A man’s wardrobe should be versatile, meaning you should be equipped for weddings, office meetings, and beach parties alike. I realize that this is hard work, and picking out appropriate footwear might be the toughest part of all. Luckily, the best brown loafers for men can get you through just about anything.
Equal part dress shoe and casual footwear, the loafer is a tried-and-true classic that won’t be going out of fashion anytime soon. There’s something irresistible about brown-meets-leather combos, and loafers are a great example.
The only question is, which ones should you go for? I’ll be the first to admit that it’s a tough choice, but I’m confident that we can help you out. We’ve put together eight of our favorite options – all you have to do is find yours.
With all that said, let’s dive into the best brown loafers for men.
Key Takeaways
I’m not going to lie. This didn’t feel too much like work. The hours I spent researching loafers was a true pleasure and I’m happy to bring you my findings.
The best of the best are Oliver Cabell Chocolate Penny Loafers. The quality of the calfskin leather is second to none, the footbed is insanely comfortable, and the rubber sole is next to impossible to damage.
Another amazing pick is Billy Reid’s D-Ring Loafer. These shoes adapt beautifully to your foot shape; they feel amazing to the touch, and the heel counter offers supreme support.
Why it’s great: As far as brown loafers for men go, it doesn’t get much better than
Who is this for? The micro foam footbed is a huge selling point with these, since it offers some of the best orthopedic support you could ask for. Also, if you tend to rip your shoes with how much walking you do, the rubber sole on these is extremely sturdy.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The only real issue here is that you can’t get these in a half-size. That said, you can get around this more often than not by just sizing up.
Material: 100% leather | Sole Material: 100% rubber | Sizes Available: 6–14 | Style: Penny
Why it’s great: For something a little more high-end, Billy Reid’s calfskin suede uppers never fail to impress. The real kicker is the brass ring, which does a beautiful job tying the shoe together. Not to mention, you won’t get that usual first-week stiffness when you start wearing these flexible beauties.
Who is this for? Speaking of which, the comfort flex soles are ideal if you do a lot of walking or standing. Also, as you might expect for the price, the heel counter boasts some impressive foot support. Best of all, suede ages like fine wine, so you don’t have to worry about the usual signs of wear and tear.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These are considered slim-fit shoes, so you may have to size up just a little bit. It might be tricky if you’re in between sizes, but there are enough options for most guys’ feet.
Material: 100% calfskin suede | Sole Material: 100% leather | Sizes Available: 5–13 | Style: D-ring
Why it’s great: The tassel look has a bit of a cult following, and Myrqvist knocked it out of the park with these brown loafers for men. The elevated heel offers a distinct yet masculine look, and the tassel itself brings an old-school sophistication to your outfit. Not to mention, that suede is just amazing to the touch.
Who is this for? If you like an elevated heel, these are some of the best loafers you can find. Also, though they’re relatively pricey, they work amazingly well with thrift outfits
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The only issue with these is that they sell out like hotcakes. If you place an order at the wrong time, then you may have to wait a few weeks for your Myrqvist of choice to be hand-crafted. Pretty good tradeoff, if you ask me.
Material: 100% suede | Sole Material: 100% leather | Sizes Available: 8.5–13 | Style: Tassel
Why it’s great: The so-called “city loafer” is interesting in that it runs all the way above your ankle. Aurelien probably has the best shoe in this category since the dark brown upper is gorgeous and beautifully contrasted by the white sole. On top of that, despite the high cut, they’re very easy to slip on and off.
Who is this for? All of our picks are contemporary and urban but true to the name, nothing captures the “city” experience like these bad boys. They can even get you through slippery terrain thanks to the sole construction. They are in the top tier of the best brown loafers for men.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: For some people, covering the ankle defeats the purpose of wearing loafers in the first place. Either way, if you’re one of these people, there are plenty of other options on this list.
Material: 100% leather | Sole Material: 100% rubber | Sizes Available: 7–12 | Style: Venetian
Why it’s great: Who says you need to splurge for some of the best brown loafers for men? Bruno Marc has you covered with an elegant PU leather upper, not to mention some of the comfiest fabric lining out there. Although the heel is small, the quality of the PVC ensures secure footing and a long lifespan.
Who is this for? The D-ring on these is beautiful, offering the perfect level of detail for any urbanite. In terms of occasion, these are very flexible and work equally well with chinos and dress pants.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: PU leather is known for peeling, and that does sometimes happen with these, too. At any rate, it can add some aesthetic value to the upper, especially for casual, restrained outfits.
