9 Best Loafers For Men Expertly Vetted (Penny, Horsebit, & More)

I’ve worn and tested dozens of loafers to land on a list of what I think are the best loafers for men. 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.

Loafers have shed their association with tweed and the Ivy League and are more widespread than ever. To help you find the perfect pair, I try to sort my feedback into the categories of style, value, comfort, materials, construction, and fit. I’ve picked the best loafers across different styles and prices to help you save time and get the best possible loafers for your budget and style.

Our Top Picks

• Best Penny Loafer: Grant Stone’s Traveler (~$400)
• Most Comfortable: Oak Street Bootmakers’ Beefroll Loafers ($336)
• Best Dressy: Carmina Shoemaker’s 10082 Simpson ($550)
• Best Horse Bit: Allen Edmonds’ Randolph ($450)
• Best Tassel Loafer: J. FitzPatrick’s Haller ($325)
• Best Value: Thursday Boot Company’s Lincoln ($168)
• Best Casual: Meermin Mallorca’s Sway ($215)
• Best Two-Tone: G.H. Bass’ Larson ($175)
• Best for Travel: Astorflex’s Patnoflex ($198)

How I Test My Loafers

For this list, I wore these loafers for at least a month, averaging about 16 miles of wear time. My top picks have been in rotation for several years. For newer pairs, I met with menswear experts and shoemakers to learn how to select the best of the best.

The Best Men’s Loafers On the Market

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 the formal pick to the opera) to something beachy.

The first on my 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 Classic 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
• $395 – $412

Grant Stone’s Traveler is a classic penny loafer that’s easy to dress up or down, and it’s my pick for the most versatile on the market.

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.

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. 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.

Unfortunately, they had to bump their prices in 2025, and Grant Stone’s loafers now run at about $400, so that “incredible value” element is a little harder to argue. But, it’s universally agreed they’d cost hundreds more if they were made stateside. They’re instead made 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).

Downsides

The main downside is that these loafers are built very tough, which means you lose some of the elements people like about loafers.

With layers of leather underfoot, leather lining, and Goodyear welt construction, they’re a little heavier and stiffer than most loafers, and a little less breathable. But these touches mean they’ll retain their shape and function for years and years, resole after resole.

The other downside is the price. These Chinese-made loafers used to cost under $300, making them an unbelievably great value buy. Now clocking in at around $400, it’s a harder argument to make.

I still think they deserve the top spot, especially given the leathers they use and the sizes they offer, but you might prefer a lower-priced option on this list.

What I like

• Style: These are versatile shoes, you can wear with everything from a tweed jacket to linen
• Comfort: Solid materials mean it retains shape and support over time; the leather lining and structure feel supportive underfoot
• Materials: They sell all the classics; this is the best loafer for guys who want something funky, like white suede or green kangaroo
• Construction: Goodyear welted with tayers of full-grain leather throughout the shoe, upper, midsole, insole
• Fit: Available in three widths: D (standard), E (wide), and EEE (extra wide), the best loafer for wide feet on this list

Downsides, but not dealbreakers

• Not especially breathable and light for summer
• These are relatively well priced for the quality, but not everyone values those high-end touches

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 three leathers available and no wide widths
• Size a whole size down from Brannock
• $348

Oak Street’s Beefroll Loafer is my top pick for the most comfortable one I 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.

Besides costing over $300 (that’s American-made prices for you), the main downside is they’re not super versatile: the chunky “beefroll” stitching and wide flat toe make Oak Street’s a great loafer for casual wear but a little hard to wear with a tie.

Plus, it only comes in one width and three colors: Natural, Brown, and Navy.

What I like

• Comfort: You can go sockless; these are very breathable
• Style: Wide, flat toe and moc stitching make it perfect for summer and casual outfits
• Value: Made in the USA with Horween Chromexcel leather and handsewn moc construction, a rare combo at any price
• Fit: Molds better than average due to moc construction and minimal seams
• Construction: Blake stitched — lightweight, flexible, and resolable, with handsewn moc construction is rare
• Materials: Made with Horween Chromexcel, rich, durable, and full of character, and leather throughout, unlined leather upper and leather sole maximize breathability
• Country of Origin: American-made

Downsides, but not dealbreakers

• There are just three leathers to choose from, and the style is quite casual
• Less structure than a lined loafer
• Only comes in standard width, not ideal for wide feet.

