10 Best Loafers For Men Expertly Vetted (Penny, Horsebit, & More)
We’ve compiled and tested dozens of loafers to land on a list of what we think is the perfect fit for any occasion and budget. Many of these have been to several countries and have years of wear.
They’re having a moment. Perhaps it’s maturing millennials ditching their sneakers for a more grown-up look, or because the chunky loafer has become a Gen Z staple, or because they’re are far longer lasting (and thus more economical) than sneakers, or it’s because guys realize they can be a more comfortable alternative to business casual and other dress shoes.
Whatever the reason, they’ve shed their association with tweed and Ivy leagues and are more widespread than ever. We’ve picked the best options across different styles and prices to help you save time and get the best possible loafers for your budget.
Jump to: Our Test Process | Meet Our Team of Experts & Testers
Our Top Men’s Loafers
- Best Penny Loafer: Grant Stone Traveler ($348)
- Most Comfortable: Oak Street Bootmakers Beefroll Loafers ($336)
- Best Chunky Loafer: Koio Arezzo ($365)
- Best Dressy: Carmina 10082 Simpson(€390/~$420)
- Best Horse Bit: Allen Edmonds Randolph ($450)
- Best Tassel Loafer: J. FitzPatrick Haller ($325)
- Best Value: Thursday’s Lincoln ($168)
- Best Casual: Beckett Simonon Lambert ($219)
- Best Two-Tone: G.H. Bass Larson ($175)
- Best for Travel: Astorflex Patnoflex ($198)
How We Test
For this list, our team wore these loafers for at least a month, averaging about 16 miles of wear time. Our top picks have been in rotation for several years. For newer pairs, we met with menswear experts and shoemakers to learn how to select the best of the best.
Our Criteria
We’ve been reviewing quality footwear since 2017 (there are hundreds of videos on our YouTube channel), and we always make sure to wear an item well past the break-in period so we can give a well-rounded take. To further our education in the space and ensure our info is up to date, we’ve visited tanneries and shoemaking factories in seven countries.
I feel very comfortable recommending the products here over just about any other brands out there.
Nick English
We try to sort our feedback into the categories of style, value, comfort, materials, construction, and fit. (Plenty of these, like value and construction, inform one another.) we’ve found these six points are the most effective way to specify where a product excels and falls short. (Check out our review process for more details.)
Further Reading
7 Types of Loafers for Summer (Horsebit vs Tassel vs Beefroll vs Handsewn)
Want to find the best kind of loafer for your style?
Learn more →
The 10 Best Loafers Over $200
Because the space is so wonderfully rich with brands and models, we’ve made a list for a variety of different guys and situations, from dressy (I actually wore our pick to the opera) to something beachy.
The first on our list is the best penny loafer, then it’s the most comfortable loafer, and then we’ll get more specific with ultra-casual and ultra-dressy styles.
1. Best Penny Loafer: Grant Stone Traveler
- Very versatile design; works with shorts or slacks
- A huge range of leathers for any occasion
- Goodyear welted, resoleable, and water resistant
- Available in two wide widths
- Order half size down from Brannock
- $348 – $380
Grant Stone’s Traveler is a classic loafer that’s easy to dress up or down, and it’s our pick for the most versatile on the market. (A penny loafer is just has a strap across the upper)
First, they have tons of different leathers to choose from, well over a dozen of them, from blue suede to a formal black calfskin. The silhouette, world-renowned leathers, and sturdy build offer everything most guys are looking for. You can wear them anywhere and wear them proudly.
“And Grant Stone is a brand you can trust: every other post on Reddit is about this company because their quality-to-price ratio is absurd,” says our tester Nick, “They combine leather from the world’s best tanneries with some of the industry’s most scrupulous quality control to create products that are consistently gobsmacking.”
They come in at $350 to $380 (depending on the leather). But, it’s universally agreed they’d cost hundreds more if Grant Stone made them stateside. For example, Alden’s famous Leisure Handsewn costs around $700 and aren’t much different. They make them on the Chinese island of Xiamen, where the (American) founder Wyatt Gilmore has worked with esteemed shoemakers for decades.
They’re also the best brand for wide feet: they come in regular (D), wide (E), and extra wide (EEE), which is extremely rare in this space.
