The 10 Best Dress Sneakers for Men, Tested by Style Editors

I’ve tested dozens of dress sneakers in the past year, but Florsheim’s bestselling sneaker still reigns supreme. That’s because it’s got a smooth, low-profile look that dresses up any fit, and provides as much comfort as shoes that are triple its price point. It’s built with a removable Comfortech footbed with OrthoLite high-rebound foam, designed to bounce back—literally—with every step, which means it keeps shape and cushioning power over time instead of flattening out after a few wears. What sets it apart from dozens of other insoles I’ve tested is the balance. It’s soft and supportive without being marshmallowy or overly thick.

The breathable mesh lining also ensures your toes stay cool—perfect for blazing summer weather. Plus, it’s super grippy. During our testing, we put the Heist into all kinds of settings—city pavements, office carpet, airport terminals, even a few slick bar floors—and its rubber outsole kept us firmly planted. For style purposes, you can dress it up or dress it down because the low-profile cut can easily slip into your wardrobe without drawing too much attention. It doesn’t scream “athletic”, but still super wearable and stylish. Pair it with a suit for an important presentation or lace it up with jeans and a simple tee for drinks at the local pub.

Read More: Most Comfortable Dress Shoes

Bruno Marc’s Rivera serves a “Monday morning on Wall Street” vibe as effortlessly as it does a Friday night on the town. Unlike the other dress sneakers with leather uppers, this option is produced from textile, so it’s not as formal as its competitors. On the bright side, you can still rock it in more business casual settings. More importantly, the $36 dress sneaker won’t make you break the bank.

It’s light and flexible, so these dress sneakers were a joy to wear through a long work day. Derby style construction looks great with a suit for a cocktail reception or trousers for brunch. But the style versatility doesn’t stop there—it can polish up a laidback hoodie fit, or make even the dressiest ensemble look casual—just not too casual. Plus, the shoe comes in six colors to give you range.

Cole Haan makes some of the most comfortable dress shoes, and it’s no surprise the ZERØGRAND wingtip oxford equally measures up. For starters, the FlowerFoam midsole, a proprietary material made from dandelion rubber, offers a cushy stride that feels like you’re walking on marshmallows. To be honest, this feature makes it more comfortable than most sneakers out there. But even with all of this cushioning, I found the shoe is super lightweight and has a great grip to wear along uneven sidewalks and wet surfaces, and has gotten me through a lot of rainy day commutes in New York City.

The outsole also features divots that allow the shoe to bend and move more naturally with my feet. In terms of style, the brogue “punched hole” detailing on the upper looks like a heritage dress shoe. It’s sharp enough for slacks and a button-down, perfect for client meetings and business mixers. Our testers have even dressed it up with a sweater and chinos for date night.

If you’re tired of cycling through your worn-out shoe year-after-year, it might be time to upgrade to an investment sneaker that will last a lifetime. Take Koio’s dress sneakers, produced from full-grain nubuck leather. They’re finished with monochrome hand-painted edges for a super clean look. This muted ecru color goes with business-casual attire, airport fits, and semi-dress ensembles. It also packs a more stylish punch than your standard black or white sneaker.

The Capri is probably our favorite sneaker to wear with a suit, but this particular shade of gray also compliments black jeans. Unlike the rigid polyurethane insoles found in lesser dress sneakers that weigh you down, these OrthoLite insoles offer a plush, responsive cushioning that molds to your foot’s contours. From the first wear through a full 10-hour day on my feet, I could spot the difference; it was more bounce, more breathability, and I had way less foot pain.

This classic, minimalist leather sneaker by Beckett Simonon is complete with water-repellent suede that holds up in all sorts of conditions—a feature absent from many of its dressier counterparts. The color-matching laces and white outsole also make the soft suede pop. Since this shoe has a tall instep—a higher arch area—our testers with a higher arch found it especially did a great job at keeping their feet in a neutral position, even when they’ve been on their feet for hours.

We’ve worn these sneakers through blizzard-like commutes, standing at events to running around photoshoot sets, and they kept our feet comfortable, dry and supported. The padded collars offered noticeable ankle support, preventing any irritation, and the leather insoles felt like they were breaking in just for us, making them feel like a second skin. Our favorite part though, has got to be the buttery-smooth suede material that comes in six different colors.

Common Projects are my go-to for sleek, understated style—think smooth leather, subtle branding, and neutral colors that make them perfect for my 9-to-5 uniform. I’ve had a pair in my closet for almost four years now, and I rotate them through my office-ready outfits—whether it’s chinos, tailored jeans, or even a relaxed blazer. Initially, its leather material felt a little stiff and required a short break-in period before feeling truly comfortable. I’ve found that the vulcanized rubber soles are super sturdy and have a slightly firm feel underfoot, compared to other leather dress sneakers.

The premium leather feels far more luxurious than average dress sneakers, and it’s flexible enough to move from desk to drinks without looking formal. Sure, they come with a higher price tag, but that’s because you’re not just paying for the brand name. You’re investing in exceptional craftsmanship, quality materials and a timeless design that’ll still look fresh long after the trends have come and gone. They’re built to last–and when you factor in the years of wear, that price starts to feel like a steal.