3. 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 for an extraordinary comfy wear
• ~$550

I love wear loafers formally, but everything needs to be on point: I want a calfskin leather upper, subtle stitching, and a sleek and dressy silhouette.

Fortunately, Carmina’s Penny Loafer ticks all these boxes.

I really like the Simpson last’s elongated and slightly chiseled toe (also used on that bestselling Chelsea). When I first put these on, I noticed that my 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 and feel for a dress shoe.

It’s available in a luxe German box calf leather, which is ideal for formal wear, but you can also find it in a smooth brown or suede on Carmina’s product page.

What I like

• Style: Elegant detailing with subtle stitching, slim welt, and minimal sole edge, perfect for suits and formalwear
• Value: Offers bespoke-level features (last, leather, sole swaps) without bespoke pricing. Carmina gives you the option of swapping lasts, leathers, and everything else
• Comfort: Full leather outsole, midsole, and insole give it a natural, breathable, and adaptive comfort. The last is sleek but roomy enough in the toe box
• Materials: Premium leather from French and German tanneries that are widely revered for their dressy calfskin
• Construction: Goodyear welted — fully resolable with a slimmed-down welt and sole edge, giving it a more formal and refined profile than typical welted shoes
• Fit: The Simpson last is designed for a snug midfoot and heel fit with a sleek toe, ideal for dress use

Downsides, but not dealbreakers

• The split-toe look isn’t for eveyone
• Pricey, one of the most expensive options on the list.

4. 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

Allen Edmonds’ bestselling Randolph is a classic style that can dress up, but has a touch more flair (and rounder toe) than a formal shoe. It’s my go-to slightly-dressy but comfortable loafer.

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 resoled as many times as is needed, thanks to the durable Goodyear welt construction.

I like its versatile round toe, range of widths, and the Poron foam insole that gives it better shock absorption than most traditionally made loafers.

What I like

• Style: Iconic horsebit design adds flair and visual interest without being flashy and the sleek-yet-rounded toe offers a nice balance between dressy and versatile
• Fit: There are four widths available
• Comfort: Poron foam insole offers better-than-average shock absorption for a loafer, and the rounded toe shape allows for more toe room than sleeker dress models
• Materials: European calfskin provides a supple, high-end leather feel
• Construction: Goodyear welted, fully resolable (Allen Edmonds has a recrafting program)

Downsides, but not dealbreakers

• Bit loafer style is inherently more ornamental — not ideal for minimalist wardrobes
• Not a traditional or “all natural” construction and don’t like Poron foam
• Less breathable than all-leather interiors due to foam insole

5. Best Tassel Loafers: J. FitzPatrick Haller

• Hardwearing construction, elegant shape
• Unusually tough rubber sole made for city streets
• 6 leathers available
• Customizable heel and toe taps
• $325

The Tassel loafer was invented in the 1950s by Massachusetts shoemaker Alden, and while they still make great loafers, they cost over $650 and usually take months to be made for you.

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.”

The Haller tassel loafers stand out for combining a dressy design with a tough Goodyear welted construction and a very hardwearing rubber sole. Mine are a versatile brown calfskin, but there are also suede options for dressing down and black box calf for dressing up.

Plus, it’s just nice to support a small business; this is certainly the smallest on this list, but they’ve earned huge respect in the niche.

What I like

• Style: An elegant look with a hardwearing build
• Construction: A water-resistant loafer with a tough and grippy sole
• Value: Great value for the quality, priced well below Alden while offering a similarly elevated design ethos
• Materials: High-grade leathers, including calfskin and suede
• Construction: Goodyear welted — fully resolable and built for longevity
• Fit: Designed with dress shoe precision, likely well-shaped lasts, Justin FitzPatrick is known for detailed fit and sizing guidance on his site and in-store
• Anyone who likes supporting a small American business

Downsides, but not dealbreakers

• Not a loafer to wear barefoot, this is a bit too stiff and sleek
• While the business is American, the loafers are made in Europe

My Favorite Loafers Under $250

If you don’t want to break the bank or compromise on quality to get a pair of classic loafers, these are my favorites for under $200.

