Hey gents, today we’re talking about the best loafers on the market.

We’re going to look at brands across a wide range of price points, from $200 to upwards of $1000.

Why such a wide spread? Cos we’re looking for the sweet spot.

If you’re like me (and you probably are if you’re reading this), you want great-looking shoes that last a long time. And believe it or not, there’s no need to take out a second mortgage in order to invest in some loafers that will do just that.

You won’t find them for free either, which is why we we’re not going below $200 in this roundup. As with every other shoe you might invest in, you simply won’t find loafers with good construction and materials at a lower price.

If you haven’t yet figured it out, that type of “investing,” if you will, is my approach to menswear: essential items that will last you a long time and thus save you a lot of money in the long run even if the initial purchase is a bit higher than you call affordable.

But first, let’s have a look at basic loafer construction and the marks of a well-built one.

What to Look for in a Loafer

Regarding materials, ideally, you want full grain or calfskin leather. You’ll also fine them in suede or, on even more casual models, canvas or linen. One important thing to remember when you’re considering the materials of the loafer: shoes made out of the best material will form to your foot over time and won’t develop any weird smells as you wear them.

Most loafers will be made from leather or suede: you want to look for a leather that can be restitched in the event of a tear (the merchant selling you the shoe will be able to advise you of this). Try to stay away from cheaper material loafers, such as the ones that use “genuine leather”. Contrary to popular belief, this is actually the lowest quality leather available on the market. It’s called genuine only because it meets the bare minimum industry standards for qualifying as leather.

When it comes to construction, you won’t see a Blake Stitch construction in a loafer because this has a much thinner profile. We will briefly cover Blake Stitch and Goodyear Welt construction just the same. Want to know more about either? My two cobbler friends talked about both construction methods in detail here.

Loafers are a great way to elevate your style and stay comfortable at the same time. Although they’re often made of the same leathers as dress shoes, they are a more casual type of footwear. They may not be a good choice for the board room, and they’re certainly not suitable for black tie, but in any business casual situation from a software office to a summer date, they’ll serve you well.

Now, let’s take a look at the loafers.

Loafers Under $200

At this price range, you can expect a good three years of wear out of your loafers if you take good care of them. Obviously the’ll last a bit longer if you don’t wear them often.

G.H. Bass

Our first loafers are the Harris Tweed Weejuns (pictured above) made by G.H. Bass. The leather is decent, but the Harris Tweed material is of far better quality than you’ll usually see at this price range.

This model currently retails at $110. They’re made in El Salvador and to me, it’s really not worth spending money on a new loafer before you’ve saved up at least this much

Moving right along to one of my favorite brands and quite a popular one…

Thursday Boots

Next up on the price ladder is Thursday Boots. Compared to GH Bass, you’re going to see a slight increase in quality, both in terms of construction and materials, and prices. Although obviously best-known for their boots, Thursday’s more recent loafers collection is worth a look if you’re in the market for a new pair. Pictured above is their Lincoln loafer which comes in several standard colors and is made in Mexico. Thursday’s loafers ues Chromexcel Horween Leather, a full glove interior leather lining, and a cork-bed midsole.

You’re definitely seeing the price-to-value ratio start to kick in here: in spite of their quite reasonable prices (the Lincoln loafers are $170), these loafers can and do last quite a long time.

Moving right along, and slightly up…

Meermin

Next we have Meermin. Meermin is in many ways comparable to the brand Carmina (see below), only it’s far less expensive. As you may recall, I’ve talked about my issues with the brand in the past, mostly from a customer service perspective, but Meermin deserves to be on this list just the same.

Why, you ask?

Cos their shoes are absolutely beautiful. If you’re in New York, I highly recommend checking out their store in Soho. Now that they have their offices in New York, the shipping, exchanges, and returns are much easier to deal with. I also really love their Chukkas that I have from them.

