The Best Men’s Casual Slip-on Shoes, Tested by Editors

Easymoc founder Greg Cordeiro set out to improve the classic camp moc—a slip-on shoe with a reputation for comfort and durability—so that it was even easier to wear and more comfortable. After taking it for a spin, we concluded that Cordeiro’s ambitious goal was a resounding success. So much so that it secured a spot at the top of our list.

The original Easymoc has a lower back compared to a standard camp moc, so we were able to slide our feet right in with ease. That heel wall is reinforced with an extra layer of suede so it stays up, which kept our feet from slipping out as we walked. On the inside, a cushioned inset kept our feet comfortable after hours or wear.

Our style editors appreciated that the front of the shoe honors that old fashioned moccasin look, made popular by camp mocs, boat shoes, and loafers. It looks great with shorts, jeans, chinos, and joggers. The sturdy suede is more elevated than a sneaker and more relaxed than a dress shoe, hitting a sweet spot for elevated every-day wear.

What put Easymoc over the top for us is the longevity factor. The upper is a heavy suede with a leather lining that should last well over a decade. Vibram, one of the most trusted brands for boot soles, makes the rubber outsole and it can be replaced by Easymoc for $75 or any local shoe shop. Even the Ortholite insole can be replaced. This is truly an investment shoe that can be worn for decades.

Read more: Best Loafers for men

Semi-dressy leather and suede round toe slip-on shoes have become popular in the last few years, so we checked out a few of them in our testing. The Monterrey looks similar to many of the other options we checked out, but a few hidden details stand out in what has become a crowded field. On the inside, Tecovas used a sueded leather panel that wraps around the back of your heel and provided bar the far the best heel-slip prevention in our testing.

It was the sole construction, both inside and outside, that really won our testers over on this slip-on shoe. The insole has a layer of leather placed over top of a foam layer, which provided ample cushioning while still allowing the insole to mold to the wearer’s foot over time. On the flip side, the lower half of the heel stack is rubber, which not only kept us sure footed, but created the best shock absorption of any leather-soled slip-on we tested.

All those little unseen details added up to an exceptionally comfortable leather slip-on shoe that could handle every-day wear and also dress up with office or formal wear. The icing on the cake is that the Blake stitch outsole can be easily and affordably re-soled multiple times, allowing for decades of service.

Mules are the ultimate slip-on shoe because you don’t need to use your hands at all. No back means that you can step right in and out. There are plenty of good options out there but our testers landed on the Luca Terra Mule because of its sleek look and subtly impressive construction. We really couldn’t find an outfit that didn’t work with the round leather toe and flat sole. It quickly became our go-to footwear for everything from grocery shopping to dinner dates.

Our shoe savvy writers were impressed with the construction of this modest mule. The upper is made from two layers of leather along with a leather footbed, which provides a sturdy shape and a softer feel on the inside. All leather means that it won’t retain odors and will mold to the wearer’s foot over time. The crepe sole is great because it provides strong traction and an extra layer of cushion. Better still, it has a stitched down sole, which means it can be replaced by any shoe shop with more crepe or rubber, or even a leather outsole.

The Vans checkerboard slip-on sneaker has been a cultural icon since the ‘80s and trendy for the past decade. A fun fact is that it was created as a collaboration for the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982. Originating from Southern California surf culture, it has transcended so many genres of the years that absolutely anyone can pull it off. The simple pattern, strong heritage, and comfortable wear made this the only slip-on sneaker that made the list.

If you’re going to pick a pair of Van’s checkerboard slip-ons, we recommend dropping a little extra for the ‘98 reissue. An extra twenty bucks gets heavier canvas upper with a higher vulcanized rubber sidewall and slightly thicker outsole. Some of our writers have worn Vans for many years and can attest that all of those features will significantly extend the life of the shoe compared to the standard model.

Pros

• Machine washable
• Very lightweight for a shoe
• Strong grip on the outsole

Building a loafer silhouette out of sneaker materials sounds simple enough but we’ve seen it fail by looking too casual. Rothy’s nailed this delicate balance and created a casual slip-on with sneaker level comfort and loafer-esque style. The entire upper is a soft nylon that felt very lightweight and flexible, and the sole is a solid rubber that had plenty of grip and just enough support.

From a style standpoint, our editors found this shoe to be the most successful modern take on a loafer that we’ve come across. Just like a pair of stretch chinos, it honors the classic look while adding the performance of modern materials. This is a perfect elevated every-day shoe for someone who wants to move on from sneakers without sacrificing comfort. It also fits perfectly into most contemporary office dress codes.

The beauty of a good penny loafer is that it can dress up or down with equal effectiveness. If you’re looking for a casual slip-on that can handle a suit every once-in-a-while, G.H. Bass is the way to go. Men’s Health Fashion Director Ted Stafford chose the Larson Weejuns as the best loafer because it offers “unmatched value.” The quality of the leather and construction used is on par with much more expensive leather slip-on shoes that we tested.

As Stafford pointed out, this old school loafer actually works best with a pair of worn-in old jeans. Loafers really shine when contrasted with casual attire like a plain white t-shirt or oxford button down. It is the perfect way to level up those sneakers you find yourself reaching for every morning.

We tested out the Mellow Recovery Clog for its intended use of helping our feet decompress after a strenuous workout. Then we quickly realized why we see this casual slip-on shoe all over the place, because it is incredibly comfortable. As it turns out, you don’t have to run seven miles or play five games of pick-up basketball to utilize the most comfortable Croc we’ve tried out. It is ideal for lounging around the house and running out for errands and especially for pre and post workout. However, we didn’t find it stylish enough to wear socially.

After a little research, we found out that the material is the secret to this slip-on’s comfort. The entire shoe is molded from a Literide foam, which is softer than the foam used for most other Crocs. The shape of the outsole and footbed provide more support than cloud slides, while giving a similar cushy feel.

While it is technically a slipper, the sturdy wool upper and leather outsole allow this casual slip-on to handle light duty outside of the house as well. Glerup is a New Hampshire based brand making Danish style footwear out of 100% natural materials. The slipper is pure felted wool that has been molded into shape with a soft leather outsole sewn onto the bottom.

All of the wonderful properties of sheeps wool made this one of the most comfortable slip-on shoes we tried out. Wool is notoriously itchy, but felted wool is soft and cushy, which felt like a cozy chunky sweater for our feet. It is insulating but allows moisture to seep out, so our feet stayed warm without getting sweaty. Just be careful when wearing this shoe outside because the thin outsole doesn’t protect against any hard or sharp objects. Felted wool is very water resistant, but avoid any puddles or snow.

Are there causal leather and suede slip-on shoes?

Leather and suede are materials of choice for dress shoes and boots, but they make for really nice casual shoes as well. The fact is that the construction and material of the sole has more to do with how casual a shoe is than the upper. For example, a plain toe leather upper with a simple flat leather sole is much more casual than one with a stacked leather heel. The difference between a dressy loafer and a casual camp moc has more to do with the sole than the upper.

Shininess is also a good rule of thumb. If the leather upper comes with a shine, it is meant to be formal, while leathers that keep a natural matte finish can handle casual duty just fine.

A casual leather or suede slip-on shoe is the perfect way to elevate your everyday style by only changing one piece. The same jeans and crewneck sweater look much more refined with a leather slip-on than a pair of sneakers.