The Best Summer Shoes for Guys Who Like Quality Footwear

Just because it’s summer does not mean your footwear should be sloppy.

Even guys who dress well in trouser weather often don’t know what to do about summer shoes. The prevailing opinion is that you can’t wear boots with shorts, plus hot weather style tends to be more casual, so we often default to beat up sneakers.

But there’s a happy medium: you can look put together and wear durable, handsome, well-made, casual shoes even when it’s 90 degrees outside. We’ve spoken with experts and tested over a dozen summer shoes to find durable, good-looking shoes for any guy who doesn’t want to look sloppy in the hotter months — even when they’re dressed down.

Our Top Picks for Men’s Summer Shoes

• The Boot-Shoe: Red Wing’s Moc Oxford
• Boot-Leather Sneakers: Thursday’s Heritage Premier Sneakers
• Loafers: Oak Street Bootmaker and Grant Stone
• Huaraches: Luca
• Espadrilles: Koio’s Ostuni
• Turkish Leather Slippers: Sabah’s Slippers
• Leather Slides: Mohinders’ City Slipper
• Leather Mules: Luca’s Drift
• Leather Flip Flops: Southern Polished

Our Expertise

We’ve worn dozens of boots and shoes, visited factories around the world, and interviewed countless experts in fashion and footwear to get the facts straight and to save guys time and money. The goal is to help you buy casual, durable menswear that will stay in style year after year. Our philosophy: just because you’re not dressed up doesn’t mean you can’t dress well.

The Boot Shoe: Red Wing’s Moc Oxford

What I like about the Moc Oxford:

• Versatility: Can be worn with shorts due to its moc toe design and chunky white wedge sole.
• Quality: Goodyear welted construction for durability and potential resoling.
• Material: Hawthorne Abilene leather is a tough roughout that’s scratch resistant and hard wearing.
• Color: Pale yellow color perfect for summer, matches my straw hat perfectly. You can also wear black or the golden Oro Legacy made famous by the 875 boot.
• Style: “Moxford” design is made like Red Wing’s famous moc toe boots but is more versatile, pairs great with shorts or pants.

What I dislike the Moc Oxford:

• Weight: Heavy at 800 grams per shoe.
• Stiffness: The boot-like construction means it’s stiffer than typical summer shoes, and they require a bit of use to soften and conform to the foot.
• Roominess: This is the same last as their boot, but you’ll probably be wearing them with thinner socks, which means it feels pretty roomy inside. You may even want to size down from your standard Red Wing boot size.

Red Wing Heritage’s Moc Oxford, or “moxford,” (I’m really hoping this catches on), is a summer version of their famous Moc toe boots. (Technically, it’s actually a derby, not an oxford. Whatever.)

I like it because it’s a million times more durable than any other summer shoe, it’s casual but put-together looking, and it’s the closest I can get to finally, finally being able to wear boots with shorts.

Downsides but not deal breakers

As a Goodyear-welted shoe with boot-thick insoles, it’s heavier and less flexible than typical summer footwear, especially if you compare it to canvas sneakers. It’s also lasted like Red Wing’s chunky boots that are made for boot socks, so it feels a little too roomy with summerweight socks.

The Thick Leather Sneaker: Thursday’s Premier Sneaker

What I like about Thursday’s leather sneakers:

• Quality: Made with durable boot leather that’s both stitched and glued sole, offering better longevity than typical cemented sneakers.
• Durability: The Heritage line have hard wearing leathers that are known for their use on boots.
• Variety: Available in various “heritage leathers” like Chromexcel, natural Vachetta, and waxed flesh.
• Fit options: Comes in wide widths and half sizes, allowing for a better fit than most leather sneakers.
• Aesthetics: Develops a nice patina over time, especially with leathers like waxed flesh.

What I dislike about Thursday’s leather sneakers:

• Break-in period: The heel is a little stiff at first; avoid no show socks for the first few wears or expect blisters..
• Nickel eyelets: This is a reference the sneaker’s boot origins, but I prefer a more minimalist look.

Thursday Boot Company’s Premier Sneaker combines boot-quality leather with sneaker styling. The upper is both glued and stitched to the sole, ensuring better durability; they’ve proven more durable than my Converse All Stars, which start separating at the toe break within a year of purchase.

They use high-quality “heritage leathers” such as Chromexcel from Horween Leather Company, natural Vachetta (a premium vegetable-tanned leather), and “Tobacco” (a rugged and resilient leather popular on Thursday’s boots).

These leathers age beautifully, unlike typical white sneaker leather that quickly loses its finish and never has “ages great” as part of its draw. The “waxed flesh” style, popular among boot enthusiasts, is leather flipped inside out and coated in wax for water resistance, developing an interesting patina as the wax wears away.

Another bonus is fit: the Premier comes in wide widths and half sizes, both surprisingly rare options for casual leather sneakers.