Further Reading
Grant Stone Traveler Review | The Most Versatile Loafer on Earth
I’ve worn these suckers all over the world and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Learn more →
Downsides Grant Stone’s Traveler
The first potential downside is that this is a leather-lined loafer to improve comfort. However that comfort adds to the cost while decreasing the breathability — something you might prefer in a summer shoe.
The other downside is that it’s a Goodyear welted loafer, which is stiffer heavier, and more expensive than the Blake stitch construction that some prefer. That sturdier construction is more durable and water resistant, to be fair, but if your priorities lean toward lightness, breathability, and flexibility, check out the next entry.
Available in over a dozen leathers, this loafer is ubiquitous because of its versatility, tight QC, and durable construction.
Who Should Wear Grant Stone’s Traveler
- Guys who want versatile shoes you can wear with everything from a tweed jacket to linen
- Anyone who prefers a resoleable Goodyear welt construction
Who Shouldn’t Wear Grant Stone’s Traveler
- You don’t want a rigid Goodyear welt and prefer something more flexible like a Blake stitch
- You want a dressier shoes to wear with a suite
2. Most Comfortable Loafer: Oak Street Bootmakers Beefroll
- Made in America (Maine) with a rare handsewn moccasin construction
- Breathable: it’s unlined with a leather sole, great for hot days
- Flexible Blake stitch construction
- “Beefroll” style makes it more casual
- Just 3 leathers available and no wide widths
- Size a whole size down from Brannock
- $348
Oak Street’s Beefroll Loafer is our top pick for the most comfortable one we tested because it’s Blake stitched, which boosts lightness and flexibility. The leather sole also improves your sockless breathability, and the fact that it’s unlined, and the rare handsewn construction means the upper has fewer seams and molds extra well to the shape of your foot.
Further Reading
Oak Street Loafer Review | My Most Worn Summer Shoes
Check out my full review of these fantastic loafers. Learn more →
Work boots tend to be made with the hardwearing Goodyear welt construction, but loafers don’t get worn all that hard. More common on dress shoes than boots, I like the Blake stitch construction for shoes: it’s lighter, and it’s still resoleable.
A lovely touch is that it’s made with genuine handsewn moccasin construction, a vanishing art form in shoemaking. It’s complex (see the factory and the process here), but it basically means the leather wraps under the foot instead of over it, so the leather molds better to the foot’s shape with wear, and there are fewer seams to potentially irritate the sides of the feet.
Did we mention they’re made in the United States? We visited the factory in Maine when we checked out Rancourt and Co., a local company that Oak Street contracts to take care of the skillful moc stitching.
Downsides Oak Street Bootmakers Beefroll Loafer
Downsides: the chunky “beefroll” stitching and wide flat toe makes Oak Street’s tough to dress up, the leather sole doesn’t grip great on very smooth floors. Plus, it only comes in three colors: Natural, Brown, and Navy. But they’re all Chromexcel leather from Chicago’s Horween, further underscoring the American-made angle.
A standout for its rare handsewn construction, breathability, light weight, and American manufacturing, this is our favorite casual loafer.
Who Should Wear the Beefroll Loafer
- Guys who go sockless; these are very breathable
- People who want shoes that are light and flexible
- Men who plan to wear their shoes casually
- Folks who value American-made goods
Who Shouldn’t Wear the Beefroll Loafer
- Someone prioritizing versatility: there are just three leathers to choose from, and the style is quite casual
- People who prefer the structure and feeling of a lined loafer
- Men who want something they can easily dress up
- Guys with wide feet
3. Best Chunky Loafer: Koio Arezzo
- Chunky lug sole
- Sustainable leather, eco-friendly brand
- Six colors and textures of leather to choose from
- $365
Koio’s best known for their groundbreaking white sneaker, but the Arezzos are a different animal: bold, meaty, and very contemporary.
The chunky loafer is responsible in large part for the 2020s loafer resurgence and the Arezzo deftly combines the bold aesthetic with quality materials: for example, the black-and-white “Dice” color might look like patent leather, but the high shine is actually achieved by manually brushing it to bring about a natural luster.
Unsurprisingly, the most popular color is their black “Nero,” but they’ve got a half dozen colorways on offer. What’s interesting is that the texture varies with the color: the monochrome “Dice” is glossy, the earthy “Pecan” is pebbled, “Gulfstream” is grainy, “Java” is suede, and so on. So if a chunky loafer appeals to you but the common sheeny look doesn’t, you’ve got options.
