The best dress sneakers for men take the comfort, flexibility and versatility of your favorite Nikes and combine it with all the formal details and trappings of a dress shoe. If you’ve been in an office recently—any office, really—you’ll notice that dress sneakers are the new norm, and it’s a look that sportscasters have been flexing with suits for quite some time. Ahead, we rounded up the most comfortable and stylish options.
The best dress sneakers for men are cushioned, comfortable and stylish to wear with suits or jeans.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Unlike true-blue Oxfords, which can be a bit stiff—especially on first wear—or stuffy in certain situations, the best men’s dress sneaker are the easy go-between. Just keep in mind that if you’re looking for something formal-ish, stick with a leather pair, like Cole Haan’s 2.ZeroGrand Laser Wing Oxford or Amberjack’s The Original. If you want to go more casual, we like Wolf & Shepherd’s Swiftknit Derby sneaker. Here’s everything else we highly recommend, depending on your style, budget and needs:
Cole Haan
Cole Haan 2.ZeroGrand Laser Wing Oxford
Sizes: 6 to 15 | Colors: 9 total, including British Tan-Ivory and Blue Marine Nubuck | Main materials: Leather, textile, synthetic sole
Cole Haan is quite possibly the original pioneer of the dress sneaker movement. Their 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.
What the reviews say: “Great choice, well worth the price, fits and comfort enjoyable to description. I’d recommend this shoe to every guy, with an on the go confront type of lifestyle. Also, they compliment a suit well.” —Nordstrom
Sizes: 6.5 to 13 | Colors: 6 total, including Black and Brown | Main materials: Polyurethane
Dress sneakers can creep up in cost. 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 light, flexible option for less than $50.
What the reviews say: “These shoes have become a staple in my wardrobe. 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.” — Amazon
MOST POPULAR
Sizes: 6 to 15 | Colors: 9 total, including Navy and Stone | Main materials: Recycled polyester and rubber
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. They’re also great for every occasion from a business meeting to the gym.” —Wolf & Shepherd
Sizes: 7 to 15 | Colors: 12 in total, including Chestnut and Midnight | Main materials: Leather, sheepskin, TPU
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, like a sheepskin lining, flexible TPU outsole and heat-activated arch support, keep you comfortable.
What the reviews say: “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.” — Amberjack
Nordstrom
Johnston & Murphy Upton Plain Toe Derby
Sizes: 8 to 15 | Colors: 6 total,including Black Full Grain and Tan Oiled Full Grain | Main materials: Leather, synthetic sole
If you need a more polished derby option to wear with suits, Johnston & Murphy has been designing leather footwear since 1850, and their 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: “Love these shoes! They hug my feet perfectly, the soles are soooo comfortable, and they look great as well (not too fancy, not too casual). You can wear these all day and still have a spring in your step at the end of the day.” —Nordstrom
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: 2 total, including Black Leather and Cognac Brown Leather | Main materials: Leather
If you want a dress shoe that’s more on the casual side, Banana Republic’s Nicklas 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: “Versatile for so many different occasions and fits my vibe for whatever I’m going for. Great quality and very comfortable. I am going to pick up more colors. Look great with jeans, chinos or even dressing down a suit.” — Banana Republic
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: White | Main materials: Leather, Vibram sole
Whether you wear with a pair of jeans or chinos, court sneakers strike the right balance between business and casual. J.Crew’ are a solid, well-priced option. They’re sleek and understated, and made with a smooth leather upper that’ll break in gently over the years. And Vibram outsoles provide cushioning and durability.
What the reviews say: “This is the perfect minimalist sneaker. 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.” — J.Crew
Allan Edmonds
Allen Edmonds Courtside Sneaker
Sizes: 7 to 14 | Colors: 5 total, including Black and Grey Suede | Main materials: Leather, rubber
When you need an extra roomy pair, Allen Edmonds’ Courtside Sneaker is generously cut in three width—B to EEE—and is made from soft leather, so it looks just as at 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: “I’ve long worn Allen Edmonds dress shoes and boots, but I’d never tried one of their sneakers before. They’re quite comfortable and the leather and workmanship are just stunning. 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…” — Allen Edmonds
Sizes: 6.5 to 15 Wide | Colors: 7 total, including Black and Breen | Main materials: Leather, rubber
If you’ve got wide feet, Rockport’s dress sneakers include plenty of wide width options, plus a soft, breathable interior and a fully cushioned, removable footbed. Reviewers note the comfort and the surprising lightness of the styles.
What the reviews say: “Good looking shoes. Almost weightless. Comfortable with or without socks. I bought 2 pairs because I may not find these again. Cushy, supportive, plenty of lace room to customize the fit…and stylish. It’s hard for me to find size 16 but these fit perfectly and look good with jeans or slacks.” — Amazon
Nordstrom
Ecco Soft 7 City Sneaker
Sizes: 5 to 15 | Colors: 6 total, including Cognac and Titanium | Main materials: Leather, rubber
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 certified by the Leather Working Group for its responsible energy use, waste production and water treatment.
