The 12 Best Dress Sneakers For Men That Are Versatile And Comfy

Sizes: 6 to 15 | Colors: 10 total, including British Tan-Ivory and Blue Wing Teal | Upper material: Leather

Cole Haan is quite possibly the original pioneer of the dress sneaker movement. Its Zerøgrand styles are the gold standard, deftly mixing style and easy comfort with polished leather or mesh suppers. Our top pick, the Laser Wing Oxford, has an anatomically contoured foam footbed that cushions and evenly distributes your weight, similar to the way running sneakers cradle your foot. It also has a removal insole and laser perforations to increase breathability, along with a pull-on sock liner. Plus, the brand’s leather products are certified by the Leather Working Group, which ensures responsible manufacturing practices.

What the reviews say: “They look great and they feel fabulous to wear all day long," says one Cole Haan customer. "They can be for casual days or they can be for dressier events. I bought my first pair of Zerøgrand Wingtip Oxfords five years ago and now I have over a dozen.”

Sizes: 6.5 to 13 | Colors: 6 total, including Black and Brown | Upper material: Polyurethane (PU)

Dress sneakers can creep up in cost—but not this stylish pair from Bruno Marc. If you’re willing to trade the leather for a synthetic upper, you still get the same level of formality with a comfortable, honeycomb foam insole that absorbs shock and enough arch support to last you throughout the day. It’s a light, flexible option for less than $50.

What the reviews say: “These shoes have become a staple in my wardrobe,” says an Amazon customer. “They perfectly blend the comfort of sneakers with the sleekness of dress shoes, making them an excellent choice for both casual and formal occasions. The design of these dress sneakers is top-notch.”

Sizes: 6 to 15 | Colors: 6 total, including Navy and Desert | Upper material: Recycled polyester

Wolf & Shepherd’s wildly popular Swiftknit Derby is a lightweight dress sneaker with an easy slip-on, open-lacing design. The breathable mesh upper is made of one piece of stretchy polyester knit material, which molds to your foot for a customized fit, and it’s finished with a leather-lined memory foam sole to absorb shock. This pick is offered in whole sizes only. If you’re in-between sizes, the brand suggests going a size up.

What the reviews say: “I have very problematic feet, traumatic and chronic plantar fasciitis, and these shoes feel great,” writes one Wolf & Shepherd customer. “They're also great for every occasion from a business meeting to the gym.”

Sizes: 7 to 15 | Colors: 13 total, including Chestnut and Midnight | Upper material: Leather

Leather can be stiff and require break-in time. Amberjack’s The Original features extremely supple leather, which is sourced from a tannery that partners with the brand to deliver A-grade hides from American steer at a reasonable price. Other thoughtful, athletic details include sheepskin lining, a flexible TPU outsole and heat-activated arch support. Thes Amberjack Original also earned the top spot on our list of the most comfortable dress shoes for men, which we determined through extensive testing.

What the reviews say: One Amberjack customer writes, “I can confidently say these have become my go-to shoe when I want to dress a little nicer. I basically have a pair of running shoes, a pair of sneakers and a pair of Amberjacks, and that's it. They look great (even better in person), but are also super comfortable.”

Sizes: 7 to 14 | Colors: 25 total, including Charcoal and Mineral | Upper material: Italian suede or leather

Handcrafted in Italy and made of Leather Working Group-certified full-grain suede or leather, these sneakers are full of high-end details, including waxed cotton laces and hand-painted edges. They are also water-resistant and have a removable OrthoLite liner for added comfort. For a dressier look, choose the shades that have a matching sole instead of a contrasting white sole, which tends to look more casual.

What the reviews say: “I have had a lot of sneakers over the years but these are the best,” says one Koio customer. “The quality, design, materials and craftsmanship are really unmatched for a price that is fair in comparison to other luxury brands. They are comfortable and can be dressed up or down.”

Sizes: 8 to 15 | Colors: 9 total, including Black Full Grain and Tan Oiled Full Grain | Upper material: Leather

If you need a more polished Derby option to wear with suits, Johnston & Murphy has been designing leather footwear since 1850, and its expertise in the category is deep. The bestselling, super-cushioned Upton Plain Toe Derby sneaker is lined with memory foam and layered with mesh and leather for breathable comfort. The smooth leather upper can easily be dressed up or down, and the lightweight sole provides both traction and flexibility.