Most of Meermin’s loafers retail at $195. It is a really great entry-level brand: you’re getting really high quality materials and construction.

Jay Butler

Next up, we have Jay Butler, one of the few shoe brands on the market that specialize in men’s loafers. Also coming in at an agreeable $195 price point, Jay Butler loafers are made in Mexico. One distinguishing mark of this brand is how many options are available, including a bit of customization. They also offer a variety of leather and hardware options: in addition to full grain leather, they sell shoes made of suede, crocodile, ostrich, and even alligator! 

If you’re looking for an amazing loafer at $195 with free shipping and a wide variety of styles, then Jay Butler is definitely worth checking out. 

Jack Erwin

Jack Erwin has had a few different loafers over the years. I’ve heard mixed things about their quality. I tried them a few years ago and I haven’t revisited them since, but they will hit that $200 price point with decent materials.

Rounding out the $200 price range is another well-known brand that I think is DEFINITELY worth a look, and maybe a purchase:

Beckett Simonon

The other loafer at around a $200 price point is Beckett Simonon. Their Beaumont loafers, pictured above, are a highlight of my shoe collection. I’ve had them for a couple of years now and over time, as with the best loafers, they’ve formed to my feet quite beautifully. This shoe is a prime example of a calfskin leather that ages well over time.

I haven’t actually taken much polish to my Beaumonts, nor have I conditioned them particularly well, but with a little bit of TLC, you’ll find that yours are going to look great for a very long time. What I really love, is that these look quite a lot like a Guccis for a third of the price.

Are they as nice as a Gucci loafers? Admittedly, no. But the calfskin they use is really beautiful and they’re a steal at $199. 

Now we’re going to move on up a bit, gentlemen. Keep reading for some options at a slightly higher price point.

$200-$350 Loafers

Rancourt

Rancourt loafers start at $250 and they’re made in Maine. This is a heritage US brand that known for their hand-sewn construction. They’re lightweight shoes and Rancourt and also a made-to-order program. Be prepared to wait a bit though: as with most custom shoe brands, Rancourt’s will take at least 4 weeks from order confirmation to delivery. So if you’re looking for something very particular to your preferences, or you prefer to buy American, Rancourt will serve you well if you’re patient.

Ace Marks

Next up is Ace Marks, one of the more well-known and popular shoe brands among the sartorially inclined. Their loafers come in at $299 and they’re made in Italy out of beautiful, top-shelf Italian leathers. This brand is another example of how quickly an increase in price correlates with an increase in quality.

Ace Marks never fail to outdo themselves on everything I’ve ever bought from them, whether it’s their boots, their sneakers, or in this case, their loafers. I cannot recommend this brand highly enough.

If you guys get your hands on some Ace Marks, I know you will attest to that too. The loafer they make is a really beautiful pièce de résistance.

Morjas

Morjas is also out of Spain and this brand’s distinguishing mark is their wide selection of loafers in some beautiful suede. They have thin, rubber soles and are available in a great many styles, colors, and sizes. 

Morjas offers free returns and exchanges in the EU so if you live in that corner of the world, you’ll definitely want to take a look at these shoes. 

Loake and Allen Edmonds

The last two loafers to talk about at this price point are Loake and the well-known Allen Edmonds.

Loake makes most of their shoes in the UK and their uppers are premium calf leather or, as pictured above, lovely suede.

Allen Edmonds makes a lot of their shoes in the US but most of their hand-sewn loafers are made in the Dominican Republic, where they have a factory.

AE’s loafers use leathers imported from fine tanneries all over Europe, but they cost less than many other brands cos they aren’t made there, which always raises interesting questions about where labor costs less and why.

Both of these shoes are going to come in at around $320-$350 price point.

Moving on to still higher price points…

Luxury Loafers ($350+)

Alright, from here,  here we’re into full luxury. With these brands, you’ll be getting the best leathers in the world, beautiful styles, and top-notch craftsmanship.

