The best casual shoes for men can do it all (2024)

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The best casual shoes for men can do it all (4)

Fashion

By Avidan Grossman and Jake Woolf

    From legendary desert boots to new-age designer slip-ons, the best casual shoes will ready your feet for their most stylish season yet.

    The best casual shoes for men make dressing for almost any situation a total snap. To be clear, when we say "casual shoes," we're using the term liberally (i.e. as a catchall phrase that encompasses everything from suede Chelsea boots to swanky high-top trainers). Basically, if you wouldn't wear them to tear up a wedding dance floor or break ankles on the court, you'll find a version of them included here. Wear 'em day-drinking in the park on a surprisingly mild winter afternoon, wear 'em to your snotty nephew's backyard piano recital, wear ‘em on that IRL date you lined up months ago in an ill-fated burst of unbridled optimism. But wear ’em you should.

    What, you might ask, makes all these shoes so worthy of your hard-earned pounds? An unparalleled ability to elevate your cold-weather style, for one. A certain seasonally appropriate versatility, for another. So forget that time-honoured debate over whether you should build your outfit from the top down or bottom up—once you throw on a pair of these bad boys, it won't matter whether you're rocking shorts or sweats. From classic trainers to chunky loafers and every wild-style permutation in between, consider this your not-so-definitive guide to the very best casual shoes for men on the market right now.

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (5)

      1/23

      Vans

      There's no such thing as the new black. These all-noir Vans sneakers are the PE plimsols from your old school days given a minimalist upgrade. £39. At amazon.co.uk

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (6)

      2/23

      Sanders

      Sanders' McQueen-adjacent chukkas boast a thicker sole than your average desert boots, giving them extra cushioning for those brisk mid-winter walks—and plenty of extra style points, too. £229. At endclothing.com

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (7)

      3/23

      Salomon

      Ever been for a stroll through Hackney Downs, or on Columbia Road on a Sunday? Then this won't be your first time seeing a pair of sporty Salomon trainers. £82. At amazon.co.uk

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (8)

      4/23

      Tarvas

      Tarvas's Explorer shoes expertly straddle the line between boots and sneakers: more rugged than your everyday kicks, but a heckuva lot more refined than a pair of hikers. £282. At endclothing.com

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      8/23

      Clarks

      A smart buy today, a smart buy tomorrow, a smart buy ten years from now. £120. clarks.co.uk

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      9/23

      Last Resort

      Supple, croc-embossed kicks that prove there are other ways to flex beyond simply flashing a designer logo. £80. From junestore.co.uk/

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (14)

      10/23

      Blundstone

      When it comes to all-purpose shoes that'll only look better caked in layers of dried mud, you can't beat Blunnies. £180. blundstone.co.uk

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      11/23

      Dr. Martens

      When it comes to filling our seasonal footwear prescriptions, we trust one physician and one physician only: the good Dr. Martens. £139. drmartens.com

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (16)

      12/23

      Tricker's

      These made-in-England derbies look killer with a suit, natch, but they're also uniquely, uh, suited to weekend play with vintage jeans and a hoodie. £744. At farfetch.com

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (17)

      13/23

      Lemaire

      Lemaire's sleek slip-ons land somewhere between a house shoe and a loafer, if your typical house shoes (or loafers, for that matter) also came equipped with a plush crepe sole. £430. At matchesfashion.com

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      17/23

      Paraboot

      Cosigned many times over by Tyler, the Creator, the only consignee you should ever really need. £345. At drakes.com

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (22)

      18/23

      Maison Margiela

      Sleek white sneakers are never a bad play, but if you're looking for fall-ready casual kicks with a dressier vibe go for all-black. £361. At farfetch.com

    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (23)

      19/23

      Timberland

      You see those soles? Rainy spring weather wants nothing to do with those soles. £175. timberland.co.uk

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    • The best casual shoes for men can do it all (27)

      23/23

      Mephisto

      Mephisto's shock-absorbent, slip-resistant work shoes combine Norwegian stitched leather uppers with soles that promise plenty of cushioning. £153. At endclothing.com

    KeywordsFashionShoesStyle Buyers GuidesGQ Recommends

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    The best casual shoes for men can do it all (2024)

    FAQs

    The best casual shoes for men can do it all? ›

    Men's oxfords are considered more formal than derby shoes. They're a classic silhouette that'll never go out of style.

    What men's shoes don't go out of style? ›

    Men's oxfords are considered more formal than derby shoes. They're a classic silhouette that'll never go out of style.

