Pop quiz: what's the most versatile men’s shoe? Answer: the loafer. The right pair can solve a multitude of fashion conundrums, but the best loafers for men will transcend space and time. Okay, well, they won't actually send you barreling through an undiscovered dimension, but they'll feel pretty great. Kinda like chewing Five Gum, but for your feet. See, loafers are that Swiss Army Knife of shoes, ready for any sartorial situation you might find yourself in. No other shoe can pair up with a bespoke tux for a red carpet event and jive with some cut-off jean shorts for the after-after party that same night. (The only two vibes, really). It's an essential piece of any wardrobe and one we included in our super barebones capsule wardrobe.
Our Favorite Stylish, Comfortable Men's Loafers
- →The Bang-for-Your-Buck Pick: G.H. Bass & Co. “Larson” Weejuns, $175
- →The Knockabout Pick: Dr. Martens “Adrian” Tassel Loafers, $150
- →The Venetian Pick: Jacques Solovière Lex Loafers, $378
- →The Italian-Made Pick: Gucci 1953 Horsebit Leather Loafer, $920
- →The Tassel Pick: Alden Cordovan Tassel Loafer, $852
- →The Most Unique Pick: Blackstock & Weber “Ellis” Penny Loafer, $375
Let’s put it this way: When you’re jamming out of the house in a frantic blur with nary a second to whip up a half-decent outfit, a pair of loafers will really save your ass. And hey, the lack of laces could even save just enough time for you to make your train. (Bonus!) For the more punctual among us, some good loafers can take your well-thought-out fit and turn it into a serious galaxy-brain ensemble. If these quarter-baked anecdotes are merely tickling your interest and you need a little more convincing, don’t worry—we’re just getting warmed up. No matter the style you're after, from classic penny loafers to dressy tassel loafers, we’ve tracked down the 13 absolute best loafers for men—all exhaustively researched, thoroughly vetted, and ready to roll.
Watch The GQ Recommends Show: The Best Loafers for Every Budget
The Best Bang-for-Your Buck Men's Loafers: G.H. Bass
Why we love these
A “Best Men's Loafers” list would never be complete without a pair of Bass Weejuns. They've been an icon since the '30s, and when it comes to loafers—or any shoe really—you'd be hard-pressed to find a better value. The brand's casual-leaning style is a GQ-favorite beloved by old-school preppy legends like J.F.K. and modern-day loafer aficionados alike. The best way to wear them? Play down their clean-cut origins by pairing them with everything from cuffed Dickies to flower-child faded jeans. For the bargain-savvy shopper, these are about as close as it gets to a near-perfect black loafer that doesn't compromise on quality and doesn't call for a short-term loan to afford. In other words: as long as Bass keeps making 'em, we'll keep recommending 'em.
Our Review
In our experience, Weejuns look about as classic as a penny loafer can get—the platonic ideal of a penny loafer. The leather does require some break-in and, like all leather-soled shoes, is a bit slippery at the outset. As for sizing, it's recommended to go true to size.
The Best Knockabout Loafers: Dr. Martens
Why we love these
Alden's tassel loafers are great and all, but the rarified price point, cordovan leather, and dainty silhouette give them a scholarly, somewhat fuddy-duddy air that might not jive with your street-leaning sensibility. That's where Dr. Martens comes in. Its cult-loved Adrian loafers are done up in the brand's notoriously tough smooth leather, and then plopped on top of its surprisingly giving AirWair soles. For Doc lovers, details like a double tassel and kiltie fringe—positioned around that signature cushioned sole—have helped loafer wearers look like counter-cultural icons since the ‘80s, and with a scuzzy cardigan and faded jeans they’ll do the same for you, too.
The Best Venetian Loafers: Jacques Soloviere
Why we love these
We love Jacques Soloviere's shoes for their unique silhouettes that balance the feminine and masculine. These Venetian-style loafers feature a gorgeous grained leather upper with a slightly beefier sole than the usual Venetian, meaning you can wear them for miles and miles without having to schedule an appointment with your cobbler. That's great news considering you'll want to wear them just about everywhere, with an Oxford shirt and jeans to hang with friends, with a dashing linen suit to a spring wedding, with shorts and a polo for [insert literally any other activity here].
The Best Italian-Made Loafers: Gucci
Why we love these
The word "icon" gets tossed around real casually these days, but Gucci's horsebit loafer is the rare piece of design actually worthy of the moniker. (There's a reason the silhouette's barely changed since it was first introduced in the early '50s.) Gucci high-end loafers are still crafted in Italy, still embellished with the brand's signature horsebit detail hearkening back to its legacy as a small-time Florentine leather goods operation. Explaining their appeal is easy: not only do they go with everything you already own, but they'll swank up every outfit you pair them with—from the casual, everyday vibes you'll be bringing back to your re-opened office, to the wooly suit you've been jonesing to bust out with a funky tie.
