Dressing for work can be tricky, as you need to meet the dress code of your office but you also need to feel comfortable as you’re in your work attire for at least eight hours a day, five days a week.
Comfort is especially important when it comes to work shoes, as comfortable sneakers are the key to protecting your feet and your joints (plus, there’s nothing worse than coming home after work with sore, aching feet).
However, most work shoes for men need to be on the dressier side; and you don’t need us to tell you that dress shoes and comfort don’t usually go hand in hand. Never fear, as there actually are quite a few work shoe brands that are now producing dress – or work – shoes for men that are both stylish and comfortable.
If you’re after a new pair of work shoes that’ll keep you both comfy and effortlessly polished during your 9 to 5, these are the absolute best work shoes for men.
Amberjack
1/21
Price: From $179
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Full-grain leather
A very new brand, having only been launched in November 2020, is Amberjack. The Amberjack team has had years of experience though, working with some of the biggest heavyweights in the men’s footwear industry such as Cole Haan, Allen Edmonds, and Adidas.
They only have one shoe to offer, ‘The Original’, which is a stylish dress shoe available in four timeless colours. But this shoe is secretly a serious game-changer when it comes to work shoes for men. The soles of The Original are crafted with new, proprietary materials created by Amberjack that deliver comfort all day long! The shoes also feature heat-activated arch support made with foam (that’s more durable than memory foam) that when heated by your body warmth will mould to your foot for custom arch support.
Not to mention a dual-density outsole with high-performance athletic technology in the front for flexibility and strong hiking boot material in the back for support. Oh, and the sustainably sourced Italian suede used for the upper is water repellent, meaning you can wear these shoes to work whether it’s rain or shine, and the suede will stay protected and fresh. Seriously, these will be some of the comfiest and stylish shoes you’ll ever own; perfect for long days at the office.
These are considered the most affordable and best work shoes for men right now.
Cole Haan
2/21
Price: From $140
Sizes: 6.5-16
Material: Premium leather
Founded in 1928, in Chicago, Cole Haan is an American brand renowned for its footwear which is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Cole Haan has shoes with a rather unique but sophisticated aesthetic that feature various technologies which ensure ultimate comfort; most notably the Zerogrand and Original Grand collections.
Cole Haan has a fantastic range of dress shoes, all of which are uber comfortable and look incredibly dapper – perfect for work! The Original Grand dress shoes are extremely lightweight and feature extreme cushioning that was inspired by walking on the moon. And the Zerogrand dress shoes mimic the foot’s natural movement, so you can move smoothly to, from, and at work with less fatigue.
Both are good options, but if you sit or stand mostly at work, go for dress shoes from the Original Grand collection. And if you tend to walk a lot at work, go for the Zerogrand collection.
Johnston & Murphy
3/21
Price: From $169
Sizes: 8-13
Material: Leather
Founded in 1850, Johnston & Murphy first specialised in crafting quality and highly durable work shoes but in 1880, took the craftsmanship and durability of their work shoes and built them into a line of higher-fashion footwear, which quickly became popular around the world.
In 2010, Johnston & Murphy held an online “Ultimate Comfort Contest”, asking customers to send in why they find shoes uncomfortable, so that Johnston and Murphy could rectify those issues with their next line of shoes.
And boy, did they. Johnston & Murphy launched their XC4 range, which stands for Extreme Comfort and the number 4 represents the four main features of XC4 shoes: moisture-wicking, lightweight, cushioning, and an extra removable insole for a perfect fit. They have a large range of men’s dress shoes within the XC4 collection that’ll keep your feet feeling and looking good at the office.
Florsheim
4/21
Price: From $179
Sizes: 6-12
Material: Full-grain calf leather
Founded in 1892, American brand Florsheim has been producing fine-quality footwear for quite some time. Renowned for being at the forefront of new trends whilst simultaneously staying true to their classic styling and quality workmanship, you’re guaranteed an excellent shoe when purchasing from Florsheim.
Florsheim has a great range of sophisticated men’s work shoes in different colours and styles, but they all employ Florsheim’s technology, Comfortech. This means all work shoes include features like cushioned footbeds, breathable linings, rebounding insoles and outsoles; these shoes designed to make your feet comfortable during your 9 to 5. Talk about comfort meets style.
Ecco
5/21
Price: From $150
Sizes: 5-14.5
Material: Smooth-grain ECCO bovine leather
When a company’s vision is “to be the leading premium brand for shoes and leather goods” you know you’re in the right place to find comfortable shoes. Ecco prides itself on innovation and providing improvements to the footwear and leather industry.
