker technology in modern loafers with next-level comfort make them well-suited for plenty of casual style situations. The right loafers should fit your lifestyle, and by choosing wisely, you'll have a wardrobe staple to rely on for years.