Suede shoes have always been a status symbol but not a silly one that’s seen as such only because of a price tag. No, suede shoes are at the top of the men’s footwear pyramid because they are the best in terms of the material they’re made from and because of their luxurious comfort.
The world of men’s suede shoes is a big one, with both areas that have been exhaustively explored (suede Oxfords are very well known, for example) and areas that haven’t come into the limelight as much (such as suede sneakers). In this article about the best men’s suede shoes, we’re going to dip our toes into many of these different areas.
I’ve found 5 of the best suede shoes for men that you can consider adding to your footwear game. I’m sure the perfect pair for you is waiting for you somewhere on this list.
Let’s jump right in.
Key Takeaways
I’ve been wearing suede shoes for a very, very long time, and as a result, I couldn’t even count all the different pairs I’ve owned or tried on and almost owned. This list of the 5 best suede shoes for men is based on all that experience, as well as lots of research into the latest and greatest releases.
Overall, I’ve decided to recommend the BOSS Men’s Suede Sneakers with Rubber Sole as the best suede shoes for men. They’re pretty much the perfect “fashion sneaker,” which means that they can be worn with both street-style clothes and more formal outlets.
That versatility goes a long way to explaining my decision, as does the simply amazing materials and craftsmanship the shoes offer. I’ve also added a pair of driving shoes to the list, the yldsgs Suede Slip-on Driving Moccasins, as well as a pair of very classy penny loafers—the Allen Edmonds Men’s Newton Suede Comfort Slip-on Penny Loafer.
Why they’re great: The BOSS Men’s Suede Sneakers with Rubber Soles top our list of the best suede shoes for a number of reasons. They’re made from suede that feels incredibly soft to the touch yet is tough enough to put up with lots of wear. They’re also great in terms of design, with a super cool white rubber sole that gives them a look that’s both casual and sophisticated.
Who are these for? Just about everybody could feel comfortable putting on a pair of these great suede sneakers, which is a big part of why they’re in the best overall position on this list.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some people might not like the size of the rubber soles. It’s definitely a fairly notable design feature, but some people also might really like it.
Material: 100% Suede | Sole Material: 100% Rubber | Sizes Available: U.S. 7–U.S. 13 | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Sneakers
Why they’re great: Next up, we’ve got a pair of super cool and classy, yet super affordable at the same time, driving moccasins from yldsgs. The really singular metal clasp on these shoes’ vamp, taking the place of the more common tassel, is definitely the standout design feature and will draw lots of positive comments when you have them on.
Who are these for? Anyone who loves the style of classic Italian but can’t afford to go all out on a pair of Tods or something should really consider these great shoes.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These are made from cow suede, which is softer than leather but not quite as soft as some of the other suedes on this list. However, given the price point of these moccasins, the material offers really incredible value.
Material: 100% Cow suede leather | Sole Material: 100% Rubber | Sizes Available: U.S. 6 – U.S. 13 | Colors Available: 10 | Style: Moccasins
Why they’re great: The Coach Mens Declan Suede Loafer embodies everything that is iconic about the Coach brand: timeless design, quality materials, and amazing craftsmanship. These were designed to be a “wear with everything” pair of loafers, and I definitely agree with that description.
Who are these for? If you’re someone who loves to buy deluxe products and doesn’t mind paying a premium for them, then you’ll definitely find a lot to like about this great pair of shoes.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The price point of these men’s suede shoes is out of reach for many people, but I wouldn’t really go so far as to say that they’re outrageously expensive.
Material: 100% Suede | Sole Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes Available: U.S. 7 – U.S. 13 | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Loafers
Why they’re great: These great men’s suede shoes are the kind that flatter through their simplicity and easy design. They’re proof that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to make a great pair of suede dress shoes, and as a result, they are a great pairing for lots of other formal/semi-formal clothes like a navy blazer or khakis.
Who are these for? I’d primarily recommend the Allen Edmonds Men’s Newton Suede Comfort Slip-on Penny Loafer to someone who is looking for a pair of suede office shoes to go with their suits of business casual attire.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although they’re a little too conservative to make a list like ‘the coolest shoes for men,’ sometimes that’s exactly what fits the situation you’re planning to wear them to.
Material: 100% Suede | Sole Material: 100% Polyurethane | Sizes Available: U.S. 7 – U.S. 13 | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Loafers
Why they’re great: How much can I really say about the Adidas Samba that you don’t already know? The sneaker has been a classic for a long time, and it still is. The suede version does take them up to another level in terms of both appearance and comfort, so going for this update is definitely worth it.
