Pop quiz: What’s the most versatile men’s shoe? Answer: The loafer. The right pair makes getting dressed a breeze, but only the best loafers for men are up to the task.
At GQ, we’ve long maintained that loafers are the Swiss Army Knife of shoes, ready to help you puzzle through all stylistic head-scratchers you encounter. Not sure what shoes to wear with a bespoke tux for a red carpet event—or just a really fancy wedding? Loafers. Not sure what shoes to wear with cut-off jean shorts for the after-after party that same night? (The only two vibes, really.) Loafers again.
Let’s put it this way: When you’re running out of the house in a frantic blur with nary a second to whip up a half-decent outfit, a pair of loafers will really save your ass. Loafers can take a well-thought-out fit and turn it into a galaxy-brain ensemble, and if these quarter-baked anecdotes aren’t doing it for you and you need a little more convincing, don’t worry—we’re just getting warmed up. No matter the style you’re after, from classic penny loafers to dressy tassel loafers, we’ve tested and tracked down the absolute best loafers for men.
The Best Men’s Loafers, According to GQ
In This Shopping Guide
Best Value Loafers: G.H. Bass Larson Weejuns Loafers
Material: Leather | Sole: Leather | Construction: Blake stitch | Colors: Varies | Sizes: 7-13, normal and wide
No definitive loafer ranking would never be complete without a pair of Bass Weejuns. They’ve been an icon since the ’30s, and when it comes to loafers—or any shoe, really—you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value. The brand’s casual-leaning silhouette is a GQ-favorite, beloved by old-school legends like JFK and modern-day loafer aficionados alike. The best way to wear them? Play down their clean-cut origins by pairing them with everything from cuffed Dickies to flower-child faded jeans. For the bargain-savvy shopper, these are about as close as it gets to a near-perfect black loafer that doesn’t compromise on quality and doesn’t call for a short-term loan to afford. In other words: as long as Bass keeps making ’em, we’ll keep recommending ’em.
Bowen Fernie
In our experience, Weejuns require a little bit of breaking in—and like all leather-soled shoes, can be slippery at the outset. (We suggest taking your true size.) They may not come equipped with a Goodyear welt, the gold standard in highfalutin cobbling, but the Blake stitch construction is noticeably easier to break in—and just as resolable. “Think of these as your all-around loafer, the kind you wear everyday until they finally go kaput or you’re ready to upgrade,” says GQ style commerce writer Gerald Ortiz, who’s owned half a dozen or so pairs over the decades. It’s notoriously tricky to nail the quality-value matrix, but with the Weejuns, Bass did just that.
Best Knockabout Loafers: Dr. Martens Adrian Tassel Loafers
Material: Leather | Sole: Rubber | Construction: Goodyear welt | Colors: Black, burgundy | Sizes: 4-14
The Alden tassel loafers below are great and all, but the rarified price point, cordovan leather, and dainty silhouette give them a scholarly, somewhat fuddy-duddy air that might not jive with your street-leaning sensibility. That’s where Dr. Martens comes in. Its cult-loved Adrian loafers are done up in the brand’s notoriously tough smooth leather, and then plopped on top of its surprisingly giving AirWair soles. For Doc lovers, details like a double tassel and kiltie fringe—positioned around that signature cushioned sole—have helped loafer wearers look like counter-cultural icons since the ‘80s, and with a scuzzy cardigan and faded jeans they’ll do the same for you, too.
Bowen Fernie
“I love the little extra vertical boost they promise,” says GQ associate commerce editor Tyler Chin. “Though going true to size with these might’ve been a miss—they’re maybe half a size too big.” Oh, and Chin isn’t the only Tyler we know who swears by the silhouette: it was a crucial cosign from Tyler, the Creator that convinced him to finally buy a pair.
Best Splurge-Worthy Loafers: Gucci 1953 Horsebit Leather Loafers
Material: Leather | Sole: Leather | Construction: Blake stitch | Colors: Black, mid-brown, light brown | Sizes: 5-17.5