Ecco achieves this with their Vitrus collection of dress shoes which are perfect for work. The innovative Viturs shank, featured in all of these shoes, allows the formulation of a soft, cupped heel that’ll bring you closer to the ground for greater stability and comfort. Ecco’s Vitrus dress shoes also feature Fluidfrom, a lightweight and fluid material, that’s wrapped around the Vitrus shank so the interior of the shoe follows the natural contours of feet, meaning you can comfortably wear any Ecco Vitrus dress shoe at work all day long.
Clarks
6/21
Price: From 100
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
British company, Clarks, may invoke a flashback to schoolyard days and handball courts, but trust us, Clarks makes comfortable and stylish shoes for adults too (even though you most likely know the brand for their ‘school shoes’).
Their Men’s Ortholite range includes smart dress shoes that all have cushioning and moisture-wicking technology in the footbeds to keep feet comfortable while you’re stuck at work all day. In fact, Clarks boasts that, with their cushioning technologies, their footwear will provide you with comfort and support 24/7, 365. The Ortholite work shoes also feature open-cell foam technology that absorbs impact and reduces shock, making your days in the office easier on your feet and joints.
Hush Puppies
7/21
Price: From $110
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Full-grain leather
With over 17 million pairs of shoes sold every year in 150 countries around the world, Hush Puppies has become a globally known household name since its inception in 1958. The American brand is best known for its casual style of shoes, but Hush Puppies also make some seriously stylish dress shoes for men, perfect for work.
Aside from being stylish, Hush Puppies’ work shoes also employ their Bounce technology, which reduces the stress on your feet by absorbing the energy generated when you walk. Dual-density outsoles release energy with each step by absorbing and redistributing shock through the air pods at the heel and ball area of the foot for unparalleled comfort and support. If you want comfort AND style at the office, Hush Puppies’ work shoes for men are the way to go.
Allen Edmonds
8/21
Price: From $275
Sizes: 5-16
Material: Calfskin leather
Born in America in 1922, Allen Edmonds decided to employ some new shoe making techniques in a bid to create even more comfortable dress shoes. This saw the company do away with nails of any kind, as well as the metal bar that many other companies use under the instep.
The decision continues to prove to be a successful one, with many claiming Allen Edmonds shoes to be incredibly comfortable; perfect for long days on your feet at work. You’ll find a range of styles and designs within the company’s range, including Boulevard Cap and Wingtip Oxfords, along with a multitude of colours that will work with any existing office attire in your wardrobe.
Grenson
9/21
Price: From $360
Sizes: 6-12
Material: Calf leather
Founded in 1866, Grenson has been continuously making durable and high-quality shoes. All of Grenson’s shoes are ‘Goodyear Welted’, a shoemaking technique, meaning the shoes are very strong and will last for a very long time.
Grenson has a large range of work shoes, all made with premium leathers and suedes. With multiple styles and colours available, no matter your tastes, you’re guaranteed to find a pair of shoes that’ll complement your work attire perfectly.
TAFT
10/21
Price: From $275
Sizes: 6-15
Material: Italian wool, patent leather
Founded in 2014, TAFT is a men’s footwear brand specialising in unique, bold shoe designs. TAFT shoes are produced in Spain and Portugal with premium textiles ranging from suiting wool, to woven upholstery fabric, to Charles F. Stead leather. Meticulous in their work, intentional in their designs, and obsessive over what makes the cut, TAFT has become well-known for their extremely well-made unique men’s work shoes.
TAFT has a huge range of extremely well crafted dress shoes, all of which are more than suitable for the office. Made with premium leather, and available in a variety of unique styles, TAFT’s work shoes for men will give you a confident and bold look; perfect for those boardroom meetings.
Ace Marks
11/21
Price: From $324
Sizes: 5-15
Material: Italian leather
Founded in 2012, Ace Marks believes that men shouldn’t have to spend obscene amounts for a handcrafted world-class shoe. Using modern technology, to cut out middlemen and their markups, Ace Marks can directly deliver cleverly contemporary, utterly luxurious, and comfortable work shoes (which rival those of the top luxury brands) all at an attainable price.
With a huge range of men’s work shoes – and with every style from monk straps to oxfords on offer – you’re sure to not only feel comfortable but also make a lavish powerful statement when rocking a pair of Ace Marks dress shoes at the office.
Ted Baker
12/21
Price: From $170
Sizes: 8-12
Material: 100% Bovine leather
The British born tailoring brand with a twist, is luxury brand Ted Baker. Founded in 1988, Ted Baker has had a very clear, unswerving, focus on quality and attention to detail since its inception.
Ted Baker has a small but impressive range of work shoes perfect for the office. With brogues, Oxfords, derbys, and more on offer, Ted Baker’s dress shoes are elegant yet versatile and will effortlessly take you from the office to dinner & drinks.
