Beckett Simonon Roy Loafers Review: Worth the Wait?

I recently bought a pair of Roy Penny loafers from Beckett Simonon, which I was very excited to get. Ads for these were EVERYWHERE; Instagram, Facebook, you name it. I absolutely had to have a pair.

Especially because I didn’t own any loafers, and I thought they were a no-brainer for the price point.

But there was one problem: I didn’t know how long they would take to get to me. Had I done a bit more research, I would have found that the turnaround time could be months.

So the big question is, were they worth that lengthy weight? Let’s take a look.

Key Takeaways: Beckett Simonon Roy Loafers Review

These classic penny loafers are a great value. They have Vachetta leather lined insoles that form to your feet, SBR rubber heel caps for additional grip, a solid selection of leathers, from full-grain calfskin leather to pull-up leather and water-resistant suede, and an ethical manufacturing process. The downsides are that it only comes in a standard d width, and I had some dye transfer.

Roy Loafers Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable pricing
• Quality Vachetta leather lining
• Lots of leather options: suede, pull-up leather, full grain leather
• Ethically sourced and made in small batches

A big selling point for Beckett Simonons is their affordability compared to other loafers out there. You aren’t going to break the bank on them (we’ll dive into the specific price in a little bit).

One thing I care about more as I get older is whether or not a company ethically sources its products and materials. Becket Simonon hits the nail on the head with that by sourcing ethical materials and making sure the people who make their shoes are properly compensated and treated fairly.

Right after I purchased my pair, I received emails about the entire process, saying where the leather came from and what stage of production they were in. As someone who buys a lot of shoes, the more transparent a company is, the more comfortable I am purchasing its products.

Cons

• Long turnaround time might bother some guys
• Lack of wide options
• Dye transfer from the leather stained my feet and socks

Off the bat, they will take several months to arrive at your doorstep, which might be a downside for many people.

Let’s take a closer look at the Roy loafer. The lack of wide fits is a problem. Loafers are already a narrow style of shoe, and losing the option for wide fits really limits them as an option for a lot of people.

The other big problem is dye transfer from the leather staining my socks and feet. I am mostly wearing them with no-show socks or barefoot. Without fail, when I take them off, my feet are yellow. I’m hoping this problem goes away the longer I wear them, but it’s a nuisance nonetheless.

Want to Compare 7 Different Loafers? Check out our Loafer Guide YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gSp8AoenpM

Why I Chose the Ray Loafer:

When I started looking for a good pair of loafers, I had a lot of solid companies to sift through. I checked out alternatives from Grant Stone, Oak Street Bootmakers, and Allen Edmonds. These are all great brands but they were either a bit too expenisve for what I wanted to spend or too formal, Beckett Simonon shoes were the most affordable and the most versatile shoe.

About Beckett Simonon

Beckett Simonon has been around since 2011. The goal was simple: make high-quality leather shoes at a consumer-friendly cost.

The materials are all ethically sourced and handmade in Bogota, Colombia. Their full-grain calfskin leather comes from Grupo Mastrotto, a tannery based in Arzignano, Italy. They don’t cut corners and make affordable shoes with quality materials.

I decided to go with the Roy in brown suede. For my first pair of loafers, I wanted something fairly versatile, something I could wear with jeans or a suit.

The Roy is a versatile traditional Penny loafer. They’re more casual and chunky than the Cohen, closer to Alden’s Leisure Handsewn loafer but way cheaper. For my tastes, that’s what I was going for.

Aesthetics

• Rounded toe box for extra room and comfort
• Wider and less sleek fit for more casual style/wear
• Stacked leather heel

The Penny loafer style with the classic rounded was a big selling point for me. My legs and shoulders have a fuller build, so I don’t typically go for sleek, narrow shoes. I prefer something that’s a bit fuller and matches my body style more, and that’s exactly what the Roy loafer does.

They aren’t dress shoes, but I can dress them up with nice pants or casually with jeans, and they look great. Again, it is not as dressy as the Cohen, which is slimmer, has an almond-shaped toe, and the sole is not as chunky. The Cohens are better for more formal occasions, but I certainly think the Roy is not off-limits for dressing up a bit.

Leather

• Full-grain leather, pull-up leather, and suede.
• Two colors are available in suede: brown and chestnut. (Mine are brown)
• The water repellent suede is much more durable than untreated suede

I went with the darker brown water-resistant suede.

I think dark brown matches a wider range of styles and color combos. I like the look of suede with jeans rather than full-grain leather. I would have been happy with any color and material, but it came down to versatility, and brown suede won on looks.

They also have a pull up leather version of this loafer if you want something even more rugged and hardwearing. Pull up leather is loaded with waxes and oils so it wears hard and patinas quickly but it’s also very durable.

My suede came from a tannery based in Arzignano, Italy and received a Gold rating from the Leather Working Group. This rating is the highest level of recognition provided by the organization, indicating that the manufacturer complies with the strictest standards and has shown a significant effort to reduce its environmental impact.

Sole

• Vachetta leather lining on the insoles mold to your feet, absorbs sweat, and controls odors
• Some dye transfer from the lining to my socks and feet
• SBR rubber heel caps provide traction
• Full-grain, veg-tan leather sole
• Steel shank in insole and outsole

A major selling point is that they use premium materials, namely Vachetta leather a type of vegetable-tanned leather that takes longer, requires a skilled craftsman, produces hardier leather, and is more expensive.

I really enjoyed the Vachetta leather lining around the insoles. It formed to my feet, controlled temperature, absorbed sweat, and was suitably breathable.

They also have a full grain leather sole. Normally, leather soles are a bit slippy when you first get them, but the SBR rubber heel caps provide traction, which is nice until the soles get scratched up.

Fit and Comfort

• Fits true to size
• Rounded toe adds more roominess
• Great for everyday wear

The minute I took my Roys out of the box and slipped them on, they fit perfectly. I didn’t know what to expect as I always go a half size down when I get boots. I thought I would go for my regular shoe size with these, and I’m glad I did.

Beckett Simonon recommends going a half size up if you have an E width. Also, they say you can contact them, and they might be able to accommodate a wider fit.

With them being suede, there was hardly a break-in period. There wasn’t any hard leather that really had to meld to your feet. The suede is light and flexible enough to do it pretty much right away. I didn’t have the luxury of trying on all of the other brands, but Beckett Simonon knocked it out of the park with the fit and feel.

Roy Loafer Price

All of Beckett Simonon’s loafers come in at $219. This is a wonderful price for the product you are getting. The attention to detail in the handcrafting is impressive. The Vachette leather lining is something you see used for luxury products like Carl Fredirck briefcases and high-end leather shoes. They come in at a steal, in my opinion.

This is a company that I put in the same category as Thursday Boots. While they don’t necessarily offer you the absolute best of the best, they are extremely solid, comfortable, and durable for the most affordable consumer price.

Final Verdict: Beckett Simonon Roy Loafers Review

I’ve had these shoes for a couple of months, and they have been worth every penny. I didn’t love the wait, but the product was so perfect that it was worth it.

While you can spend more money on other loafers and get them in half the time, delaying the gratification was all part of the experience. It made it that much sweeter when they arrived.