7 Best Leather Shoes for Men: Effortless Style Anywhere 2024

There’s definitely something about a pair of leather shoes that makes a statement. Wearing a pair, whether they’re dress shoes, loafers, or sneakers, is a way to make clear that you care about how you look and know how to dress well.

I don’t know if there’s a more controversial question I’ve covered for FashionBeans than what the best leather shoes for men actually are. There’s such a huge amount of options out there, and which shoes you’d call the best depends on what types of shoes you tend to like. I eventually just decided to find 7 great options for you and let the chips fall where they may with whether you agree with my rankings or not.

In this article, we’ll go on a deep dive into seven strong contenders for the title of the best leather shoes for men. There are both classics and new takes on this list, as well as everything from dress shoes to sneakers, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find something you really love.

Let’s jump right into it without any further ado.

Key Takeaways

I really can’t tell you how many product listings I went through while researching for this article. For each type of leather shoe (sneakers, loafers, boots, etc.) I’ve included, I went through 30 or 40 different options in order to find you the absolute best combination of style, material quality, and price. At the end of it all, though, I do think that the work was worth it since I’m incredibly proud of the list I’ve put together.

Overall, I’ve decided to name the Velasca Verserat Lined College Loafers as the best leather shoes for men for a number of reasons. These are a pair of loafers that not only feature top-notch Italian leather but also really show off the quality of the material by setting off the tumbled leather with a classy gold horsebit clasp.

I’ve also featured a really cool pair of everyday leather fashion sneakers, the CLAE Deane Black Leather Raw Edge, as well as a pair of loafers from Aurélien, the Black Grain City Loafer, which put their own spin on the category.

Why they’re great: The Velasca Verserat Lined College Loafers manage to balance elegance with comfort, making them a top-tier choice for anyone who values both. Crafted entirely from premium leather, including the soles, these horsebit loafers offer an exceptional level of durability for this sometimes fragile type of shoe. After a brief break-in period, they mold to your feet, allowing for all-day ease whether you’re walking or standing.

Who are they for? With a striking gold metal clasp on the front, these men’s leather shoes are perfect for anyone who wants to make a statement and stand out with a touch of class.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: These loafers feature tumbled leather, giving them a textured finish instead of a sleek, smooth look. Although many love this unique texture, it’s worth drawing attention to if you prefer a more traditional leather appearance.

Material: 100% Tumbled calf leather | Sole Material: 100% Leather | Sizes Available: U.S. 5 – U.S. 13 | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Horsebit Loafers

Why they’re great: The Myrqvist Orust – Dark Brown Calf is the definition of luxury, with top-tier materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and a design that feels both timeless and modern. As Derby shoes, they offer a versatility that leans more casual in today’s wardrobe, but their standout detailing ensures that they maintain an elevated look no matter the occasion.

Who is this for? These men’s leather shoes are ideal for events like outdoor weddings or gatherings at upscale venues like golf courses, especially in warmer climates. They strike the perfect balance between dressy and laid-back.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Personally, I’m not a fan of the more rounded toe shape, but it does suit the overall design and traditional style of the shoe.

Material: 100% Calf Leather | Sole Material: 100% Leather | Sizes Available: U.S. 6.5 – U.S. 12.5 | Colors Available: 2 | Style: Oxfords

Why they’re great: The next entry on our list of the best leather shoes for men is the CLAE Deane – Black Leather Raw Edge sneakers, which are another tremendously versatile option. Their sleek black leather design works just as well with a smart business casual look as it does with a laid-back T-shirt and jeans combo, making them perfect for any occasion.

Who are they for? If you’re after a pair of sneakers that can seamlessly transition from office attire to weekend wear, the CLAE Deane is an excellent choice for both style and practicality.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some might not be fans of the raw leather edges along the panels, but personally, I think it’s what gives these shoes a unique and stylish character.

Material: 100% Leather | Sole Material: 100% Rubber | Sizes Available: U.S. 4 – U.S. 12 | Colors available: 3 | Style: Fashion Sneakers

Why they’re great: And, here we have the Aurélien Black Grain City Loafer. These unique black leather shoes for men look like the love child of a slip-on loafer and a chukka boot, which might sound weird but somehow really works.

Who are they for? These are an excellent pair of fall or early winter boots that you can wear easily with a variety of different outfits.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some people might like it more if the sole of these boots were also black instead of off-white, but there’s no option to get them in all-black.

Material: 100% Calfskin Leather | Sole Material: 100% Leather | Sizes Available: E.U. 40 – E.U. 45 | Colors available: 3 | Style: City Loafers

Why they’re great: These stylish chukka (or desert) boots by Steve Madden are made from really high-quality leather that really shines in the refined cut and profile. There are three classic leather color options, allowing you to choose whether to get a pair of the Men’s Hestonns with a more rugged and unfinished look or a buffed brown leather option.

Who are these for? Chukkas are an incredibly versatile style of footwear that perfectly splits the line between boots and shoes. You can wear them indoors or outdoors, in the summer or the winter.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: I was a little bit disappointed when I saw that the outsole of these men’s leather shoes is made from synthetic leather. But it’s not a huge deal because the rest of the boot is real leather.

Material: 100% Leather | Sole Material: 100% Synthetic Leather | Sizes Available: U.S. 7 – U.S. 17 | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Chukka boots

Why they’re great: Although the Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Heritage Court IIs are available in a wide array of colors, I really love the white version of these sneakers. In fact, there are actually a few different versions of the white available with different highlights around the laces and on the heel of the shoe. You might find a version that you really love.

