Everywhere you look these days, it’s loafers central. The best penny loafers are sweeping the fashion world. Perfect for office shoes, nicer events, or preppy casual, penny loafers have been around since the 1930s and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
If you’re ready to upgrade your shoe game or fall in line with today’s latest trends, we’ve rounded up the top eight penny loafers for men that will transform any outfit from drab to dapper.
The Key Takeaways
It’s indisputable: there are a lot of incredible pairs of loafers on the market. What are the best penny loafers available for men? We have crowned the Velasca Canoccial Penny Loafers as the king after examining dozens of websites and hundreds of reviews.
They are made from soft Italian leather pebbled, combining comfort with style. Sure, they’re a bit pricey, but they’re designed to be durable and long lasting, making them a worthy investment. If you’re looking for a pair that’s more budget friendly, the Cole Haan Pinch Penny Loafers are available on Amazon with a black leather construction and mocassin style toe.
Continue reading to find out the rest of the top picks for penny loafers men.
Why They’re Great: Velasca Canoccial Penny Loafers are different from other penny loafers. Made in Italy, these shoes feature pebbled calfskin and are incredibly stylish. The modern gentleman can wear them with jeans or with suits and ties.
What they Feel: These shoes are more comfortable than your average men’s loafers due to the flexible sole and soft leather. Instead of being rigid, these shoes have been designed to move along with you and not fall apart even after a full year. They’re also lightweight, making them an apt choice for travel.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. Purists might not like the tumbled effect. The penny loafers come also in smooth black leather.
Material: Calf leather tumbled | Sizes Available: US 5 – 14 | Colors: 4
Why They’re Great: Dockers’ penny loafers show why they are the experts in workwear. These loafers are the ideal office shoes for all seasons. Choose from three different colorways and enjoy a low price.
What they Feel: These shoes are comfortable and stylish. The cushioned sole provides extra comfort for your commute.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. Unlike most of the best men’s penny loafers, these are cut from man made materials rather than genuine leather. They may be less durable than high-end pairs.
Material: Synthetic materials | Sizes Available: US 7 – 13 | Colors: 3
Why They’re Great: These penny loafers are as smooth as butter. They’re perfect for casual wear. Made from German leather, they’re hand welted for extra comfort. Many loafers, on the other hand, are Goodyear-welted. This includes a cotton strip to anchor the uppers and insoles. Hand welted shoes have the advantage of having the rib carved directly into the insole. This results in stronger, more comfortable and lighter loafers compared to those with cotton ribs.
How they feel: These penny loafers feature leather soles and hand stitching. They are lightweight and very comfortable. You can choose between a wide or standard width. If you want extra durability, upgrade the soles to rubber or triumph toe plate.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. Given the artisanal nature of these shoes, they’re a slightly higher price point than many of the best men’s penny loafers. The price is worth it.
Material: The Leather | Sizes Available: UK 7 – 12 | Colors: 2
Why They’re Great: Suede penny-loafers are distinguished and classy. Myrqvist’s pair is great for wearing to the office or in dressy settings. It combines fine Portuguese craftsmanship with premium British material. The half rubber sole allows for a slimmer silhouette, while accommodating a wide foot.
How they feel: One of the best aspects of these penny loafers is there’s little to no break in period. You can expect them to feel comfortable straight out of the package. And while they’re plenty malleable, they retain their shape well, making them a long lasting footwear investment.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. Some reviewers claim that the shoes are squeaky on wood floors.
Material: Suede | Sizes Available: US 5.5 – 13 | Colors: 6
Why They’re Great: Enjoy your Italian mobster fantasies with these
How they feel: These penny loafers, made from Italian leather are designed for comfort. They’re thoughtfully lined with a softer leather over a foamy footbed to aid in support and all day ease of wear.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. If you’re going for a more pared back look with your penny loafers, this two toned pair may not cut it.
Material: Full grain leather | Sizes Available: US 6 – 14 | Colors: 1
Why They’re Great: I feel like sometimes, when you’ve seen one penny loafer, you’ve seen them all, which is why this Cole Haan pair is so attractive. They have a moccasin-like look with the pinched leather on the toes. Finished with a stacked heel that won’t wear down any time soon, these durable penny loafers are some of the best on the market.