(I’m personally a big fan of the “Pecan” version because it’s both very 2020s and, with its jazz spats palette, very 1920s.)
Another cool thing about Koio is they’re super into sustainability. Their leather is only sourced from tanneries audited by industry watchdog LWG, and they even offer carbon-neutral shoes that manage to regenerate alpine ecosystems.
Handmade in Italy with certified sustainable leather with a fashion forward design, this modern chunky loafer oozes style and comes in six distinct colorways.
Who Should Wear Koio’s Arezzo
- Fashion-forward guys who want to avoid a vintage look
- Anyone into sustainably sourced materials
- Folks who like the comfort of a shock-absorbing insole
- Men who wear their shoes hard, these are tightly stitched for extra water resistance, are extra stable from the steel shank, and the sole is the grippiest you’ll find on a loafer
Who Shouldn’t Wear Koio’s Arezzo
- Guys who prefer traditionally styled loafers
- Folks who are finicky about fit, unfortunately, there are no half sizes here. I sized up to 12, and it was fine, but you might not be so lucky
- These aren’t resoleable, but the giant sole won’t wear down for years and years
4. Best Dress Loafer: Carmina’s Simpson
- German box calf leather has great sheen, wrinkles finely, and is the de facto dress shoe leather
- Sleek, semi-squared last is very versatile
- Made in Spain in a 150-year-old factory
- Leather outsole, midsole, and insole make an extraordinary comfy wear
- ~$550
You can absolutely dress them up, but everything needs to be on point to make up for the lack of laces: you want a calfskin leather upper (or shell cordovan), leather sole, and a sleek and dressy silhouette.
Fortunately, Carmina’s Penny Loafer on the Simpson last ticks all these boxes.
Synonymous with fine European footwear, Carmina is still managed by descendants of Matias Pujadas, who opened his Mallorcan workshop in 1866. The brand is well known for its fantastic dress Chelsea boot — another model that skeptics thought couldn’t be worn with a suit — so it makes sense that they perfected the dress loafer.
Further Reading
How to Wear Loafers With a Suit: 10 Tips for Looking Your Best
I met up with menswear experts to learn tips for wearing loafers with a suit. Learn more →
The Simpson last (also used on that bestselling Chelsea) is elongated with a slightly chiseled toe. When you put these on, you will notice that your toes actually end about an inch before the end of the shoe; this is why they seem so sleek, yet they don’t cramp the toes.
Despite the hardwearing Goodyear construction, the sole is close to the vamp, the sole stitching is subtle, and it has the right weight for a dress shoe.
It’s available in a luxe German box calf leather which is ideal for formalwear, but you can also find it in a smooth brown or suede on Carmina’s product page.
The perfect fusion of dress shoe and loafer, the Simpson's elongated last and luxurious German box calf leather puts it at home in any formal environment.
Who Should Wear Carmina’s Loafer
- Guys who want to wear loafers with a tie without risking incongruity between shoe and suit
- Anyone who likes European craftsmanship and tradition, the Pujadas / Albaladejo family is a true institution
- Fans of premium leather; the French and German tanneries are universally revered for their dress leather
- Folks who want to customize their shoes, Carmina gives you the option of swapping lasts, leathers, and everything else
Who Shouldn’t Wear Carmina’s Loafer
- Guys who don’t like the split-toe look
- Penny pinchers; there aren’t many shoes on this list that cost over $500
5. Best Horse Bit: Allen Edmonds Randolph
- Made in America with European calfskin
- Available in 4 widths
- Sleek-yet-rounded toe is unusually comfortable and versatile
- Order true to size
- $450
This is currently Allen Edmond’s best-selling loafer and a classic style with a touch more flare than the most formal loafer. The horse bit, also called the “bit loafer” or the “Gucci loafer” after the brand that invented the style, features a metal band across the vamp that adds both ornamentation and a little edge.
The horse bit was highly popularized by Gucci and many of the Italian designer brands. And the horse bit got its fame mainly in New York. New York City.
Justin FitzPatrick, Cordwainer and Owner J. FitzPatrick Shoes
While invented in Italy, this style rocketed in popularity in the United States, so it makes sense that the iconic American brand Allen Edmonds produces the market’s best horse bit loafer.
The Randolph is made in Port Washington, Wisconsin, with European calfskin and can be recrafted as many times as is needed, thanks to the durable Goodyear welt construction.