Who are these for? Anyone who’s a fan of classic street sneakers would love to have a pair of these in their closet. They’re definitely a pair of shoes you can wear on an everyday basis.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These shoes are so popular that some people might prefer to go with something that’s a little less mainstream, but you don’t really need to follow that logic if you don’t want to.
Material: 100% Suede | Sole Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes Available: U.S. 4.5 –U.S. 13 | Colors Available: 3 | Style: Sneakers
Buying Considerations for The Best Suede Shoes For Men
Size
It (almost) goes without saying that it’s incredibly important to get shoes that are the right size for suede shoes or any other type. But I do want to talk about it because finding the perfect size of a particular shoe for your feet can be a bit difficult when you’re shopping online.
That’s because, although we do have the standard shoe sizes—U.S., E.U., and others, in fact—the exact way a pair of shoes fit will vary based on the brand and sometimes even the model we’re talking about. That’s why it’s crucial to check out the sizing guide of whatever brand you’re considering.
It’s also a good idea to ensure that there’s a good exchange/return policy, so that you can send back anything that doesn’t feel perfectly comfortable.
Style
With the basics out of the way, you also need to decide on the type of suede shoes you’re looking for. And, as you can tell from our list of the best suede shoes for men, you have a ton of options. Whatever category of men’s footwear you can think of, someone is making that type of shoe in suede.
I think that the best way for you to figure out what type of shoes you want to look is figuring out where you really want to wear them. If you’re looking for office shoes, that’ll take you to a different place than if you’re looking for something to wear at social situations like dinners and parties. Or, you could try to look for a versatile shoe that will cover all these bases relatively well.
Color
Finally, it’s time to choose what type of color you want to get your shoes in. The more natural shades of suede, browns, and blacks are a good place to start thinking. I love the way that these natural tones compliment all sorts of clothes, from suits to a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
You can also consider getting a pair of men’s suede shoes that feature more color by getting some dyed suede. Shoes like these can also look really great, so it’s mostly up to your taste what direction you want to go in.
How We Chose
The first thing I looked at when deciding what products to include and exclude for this list of the best suede shoes for men was the quality of the suede they feature. Anything that claimed to have ‘synthetic suede’ was automatically off, and products that explained where their suede was from and why it’s great had an advantage. I also made sure that I was representing many different types of shoes on the list, which led to some hard decisions.
We also paid very close attention to the four crucial criteria that guide every product review here on FashionBeans:
Company reputation: Brands have built up their reputation over many years, especially when they’re making upscale products like suede shoes for men. We only recommend brands that have a stellar reputation.
Customer reviews: Customer reviews are essential for alerting us to both hidden benefits and pitfalls that a product might have. We always pay really close attention to what real people are saying.
Price: A lot of the products on this list of the best suede shoes for men have quite significant price tags, but we work really hard to ensure that they always offer enough value to be worth the price.
Transparency: Finally, it’s always really important to us that a brand is forthcoming about important factors like the origin of their materials and what the details of their return policies are.
Why Trust Us?
All of the editors here at FashionBeans are greatly enamored with men’s suede shoes, and even that can seem like an understatement. We really love them, which is why all of us editors had tons of opinions about which shoes should make this list. Eventually, we decided to each come up with a shortlist of what we individually thought were the best suede shoes for men.
Then, we had a meeting to hammer out the exact form that this list would take, with each of us making a pitch for why we thought the suede shoes we love (and wear) should make it on. After lots of debate and discussion, we’re all really happy with the list of the five best suede shoes for men that we came up with.
Final Verdict
At the end of the day, we decided to go with the BOSS Men’s Suede Sneakers with Rubber Sole as the overall best suede shoes for men. They’re such a cool and casual, yet upscale, pair of sneakers, and they’re made from suede that can only be described as top-class. If you’re looking for a versatile pair of suede shoes that you can wear with all sorts of things and in all sorts of places, then you can’t really go wrong with this great pair.
FAQ
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Yes, men can wear suede shoes and have been wearing suede shoes for a really long time. Suede is among the highest quality and most expensive material we make shoes out of, and as such it’s always been highly sought after.
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Most people would say that suede is nicer than leather on account of the material’s superior softness and suppleness, which make it a true pleasure to wear. However, suede is significantly more delicate than leather, leaving it more vulnerable to tears and scratches, as well as water damage.
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The truth is that men can pretty much always wear suede shoes because you can get a pair of suede shoes that are appropriate for every occasion. The only exception would be when you’re dealing with lots of rain or snow. Then, I wouldn’t really recommend trying to get away with wearing your suede shoes without damaging them. After all, your suede shoes will only last for as long as you take care of them.
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