The Best Loafers for Men: 12 Options to Update Your Wardrobe

Bass has been manufacturing the Weejuns penny loafers for almost 100 years. In fact, they’re probably the loafers you (or your father, or your grandfather) wore in high school back in the 1960s. They’re still just as stylish—and still look great with the right pair of men’s chinos. Handsewn in El Salvador with beefroll edging (the rolled stitching around the toe box), these work well with casual and more upscale looks. Also available in a fun color-block style.

Made with water-repellent Italian suede and FloatForm memory foam on the footbed, these loafers from Wolf and Shepherd are perfect for summer adventures. Unlined for softness and constructed with a foldable heel counter—meaning the back collapses, transforming these into a slip-on or slide style shoe—the Monaco is incredibly versatile, looking equally at home by the sea or by the desk.

Made from quality leather with heat sealed and sewn seams, these loafers from Dr. Martens are durable and sturdy. They feature the iconic Dr. Martens rubber sole for comfort—which is also what gives them their casual air. They will need to be broken in, so don’t wear them out for an entire day of walking straight out of the box. They also run big, so you may want to size down.

Made from vertically-sourced A-grade leather from American steer, The Loafer from Amberjack comes at an excellent price for the quality. The shoes themselves are produced by master fabricators in Portugal and designed in Brooklyn, New York. They feature a sheepskin lining and a thermos-moldable insole for incomparable comfort. Sleek, smooth lines unfettered by embellishment means they pretty much go with anything—and go anywhere.

These handcrafted loafers have a leather lining that helps regulate the temperature of your feet and Blake stitching (wherein the upper is sewn directly to the sole making it more flexible) that ensures sturdiness without requiring excessive breaking in. We also love the smooth lines and perfectly-sized tassels (just large enough to add an interesting detail, but not too large to distract). Interesting to know: Each pair is made in a Bogota factory that implements 45-hour work weeks with healthcare, a pension plan, and a professional-development program.

Handmade in Spain from Italian leather with a platinum metal horse bit, the black Idrese Andre loafer comes in a full range of sizes including wide options. They feature a cork and metal shank for comfort and Goodyear construction for waterproof-ness—meaning they’ll quickly become your go-to black loafer whether you’re headed into the office, out to dinner, or just to town for some coffee.

Banana Republic may not be the first place you think of to purchase shoes, but their suede penny loafers are comfortable, stylish, and well-made. They feature map-print leather insoles for inspiration and soft, luxurious suede for style. My brother, the head of an Analytical Chemistry Department at a University and an ex-football player, wears his Banana penny loafers everywhere: To the club with his father-in-law, to pick up his daughters at school, to the lab, and everywhere in between.

Introduced in 1953, Gucci’s horse bit loafer really hasn’t changed much since—and why would it? They invented the horse bit style after all. They continue to make high quality, comfortable shoes in their Italian factory. If you’re into iconic fashion pieces, you’ll love the Gucci horse bit.

Made from a beautiful, water-resistant suede, the Excursionist Venetian loafer is especially suited for any kind of expedition—short or long. The navy features a light gray outsole giving them a sporty style, while the espresso has a dark outsole for a more refined, classic look. For all colors, the outsole is made from rubber giving them the feel of a sneaker. No matter the color, these lightweight shoes will provide all-day comfort without sacrificing looks.

John Lobb has been making shoes in the United Kingdom since 1866. Their Bath suede loafers feature a moccasin stitched keeper strap across the toe box and stitched leather edging. The quality, hand-made construction means they’ll outlast the competition (which also justifies the price tag). The lightweight, soft suede is stitched to a Goodyear-welted sole for flexible comfort no matter what the situation. It also molds to your feet over time, just like a good pair of quality gloves takes on the shape of your hands.

The suede versions of these drivers are made with three-ounce suede leather, a calfskin leather lining, and pebbly rubber outsole for primo grippy-ness. Constructed by hand, each pair takes a few days to make. We like these shoes especially for all the colors available, though we are hard-pressed to decide on a favorite. You’ll likely want a pair in each.

These beautifully constructed suede slippers/loafers from The Row don’t have any of the conventional embellishments of many other loafers—no straps, tassels, or metal bits here. Instead, they’re a low-profile, almost dainty, you may not even notice them, pair of shoes for the person who prefers understated, stealthy quality.