The Best Loafers for Men Are the Most Crucial Shoes of 2024

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 any and all stylistic head-scratchers you encounter. And much like your trusty Swiss Army Knife, they’re never not helpful to have around. Not sure what shoes to wear with a bespoke tux for a red carpet event—or just a really fancy wedding? Now you are. Not sure what shoes to wear with cut-off jean shorts for the after-after party that same night? (The only two vibes, really.) Now you are, too.

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. (Hey, the signature lack of laces could even save just enough time for you to make your train in the process.) Point is, 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 tracked down the 13 absolute best loafers for men—all exhaustively researched, thoroughly tested, and ready to roll.

The Best Loafers for Men, According to GQ

• →The Best Value Loafers: G.H. Bass & Co. “Larson” Weejuns, $175
• →The Best Knockabout Loafers: Dr. Martens “Adrian” Tassel Loafers, $150
• →The Best Venetian Loafers: Jacques Solovière Lex Loafers, $378
• →The Best Splurge-Worthy Loafers: Gucci 1953 Horsebit Leather Loafer, $990
• →The Best Tassel Loafers: Alden Cordovan Tassel Loafer, $852
• →The Best Loafers for Menswear Guys: Blackstock & Weber “Ellis” Penny Loafer, $375

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Material: Leather | Sole: Leather | Construction: Blake stitch | Colors: Black, mid-brown, light brown | Sizes: 5-17.5

The word "icon" gets tossed around real casually these days, but Gucci's horsebit loafer is the rare piece of design actually worthy of the moniker. (There's a reason the silhouette's barely changed since it was first introduced in the early '50s.) Gucci high-end loafers are still crafted in Italy, still embellished with the brand's signature horsebit detail hearkening back to its legacy as a small-time Florentine leather goods operation. Explaining their appeal is easy: not only do they go with everything you already own, but they'll swank up every outfit you pair them with—from the casual, everyday vibes you'll be bringing back to your re-opened office, to the wooly suit you've been jonesing to bust out with a funky tie.

Suffice to say, Gucci’s signature loafers are masterful, down to the carefully-shaped soles and quality stitching. Chin went true to size and had zero notes on the fit—but he did note that the leather soles are relatively thin, and might be prone to wearing out quickly. The fix is simple enough: If you want to extend the life of your shoes preemptively, have a cobbler apply a rubber sole.

Material: Full-grain leather | Sole: Leather and Rubber Lug options | Construction: Goodyear Welt, double-leather sole | Colors: Varies | Sizes: 4-16

For decades, loafers remained an unbeatable footwear option for every type of sophisticated gent, but it's only recently that brands cottoned on to their appeal as canvas for their wildest designs. Case in point: Blackstock & Weber's Safari loafers, a veritable Animal Kingdom in shoe form. (Tiger, and zebra, and leopard prints, oh my!) These loafers are sure to do two things: 1) Make you the most confident dude at any function you attend, and 2) Do massive numbers on the 'gram. We're not in the business of making triple-digit guarantees, but if there were ever shoes that promised some well-warranted timeline love, it's these. Keep the rest of your outfit classic (think a navy suit, solid knit polo, and a sleek pair of aviators) to really let 'em roar.

According to Ortiz, who owns a pair in a Nicolas Cage-esque snakeskin print, the Ellis is “built like a tank.” The double-leather sole gives it a pleasantly hefty feel, a testament to its quality. Sizing, however, can be a little tricky; we suggest sizing down a half or whole size. The Ellis is “built as well as any heritage shoe,” Ortiz adds. “But the wild materials and colorways make it a hell of a lot more fun.”

Material: Grained calf | Sole: Micro rubber | Construction: Cemented | Colors: Black | Sizes: 40-46 (US7-13)

We dig Jacques Soloviere's shoes for their unique silhouettes, which merge old-world craftsmanship with decidedly new-school flair. These Venetian-style loafers feature a gorgeous grained leather upper anchored by a slightly beefier sole, so you can wear them into the ground without visiting your cobbler. Which is great news, considering you'll want to wear them just about everywhere, and with everything, this spring: an Oxford shirt and jeans to hang out in the park, a dashing linen suit and a knit tie to a spring wedding, or shorts and a polo to [insert literally any other venue here].

GQ senior commerce editor Avidan Grossman doesn't own a pair of Jacques Soloviere's Venetian loafers, but he's tried them on one too many times not to weigh in here. “In my defense, I already own a ridiculous amount of loafers,” Grossman offers by way of explanation. “But these are sublime.” The grained calfskin is soft and supple, and the vamp is perfectly dialed in every way possible. “Please stop,” Grossman says, when pressed for more information. “If I spend another five minutes talking about these I'm going to buy 'em.” Sometimes even GQ editors need a little extra encouragement.

Material: Shell cordovan leather | Sole: Leather | Construction: Goodyear welt | Colors: Burgundy, black | Sizes: 8-13

Tassel loafers are here, waiting, if you want something outside of a penny loafer that's still got some showmanship. Alden's signature version is absolute aces: handmade in Massachusetts from handsome shell cordovan leather (a.k.a the king of all leathers) on a deceptively comfortable leather outsole. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of shoes that’ll complement a pair of dark indigo jeans more effectively, or more instantly elevate a creamy pair of linen trousers to the realm of "gracefully aging Italian gentleman.”

