Summer Loafer Showdown: Astorflex’s Patnoflex vs Dartflex

I’ve enjoyed my Patnoflex travel loafers for years now, so I decided to pick up Astorflex’s more traditional penny loafer, the Dartflex, to see if it was worth the slightly higher price.

This family owned, Italian-made brand is best known for casual, summery slip-ons like these, so I’ll walk through the similarities, differences, and let you know everything you need to know about the fit, features, and price.

Plus, this saves you from having to read two separate reviews. (And me from writing them). Let’s get started! 

Why the Patnoflex Travel Loafer Is So Popular

• Light, flexible, breathable, versatile, and mature — even for a “slipper”

I think a lot of this model’s popularity has to do with the fact that it’s a Venetian style loafer: no moc stitch, no tassels, no horsebit. It’s a largely featureless suede slipper that avoids the cultural baggage that comes with the classic penny loafer.

Around these parts, we’re huge proponents of the classic penny loafer, but that’s why we know all too well (from snide comments on YouTube) that the penny loafer has a lot of trappings among the younger generations who sometimes consider it a stuffy relic of preppy Ivy League menswear.

And yet, they crave the loafer. They see the endless range of slip-on shoes that women cycle through and men quietly curse the absence of lacelessness in their own wardrobes.

When men want slip-on shoes, they’re relegated to flip flops. The more intrepid among us might explore huaraches or espadrilles, but let’s be real: if they don’t like loafers, most guys will spend summer in flip flops or sneakers. 

The Patnoflex is their oasis: a breezy slip on with a completely plain vamp that defies labels and looks far more laid back than a penny loafer, and yet it’s not unimaginable to see them being worn with a summer suit.

Anyway, that’s my take on its popularity, but we mustn’t forget that it weighs next to nothing, has only a whisper of leather lining under the suede, and it’s bottomed with a leather sole and no midsole. All of these make for an extremely breathable and flexible loafer, and while leather soles have never been less popular, they let the Patnoflex feel much more adult than it would with any other sole — making the slipperiness and slipper-y-ness much more forgivable.

Combine that with the Italian provenance and you’ve got a slam dunk rebuttal to anyone who asks if you’re in slippers: “No, dummy, they’re Italian.”

Understanding Astorflex’s Dartflex 

• Roomy, casual, classic, and soft underfoot

The Dartflex is a classic penny loafer, but it’s roomier than your average European loafer, a land where footwear runs slim. In other words, the Dartflex is unusually American-friendly for an Italian loafer: round, wide, and bottomed with a classic leather sole.

With a whole extra sole and considerably more structure, it’s more than 50 percent heavier than the Patnoflex — but then again anything is heavier than that wisp of a summer slide.

The Dartflex will appeal to the novice loafer explorer and the tenured enthusiast alike. Newcomers justifiably worry about loafers being too nice to wear with shorts and a t-shirt.

But the Dartflex’s casualness is cemented by that roomy toe and pronounced moc stitching.

Sizing: Patnoflex Wins

As is usually the case, there are more sizes available for the more popular model: the Patnoflex has 15 sizes (and more half sizes) while the Dartflex has 12.

But it’s worth noting that the sturdier Dartflex grips the foot better, which can matter for long days on your feet.

Sizing the Dartflex

If you’re a half size like I am, size down. I’m an 11.5 on a Brannock device and ordered the 11. If you don’t know your Brannock, make absolutely certain you do before ordering laceless footwear — you are not your sneaker size! 

If you aren’t able to size down half a size, you should order your true size. If they feel too roomy when you get them, order the tongue pads from the German brand Pedag. They’ve made many a loose loafer fit me just fine. The alternative is to add an extra insole to take up the extra volume.

Sizing the Patnoflex 

Size down half a size. 

When I got mine, they were still writing European sizes on their shoes and mine says “44.” 

Whether you get the Patnoflex or Dartflex, remember these aren’t made with thick leather: shoes don’t stretch lengthwise, but they do stretch out in the width, especially when they’re made like these.

Comfort: Dartflex Wins

I’m being a bit trite: everyone has different definitions of “comfort.”

The Dartflex is sturdier than the Patnoflex. This is good if you prefer a loafer that secures the foot better, but if you prioritize breathability, the feather-light Patnoflex will delight you.

Note that I found it way easier to wear the Patnoflex without socks after I glued down the insole.

Price: Patnoflex Wins

• Patnoflex: $228
• Dartflex: $298

This should make perfect sense if you’ve been paying attention: the Dartflex has more leather and more complexity.

Styling the Astorflex Loafers

Both of these loafers are just the right balance of inexpensive and high quality that they attract a lot of first time loafer wearers, who likely are asking which of the two will work with their wardrobe.

The Patnoflex

I’m as big a fan of preppy professor looks as anyone, but I’ll just say it: the Patnoflex is cooler.

It’s more likely to be mistaken for a slipper, it’s true, but they match with just about any trousers, and so long as it’s a no-tie occasion, you can totally get away with them in a light suit at a summer wedding. Don’t forget that leather sole adds a lot of smartness that the slipper look might have lost. 

The Dartflex

As I said at the outset, fact is that Venetian loafers don’t have the same cultural baggage as a penny loafer. “Baggage” is a harsh word: I just mean that the penny loafer has more meaning in the United States and you’re expected to wear them with a congruous outfit. 

That outfit doesn’t have to mean a bow tie and slacks, mind you: thanks to its super casual design, a plain t-shirt and shorts works just fine with the Dartflex. I don’t want to underemphasize this fact: slim loafers are the norm in Italy, and slim loafers are hard to wear with shorts. The Dartflex isn’t.