The Best Loafers to Buy Right Now

First debuted in 2005, Rubinacci's deerskin leather loafers are some of the softest on the market. They're supple yet sturdy, and merge the malleability of a slipper with the elegance of a Belgian loafer. Can't decide between a few styles? These are the ideal hybrid.

To be frank, few manufacturers make Belgian loafers like Baudoin and Lange. In fact, Belgians are their speciality, and they seldom step outside their lane. These, they say, are inspired by "early Tokyo mornings." Gentle yet gentlemanly, these Taupe loafers are made-to-order in the UK from supple deerskin and feature a Ginkgo leaf cutout where the typical penny slot would be — which is how Penny loafers earned their name. 

Soft glove suede and a rubber sole make these Baudoin and Lange loafers significantly more comfortable than other iterations. They're subtle, boast a slimmer profile and yet can withstand the duties of an everyday sneaker. 

Belgian loafers are the ideal dress shoe. We're talking real dress attire here — tuxedo and cummerbund type of dressing up. As such, if you're going to buy Belgians, your best bet might be to invest in an elevated, ultra-lux pair like Baudoin and Lange's Black Tie Sagan Loafers, sleek and shiny shoes cut from black patent calf leather.

A collaboration between Fred Perry and footwear designer George Cox, who's a big fan of Creeper soles, these oxblood-colored tassel loafers trade the typical heel — some diehards say loafers must have one — for a flat, crepe sole. Yes, that sole renders them both more reliable and comfortable, but it doesn't lessen the luxuriousness. 

Mr. Porter's in-house label Mr. P has slowly expanded its repertoire to include sneakers and now these Goodyear-welted Italian suede tassel loafers, too. Even though they're suede, they can withstand usual wear and tear and offer a more substantial silhouette than most others on this list.

Scarosso's simple William loafers are subdued without being dull. They're a rich, deep brown with tonal stitching and an almond — aka semi-pointed — toe. There hints of red but not quite oxblood. 

A-ha. You knew we'd put a brown pair on this list, didn't you? Dubbed "walnut," these are a lighter hue that'll patina as they're put through it. Cork insoles offer comfortability, and the welted 97 Last outsole can be redrafted once worn down. 

The Horsebit loafer as we know it know was simply the Gucci loafer at its inception. Gucci recognized the popularity of the loafer, added the horsebit as an homage to company's history as a saddle manufactory and melded European and American designs for something unique to their label. It stuck, and now the category can be more broadly referred to the Horsebit style — but the real ones know they were born from Gucci's ingenious. 

Blackstock and Weber founder Chris Echevarria transforms storied silhouettes into stylish modern takes. Yes, these are true to form: they have an elevated heel, a spin on the horsebit and a pebble grain leather upper. However, he's one of the foremost individuals rewriting how loafers can and should be worn. And he's doing a damn good job.

"The Condor" feels like a fitting name for these Salvatore Ferragamo loafers. Slim and upstanding and luxurious yet low profile, they fit within higher-end fashion fits and formalwear fluidly. 

G.H. Bass' Weejuns were an easy-going upgrade on a staple British fisherman had seen on trips to Norway — hence the phonetic translations from Norwegian to Weejun. The shoes were basically loafers, but Bass added the penny slot and thus the category was born. Their Lincoln Easy iteration is the aforementioned but with a Horsebit instead.  

Tuxedo-toned. I mean, that's what they are. Blackstock and Weber's The Ellis loafers are an impressive upgrade on "a staple, but not like the joints your pops had," designer Chris Echevarria explains. They're constructed from black and white pebble leather, a lush red liner and a leather insole. 

Don't be fooled. Loafers can be casual! Maybe they shouldn't be worn with sweatpants, but these suede Allen Edmonds loafers go well with jeans, broken-in chino pants and even fatigues. They've also been adjusted to give the wearer a bit more room in the footbed — making these ideal for those with wider feet or a more relaxed look. 

"It ain't easy being green." But in these it is! Streetwear darling Aimé Leon Dore also makes a rotating collection of penny loafers in eclectic colors. These are two shades of green atop a black, logo-embossed outsole. 

Although they've been tweaked to menswear designer Stefan Cooke's liking, these are still true to the penny loafer style: button's been slipped into the penny slot, white leather needlework adorns the outside and a heel remains — although it's been elevated (literally) to be a bit blockier. 

If you're someone who has (impressively) endured breaking in a pair of Doc Martens boots, these loafers will be a breeze. They're built with a similar outsole, are cut from the same sturdy leather and yet feature more delicate elements like tassels and a kilt-ish fringe. 

CamperLab's tonal chunky sole loafers offer the same minimalist aesthetic as finer manufacturers like Hender Scheme at half the price. Sure, these aren't for everyone, but they're arguably some of the best at this price point. Plus, the raw material was sourced from a certified Leather Working Group tannery. 

Think of these as a cross between three of the categories on this list: lug sole, penny and tassel. You clearly see the dangly adornment, and the thick, boot-like bottom, but the overall look nods to the original Weejun, which popularized the penny loafer beyond Norway's borders.

No, these aren't technically lug sole loafers. They do, however, have a steel toe reminiscent of motorcycle gear, a Goodyear-welted Vibram sole and a thicker, kilt-fringe top. These look and act tough.