According to Ortiz, who’s owned several pairs of Alden loafers, “the break-in period can be tough”—but it’s worth every blister. Shell cordovan is a little bit heftier than other leathes, but the patina it accrues it unmatched. “Start by wearing them every other day,” Ortiz says, “and after a couple of weeks they’ll be as comfortable as any other shoe in your rotation.” One important note: The shape of the last and toe box is sleek and narrow, so if you have wide feet, consider a wider width—or simply sizing up.

More Men's Loafers We Love

Watch The GQ Recommends Show: The Best Loafers for Every Budget

Simple: Think about what you're going to wear them with, and then refine your search accordingly. (For more styling how-to, see below.) Are you looking for dainty leather soles or do you need stompers with a little more heft? Are you jonesing to slip your dogs into classic-leaning penny loafers or are the freakiest, flyest loafers on the market? Once you've found a pair of that’s right for you and your wardrobe, slip ‘em on without a second thought, and claim your certified style god status at checkout. It really is that easy. What you should be asking yourself is: How do I choose only one?

Thanks to the Great Loafer Boom of 2024, there have never been more options—from heritage menswear brands and big-name designers and tiny startup labels alike. You'll always be in good hands (er, feet?) with mainstays like Alden, Dr. Martens, and G.H. Bass. But plenty of indie hard-bottom peddlers are making waves you might want to catch, too. When in doubt, dust off your favorite dress shoes, double-check who makes them, and then review their loafer selection; chances are they sell a bang-up pair.

In 2024, loafers come in more shapes and styles than colors of the rainbow. These are the four you’ll hear us talk about most.

• The Penny Loafer: Penny loafers are defined by a leather strap that stretches across the vamp of the shoe, often featuring a decorative cut-out. As legend has it, college students would insert a penny into the slot as a fashionable accent, giving the silhouette its name. An especially important variation of the penny loafer is the beef-roll, which features a strap finished at the edges that—yes—resembles a tied-up roll of beef.
• The Tassel Loafer: Tassel loafers are defined by a decorative leather tassel attached to the top of the shoe. The tassel can sometimes be paired with a leather strap, or even set atop a kiltie, an additional piece of leather that’s cut with a fringe.
• The Venetian Loafer: Venetian loafers are the silhouette at its most stripped-back. Unlike penny and tassel loafers, Venetian loafers eschew ornamental designs at the vamp, other than the occasional moc toe stitching.
• The Belgian Loafer: Belgian loafers—often made in Belgium and sold in New York (confusing, we know)—are the daintest riff on the silhouette. A spiritual relative of house slippers or opera shoes, Belgian loafers are defined by their diamond-shaped vamp, which are typically adorned with telltale small bows.

Good news on this front: it's nigh impossible to find an outfit that a pair of loafers won't look absolutely fly with. T-shirt and jeans (weird denim or otherwise), a proper blazer and trousers (with pleats or without), shorts—especially the shorts of summer—and beyond. (In other words, just about everything.) Naturally, loafers look right at home with chinos and a sweater vest, but they can also smarten up your wildest 2024 fits with surprising pizazz.

What to Look for in Loafers

The loafers on this list range in style, make, and price, but the throughline across each of them is simple: overall value. Whether you have $100 or $1,000 to blow on a new pair of shoes, you should be spending that money judiciously—any old loafer won’t quite do it. What that involves, practically speaking, is assessing a loafer by its quality, first and foremost. For our purposes, we tried to avoid loafers that can’t easily be resoled by your local cobbler, i.e. ones made with soles actually stitched to the uppers, not glued. Stitching the soles improves a loafer’s wearability by leaps and bounds—and can extend its lifespan by the same metrics (with proper upkeep, of course).

You know the saying “fashion hurts”? It shouldn’t. We don’t really buy into the notion that you should suffer for what you wear; any loafers we tested that failed to meet our highly scientific, not-at-all arbitrary comfort threshold after the requisite break-in period were nixed without a second thought. (Though, yes, comfort is subjective, and break-in periods may vary.)

Oh, and one final word on price: you’ll see a solid degree of variety in the options above, from damn-that’s-a-steal to they-must've-added-an-extra-zero-here. That’s by design. Frankly, we’d love to say you can find an excellent pair of loafers for a mere fifty bucks, but in our experience, we’ve yet to encounter a zero-notes pair for less than $150.

Over the last few months, we’ve worn more loafers than any single person should in a lifetime. Which, come to think of it, is pretty par for the course. In aggregate, the GQ Recommends team boasts decades of loafer-wearing experience; we’ve ogled ‘em at showrooms, clomped around in ‘em at boutiques, and, in another lifetime, sold ‘em to actual, IRL customers working the retail floor. Our quest to find the absolute best loafers on the market began with a simple question: If we could only wear loafers from here on out, which ones would we pick?

To answer it, we re-assessed the longtime classics, appraised the genre-defining catalysts, and applauded the soon-to-be stalwarts—and then narrowed down our favorites to a select few and summoned them to the high court of GQ Recommends. Then we got to work. We slipped our (very sexy) feet into each of them for weeks at a time, subjecting them to the rigors of daily life. Along the way, we made note of their straight-away comfort, wearability, endurance, and, obviously, how each loafer looked with our outfits.

Based on those evaluations, we ran the numbers, collated the anecdotal evidence, and emerged with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best loafers for men right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs. Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative pair on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process.)

• Gerald Ortiz, GQ Style Commerce Writer
• Tyler Chin, GQ Associate Commerce Editor
• Avidan Grossman, GQ Senior Commerce Editor