The Best Dress Sneakers Are Here to Save Your Office Outfits (and Your Feet)

Business casual footwear has evolved, and so should your wardrobe If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. For all my 9-to-5 brethren out there, my heart goes out to you. I can only imagine how hard it is to open your closet every morning and pick something out that is comfortable, stylish, and HR-appropriate. And while you can get away with a handful ol’ reliables with a few button-downs and chinos in your rotation – be honest, fellas, are you forgetting your feet? Sure, a loafer is great, and I’ll even settle for a nice Oxford once in a blue moon, but neither is necessarily what I want on my feet for a solid forty-hour work week. Plus, in many modern offices, dress shoes feel far too stuffy. Instead of the old-school options, it might be time to think about the humble dress sneaker. At a Glance: The Best Dress Sneakers for Men While this name may seem like something of an oxymoron, it might also be your ticket to a more comfortable, modern business casual wardrobe. Taking the best parts of a sneaker — like cushioning, flexibility, and lightweight construction — and pairing them with a more classic shape and restrained color palette, the result is a shoe that can handle a commute without looking out of place once you get to the office. But if you’re new to the idea of dress sneakers, or think they’re an unsexy alternative to more traditional office options, keep reading. We put our feet to the test and found the best dress sneakers on the market today. How We Chose the Best Dress Sneakers For each pair of dress sneakers we tested, we considered fit and comfort, the quality of the materials and construction, and whether the overall shape worked with office clothes. Since the category covers everything from minimal leather sneakers to more technical options, we paid attention to how each shoe handled the balance between the two. Ultimately, each pair had to deliver sneaker-level comfort without looking out of place at the water cooler. Fit and Comfort: A dress sneaker should be noticeably more comfortable than a traditional dress shoe, especially if you spend much of the day on your feet. Cushioning in the footbed and midsole, heel support, forefoot flexibility, and how each shoe felt after several hours of wear all factored into our selections. Midsole construction can make a substantial difference here. EVA and similar foam compounds absorb impact, while molded or removable insoles can provide additional support. Padding around the collar and tongue can also help prevent pressure and rubbing over the course of a workday. Fit came down to toe-box shape, width, heel slippage, and how securely the shoe held the foot while walking. We also considered break-in time. Leather will usually soften with wear, but a dress sneaker should still feel comfortable relatively quickly out of the box. Materials and Construction: The materials used throughout the shoe affect its appearance, durability, weight, and comfort. Smooth calfskin and full-grain leather tend to suit dressier sneakers especially well, while suede can work with more casual tailoring. Leather quality, thickness, softness, and finishing were all considered, particularly since cheaper or heavily corrected leather can feel stiff and develop differently with wear. Lining materials were another consideration. Leather can offer better breathability and conform to the foot over time, while textile and synthetic linings can reduce weight. Stitching, edge finishing, laces, and the connection between the upper and sole also helped us assess long-term durability. Most dress sneakers use rubber outsoles, which offer grip, flexibility, and durability compared with a traditional leather sole. Tread pattern and rubber density both played a role, since a heavy or aggressively treaded outsole can quickly make an otherwise streamlined shoe look more athletic. Shape and Style: Shape was a major factor in determining which sneakers worked best with office clothes. Lower-profile designs, clean uppers, slimmer toe shapes, and limited branding generally paired more easily with tailoring than bulkier sneakers. We considered each pair with chinos, five-pocket pants, wool trousers, and suits, paying particular attention to the proportions between the shoe and trouser. Sole thickness, toe shape, paneling, and color should all complement your existing office wardrobe without drawing too much attention in an office setting. The Best Dress Sneakers for Men to Buy Right Now Top Pick Allen Edmonds Barnes Lace-Up Sneaker Classic, low-profile silhouette and high-quality materials. Look, there are a million and one things that can make or break a good shoe design, but when it really comes down to it, it’s all about proportions. Given the limited real estate of a sneaker, there’s less room for anything to feel out of place. This is why Allen Edmonds’ Barnes sneaker is my top pick. With its low profile, this riff on a classic court shoe keeps it sporty and relaxed, while the use of calfskin leather and suede elevates it for the office. Best Fashion-Forward Option Quince Deerskin Tailored Sneaker Minimal designer looks at a reasonable price. If you want to make a name for yourself as the most stylish guy in the office but your bonus hasn’t come in yet for those Zegna Secondskins you’ve been eyeing, these Quince deerskin tailored sneakers are the next best thing (and a fraction of the price). With its Italian suede upper that comes in a variety of neutral colorways and includes an Ortholite footbed, this shoe is as much about form as it is about function. Best Casual Option Vans Low Court Shoe Playful but pulled together. Just because you’re working a corporate job doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself entirely to your office dress code. These Vans Low Court shoes undoubtedly lean into the more “sneaker” side of “dress sneaker”. While the style itself will help you remember the skatepark days of your youth while you’re at your cubicle, the real benefit of these shoes is down to their all-day comfort with a cushioned interior and additional perforation for extra breathability. Best for Travel Amberjack The Court All-day comfort, wherever your day takes place. Having just come back from two weeks in Europe and then directly into New York Fashion Week, there’s one thing I learned: bring one pair of shoes that can go with anything. If you travel a lot for work and want to keep it to a carry-on, Amberjack’s got you covered. Vaguely reminiscent of Maison Margiela’s Replica (if you squint), they’re stylish enough to wear on your off hours while dressy enough to lace up before your next big meeting. Best Budget Option Bruno Marc Modern Casual Oxford Shoe Corner office looks and a floor-level price tag. You don’t need to break the bank to upgrade your shoe game. Bruno Marc is a great option for anyone who’s in the market for a new pair of shoes or wants to dip their toe into the dress sneaker style without investing too much money. While this shoe is PU leather, the construction and color accenting look way better than alternatives on the market at this price point. Best for Wide Feet Florsheim Monopoli Lace To Toe Sneakers Minimal, understated, and roomy enough for everyone. For my wide-footed compatriots, I haven’t forgotten about you. Florsheim Monopolis are a naturally roomy shape, but also offer ample 3E sizes for anyone who needs it. And after taking ballet for a few months with a self-diagnosed hoof myself, I know that your feet can get fatigued easily and without much relief. What I like about the Monopoli is they don’t skimp on the comfort. Keeping the style clean and pretty much the Platonic ideal of a dress sneaker, while equipping an extra-thick drop-in cushioned footbed for added comfort and to keep a little spring in your step. Best Handmade Option Beckett Simonon Morgen Trainers Handmade quality and tons of color options in a sub-$200 package. Let me ask you this: does your current dress shoe tick all these boxes? Twenty colorways to choose from, four materials to choose from, a totally minimal style, and handmade while still being under $200? If not, it might be time to look into the Morgen Trainer by Beckett Simonon. Similar to the Amberjack option above, Beckett Simonon’s interpretation of the classic court shoe includes additional features that go beyond the vintage visuals, featuring a slightly wider toe box, a taller instep for more support, and a Vachetta leather lining for breathability and temperature control. Best Versatile Pick Luca Terra Low Sneaker Unique look for dressy or casual wear Because dress sneakers bridge the gap between two footwear styles, it only makes sense that they can perform double duty in your closet. For a versatile shoe that looks just as good with chinos as it does with your favorite pair of 501s, the Terra Low Sneaker by Luca has a softer silhouette to relax the overall style (especially in its suede options) and a simple Lactae Hevea Rubber sole that doesn’t feel too sporty, too dressy, or too technical.