How they feel: In addition to their sleek design, these penny loafers feature responsive cushioning on the footbed. This will provide you with added comfort as well as propelling you forward. These shoes are a great choice for getting you to your destination. They have extra traction and a sleek look.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. Thanks to the pinched toe, these shoes don’t have the classic penny loafer look. A flaw for some, a win for others… your choice.
Material: The Leather | Sizes Available: US 6 – 16 | Colors: 2
Why They’re Great: G.H. Bass & Co. has the best designer penny loafers. Bass & Co. gets you the most
How they feel: Although they may need some time to break-in, these penny loafers will be super comfortable. They are also soft on your feet. The thicker soles aid in support, and the treads make them suitable for year round wear – no one’s slipping on ice with these babies.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. Chunky soles can throw some people off, but haven’t you heard? They’re all the rage these days.
Material: The Leather | Sizes Available: UK 5 – 12 | Colors: 3
Why They’re Great: Common Projects penny-loafers have been around for a long time in terms of streetwear. They’re as timeless as they are modern, with the brand’s serial number stamped onto the side. These penny loafers are made in Italy with the best materials and will never be out of fashion despite their semi-platform sole.
What they Feel: The soles of these penny loafers are extra-grippy, which makes them feel great on your feet. The thicker soles offer more support than the traditional half rubber soles found on most men’s penny-loafers.
There are flaws, but they’re not dealbreakers. Some guys are put off by the chunky sole of these penny loafers. These penny loafers are also expensive to match their luxurious offering.
Material: The Leather | Sizes Available: EU 40 – 47 | Colors: 1
Purchase considerations for the best penny loafers
Material
The material is one of the most crucial factors to consider when buying penny loafers. Penny loafers are usually made of leather, suede or synthetic materials. In addition to how the shoe looks, the material can affect its durability. Suede and leather are the most durable materials, while synthetics have a shorter lifespan.
Leather is the best choice for penny loafers that can be worn all year long. Suede is great for drier months like summer and autumn, and choose synthetics if you’re on a tight budget. However, if you consider footwear to be an investment, it’s worth splurging on a high end leather construction that will last for years to come.
Color
It’s also worth thinking about the color of your loafers to know what you can wear them with. Black loafers look great with darker suits and other deeper colors. Black penny loafers can be worn with almost any outfit.
The brown loafers look great with lighter colorways, such as cream or light beige. Brown penny loafers look great with jeans and khakis. The brown penny loafers are more versatile and casual than black leather ones.
And if you’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd, express your individuality with colored loafers. If you want to go for a more stylish look, choose a pair with two tones. Or try burgundy Penny loafers.
Price
Material and shoe construction are the main factors that determine the price of loafers. Leather and suede materials are more expensive, but they will last longer than synthetic materials. If you plan on getting a lot of wear out of your loafers, it’s worth spending a bit more so they’ll last for years rather than falling apart after a few spins around the block.
Why You Should Be Trusted
As something of a globetrotting trend hunter, I’m always on the lookout for the latest crazes in men’s fashion. After spending the past six months between Paris, New York, and London, I’ve seen one constant in the guy’s footwear department: penny loafers.
Inspired by the fashionable men I’ve come across recently, I’ve dug deep into the world of penny loafers, learning the history of the shoe, along with the best brands and materials to choose from. Rounded up in this article, I hope it helps any guy looking to enhance his style with a pair of the trendiest shoes on the market today, and what I’m confident will be for years to come.
Final Verdict
The best men’s penny loafers are some of the most versatile shoes a guy can have in his closet. If you’re looking to invest in a durable pair that will go with anything, the Velasca Canoccial Penny Loafers are a stellar choice with unique pebbled leather and a soft construction. However, if you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a pair of shoes, the Cole Haan Pinch Penny Loafers are a safe bet that are easy to dress up or wear with more low key outfits.
You can find out more about this by clicking here.
-
-
Penny loafers, also known as casual dress shoes, are typically made of leather or suede, with a round toe, and a leather sole. The strap of a penny loafer is different from a tassel shoe. It has a small cut in the middle. Men can wear penny loafers with or without socks. They are a shoe that every man should have.
-
Penny loafers, a style of loafer, get their name because the top strap of the shoe has a small slit that is roughly the same size as a penny. The slit on the top of the shoe was used as a place to store coins for payphones. It is still used today.
-