What might catch some people by surprise is that, unlike most loafers, the Randolph doesn’t have a hard leather footbed. Instead, it has a Poron foam insole that offers a terrific level of shock absorption and will be comfortable even when new. Not too sleek, it’s surprisingly versatile and one of the most comfortable dress loafers I’ve tried.
The Randolph is best suited for guys who enjoy dressing up rather than down. Bit loafer pairs well with suits, business casual attire, and even an elevated casual look with jeans and a polo.
Who Should Buy the Randolph
- Anyone who prioritizes American-made footwear
- Guys with wide or narrow feet, there are 4 widths available
- Folks who want a versatile bit loafer, the rounder toe makes the Randolph surprisingly easy to wear, and it comes in a half dozen leathers
- People who want more shock absorption than you get from all leather construction
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Randolph
- Men who prefer a more simple aesthetic
- Guys who prefer more traditional or “all natural” construction and don’t like Poron foam
6. Best Tassel Loafers: J. FitzPatrick’s Haller
- Hardwearing construction, elegant shape
- Durable rubber sole made for city streets
- 6 leathers available
- Customizable heel and toe taps
- $325
The Tassel loafer was invented here in the United States by Massachusetts shoemaker Alden in the 1950s and while they still make great loafers, they cost over 650 bucks, the colors are limited, and there’s usually a really long wait for them. So, it’s hard to recommend Alden.
“Personally, my favorite tassels are from a small business on a quiet street in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood: J. FitzPatrick.” says Nick, “I’ve visited the store on Thompson Street a few times, and Justin is a fanatic for loafers; he sells more of those than he does his boots.”
Justin FitzPatrick is from the US, learned shoemaking in Florence, lived in London, worked in Paris, and eventually came back here to start a brand that he characterizes as “dressy with a twist.”
Tassel loafers have an element of playfulness, but they can still be dressed up if you get the last right, which J. FitzPatrick truly does. Mine are a versatile brown calfskin, but there are also suede options for dressing down and black box calf for dressing up.
I guess it depends on the formality of the occasion, but if you’re just talking about business attire? Wearing a suit to work with classic, elegant loafers can work wonderfully.
Justin FitzPatrick
Boasting an unusually sturdy Goodyear welt construction and a tough rubber sole to endure the huge number of steps we take in New York, this loafer does a great job of balancing dressy and tough.
Fully leather lined, full grain box calf leather uppers, and hand-lasted waists, this is one classy loafer.
Who Should Wear J. FitzPatrick’s Haller
- Guys who want an elegant look with a hardwearing build
- Men who value a water resistant loafer with a tough and grippy sole
- Anyone who likes supporting a small American business
Who Shouldn’t Wear J. FitzPatrick Tassel Loafer
- People who prefer lighter footwear
- Guys who dislike elongated toes
Our Favorite Men’s Loafers Under $200
If you don’t want to break the bank or compromise on quality to get a pair of classic loafers, these are our favorites for under $200.
7. The Best Loafers for Men Under $200: Thursday’s Lincoln
- Classy combo of glossy leather and dressy aesthetic
- Blake stitched with leather sole for great weight and flexibility
- Two leathers available
- $168
You will not find a better-value classic loafer that you can dress up for more formal occasions.
Thursday is a direct-to-consumer brand, so they can keep prices low while making quality boots and shoes. Their Captain boot is always the boot I recommend to guys who want the best balance of value and quality, and the Lincoln loafer is even lower in price at $168.
That’s partly because it’s Blake stitched, which keeps it light and flexible — just what you want from a loafer. There are only two leathers available and no wide widths, but there’s nothing better than the Lincoln at this price point. Indeed, we’d recommend it to anyone who didn’t want to spend $550 on Carmina’s loafer.
Thursday Boot Company combines glossy black full-grain leather with a leather sole and soft leather lining to make this dressy but affordable penny loafer.
Who Should Buy Thursday’s Lincoln
- Guys who want a dressy loafer for under 200 bucks
- Anyone looking for a comfortable loafer that you can walk in, these have shock absorbing insoles.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Thursday’s Lincoln
- Men who want a more luxurious European-style loafer like Carmina’s
8. Best Value: Beckett Simonon’s Lambert
- Genuine handsewn construction
- Low profile toe with prominent stitching
- ~8 week wait time
- $219 — or $175 with discount code STRIDE
You can join the party at a lower price point with Beckett Simonon’s Lambert. This boasts many of the selling points of Oak Street’s Beefroll — handsewn construction, leather sole, lightweight Blake stitching — but for just $175.