    What is a good walking shoe for a man? ›

    Hoka Clifton 9 Shoes

    If you struggle to find sneakers with arch support, the Hoka Clifton 9 is a podiatrist-recommended pick. With a 3-millimeter heel-stack height and rocker sole design, the newest version of this popular sneaker has an ultra-supportive underfoot with responsive foam to absorb impact.

    What is the most durable type of shoe? ›

    Among the various materials used to make shoes, leather is certainly the most durable. In addition to being sturdy, it is also durable and waterproof. Leather shoes are also quite easy to maintain. You can keep them clean by using a leather moisturizer and rubbing it on the leather.

    How many pairs of shoes should a man own? ›

    The average American male owns 12 pairs of shoes. Whether that seems like a lot or a little to you, it brings up the question of how many pairs of shoes does a man really need. Apart from any specialized athletic shoes, we believe the number to be at least six.

    What shoes do guys find attractive? ›

    High heels

    Heels make your legs look longer, which can really make guys go crazy over you. Choose a pair of heels that complements the colors of the rest of your outfit.

    What type of shoes is trending right now? ›

    Vogue's Guide to the Top Spring Shoe Trends 2024:

    The Minimalist Glove Flat: Everlane Day Glove Flat, $135. The Laidback Loafer: Aeyde Alfie suede loafers, $375. The Cool Trainer: Dries Van Noten leather and suede sneakers, $495. The White Mule: Tod's leather slide mules, $990.

    What shoes do podiatrists recommend for walking? ›

    Any shoe that is designed for running can be used for walking as well. The podiatrists we consulted for this article recommended the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 V13, Brooks Addiction Walker 2, MBT Sport 4, Naot Krypton, Hoka Bondi 8, and the Nike Motiva.

    What color shoes should every guy have? ›

    If you don't have many shoe colors, starting with black is the smartest choice. Every guy needs a clean and simple black leather lace-up shoe - those are classic, and they're great for guys of all ages, whether you're in your 20s, 50s, or 70s.

    What type of shoe is best for everyday use? ›

    Look for features like breathable materials, cushioned soles, and a good fit. Durability is Your Defender: Daily wear and tear are inevitable. Choose shoes made from high-quality materials that can handle your routine. Opt for sturdy soles and well-constructed seams for long-lasting performance.

    What shoe brand is the most comfortable? ›

    The Best Comfort Shoe Brands for 2024
    1. Sovella. Sovella has earned its reputation as a standout brand thanks to its incredible recovery features, comfort, and impressive arch support. ...
    2. Arcopedico. Arcopedico is a leading brand in women's comfort shoes. ...
    3. Brooks. ...
    4. HOKA. ...
    5. NEW BALANCE. ...
    6. OluKai. ...
    7. Clarks. ...
    8. Dansko.

    What shoe color goes with anything? ›

    Black, beige, and gray shoes go with anything. Since they are all neutrals, you can wear these colors to offset a more vibrant outfit. Of course, with these neutrals, you can either mix and match or keep them in a similar tonal family. Red shoes are an ideal way to get an elevated look.

    How many pairs of jeans should a man own? ›

    Considering these factors, a reasonable range could be around 3 to 6 pairs of jeans in your wardrobe. This would provide you with enough variety for different occasions, styles, and seasons without overwhelming your closet.

    How many shirts should a man own? ›

    As a shirt-maker, my answer would be as many as possible!. However, realistically I recommend nine shirts for your wardrobe. This will cover shirts to wear at all occasions and events. The nine shirts combine key styles, fabrics, and colour options that will enable you to create several stylish outfits to wear.

    What shoes will always be in style? ›

    White sneakers, black leather combat boots, stiletto high heels, and sharp Chelseas are timeless staples, serving as the perfect base for a fashion-forward collection.

    Are Chuck Taylors out of style? ›

    Although Chuck Taylor All-Stars are no longer used in professional basketball, they remain popular as casual footwear. Converse has released editions of the shoes in many colors and patterns, as well as updated models that retain the original's appearance while incorporating newer technology.

    What boots will never go out of style? ›

    10 Types of Boots That Never Go Out of Style
    • 01 of 10. Platform Boots. Getty Images. ...
    • 02 of 10. Block-Heeled Boots. Getty Images. ...
    • 03 of 10. Western Boots. Getty Images. ...
    • 04 of 10. Lug-Sole Boots. Getty Images. ...
    • 05 of 10. Combat Boots. Getty Images. ...
    • 06 of 10. Over-the-Knee Boots. ...
    • 07 of 10. Stiletto Boots. ...
    • 08 of 10. Square-Toed boots.
    May 24, 2024

    What is the most worn shoe type? ›

    In today's society, sneakers are one of the most worn types of shoes. You can find a wide variety of different and prices can range anywhere from 70$ to 10.000$ and more.

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