6. The Best Loafer for Men Under $200: Thursday Lincoln Loafer

• 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 loafer that you can dress up for formal occasions than Thursday’s Lincoln.

Thursday’s Captain boot is 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 three leathers available and no wide widths, but there’s nothing better than the Lincoln at this price point. Indeed, I’d recommend it to anyone who didn’t want to spend $550 on Carmina’s loafer.

What I like

• Value: Outstanding value at $168, especially given its construction and that it dresses up easily
• Comfort: Extra shock absorption; these have Poron insoles
• Style: Sleek profile that works well with slacks, chinos, or even suits
• Materials: Glossy leather gives a premium look at a mid-tier price and it’s available in two handsome leather finishes
• Construction: Blake stitched — resolable and lighter than Goodyear welted shoe, and the stitched leather sole adds to formal appeal while keeping weight down
• Fit: Streamlined fit ideal for narrower or standard-width feet

Downsides, not deal breakers

• Not great to wear casually or sockless; the foam insole and sleek toe make this better for wearing with socks
• Leather sole may wear faster than rubber and can be slippery in wet conditions

7. Best Casual: Meermin Mallorca Sway 

• Round, roomy toe perfect for casual wear
• Good flexibility and weight for a Goodyear welted loafer
• Leather lining will maintain the shape over time
• $215

Meermin isn’t quite as inexpensive as Thursday. Still, if you’re looking for something more casual or for something Goodyear welted, you can’t go past Meermin Mallorca — they probably make the best value loafers on the market. Their newer Sway model is perfect for casual wear.

I have the Sway model, which has the kind of round toe and high side walls that make it easy to wear casually.

To help keep that informal, voluminous look, the Sway is lined with leather. You might see that as a pro or a con for comfort: it feels nice on the foot, but slightly reduces breathability. If that’s a dealbreaker, Meermin sells the unlined (if slightly sleeker) Nova model.

What I like

• Value: The materials and durability are unmatched for the price
• Style: They’re a casual loafer that can even work with shorts; the round toe and high side walls make this a great option that isn’t so casual you can’t dress it up if need be
• Comfort: The best balance of durability and comfort; they’re Goodyear welted but quite light and flexible
• Materials: High-quality leathers, especially for the price point
• Construction: Goodyear welted — fully resolable and long-lasting, a rare casual loafer with proper welted construction
• Fit: Roomy toe box accommodates wider feet and feels more relaxed than older Meermin lasts, and a casual last is designed to fit American tastes and foot shapes better.

Downsides, but not dealbreakers

• These breathe well with the leather sole and suede upper, but they are lined
• People who avoid “made in China”
• Slightly heavier and stiffer out of the box than cemented or Blake-stitched alternatives
• Slightly pricier than entry-level brands like Thursday

8. 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 I’m not 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.

What I like

• Style: Iconic, heritage American style with a distinctive two-tone design
• Value: $185 for a hand sewn loafer is competitive pricing
• Comfort: They break in relatively easily
• Construction: Handsewn construction is a plus at this price point
• Fit: Widely available in multiple widths and sizes with a last that fits most foot shapes comfortably after a short break-in.

Downsides, but not deal breakers

• Bass doesn’t tell you a lot about their production, leather sourcing, or tanning processes, and the materials feel cheaper compared to similarly priced alternatives.
• CNot resoleable and the soles wear out quickly

9. 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, the Patnoflex is 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. 

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.

What I like

• Value: Priced under $200, which is a strong value for resoleable Italian-made footwear.
• Design: Ultra-minimalist design with a sleek, Venetian loafer silhouette
• Style: No moccasin-style stitching, creating a cleaner, more refined look
• Comfort: Lightweight and incredibly comfortable to wear
• Materials: I travel frequently and love having a shankless slip-on that works in the airport and on the street
• Construction: Uses “ideal stitch” construction, which allows resoling while keeping the shoe lightweight
• Fit: Fit was “superb” when sizing down

Downsides but not deal breakers

• No half sizes
• Very lightweight, some guys might want something a bit sturdier
• Limited availability of colors and styles may reduce versatility

Wrapping Up

Ok, there you have it, the best loafers for men from guys who have worn a ton of loafers. I hope you’ve found something here that you’ll get as much pleasure wearing as I did!