Top pick
Grant Stone Traveler Penny Loafer
The most versatile loafer in the category. Goodyear-welted, resole-able, and offered in a wide range of leathers and three widths — so you can actually get the fit right rather than settling. Heritage construction at roughly half the price of Alden. If you buy one leather loafer, buy this.
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The 8 picks, ranked
Grant Stone
Traveler Penny Loafer
$395–$412
The most versatile loafer in the category. Goodyear-welted, resole-able, and offered in a wide range of leathers and three widths — so you can actually get the fit right rather than settling. Heritage construction at roughly half the price of Alden. If you buy one leather loafer, buy this.
Best for
Daily wear, first serious loafer, hard-to-fit feet
Fit
True to size; three widths available
Thursday Boot Co.
Lincoln Penny Loafer
$150–$168
Blake-stitched, dressy leather, and a shock-absorbing insole at well under $200 — the honest value pick. Construction and leather won't match the Goodyear-welted tier, but the silhouette is correct and it wears comfortably out of the box.
Best for
First loafer, budget builds, comfort priority
Fit
True to size; roomy through the toe
Allen Edmonds
Randolph Horsebit Loafer
$450–$450
The American-made answer to the Gucci horsebit. Goodyear-welted, a versatile rounded toe, and four width options — the widest sizing range on this list. The metal bit dresses an outfit up a notch without tipping into flashy.
Best for
The dressier bit-loafer look, wide or narrow feet
Fit
True to size; four widths available
Meermin
Mallorca Tassel Loafer
$305–$345
Goodyear-welted tassel loafers at a price most makers charge for cemented shoes. Two lasts to choose from and a range of calf and suede options. The value benchmark for a proper tassel loafer.
Best for
Tassel-loafer look on a mid budget, value Goodyear welt
Fit
Runs slightly long; size down a half if between
Carmina
Simpson Penny Loafer
$525–$575
German box-calf and a sleek, dressy silhouette on a Goodyear-welted Mallorcan-made shoe. The pick when the loafer needs to work with tailoring — sharp enough to wear with a suit, tieless. The dressiest shoe on this list.
Best for
Formal and business wear, tailoring, multi-decade wear
Fit
True to size; sleek, slightly narrow last
Oak Street Bootmakers
Beefroll Penny Loafer
$348–$348
Genuine handsewn moccasin construction, made in Maine, left unlined so the supple leather molds to your foot with wear. A leather sole keeps it breathable and dressy. The heritage-Americana penny loafer, done right.
Best for
Handsewn heritage, warm-weather sockless wear
Fit
Sizes vary by leather; check the model's guidance
Meermin
Sway Penny Loafer
$195–$225
A roomier, casual-toe penny loafer with a full leather lining — Goodyear-welted durability at an entry price. Reads relaxed rather than dressy, which makes it the everyday, chinos-and-jeans loafer.
Best for
Casual daily wear, wider feet, entry Goodyear welt
Fit
Roomy casual toe; true to size
Astorflex
Patnoflex Venetian Loafer
$185–$210
A lightweight, flexible Italian-made Venetian loafer (no strap, no bit — the cleanest, most minimal loafer face). Packs flat, flexes for long days on your feet, and the eco-friendly veg-tanned leather ages well. The travel loafer.
Best for
Travel, warm weather, minimal-styling preference
Fit
True to size; flexible unstructured build
How to pick — buyer's guide
Penny vs tassel vs horsebit — which loafer style should you buy?
Penny is the most versatile and the right first loafer: a plain saddle strap with a slot, it reads smart-casual and works with everything from chinos to a suit. Tassel is a touch dressier and more traditional — a slightly formal, old-school American look that suits tailoring. Horsebit (the Gucci-invented metal-bit style) is the sleekest and most refined, dressing an outfit up a notch with a hint of Italian polish. Buy a dark-brown penny first, then add a tassel or horsebit once you want range.
Goodyear welt vs Blake vs handsewn — does loafer construction matter?
Yes, for longevity. Goodyear-welted loafers (Grant Stone, Carmina, Meermin, Allen Edmonds) can be resoled several times and last decades — the best cost-per-wear. Blake-stitched shoes (Thursday) are slimmer and resole-able once or twice, good construction with a lower ceiling. Genuine handsewn moccasin construction (Oak Street) is rarer, unlined, and molds to the foot beautifully but is less about resole-ability. Cemented (glued) loafers can't be resoled — fine for a first pair, poor value long-term.
How should loafers fit?
Snugger than lace-ups, because there are no laces to hold your foot. The heel should grip without slipping (a little slip on the first few wears is normal — leather-soled loafers loosen slightly, then settle). The instep should feel secure but not pinch, and your toes should have a thumb's width of room. If your heel slips badly, size down a half or add a tongue pad. Fit is why brands offering multiple widths (Grant Stone, Allen Edmonds) are worth seeking out.
Can you wear loafers without socks?
Yes — sockless (or with no-show socks) is a defining part of how loafers are worn in warm weather, and it's the reason unlined and leather-lined pairs are prized. Use no-show socks or loafer liners to protect the leather and your feet from sweat; bare feet directly against leather will wear the lining and shorten the shoe's life. Suede and unlined leathers wear sockless best; fully-lined dressier loafers are better with a thin sock.
How many pairs of loafers should a man own?
One or two covers most men. Start with a dark-brown penny in a versatile leather — it handles smart-casual, the office, and dressed-down tailoring. If you wear loafers often, add a second in a different register: a black or oxblood penny for dressier wear, or a suede penny for casual and summer. Beyond two, you're buying for variety and personality rather than need.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best men's loafers in 2026?
The Grant Stone Traveler ($395-412) is the best all-round penny loafer — Goodyear-welted, resole-able, offered in three widths. For value, the Thursday Lincoln ($150-168). For the dressiest, the Carmina Simpson ($525-575) in box calf. For a horsebit, the American-made Allen Edmonds Randolph ($450). All are the honest answer within their tier.
Are loafers business casual or formal?
Loafers sit between smart-casual and business-casual. A sleek leather penny, tassel, or horsebit loafer works with chinos, wool trousers, or an unstructured suit worn tieless. For a strict business-formal or black-tie dress code, a lace-up Oxford is dressier and more appropriate. Suede or chunky loafers read casual and shouldn't be treated as dress shoes.
What colour loafers should a man buy first?
Dark brown. It's the most versatile — it works with navy, grey, tan, and denim, and reads smart or casual depending on the outfit. Black loafers are dressier and pair with charcoal and formal tailoring; oxblood/burgundy is a characterful second colour. Match your belt to your loafers and most outfits resolve themselves.
How do you wear loafers?
With a sliver of ankle showing — cropped or tapered trousers, or trousers with a short break — which is what makes loafers look modern. Pair them with chinos, wool or pleated trousers, or dark jeans; go sockless or with no-show socks in warm weather. A penny loafer dresses down a suit worn tieless and dresses up a chinos-and-knit outfit. Keep the leather clean and use cedar shoe trees.
Penny vs tassel loafers — which is dressier?
Tassel loafers are generally considered slightly dressier and more traditional than penny loafers, with a formal, old-school American character that suits tailoring. Penny loafers are the more versatile everyday choice, sitting comfortably from smart-casual to business-casual. Horsebit loafers are the most refined of the three thanks to the metal detail. For a first loafer, penny; for range, add a tassel.