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From stylish loafers to supportive boots, we tested the best dress shoes for men to determine which are the most comfortable. Black Leather Walking Shoes
Nobody likes uncomfortable shoes. We’ve all experienced them — stiff dress shoes we pull out of the closet once or twice a year to attend a wedding, or when the big company boss is in town, then we come home with sore feet and blisters on our heels, wishing we could have worn our slippers instead. The wrong pair of shoes can wreak havoc not only on your feet, but on your posture, throwing your back out of whack and causing soreness up and down your body. Luckily, buying a stylish pair of dress shoes does not mean you need to compromise on comfort.
We tested 23 pairs of shoes to find the most comfortable men’s dress shoes on the market. We analyzed out-the-box comfort; comfort after two hours of wear; comfort after a full day’s wear; and overall comfort, fit, quality and value.
They're made from high-quality leather and are comfortable right out of the box.
They have a very casual, relaxed look that may not work well for the office.
If ever there was a shoe designed for comfort, it would be the Edlef from Mephisto. The brand, founded in Sarrebourg, France in 1965 – and still headquartered there – has made its mission to produce comfortable, elegant shoes for men.
Straight out of the box, they have that soft, supple, worn-these-forever feeling. Our reviewer gave especially high marks for the quality of the leather, and noted that the toe area is not restrictive, making this a great option for guys who want a little more space in the front of the shoe. When worn with socks, we didn’t feel any hot spots or blisters forming, and felt more than comfortable spending hours on our feet wearing them. It’s worth noting that customers often hail Mephisto for producing particularly well-crafted shoes, often lasting for years and years.
The Details: 6 to 13 | Leather | Leather | 11 ounces per shoe
These can be dressed up or down thanks to the simple silhouette.
A cork midsole means it takes a bit of time to break these shoes in.
These shoes are stylish without being stuffy. The Cavalier has a classic Chelsea boot silhouette from Thursday Boot Co., with sleek lines, balanced proportions, and an elasticized heel band so they slip on and off with ease. They’re crafted with a cork midsole that forms to your foot over time, and the soft, hand-finished leather upper will burnish and mold to your foot shape as well. They’re comfortable out of the box, but will grow even more comfortable after a few weeks of wear.
We loved the comfort of the elastic side bands, noting that large feet are typically tricky to squeeze into a Chelsea boot. That wasn’t the case here but we still suggest ordering a half-size up from what you typically wear. Conveniently, these shoes offer a wide range of sizes, running from 6 to 16.
The Details: 6 to 16 | Leather | 1.73 pounds per shoe
This is a quintessential, classic men’s shoe, executed to perfection.
These run small, so sizing can be a little tricky if you've never tried the brand before.
Is there any men’s shoe more classic or versatile than an Oxford? This luxe pair from Magnanni is just about as good as heritage shoemaking gets, too. Made in Spain, hand-painted for a burnished finish, and crafted with a historic “Bologna construction” technique, this is a very light and flexible shoe.
This pair is extremely comfortable — not quite as plush as a loafer or sneaker, but fantastic nonetheless for the style. These shoes are expensive-looking and refined, so while the price might be higher than some Oxfords, you can rest assured it’s money well spent. The brand also offers complimentary shipping and returns, so it’s a low-risk purchase if they don’t end up being the perfect pair for you.
It’s a highly functional, wear-anywhere shoe.
The heel might feel a little formal for some men.
A plain-toe derby is one of the most versatile shoes a man can buy. Dress it up, dress it down, wear it to work, wear it to a wedding — this shoe can go everywhere. We especially loved that this City Tray derby is built with Fluidform Direct Comfort Technology, a type of comfortable-yet-supportive sole that’s lightweight and plush while still feeling anatomically supportive. It has the look of a dress shoe but the feel of something much more easygoing.
While we didn’t find this shoe exactly form-fitting out of the box, it didn’t feel overly stiff. There were no hot spots or blisters after several hours of wear, but we did feel that these are more geared toward an occasional special event, noting that guys who wear dress shoes every day might gravitate toward something a little more casual like a penny loafer. But all in all, these are a solid and reliable option in a highly flexible style.
The Details: 5 to 14.5 | Leather | 1.1 pounds per shoe
These shoes offer a perfect fit right away, with no need to spend weeks breaking them in.
They're a little pricey.
Have the Cinderella moment you deserve with the Griffin Oxford from Ace Marks. We noticed that while the leather seemed a little stiff at first, it felt perfectly broken in after just a few hours of wear. These shoes have a fit and feel that quickly become like something you’ve worn for years.
These stunning Italian dress shoes are handmade from 100 percent premium calfskin leather, with a classic cap toe that makes them appropriate for any office setting – yet casual enough for everyday wear. And while some shoppers might balk at the high price tag, the Ace Marks’ direct-to-consumer model cuts out the middleman, so these shoes have the quality and comfort of a much more expensive pair. In short: they deliver excellent quality and comfort for the price.
These shoes are so smooth they almost feel as comfortable as your favorite sneakers or slippers.
The soles don't have the best traction.
The name “Dr. Scholl’s” is synonymous with foot comfort. While this pair isn’t made from leather, it certainly has the look and feel of it. These shoes are very supportive and we didn't have any issues with them being too tight or causing blisters, even after wearing them for a whole day. The soles are breathable and mold to your feet for the perfect fit.