What the reviews say: “They hug my feet perfectly, the soles are so comfortable and they look great as well (not too fancy, not too casual),” says a Nordstrom customer. “You can wear these all day and still have a spring in your step at the end of the day.”

Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: 3 total, including White and Cognac Brown Leather | Upper material: Leather

If you want a dress shoe that’s more on the casual side, Banana Republic’s Nicklas 2.0 Sneakers are a good option. The low-profile design is similar to court or tennis shoes, and the inside is outfitted with comfortable features, including OrthoLite performance insoles for breathable cushioning, temperature-regulating uppers and extra shock absorption in the heel.

What the reviews say: “This shoe has magic lining and goes with everything—I’ve worn it every day, all day to the office and out afterwards,” says a Banana Republic shopper. “[I] need this in more colors.”

Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: White | Upper material: Leather

Whether you wear them with a pair of jeans or chinos, court sneakers strike the right balance between business and casual. J.Crew’s are a solid, well-priced option. They’re sleek, understated and made with a smooth leather upper that’ll break in gently over the years. Plus, Vibram outsoles provide cushioning and durability.

What the reviews say: “This is the perfect minimalist sneaker,” writes a J.Crew customer. “The sole is high quality, the insole is comfortable and well-padded. The build quality rivals some of the premium brand sneakers I have, and at a third of the cost. The fit is true to size and feels soft and comfortable.”

Sizes: 7 to 14 | Colors: 7 total, including Black and Grey Suede | Upper material: Leather

When you need an extra roomy pair, Allen Edmonds’ Courtside Sneaker is generously cut in three widths—B to EEE—and is made from soft leather, so it looks just as stylish paired with jeans as it does with a casual suit. Plus, the durable rubber sole will take any sort of damage that comes its way.

What the reviews say: “They’re quite comfortable and the leather and workmanship are just stunning,” says an Allen Edmonds customer. “The rubber sole is comfortable enough to walk all day. The interior is all leather as well, and as a result the sneakers breathe well. I expect to get many years from this sneaker.”

Sizes: 5 to 15 | Colors: 10 total, including Cognac and Titanium | Upper material: Leather

There are dozens of leather options for dress sneakers. But if you want arch support too, Ecco’s City Sneaker has a removable, cushioned insole specifically designed to relieve pressure and cradle your foot to avoid discomfort. And you also feel good knowing that the leather is certified by the Leather Working Group for its responsible energy use, waste production and water treatment.

What the reviews say: “Bought these shoes for a two-week trip to Italy where I knew I’d be walking long distances every day so they had to be supportive and comfortable,” writes one Amazon customer. “I also wanted a shoe that had a higher quality and fashionable look. These shoes were both. They held up exceptionally well, we’re really comfortable and looked amazing.”

Sizes: 6 to 14 | Colors: 6 total, including Black and Navy | Upper material: Leather

With its no-frills, sleek design, Common Projects’ dress sneaker has a loyal following among stylish guys. The streamlined design is made from Italian leather and features the brand’s foil-stamped factory identification code and style numbers on the side. It has a low profile, with just enough cushioning on the sole, and a minimalist effect that’s cool without trying too hard.

What the reviews say: “If you’re looking to invest in a luxury sneaker, Common Projects holds top rank,” writes a Nordstrom customer. “Simple, clean and minimal style that's perfect—I've seen a million other sneakers copying this look, but none get to the essence quite like these do.”

Sizes: 7 to 15 | Colors: 7 total, including Dark Java and Stone | Upper material: Waterproof leather

Best known for its sandals and slip-ons, OluKai also makes an excellent dress sneaker. These are made of full-grain waterproof leather and feature both a microfiber lining and a Wet Grip rubber outsole for traction. The brand infuses Hawaiian culture into all of its products (note the intricate debossed Hawaiian kapa artwork on the tongue), and a portion of all proceeds goes to the Ama OluKai Foundation, an organization that strives to preserve land and ocean, serve the community and maintain Hawaiian traditions.

What the reviews say: “These are stunning. [I] absolutely love the color which is as pictured,” says one OluKai customer. “These shoes are easy to dress up or down and are so comfortable right out of the box.”