In our Post Sneaker World™, the rise of the classic leather loafer has been well-documented. The style has filled the void left by a men’s footwear market exhausted from endless drops, collaborations, raffles, and a whole lot of ugly sneakers. But as I see it, shiny leather loafers have now reached a similar point of saturation. They’re everywhere, in every conceivable variation, with an alarming number of cheaply made pairs covered in unnecessary details (two-tones, scorpion embroidery.)
The streetwear mindset, it seems, comes for everything. But I’m here to tell you there is a simple, easy, and endlessly rewarding better way. All you have to do is swap that shiny leather for some lovable, scuffable suede.
For the naysayers: I, too, used to find suede loafers too precious. But it only took a few wears for me to realize they’re actually the complete opposite, immediately pairing with jeans, chinos and tailored trousers alike. Everything just looked more easy-going, more unbuttoned, more laissez-faire. Suede keeps the same silhouette, but softens everything around it, as the many excellent pairs below will show you. Finally, if it’s rain you fear, know that its effect on suede has been greatly exaggerated: To borrow an old Seinfeld joke about suede: “Aren’t cows outside most of the time?”
The Best Men’s Suede Loafers
Best Overall: Morjas The Ivy
Morjas
The Ivy Suede Loafer
Pros
- Classic Ivy-inspired shape that works with everything from jeans to tailoring.
- Goodyear welted, so they’ll last for years and can be resoled.
- Excellent value compared to similarly made loafers.
- Available with rubber or leather soles, and lined or unlined.
Cons
- Buying online means getting the sizing right can be tricky (fortunately, Morjas’ sizing guide is excellent).
Morjas’ suede loafer is pretty close to the platonic ideal of the form, marrying luxurious looks with a more approachable price point. Founded in Sweden but handmade in Spain, the brand has built a reputation for producing considered classics without the often eye-watering price tags of traditional makers.
‘The Ivy’ takes its cues from the loafers worn across American campuses in the ’30s and ‘40s, right down to the penny-sized slit on the vamp—where, according to legend, students kept a coin for an emergency phone call. Morjas updates the formula with a shorter vamp, a comfortably rounded shape, and Goodyear-welted construction, with your choice of leather or rubber soles depending on how much pavement you plan to pound. For a full year’s usage, stick with this style, but know that for high summer, the brand also makes a softer, lighter, even more flexible unlined version that’s perfect for sockless July nights.
Best Budget: Sebago Classic Dan
Sebago
Classic Dan Suede Loafer
Pros
- A bona fide classic with decades of history behind it.
- Soft suede that’s comfortable from the very first wear.
- Excellent value for the quality.
- Looks right with everything from denim to chinos to shorts.
Cons
- Materials and finishing aren’t on the same level as pricier pairs.
- Leather soles are slippery at first and need a little breaking in.
Bass Weejuns have cornered much of the market when it comes to classic entry-level loafers, and we’ve sung their praises before. I even put my last pair through six years and a few resoles before finally retiring them. But their longtime rival, the Sebago Dan, might be an even better buy—especially in suede.
The differences are subtle. Both are built using moccasin construction with a suede upper and leather sole, but the Sebago has a slightly shorter, wider shape that makes it more accommodating for wider feet. Its construction also feels a touch more substantial, with a thicker sole and moulded rubber heel that justifies their slightly higher price. Cheaper loafers exist, but few strike this balance of classic styling, quality construction and everyday versatility. Whether it’s your first or fifth pair of loafers, the Sebago Dan is simply hard to beat.
Best Upgrade: Crockett & Jones Harvard 2
Crockett & Jones
Harvard 2
Pros
- Beautiful suede that only gets better the more you wear it.
- Unlined, so they’re surprisingly comfortable even on hot days.
- Dresses up well but doesn’t mind a pair of jeans.
- Goodyear welt means they’ll be around for a very long time.
Cons
- The price may give you pause.
Ask almost any menswear obsessive to name the best penny loafer on the market, and there’s a good chance they’ll point you toward Crockett & Jones. Founded in Northampton in 1879, the family-run shoemaker is one of England’s finest, and in the late 1940s it introduced the American penny loafer to the UK with the original Harvard design. The company also holds a Royal Warrant, making it one of King Charles III’s preferred shoemakers. Not bad company to keep.