Charles Tyrwhitt
13/21
Price: From $198
Sizes: 6-13
Material: 100% leather
Charles Tyrwhitt endeavours to produce the finest menswear, with timeless style and no compromise on quality. Topped off with excellent prices and “a pinch of British charm thrown in for good measure” this is one seriously suave brand.
Charles Tyrwhitt has a large range of work shoes for men, available in a wide range of styles and colours. All of these expertly crafted lace-up shoes are guaranteed to smarten up any work look.
Reiss
14/21
Price: From $320
Sizes: 7-14
Material: 100% Leather
Since its creation by David Reiss in 1971, Reiss has established a design philosophy centred on creating design-led menswear, womenswear, and accessories. With an uncompromising commitment to delivering innovative and original products, Reiss fuses exceptional design, quality, and value.
Made with the finest materials for the kind of luxury finish synonymous with formal and black-tie affairs, each pair of Reiss’ work shoes for men marry classic and contemporary style. If you’re after seriously suave work shoes that’ll impress everyone at your office, Reiss is the brand for you.
Hugo Boss
15/21
Price: From $180
Sizes: 7-13
Material: 100% Cow leather
German luxury fashion house, Hugo Boss is renowned for their opulent range of clothing, accessories, footwear, and fragrances.
Hugo Boss’ range of business shoes is small but are all crafted with premium materials and are stylish and refined. From dapper Oxford shoes in richly burnished or vegetable-tanned leather to suede penny loafers for a more business-casual aesthetic, Hugo Boss’ work shoes will give you an effortlessly polished business look.
Church's
16/21
Price: From $1,290
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Calf leather
Church’s, a brand that fully appreciates the value of tradition and how it can both keep them grounded while propelling them forward, was founded in 1873. Renowned for their footwear that are unparalleled for craftsmanship and luxury, Church’s handmade work shoes are timeless in aesthetic and exceptional in quality.
Combining enduring elegance and manufacturing tradition with impeccable style and British attitude, Church’s work shoes are simply timeless. From Oxfords and Derbys to Monk Straps and Loafers, Church’s have every style of work shoe you could ever need or want. If you’re after a classic looking work shoe, Church’s is the brand for you.
G.H. Bass
17/21
Price: From $135
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
Founded in 1876, G.H. Bass is globally renowned for its shoes that are high-quality, comfortable, and durable. The brand’s shoes are classically American in style and have a variety of men’s shoes – dress, loafers, boots, etc. – on offer.
G.H. Bass has a huge range of men’s business shoes too. Whether you’re after something formal like an Oxford or a Derby, or slightly more business casual like a loafer or driving shoe, G.H. Bass’ work shoes are both comfortable and stylish.
Scarosso
18/21
Price: From $325
Sizes: 39-46
Material: Leather
Italian shoe brand Scarosso works on a direct to consumer basis; meaning their well-crafted shoes are rather affordable. All shoes are crafted with the finest of leather & other materials and just encompass classic Italian style.
All of Scarosso’s work shoes are handmade and incorporate a variety of construction methods, such as Blake and Welt, meaning no matter which one of Scarosso’s sophisticated business shoes you go for, it’ll be long-lasting.
Beckett Simonon
19/21
Price: From $209
Sizes: 7-14
Material: Full-grain leather
Beckett Simonon, founded in 2011, believes in the power of well-made products which make you look and feel your best; products you can wear year after year, and repair rather than replace. This is why they produce stylish high-quality shoes, available for unrivalled prices and made with responsible manufacturing processes.
Their range of work shoes are stylish and versatile; all crafted from either premium full-grain leather or water repellent suede, Beckett Simonon’s business shoes are durable and will keep you comfortable during your 9-5 in style.
Steve Madden
20/21
Price: From $110
Sizes: 7-15
Material: Leather
One of the most iconic brands in footwear, Steve Madden has revolutionized the shoe industry, merging years of experience with unique and creative designs. Dedicated to producing products that are authentic and embrace individuality, there’s no surprise why Steve Madden designs have been propelled to the forefront of fashion.
If you’re after a work shoe that’s fashion-forward and will incorporate a cool, contemporary style into your work wardrobe, Steve Madden is the brand for you.
Suitsupply
21/21
Price: From $249
Sizes: 6-14
Material: Calf leather
Dutch brand, Suitsupply, is renowned for combining superior craftsmanship with flair. Their range of suits and clothing for men is sophisticated and well-made, but Suitsupply also has high-quality shoes on offer too.
The brand has a small range of shoes perfect for work. Made with premium leather, any pair of Suitsupply work shoes will be a welcome addition to your wardrobe.