Who are they for? White leather sneakers certainly do make a fashion statement, but it’s a really cool statement that lots of people like to make.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: They are fairly athletic-looking sneakers, which some people will really like, but others will prefer to steer clear of them.

Material: 100% Leather | Sole Material: 100% Rubber | Sizes Available: U.S. 7 – U.S. 15 | Colors available: 18 | Style: Court Sneakers

Why they’re great: Puma may not have the same global dominance as some other sneaker brands like Nike or Adidas, but they’ve maintained a loyal following for years. The Puma Men’s Roma sneakers, with their retro-inspired design, offer a sleek, all-black look that effortlessly balances sporty and casual vibes. Whether you’re running errands or hanging out, they’re a versatile addition to your wardrobe.

Who are they for? These men’s leather shoes are perfect for anyone who leans toward a laid-back style but still wants a pair of kicks that stand out for both comfort and style.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: The Roma’s design has been around for a while, so there is an argument that they’re a bit too familiar. But I think that the history adds to their charm.

Material: 100% Leather | Sole Material: 100% Rubber | Sizes Available: U.S. 6 – U.S. 14 | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Retro Sneakers

Buying Considerations for The Best Leather Shoes For Men

Size & Fit

Although it’s obvious that getting the right size is hugely important when buying leather shoes for men, I still want to stress the point because it can be difficult to find the perfect size when shopping online. After all, if you spend a bunch of money on a new pair of shoes but they don’t really fit right, then you’re going to regret it.

Standard sizes—whether U.S. or E.U.—can take you only so far, as the fit often varies between different brands and sometimes even within different models of the same brand. That’s why checking the brand’s specific sizing guide is a must. It’s also smart to ensure that there’s a good return or exchange policy, so if the shoes don’t fit just right, you can easily swap them for a more comfortable pair.

Style

As you can tell from our list, you can get men’s leather shoes in a variety of different styles. When many people think of leather shoes, it’s likely that the first image that will come to mind is the classic leather dress shoe (something like the Myrqvist Orust Dark Brown Calf).

And although that reaction isn’t really wrong in any way, it doesn’t capture the full range of options that you have when you’re trying to find the best leather shoes for men to fit into your unique style. No matter what that style is, I’m sure we have an option on this list for you.

Looking for a pair of super cool leather sneakers? Go with the PUMA Men’s Roma or the CLAE Deane Black Leather Raw Edge (or even the Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Heritage Court II). And there’s also a fancier, more deluxe option in the form of the Velasca Verserat Lined College Loafers.

Material

Although all of the shoes on this list are made from leather, I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you that there are large gradations in the quality of different leathers. Similar to the story with sizing, assessing the quality of the leather is another one of the challenges that come up when you’re shopping online. Unfortunately, you can’t really accurately assess the quality of the leather used to make a product from a photo alone.

What you can do, however, is check out what a brand says about how (and from where) they source their materials. If you can see that a brand buys leather from only specific locations and producers, then that’s a really good sign.

On the other hand, a brand that doesn’t include any mention of where they get their leather from is likely buying cheaper, lower-quality leather. You can also read online reviews from customers who have bought leather products from a specific brand and take our recommendations into account.

How We Chose

Whenever I’m putting together a list like this one that covers a really broad area, I always have to exercise a lot of judgment. After all, there are tons of amazing men’s leather shoes that could have justifiably made it onto one of the seven slots on this list. However, you have to draw the line somewhere, and I chose to do it in a way that gives you as many different styles and options as possible.

That’s why you see a pair of Chukka boots following up on a pair of classic Oxfords. It’s an eclectic list, but it’s that way so that you can get a sense of just how much variety is out there in the world of men’s leather shoes.

Additionally, I considered the following three factors when evaluating the products I looked at for this list.

Brand Reputation: It’s really important to me that all the brands I recommend have a sterling reputation for producing high-quality footwear made from excellent materials.

Design: All the men’s leather shoes on this list bring something unique to the table in terms of their design, even when you compare them to similar products. The seven products featured here are the cream of the crop of contemporary men’s footwear.

Price: Men’s leather shoes can definitely represent a significant investment, especially since, if you want a really great pair that will last for years, you need to spend some money. That being said, it’s crucial that whatever shoes you choose to invest in have the quality that they need to make it worth it.

Why Trust Us?

Why trust us? Well, because the FashionBeans editorial team has an incredible amount of experience when it comes to men’s footwear. We’ve all spent years in the menswear industry in some capacity, whether as writers or as active participants, and we love to share all that expertise with you.

If you’re still on the fence and want to see some more of our work, then I’d recommend taking a look at some of the other articles we’ve produced (such as our roundups of the best cowboy boots, the best dress sneakers for men, and the best Chelsea boots). You’ll find plenty of evidence that we know what we’re talking about in those articles.

In order to best leverage our common experience, we use a highly collaborative process to create articles like this one about the best leather shoes for men. Here’s what it looks like: first, we each create a personal shortlist of our personal favorite products in a given category, and then we iron out the final version of the list at an all-hands-on-deck meeting. Although there’s often lots of debate (and there certainly was for this article), we’re always able to find common ground and produce a list that we’re all proud of.

Final Verdict 

Overall, the Velasca Verserat Lined College Loafers are the best leather shoes for men, if you ask me. That’s a big statement, but I think that it’s justified by the exceptional value that these versatile loafers hold, both in terms of their design and the quality of their materials. You can wear these anywhere and feel both comfortable and in control.