people's choice

The Best Men’s Dress Shoes on Zappos, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

Photo: Courtesy of the retailer

Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)

And while we’ve written about the best shoes for men before — including non-hideous orthopedic shoes, rain boots, and even the most stylish Birkenstocks — here, we’ve rounded up the best dress shoes, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Zappos.

Best-rated men’s dress shoes

Rockport Big Bucks Margin
$110

“I have purchased eight pairs of these shoes over the past couple of years,” writes a reviewer who says these lace-up dress shoes “are absolutely as comfortable as running shoes, as durable as a football, and require no breaking-in to be comfortable. Even after wearing them daily for several years (at work) and a fair amount of walking, there have been no issues with any seams coming apart or sole bonding issues. The soles wear well and grip well on all normal horizontal surfaces where people might attempt to walk.” This reviewer agrees that they’re “hands down, one of the most comfortable dress shoes I’ve ever owned.”

Hundreds of positive reviews echo similar sentiments, like that the shoes are “very comfortable if your job involves prolonged standing,” or as another reviewer puts it, are “exactly the combination of dressy/casual that I was looking for.” There’s a consensus that the style fits in a variety of settings with one reviewer writing, “it is casual, but still stylish enough for more formal occasions.”

Best-rated (less expensive) men’s dress shoes

Dockers Gordon Cap Toe Oxford
$75

With a similar look to our best-rated style, reviewers think this more affordable pair is “more elegant than expected for the price I paid,” “an excellent shoe for the price,” and “great for office work, but if you need to get rugged with them, they are up to the task.” One reviewer raves, “these are attractive enough to wear in a formal setting, are very comfortable, hold up well, take polish well, and are priced right. I bought another pair in brown.” A reviewer who bought a pair for his son-in-law who works on his feet all day reports, “these Dockers are very comfortable and are the longest lasting he has worn.”

And now for some micro-picks of every type of men’s dress shoes you might be looking for.

Best moccasin-style men’s dress shoes

Florsheim Riva
$125

These slip-on moccasin-style shoes have a following of dedicated fans, with one happy reviewer writing, “I have been buying these shoes every few years for many years [because they’re] light, comfortable, [and] easy to wear,” and another adding, “I have had many pairs of this shoe over the years and it is one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve owned.” A reviewer who loves the “moccasin styling, instant flexibility, and comfort,” says the “fully padded kidskin-leather upper keeps a soft feel and a polished look,” and that the shoe “looks like a dress shoe, feels like a slipper.”

Best rugged-sole men’s dress shoes

ECCO Track II Low
$230

While not the dressiest shoe on this list, reviewers love that this pair can handle walking on more rugged ground while still being stylish enough for work. “My job mandates I walk over all sorts of terrain, in all types of weather and attend the occasional boardroom meeting,” writes one reviewer. “This shoe aptly handles all tasks, and I still don’t want to take it off when I get home.” Another customer impressed with how durable these are writes, “I travel a lot all over the world and this is the best shoe I have found. It’s lightweight and very comfortable when trekking wherever. I have worn it on every continent (short of Antarctica), in extreme heat and cold, and it never fails to perform.”

Best men’s penny loafer dress shoes

Florsheim Berkley Penny Loafer
$115

It doesn’t get much more convincing than this reviewer’s rave that he’s “worn Florsheim loafers for the last 30 years and never found another loafer that I liked better.” A self-described “penny loafers freak” calls these “the ultimate in style and comfort.” One reviewer says they’re “as comfortable as moccasins [and] fancy enough to wear with dress pants, but casual enough to wear with jeans.”

Best men’s cap-toe oxford dress shoes

For a formal shoe that isn’t painful to wear, reviewers flock to this classic style. “They might cost a little more, but are going to last at least a decade of regular use if you take care of them,” says one reviewer who has had his pair of Melton oxfords for eight years now. He goes on to add, “I wear dress shoes six days a week and these are my top pick out of the three I have. The leather is supportive, soft, and durable.” Another reviewer writes, “you will be surprised at how comfortable they are. I can wear them for hours with no issues. They look sharp and are relatively inexpensive.” A reviewer who bought two pairs says, “as soon as I opened the boxes, I was struck by the smooth finish and classic look of the shoes.”

Best lace-up men’s dress shoes

$80

Whether they’re wearing them to the office or on the dance floor, buyers love how comfortable and nice-looking these shoes are. “I’m on my feet all day at work, going up and down stairs and I have to look professional. This shoe keeps me comfortable,” writes one reviewer, and another says, “these are the only shoes my husband can wear without his feet aching by the end of the day.” Finally, one reviewer writes, “these are extremely comfortable and conservatively stylish. (That is, they don’t jump out at anyone, but once someone notices, they’re sure to earn a compliment.) Bought for a couple of summer weddings, they’ve turned out to be the consummate dancing shoes, for that user who really wants to cut a rug.”

Best cap-toe lace-up men’s dress shoes

$110

While some reviewers felt that these shoes “take a few wearings to break in,” others liked them right away or found they were comfortable after just a few wears. “The leather uppers give them a classy look and the rubber soles make them comfortable,” writes one reviewer. Another says, “they are as comfortable as my running shoes — in fact, I’m pretty sure I could run a 10K in these without problem.”

Best waterproof lace-up men’s dress shoes

$110

Along with being work-appropriate, reviewers love that these dress shoes are waterproof and can stand up to all kinds of messy weather. “I walk at least five miles a day for my job and I was able to wear these shoes in the snow through a cold Chicago winter and throughout a rainy spring and summer,” writes one satisfied reviewer, and another, similarly, says he’s “had this shoe for a year so far, and overall the shoe has held up well, including keeping my feet dry in the recent rains.”

Best slip-on men’s dress shoes

ECCO Helsinki Slip On
$150

“The Helsinki slip-ons are comfortable and great for city walking,” writes a reviewer. “They are easy to care for and wear well. If you are in the market for a very comfortable pair of shoes for walking, the Helsinki will serve you well. They can be worn with jeans or with dress slacks.” Others agree that these slip-ons are perfect for long days on your feet with one reviewer writing, “these shoes are like walking on air,” and another calls them “amazing — I can’t even describe how comfortable there shoes are.”

Best men’s Chukka boot dress shoes

Like a dressed-up desert boot, this Chukka style is a good option for guys looking for something a little different than the standard dress shoe. “My boyfriend cannot stop raving about their comfort,” writes one reviewer. “He gets complimented on the style every time he wears them (which is a lot because he is obsessed). He owns a ton of other nice shoes and these are one of his favorites.” Another reviewer says the “airy sole is perfect, like wearing pillows,” and one says, “I tried every brown Chukka I could find and I’m glad I chose these.” This reviewer adds, “best of all, this is one of the only dress Chukkas that is waterproof; it saves you from having to buy multiple pairs of shoes for different weather situations.”

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The Best Men’s Dress Shoes on Zappos, According to Reviewers