Material: 100% PU leather | Sole Material: 100% PVC | Sizes Available: 6.5–13 | Style: D-ring
Why it’s great: Despite the price point, these are genuinely some of the best brown loafers for men. The upper looks fresh and shiny right out of the box, and the color lends itself nicely to that. Then there’s the removable EVA footbed, providing premium support that’s easy to maintain.
Who is this for? You get a pretty impressive range of sizes here, including a wide option, making these ideal for guys with larger feet. There’s also the signature Rockport shock absorption for heavier guys who are on the move a lot.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although they can handle your weight without any issue, the sole isn’t what I’d call thick. It might not be the best idea to wear these on rough terrain
Material: 100% leather | Sole Material: 100% polyurethane | Sizes Available: 6–16 | Style: Penny
Why it’s great: I’m a huge fan of simple, no-frills clothes, and these Dockers are exactly that. The sheen on the upper screams elegance and class, and the rubber outsole is amazingly durable for the price. Also, I’m normally not huge on visible stitches, but they work amazingly with this particular shade of brown.
Who is this for? The latex footbed’s comfort is incredible, making it an amazing walking shoe. You can even choose a wide option to give your feet some extra room to breathe.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you wear these long enough, then you may start to notice some breakage on the upper. I’m personally a fan of the look, but I realize it isn’t for everybody.
Material: 100% synthetic leather | Sole Material: 100% rubber | Sizes Available: 7–13 | Style: Penny
Why it’s great: Yes, driving loafers are a thing, and they’re an incredibly useful investment. These Go Tour beauties are incredible to look at, and the “spiked” sole prevents unwanted gliding when your foot is on the pedal. The footbed is incredibly cushy, too.
Who is this for? The more time you spend in your car in the summertime, the more use you’ll get out of these. Besides, since the sole is better than on most driving shoes I’ve come across, they’re perfectly serviceable as walking shoes in a pinch.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: I’d consider going half a size up just in case since they can run a bit tight. Either way, with so many size options, you should have no trouble finding the perfect fit.
Material: 100% suede | Sole Material: 100% rubber | Sizes Available: 6.5–14 | Style: Driving
Buying Considerations for the Best Brown Loafers for Men
Style
There are loads of different kinds of loafers, with penny loafers arguably being the most common. These feature the iconic “penny slot” on the upper, and they’re a great match for creative, casual fits.
Another common kind is tassel loafers, which have a throwback look to them and work well with retro clothes. There are also driving loafers, which are less suited for walking and are meant to keep your feet comfortable behind the wheel.
Material
As far as uppers go, you’ll find that the best brown loafers for men are either leather or suede. This gives them an air of class and sophistication, although they work best with everyday clothes. For the soles, rubber generally provides the best comfort-to-durability ratio.
Size
The ideal loafer gives your toes some room to breathe without slipping off. At the same time, keep in mind that you’ll usually be wearing these without socks. These two factors usually even each other out, so you should go for whatever shoe size you’d normally wear.
How We Chose
Picking out the best brown loafers for men is no easy feat. After all, there are hundreds if not thousands of quality brands out there, and it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Ultimately, we do a lot of research to bring you these lists. This time, we considered everything from company reputation to pricing before narrowing it down to our top eight.
Company reputation: Older brands aren’t necessarily great and newer ones aren’t necessarily bad; we suss out overall reputation to make sure you’re getting the best of the best.
Customer reviews: You know what they say, the customer is always right. Okay, that may not be true. But they’re certainly honest, so we take all feedback into consideration.
Value: How does the price align with the product? We really want you getting the best
Why Trust Us?
Andrej Paskalov is quite picky when it comes to footwear. As much as he loves to shop for footwear for his own personal use, he likes to research and write about it that much more. From summer shoes to sandals, he’s covered a lot of ground with the FashionBeans team, and his list of the best brown loafers for men is no exception.
Andrej’s method involves extensive research, including hands-on testing and analysis of user reviews. This ensures that the recommendations provided are not only stylish but also practical for everyday wear. Trust Andrej’s expertise to guide you in making the best fashion choices.
Final Verdict
And that’s our list of the best brown loafers for men. Oliver Cabell Chocolate Penny Loafers are our number one pick, thanks to the premium-grade leather, the cushy footbed, and the undeniably cool design.
FAQ
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Brown loafers can be styled a million different ways, especially with casual fits. Earth tones tend to look amazing with jeans and khakis alike, and they can make a summer shirt pop like few other colors can. Even on more formal occasions, you can usually throw on a pair of brown penny loafers to go with your white dress shirt.
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