What the reviews say: “Comfortable, nice clean looking shoe. Takes suit to next level, sophisticated. May be the most comfortable pair of leather sneakers I’ve ever owned. Plenty of arch support. I like that they’re leather so they last longer and are easier to clean than canvas.” — Nordstrom
Mr Porter
Common Projects Original Achilles Sneaker
Sizes: 6 to 14 | Colors: 5 total, including Black Leather and Olive | Main materials: Leather and rubber
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’s got 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: “Gorgeous, top quality leather that has the most lustrous gleam to it, so well constructed, and I’ve yet to find a comparable sneaker in terms of CP’s slim and tailored silhouette. If you’re looking to invest in a luxury sneaker, Common Projects holds top rank. 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.” — Nordstrom
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we care about fashion and know how difficult it can be to try to pick out the best item from seemingly endless online options. We’ve done the extra work of researching and testing clothing and accessories so you don’t have to. Our collective of writers and editors have extensive backgrounds in fashion, and we’ve written about everything from men’s blazers to the best cargo pants.
Our Forbes Vetted senior fashion editor, Kari Molvar, has covered fashion and lifestyle topics for over two decades. She helped us narrow down our selections and determine which dress sneakers deliver the best quality, value and style.
How We Chose Best Dress Sneakers For Men
For this roundup of dress sneakers, we researched top-rated shoes, with at least four stars or more, and then looked a variety of materials, features and price points. We considered real customer reviews, and focused on both established and up-and-coming brands known for high-quality, office-ready footwear. We analyzed many factors like lacing systems, insoles, comfort level, traction and more to land on the best dress sneakers for men on the market right now. This article is also frequently updated to ensure it contains the latest information; it was last updated in September 2023.
What To Consider When Buying Dress Sneakers
Comfort
Dress shoes are not known for their comfort: the stiff leather upper takes time to break in, the flat soles have minimal cushioning, and a lack of padding can rub the heel and cause blisters. Dress sneakers take the sleek look of a dress shoe, but bring the comfort and traction of a rubber-soled sneaker. They typically feature a padded tongue and collar for painless all-day wear. Some sneakers tout comfort design details like flexible leather and extra cushioned, supportive insoles like our pick from Banana Republic.
Materials
Dress sneakers typically feature a leather upper, rubber sole and cushioned insole. Some styles, like these from Cole Haan and Wolf & Shepherd, are also available with a breathable mesh upper. Whichever material you go with, you’ll want to keep them a neutral color palette if you want your sneakers to blend in with most of your clothing.
Cost
Like most shoes on the market, dress sneakers can range from affordable to quite expensive. You’ll likely pay more for high quality leather sneakers while something with a synthetic design is going to be more cost-effective.
What Are Dress Sneakers?
A dress sneaker is just as its name implies—it has a rubber sole like a sneaker but has the sleek, minimal style of a more traditional dress shoe. They’re typically made of leather (or faux leather) in a low-top silhouette. Dress sneakers also differ from regular sneakers in that they typically don’t come in bright colors with highly visible branding; expect easy-t0-style neutrals like white, black or brown, minus loud logos.
How Do I Wear Dress Sneakers To Work?
Dress sneakers are appropriate for most office jobs because of their slim, minimal silhouette. Try pairing dress sneakers with a simple smart casual look (think chinos or dark jeans with a button-down shirt). For stricter-dress-code jobs that require a suit, you can still pull off dress sneakers. A darker suit generally works with a similar, darker-colored sneaker. For a lighter-toned suit, you could go with white sneakers for a fresh, modern look.
Your pant leg length is also an important factor to consider when styling your dress sneakers. If your pants are too long, they might bunch around the sneaker and look disheveled and a bit messy. A slightly cropped, slim pant is best worn with a dress sneaker because the hem will hit right above the tongue, giving a modern, streamlined look. Also leave your knee socks at home; you’ll want to go with no-show or slim trouser socks when wearing dress sneakers to maintain sharpness for the office.
How Do I Clean Dress Sneakers?
Don’t toss your leather dress sneakers in the washing machine; these shoes deserve a special treatment to keep them looking fresh for longer. We recommend keeping some sneaker wipes on hand to help spot clean small scuffs. For bigger jobs, simply add a bit of dish soap—or even a gentle shampoo—to a small bowl of warm water and work up a lather with an old toothbrush. Don’t forget to remove the laces and insoles if possible so you can really get in all the edges and corners. Use a towel to wipe up excess moisture. Cotton and polyester shoelaces can be machine washed in a mesh bag if they need refreshing.
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