Our Review
The details on the classic loafer are masterful, with carefully shaped soles and quality stitching. For sizing, our Associate Editor Tyler Chin says he went true to size and the fit is perfect. However, the leather sole is fairly thin and wears out quickly. So if you're looking to extend the life of your Guccis before having to take them in for a re-sole, you might want to consider having a cobbler apply a rubber sole at the start.
The Best Tassel Loafers: Alden
Why we love these
Tassel loafers are here, waiting, if you want something outside of a penny loafer that's still got some showmanship. Alden's signature version is absolute aces: handmade in Massachusetts from handsome shell cordovan leather (a.k.a the king of all leathers) on a deceptively comfortable leather outsole. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of shoes that’ll complement a pair of dark indigo jeans more effectively, or more instantly elevate a creamy pair of linen trousers to the realm of "gracefully aging Italian gentleman.”
Our Review
From our experience, the shell cordovan does require more break-in than most leather loafers, but the way the material creases and patinas is unmatched. The shape of the last and toe box is sleek and narrow, which looks great with a slim suit. However, if you have wide feet, we'd recommend finding a wider width or possibly sizing up.
The Most Unique Loafers: Blackstock & Weber
Why we love these
For decades, loafers remained an unbeatable footwear option for every type of sophisticated gent, but it's only recently that brands cottoned on to their appeal as canvas for their wildest designs. Case in point: Blackstock & Weber's Safari loafers, a veritable Animal Kingdom in shoe form. (Tiger, and zebra, and leopard prints, oh my!) These loafers are sure to do two things: 1) Make you the most confident dude at any function you attend, and 2) Do massive numbers on the 'gram. We're not in the business of making triple-digit guarantees, but if there were ever shoes that promised some well-warranted timeline love, it's these. Keep the rest of your outfit classic (think a navy suit, solid knit polo, and a sleek pair of aviators) to really let 'em roar.
Our Review
In our testing, the Ellis is built like a tank. The double-leather sole gives the shoe a hefty quality and inspires confidence in its longevity. Sizing can be a bit tricky and B&W recommends to size down. They run a bit wide, so we'd also recommend sizing down half a size to a whole size.
Plus 7 More Men's Loafers We Recommend
Cole Haan
Pinch Penny Slip-on Loafer
Some may prefer the weight that a beefroll penny confers, but nobody's gonna be up in arms about a strapped alternative. Cole Haan's version hits it right on the money.
Allen Edmonds
"Randolph" Loafer
One of America's oldest shoemakers didn't earn its longevity by making bad shoes.
Lemaire
Piped Slippers
Lemaire's piped loafers have slowly, but steadily gathered a dedicated fanbase in the past several seasons. With its piped detailing and bifurcated toe box, it's not your typical loafer, especially for a brand that's so often categorized as quiet luxury.
Toga Virilis
Loafers
Toga Virilis' signature western hardware turns the preppy piece of footwear into a raucous rebel with tons of attitude, well before it's earned a few scrapes and scars from wear.
The Row
Soft Loafer
Any pair of loafers from The Row would catapult your closet into Deity Tier. But the Olsen twins' Soft Loafers are a turning point for the genre thanks to their super pliable leather uppers, and puckered toe box which elicits the elegance of an '80s businessman.
Morjas
Penny Loafer
Morjas has been making some serious waves in the menswearsphere with its lineup of well-designed, well-crafted shoes, all available at a solid price. An actually good DTC brand? Actually, yeah.
Belgian Shoes
All Calf "Henri" Shoe
When you want to feel like absolute royalty (even in a cramped apartment), a pair of dainty Belgian Shoes is all you need.
Your Loafer FAQs, Answered
How do I choose a loafer?
Simple: Think about what you're going to wear them with, and then refine your search accordingly. (For more styling how-to, see below.) Are you looking for dainty leather soles or do you need stompers with a little more heft? Are you jonesing to slip your dogs into classic-leaning penny loafers or are the freakiest, flyest loafers on the market? Once you've found a pair of that’s right for you and your wardrobe, slip ‘em on without a second thought, and claim your certified style god status at checkout. It really is that easy. What you should be asking yourself is: How do I choose only one?
Which brands should I turn to?
Thanks to the Great Loafer Boom of 2023, there have never been more options—from heritage menswear brands and big-name designers and tiny startup labels alike. You'll always be in good hands (er, feet?) with mainstays like Alden, Dr. Martens, and G.H. Bass. But plenty of indie hard-bottom peddlers are making waves you might want to catch, too. When in doubt, dust off your favorite dress shoes, double-check who makes them, and then review their loafer selection; chances are they sell a bang-up pair.
What are the different loafer styles?
Loafers come in a handful of different styles and the loafer universe has only expanded into freakier territory. But for simplicity’s sake, we’ll outline the most basic styles.
Penny Loafer: This style of penny loafer features a leather strap that stretches across the vamp of the shoe. Often, the leather strap features a decorative cut-out. Ivy league college students would insert a penny into the slot as a fashionable accent. So if you ever thought to yourself, “what are penny loafers?”, there’s your answer.. Slight variations on the penny loafer include the beef roll penny loafer which featured a strap that was finished at the edges in such a way that resembled a tied-up beef roll.