Downsides but not deal breakers

While it provides the patina potential of a boot with the lightness of a sneaker, it does require a break-in period and may cause initial discomfort. I got a mean ankle blister for wearing them with no show socks on their first outing, which is the boat trip in the picture above!

Penny Loafers: Oak Street & Grant Stone

What I like about penny loafers:

• Versatility: Can be worn casually with t-shirts and shorts, or dressed up to business casual.
• Craftsmanship: These are handmade in ways that embody real skill, tradition, and craftsmanship.
• Slip On Style: Some men go their whole lives without slip on shoes. They’re great!
• Variety: Brands like Grant Stone offer a huge range of leather options that include pink suede and green kangaroo.

What I dislike about penny loafers:

• Perception: Some guys find them too preppy (they’re wrong)
• Breaking in: If the loafer’s Goodyear welted, avoid going sockless for the first few wears.
• Price: Quality loafers can be more expensive than other casual summer shoes.
• Limited breathability: If the loafer is lined or has a midsole, like Grant Stone’s, it doesn’t breathe as well as unlined Blake stitched loafers.

Loafers are an excellent summer shoe option for boot enthusiasts or anyone looking for casual shoes that are durable, resoleable, and versatile. If you’re worried they’re too dressy then get a beefroll loafer, like Oak Street’s, which has bunched leather on the sides of the strap to produce a more casual style suitable for T-shirts and shorts.

Oak Street uses a rare “genuine handsewn” construction method, where the leather wraps up over the foot, resulting in fewer seams and potentially greater comfort.

Grant Stone’s Traveler is another favorite of the shoe nerd world. This model comes in more leathers and widths than any other high quality loafer you’re likely to find, plus it’s lined and Goodyear welted for unusual durability.

Downside but not a deal breaker

Loafers are notoriously hard to fit when buying them online, and they can get pretty expensive. But if you get a pair that fit well, you’ll be surprised just how often you find yourself wearing them.

Huaraches: Luca’s from Huckberry

What I like about the Lucas Huraches:

• Comfort: Surprisingly comfortable for sockless wear, easy to walk around in for extended periods.
• Versatility: Can be worn with various casual summer outfits.
• Practicality: Includes a heel, improving walkability compared to heel-less slip-ons.
• Breathability: Woven design allows for excellent air circulation, ideal for hot weather.

What I dislike about the Lucas Huraches:

• Old Fashioned Look: The braided leather design might evoke dated “dad” aesthetics.
• Limited style versatility: The distinctive look is probably best for smart casual.
• Potential durability concerns: Woven leather might be more prone to wear than solid leather construction.

Huaraches are traditional Mexican sandals, typically made with woven leather strands forming the upper part of the shoe. They have a long history dating back to pre-Columbian times.

These Huaraches, made by Luca (one of Huckberry’s in-house brands), have a braided leather construction that makes for an impressive balance of durable, breathable, and flexible, plus it’ll mold to the shape of your foot over time. The fact that they have a heel means they’re the most breathable summer shoe that’s easy to walk around town in.

Downside but not a deal breaker

The braided leather design might evoke memories of 1980s fashion trends, but the comfort and breathability quickly converted me to a fan. Now I call them “retro” instead of dated.

Espadrilles: Koio Ostuni

What I like about Koio’s Ostuni Espadrilles:

• Comfort: Like a low tech loafer with less structure and a softer sole.
• Convertibility: Wear them as slip ons or stamp on the heel and wear them as slides.
• Versatility: Strikes a balance between the casualness of flip flops and the put-together look of loafers.
• Breathability: Combining suede with an unlined construction allows for good breathability.
• Authenticity: Made in Catalonia, Spain, where espadrilles were invented.

What I dislike about Koio’s Ostuni Espadrilles:

• Sizing limitations: A lot of brands don’t offer half sizes, which can be an issue for a perfect fit in laceless shoes.
• Potential durability concerns: Not resoleable and made with natural materials, espadrilles have a reputation for not lasting as long as other entries on this list.

Espadrilles offer a middle ground between loafers and slides, providing a low key yet put-together look that’s great for making the most casual outfits level up.

Koio, known for their sneakers, produces a notable espadrille model called the Ostuni. These shoes feature a moc stitch detail that elevates their appearance compared to plain toe slipper-style espadrilles.

Made from suede and unlined, they offer excellent breathability, making them ideal for summer wear. Koio also makes theirs in Catalonia, Spain — the very place the espadrille was invented.

Downside but not a deal breaker

Koio doesn’t offer half sizes for the Ostuni, which is a downside. It’s eco friendly in its emphasis on natural materials, but it’s not resoleable and not the most durable on this list.

Turkish Slippers: Sabah Shoes

What I like:

• Practicality: They’re easier to slip on and off than loafers, easier to walk in than slides.
• Versatility: The kind of minimalist that can dress up or down, depending on the leather you choose.
• Quality: These last for years and develop a nice patina as well.
• Color: Sabah offers over two dozen colorways.