Considering the more casual look of these shoes as well, travelers could easily pack them to be worn for daytime sightseeing or heading out for an evening dinner. Plus, these shoes are completely machine washable, so you can keep them looking clean and new with little fuss.
The Details: 8 to 15 | Synthetic | 15.2 ounces per shoe
They're incredibly stylish and supportive.
You may experience a bit of chafing on the heel and less breathability than with the other shoes on our list.
Stacy Adams has been producing comfortable men’s dress shoes for over 100 years, and this Cap Toe Oxford is a perfect summation of the brand: timeless, stylish, and above all, comfortable. We noticed they were comfortable right out of the box — not too stiff, and very flexible once we put them on. The sole is more plush than other dress shoes and could easily be worn all day long or out to an event.
We felt these shoes were most comfortable with thicker socks that protected the heels from chafing, but after breaking them in we had no issues. Made from fine leather and carefully hand burnished, these are a high-end statement shoe at a surprisingly affordable price.
The Details: 7 to 16 wide | Leather | 15.4 ounces per shoe
The high-quality leather elevates any look.
The sizes run large, so be sure to carefully read all of their measurements.
These handcrafted Italian leather boots are perfect for formal events throughout every season. The high ankle provides comfortable support and warmth for colder months, but are easily concealed for a sophisticated loafer look in the warmer months. While these certainly aren't an everyday shoe, we love how the hand dyed and burnished leather instantly adds to any outfit, making the wearer feel their best. They may be on the pricier end, but the boots also come with their own durable shoe horn and cloth storage bag to make sure the materials don't deteriorate over time, ensuring you will look your best for all formal occasions for years to come.
This is a great shoe at a great price.
You’ll likely need to order a half-size up.
This pair of dress shoes is an absolute steal. The Tilden Cap Oxford from Clarks delivers everything you want from a dress shoe — great color, quality stitching, a sturdy yet comfortable sole — and they're extremely soft right out of the box. These are a great choice for city commuters and anyone getting dressed for a formal event.
Our reviewer especially loved their versatility, pairing these shoes with a variety of dress pants for the office as well as his favorite chinos and blue jeans for off-duty use. Regular sizes may fit a bit snug, so it might be best to order half a size up. Overall, however, this is a great shoe offered at fantastic value for the price.
The Details: 7 to 15 | Leather | 1.3 pounds per shoe
The T+L team tested nearly two dozen pairs of men’s dress shoes, wearing them at least three times, and testing for out-of-the-box wear, two-hour wear, and all-day wear. We took note of attributes like whether the shoes were rigid or soft out of the box, if they rubbed or chafed anywhere, and whether the fit was true to size. We judged shoes on breathability, and whether we found them comfortable enough for all-day wear. We wore them around the house, in cars, on city streets, to work meetings, and weddings to see how they would perform.
Two other pairs of comfortable men’s shoes we tested didn’t quite make our list, but had noteworthy features that are still worth mentioning.
Clarks Atticus LT Lace Shoe: These shoes are light with a comfortable and supportive sole. However, at first wear, we found them to be a little stiff. The inside of the shoe needed about 12 hours of wear before they were broken in enough to be considered comfortable.
Allen Edmonds McAllister Wingtip: This is a traditional wingtip shoe handcrafted from high-quality and durable leather. They're comfortable enough for all-day wear, but do have a firmer sole and a high price point that may not be suitable for all shoppers.
Nothing will ruin a wedding or a day at the office faster than a pair of shoes that don’t fit properly or aren’t comfortable. There are so many options out there these days that you don’t need to compromise when it comes to blending comfort and style. Look for dress shoes that offer plenty of arch-support, a roomy toe box, and soles with plenty of traction to help you stay on your feet all day without causing foot, ankle, or even lower back pain.
Are you going to be dancing up a storm? Go for something with a softer sole. Will there be lots of pictures, or perhaps you want to impress the boss? Opt for something a little more conservative. There’s a shoe out there for every occasion. If you live in a place known for unpredictable weather or are planning a trip during the shoulder seasons, a versatile shoe can round out a transitional weather pack list nicely. When in doubt, ask a salesperson at your local retailer for their input.
They should be snug enough so your heel doesn’t come up when you walk in them, but they should also be roomy enough so your toes have space to wiggle freely. Anything that feels constricting is too small; anything that slides around is too large. Just keep in mind that certain materials such as leather will also stretch out just a little over time, so a snug (but not tight) fit at the beginning is ideal.
There’s no shortcut or magic potion for breaking in a pair of dress shoes. The best method is simply to wear them. If you want to make sure they’re broken in before an event like a formal wedding, we suggest wearing them around the house for a day or so until they start to feel more comfortable.
Make sure to let them completely air dry before returning them to your closet, especially if you’ve been wearing them for many hours or have been sweating in them. For exterior scuffs on leather shoes, buff them out with a bit of leather polish and a soft, clean cloth. If there’s dirt in the sole, use a damp cloth, well wrung-out, to flick off any dirty bits before returning the shoes to your closet.
There's no perfect dress shoe for everyone, but overall, a shoe with a wide sole and good arch support should keep you comfortable even when standing all day. To enhance the comfort of even the nicest dress shoes, you can also add a cushiony insole for additional support.
For this story, writer on Travel + Leisure Todd Plummer combed through market research, in-house testing insights, and referenced product descriptions to create a comprehensive roundup of the best comfortable men’s dress shoes available today. Plummer has tried many of the above brands himself, including Mephisto, Cole Haan, Ace Marks, and more.
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