Dress sneakers with suede uppers serve quiet luxury without the sticker shock. Take Peter Millar’s lace-up option. This simple silhouette comes in beige, blue, and grey—which blurs the lines between boardroom and bar crawl. In other words, you can wear this pair with your favorite jeans for a laid-back fit or a tailored suit for a dressier event, and not look out of place. While its suede is not as water-resistant as leather, we’ve found this sneaker won’t get destroyed in light rain or splashes. Either way, we suggest playing it safe in dry weather to preserve the structure of the nap (that soft, fuzzy texture).

The bottom of the shoe is a rubberized EVA outsole—a hybrid sole that combines the cushioned feel of foam with the durability and grip of rubber. It gives you both extra bounce and better grip—ideal for city streets, office floors, or whatever terrain your day throws at you. The leather insole has a smooth feel that holds its shape even after multiple wears. Plus, the leather lining feels super breathable, meaning your feet stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the cooler months—reducing sweat and moisture build-up.

In our wear tests, this dress sneaker from Todd Snyder moved seamlessly from a casual office setting to a weekend brunch to a romantic night out. It passed every style scenario we threw at it, too. Light wash denim and a white tee? Clean and casual. Chinos and a button-down? Perfect for the workplace. A sweater and sleek trousers? Nail it for a dressy dinner.

What sets it apart is the vintage-inspired design, which combines soft, supple leather with rich suede accents for a contrast that feels luxe without being flashy. Chef’s kiss—it gives the shoe texture, depth, and just the right amount of flex. The low-key silhouette keeps it looking sharp and refined—nothing chunky or overbuilt—so it pairs with everything in your wardrobe.

The low EVA cup sole, which is made of gum rubber, felt smooth, light and grippy enough to keep you steady. It’s got that barely-there feel underfoot, still providing a solid amount of bounce on pavement and hard floors. Inside, the leather footbed ups the comfort game, and the white laces make it really pop.

Pros

• Incredibly breathable
• Terry-lined tongue for supportive structure
• Feels comfortable enough to wear for hours

This dress sneaker might come with a hefty price tag, but the comfort and style match. Right out of the box, the supple leather upper and padded lining make them wearable with virtually no break-in time. Compared to stiffer options like Common Projects, the Replicas feel broken-in faster—less heel rubbing, more step-in comfort from day one. The cushioned insoles offer solid absorption, and the rubber sole gives subtle bounce without feeling chunky.

I paired them with dress trousers, chinos, and even a suit—these never looked out of place. After several wears, the premium suede and leather resist creasing and scuffing better than I expected. The toe box has a slight roundness that gives retro but not dated, and the paneling gives it structure without being busy. They’re not just fashion sneakers—they test like true everyday essentials with luxury cred.

What Are Dress Sneakers?

The best dress sneakers are generally defined by having a uniform color, minimal detail, and higher end materials. Colors are usually in the same range as dress shoes, meaning brown, black, blue, or gray. The lone exception is white, since solid white sneakers pass for dressy, especially leather varieties. Uppers are usually leather or suede, but there are some fabric options that pass for formal. Soles can be flat or athletic, as long as they are a solid color that is complementary to the upper. Meaning that a brown or tan dress sneaker can have a white sole, and a black or gray dress sneaker can have a black or gray sole.

Some dress sneakers feature leather uppers that are identical to standard dress shoes, like a long wing brogue or a cap toe. These shoes enter sneaker territory by changing up the sole to an athletic design and can sometimes have other sneaker-like details, such as a padded ankle. You can even have a fabric upper that is designed to look like a dress shoe, but feel and perform like a sneaker.

How Do I Wear Dress Sneakers to Work?

Dress sneakers at work is totally doable—just have to keep it sharp. First rule: skip the athletic stuff. Go for minimal leather or suede sneakers—think Common Projects, Koio, or something sleek from Cole Haan. White, black, navy or tan are always a safe bet.

Match them with slim chinos or black jeans—no distressing, no sag. On top, throw on a crisp button-down or polo, maybe layer with a bomber, cardigan, or even an unconstructed blazer if you’re feeling like a boss-level polished. Keep the colors coordinated, nothing too loud.

How Do I Clean Dress Sneakers?

While most athletic sneakers and canvas sneakers can be cleaned in a washing machine, that is almost never the case for dress sneakers. A little elbow grease and some simple products will be required. Which method you use depends on what material your dress sneakers uppers are made of. As for the soles, since they are pretty much all made out of rubber, you can wipe them clean with a wet washcloth and a little dish detergent.

Leather

Leather dress sneakers are the easiest to clean because most dirt, dust, and stains will wipe off with a wet towel. An old toothbrush works well for getting into cracks and crevices. For pesky marks, use a simple dish detergent like Dawn on a wet washcloth.

Suede

If you own any suede shoes, jackets, or accessories, then it is worth investing in a suede brush. You can find them on Amazon and they work wonders. Any dirt, dust, smudge, or scuff will rub right off. However, if this does not work and your suede has a set in stain, you will have to take it to a professional cleaners.

Textile

Any kind of textile upper can be cleaned with a wet towel and laundry detergent. Just wet the towel and dab a dime sized amount of detergent onto the towel, then scrub away. Use an old toothbrush to get into cracks and crevices. For set-in stains, you can use a stain treatment like Shout before cleaning.