What I dislike:

• Price: There are cheaper Turkish slippers on Etsy.
• Arch Support: There’s better arch support with loafers and even some sneakers.

Turkish slippers, like those from Sabah, offer an underrated alternative to other slip-on summer shoes. These versatile shoes can be paired with casual outfits like t-shirts or more dressed-up looks with linen button-ups.

What sets Sabah apart is their wide range of leather options, with over two dozen colorways available, including leopard print and roughout leather. I know guys who exclusively wear Sabah in summer, racking up a big collection to bring with any outfit or occasion.

Leather Slides: Mohinder Woven City Slipper

What I like Mohinder woven slippers:

• Quality: Hand-woven leather slides made from natural, undyed water buffalo leather using traditional bag tanning methods.
• Comfort: Easy to slip on, with a footbed lined with soft goat leather and a natural crepe rubber sole.
• Aesthetics: Modern design with a splash of color, elevating the traditional woven leather look.
• Eco-friendly: Uses traditional, environmentally friendly, vegetable tanning processes specific to India.

What I dislike Mohinder woven slides:

• Limited heel support: No heel coverage, you can’t walk far in these.
• Color limitations: Just tan or brown options available.

Leather slides and mules offer easy-to-wear summer options. Mohinders, available on Huckberry, creates hand-woven leather uppers using natural, undyed water buffalo leather.

They’re as traditional and sustainable as a slide can get: the footbed is lined with goat leather, and the sole is natural crepe rubber with a stacked leather midsole for extra comfort. A small color accent on the instep modernizes the design, boosting style points. Mohinders offers a sophisticated alternative to flip flops.

Lucas offers simpler options: the Terra Mule (a full slide) and the Drift (a half slipper with slight heel coverage).

While the Drift isn’t super secure, it’s more so than the Terra Mule. Both feature stitched construction and crepe soles, providing a thoughtfully made alternative to flip flops, balancing style, comfort, and durability in a more affordable package.

Leather Flip Flops: Southern Polished

What I like about leather Southern Polished flip flops:

• Quality: Handmade in America by skilled cobblers, using high-quality materials like gray nubuck leather from Milwaukee.
• Comfort: Features a midsole made of closed-cell rubber and extra arch support inside the foot, feeling far more supportive than typical flip flops.
• Durability: Grippy polyurethane outsoles and multiple types of materials used contribute to longevity.
• Aesthetics: Available in a variety of leather options, elevating the basic flip flop design.

What I dislike about leather Southern Polished flip flops:

• Water resistance: You often wear flip flops around water, and leather flip flops feel a little gummy when it’s wet.
• Price: Likely more expensive than standard flip flops, which might deter budget-conscious buyers.
• Limited support: While more supportive than regular flip flops, they still can’t match the ergonomics of closed shoes.

Flip flops, the kings of summertime casual wear, are probably the most uncomplicated option out there and most folks do not think there’s any point trying to elevate them.

But you can. YouTube cobblers, Trenton and Heath (watch me resole Red Wings with them) created leather flip flops (which they call sandals) under their brand Southern Polished in Tennessee.

These handmade American flip flops use high-quality materials like nubuck leather from Milwaukee, with a midsole of closed-cell rubber and grippy polyurethane outsoles. They provide more support than typical flip flops, with multiple materials and added arch support.

Another option is Hari Mari’s Fields Sandal,. These feature memory foam in the toe strap to reduce friction, an ergonomic footbed with extra arch support, and a contoured heel for stability. The sole is more functional and durable than standard flip flops.

In terms of comfort, both options offer significant improvements over basic flip flops, with better support and cushioning. While not as supportive as closed toe shoes, they provide a noticeable upgrade in comfort compared with normal flip flops. And to be honest, it’s easier to walk in them than in slides.

The leather not only means they’ll last much longer than your rubber Havaianas, they also conform to the shape of your foot with wear.

Can You Wear Boots With Shorts… Ever?

I’m sorry to report that in almost all cases, pulling off boots with shorts is very difficult, if not borderline impossible. Yes, this is a bummer — personally, I have 50 times more boots than any other style of shoes. 

The only boot that I think can look cool with shorts is Red Wing’s Classic Moc Toe Boots. I’ve seen guys wear those boots with shorts and look pretty good, but you have to really be confident and style the rest of the outfit perfectly. There are examples of it working, like Albert of @upstateguystyle in the picture above.

Some guys are comfortable sporting desert boots or chukkas with shorts as well. If you’re trying that out, I suggest sticking to suede.

Wrapping Up

If you’re someone who relishes the opportunity to wear well made shoes, I think you’ve seen some options on this list that made you smile. From chunky, Goodyear welted Moc Oxfords that’ll keep you stable while tromping through the woods to the elevated leather flip flops for beach time shenanigans, don’t leave your feet wanting quality just because it’s hot out!