Let’s talk about the brands that are in here and then you can go and shop the brands that you like. 

Paul Evans

First up is Paul Evans. Paul Evans makes some beautiful shoes, especially when you look at them on the website. But when you see them in person, you’ll see that the leathers they use have this really rich liveliness to them. 

Most of PE’s shoes retail at at $395, although some run higher. If you’re looking for a loafer that can compete with Gucci, Paul Evans is certainly a viable contender in terms of its construction and materials.

Be careful when you order: some models are in stock while others are pre-orders, which obviously take a lot longer. 

Paul Evans is a great place to start if you’re looking for loafers with a truly luxurious feel.

Crockett & Jones 

Next, you have Crockett & Jones. These are the shoes of choice for James Bond. Their Kensington shoe (pictured above) is currently listed for about $530. Their shoes have beautiful calfskin uppers and are soled with a goodyear welt. This brand, perhaps more than any other on the list, really embodies the British heritage of handmade shoes. 

Carmina

Carmina is a Spanish shoemaker that makes incredible shoes for enthusiasts around the world. Again, you’re going to be paying a premium: most of their models retail at around $500.

But it’s worth the investment if your goal is a sleek, excellently-made shoe. Carmina shoes are handmade in Spain using some of the finest calf leathers in the world. They’re beautifully construction and truly made to last forever.

Gucci

Rounding out the luxury list is a loafer from that that slick and stylish label Gucci. Arguably the most iconic shoe on this list, the Gucci loafer has a few different models. Usually they run about $900 and they’re obviously made in Italy.

Like Carmina, they also use some of the nicest leathers in the world. As with many designer lablels, Gucci’s prices are partly due to the designer name. If that doesn’t matter to you and all you’re after is quality materials and construction, you can get that with Paul Evans, Crockett & Jones, or Carmina. All you’re missing is the prestige that comes with a Gucci loafer.

If, like many sartorially inclined men, the brand does matter to you, and you can afford it, then Gucci is an excellent choice. You can find them new at Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s or the Gucci website, but you can also find some good second-hand Gucci loafers far below the retail price on Amazon or eBay. As always with second-hand online purchases, buyer beware.

Just for fun, let’s close by having a look at some brands with obscene price points. I do not condone spending this much on shoes but these labels are fun to talk about.

Salvatore Ferragamo

One of the many Italian fashion houses that crowd the streets around Milan’s Duomo, Ferragamo has an iconic logo and silhouette associated with their loafers. The soles of these loafers have more of a lug style, which is quite a polarizing feature on any shoe, and most of this brand’s shoes fall in the $1,000 range, depending on where you’re buying from.

The main reason behind their price is just like Gucci’s: they have a certain cache to their brand. 

Edward Green & John Lobb

Then, we step a little bit further into the bespoke, beautiful, handmade shoe dimension and you have both Edward Green and John Lobb. You’re going to be paying about $1200 for a pair of Edward Greens and about $1500 for a pair from John Lobb.

I have no personal experience with either of these bespoke shoe brands but their reputations speak for themselves: if you want some of the best made shoes in the world in every aspect, then definitely check these out. Buy me a pair too. :)

Final Thoughts

Where I think you really ought to focus is on the value-quality price point at the $300 range, starting with Allen Edmonds and Ace Marks, both of which provide awesome shoes.

If you’re already looking for some loafers and you’re up for experimenting without breaking the bank, that’s where Beckett Simonon comes in.

Once the summer hits, loafers are my go-to footwear when I want to elevate my casuals style. A nice pair of loafers looks really good and to me they’re just as comfortable as sneakers.

I hope I’ve given you guys a few leads if you’re new to loafers and want to try them out.

If so, let me know what you’re going to buy?

If not, what brands did I miss?

Let me know down in the comments or reach out to me on Twitter or Instagram. I always love hearing from you.

Until next time, gents…

This is The Kavalier.