“What’s the catch,” you cynically ask? While it’s sustainably tanned, the leather quality is so-so, but the main drawback is also one of the upsides: the eco-friendly ordering process.
One drawback of their commitment to sustainability is that their shoes are made when you order them. This reduces overhead cost, the price, and the carbon footprint, but it means you’ll wait a month or two for your product to arrive.
Still, if you use my discount code STRIDE, you’ll get these for $175. For a resoleable and ethically made shoe, there’s no arguing with the value.
The laborious handsewn construction provides a relaxed look and a roomy toe box for a comfortable, casual loafer.
Who Should Wear Beckett Simonon’s Beaumont Loafer
- Folks who like sustainability; the made-to-order approach greatly reduces Beckett Simonon’s carbon footprint
- The value-minded; these are remarkably inexpensive for their construction
- Guys who appreciate the disappearing art of handsewn footwear
- Anyone who likes the lighter build of Blake stitched construction
Who Shouldn’t Wear Beckett Simonon’s Beaumont
- The impatient man, these will take a couple of months to be made for you
- Guys who wear luxury shoes; the leather is fine for the price, but it’s not amazing
- For people who prefer more volume, this handsewn loafer is very low profile, but you can always grab the fuller, not-handsewn Cohen or Roy for the same price (and discount code)
9. Best Two-Tone: G.H. Bass Larson
- Original loafer
- Great price for a handsewn loafer
- Made in El Savador
- $185
A list of the best loafers cannot be complete without mentioning the OG American brand, G.H. Bass. This brand has been making them since the early 20th century and the very name of their loafer collection, ‘Weejun’, is a call back to the Norwegian origins of the loafer.
While G.H. Bass has undeniable heritage and name-brand recognition, the company’s changed hands a few times and we aren’t in love with them. They aren’t forthcoming regarding who makes their leather or how, plus they’re made in El Salvador. The soles are known for getting holes quickly, and there are better ones on this list that cost less.
Still, $185 for handsewn, the Larson two-tones are a great deal.
From the original loafer company, GH Bass, the Larson Colorblock is a stylish handsewn shoe at an unbeatable price.
Who Should Wear G.H. Bass Layton
- Guys who want a unique design element, the two tone look is perfect
- Anyone who wants an inexpensive pair of loafers from a classic brand
Who Shouldn’t Wear G.H. Bass Layton
- Folks who value transparency; Bass doesn’t tell you a lot about their production
- Guys who want higher-end materials like full grain leather or Goodyear welt construction
10. Best for Travel: Astorflex Patnoflex
- Handmade in Italy in the “Venetian” style
- Super light and flexible
- No half sizes; size down
- $198
If you’re looking for comfortable shoes for traveling these are it. This Venetian-style loafer is the top-selling model from the Italian brand Astorflex. Sold on Huckberry, the ultra-minimalist loafer is free of the moccasin-style stitching, but it has style in spades like no other shoe at this price point.
Made with an unusual “ideal stitch” construction that allows for attaching new soles to the uppers while keeping it lightweight, the Patnoflex is incredibly easy to wear, and its flexibility and weight make it an ideal choice for traveling — especially given how easy they are to kick off at the metal detectors.
Astorflex makes them in two shades, a light brown and dark brown, but the Nubuck version we picked up is a great choice for guys looking to lean into the casual nature of these Italian-made slip-ons. These are some of our favorite casual loafers you can get if you travel a lot during the warmer months.
But, there are no half sizes, but I ordered the next size smaller than my true size (an 11 for my 11.5 feet), and the fit was superb.
The Patnoflex usually retails for under $200, so it’s a no-brainer for those who want to go on an adventure without the burden or stress of ruining their more expensive footwear. Just consider protecting the suede before wearing them out.
Designed to make travel footwear easier, this Venetian-style loafer is incredibly light and flexible for one that's also resoleable.
Who Should Wear Astorflex’s Pantoflex
- Men who travel frequently and want a shankless slip-on that works in the airport and on the street
- Anyone who needs
Who Shouldn’t Wear Astorflex’s Pantoflex
- You don’t like
- Guys who don’t want
Wrapping Up
Ok, there you have it, the best loafers for men from guys who have worn a ton of loafers. We hope you’ve found something here that you’ll get as much pleasure wearing as our tester Nick!
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