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The 16 Best Dress Sneakers for Every Budget and Occasion

It's time to ditch those uncomfortable oxfords.

By Maverick Li and Christian Gollayan
best dress sneakers for men
Courtesy of retailers

IT'S REALLY time to start dressing up again, with your tailored blazers and pants, shoes, button-downs, and whatnot. But should you need some tips on how to not look boring in formal attire, we recommend taking full advantage of the lines between casual and dressy which are now more blurred than ever, and opt for the smartest, most foolproof way of laid-back formal attire—sporting dress sneakers.

These sharp, snazzy sneakers that look like dress shoes go with (literally) everything; they can spiff up a casual outfit or freshen up a suit-and-tie ensemble. For occasions where the dress code is more forgiving, dress sneakers for men often turn up to be the most versatile choice of footwear—they blend with suiting or tailored trousers as seamlessly as they fit in with more easygoing getups, looking swell from the green course to the bar to a dinner party. So if you’re in a shoe rut, dress sneakers can offer the quickest, most comfortable, and most failsafe fix for rounding out any smart casual fits.

  • Heist Sneaker

    best dress sneaker for commute

    Florsheim Heist Sneaker

    $120 at Nordstrom
    Read more
  • Rivera Oxfords

    BEst affordable dress sneaker

    Bruno Marc Rivera Oxfords

    Read more
  • ZERØGRAND Wingtip Oxford

    Best Oxford Sneaker

    Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Wingtip Oxford

    Read more
  • SwiftKnit™ Derby

    Best derby sneaker

    Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit™ Derby

    Read more
  • The Pacific

    Most comfortable dress sneaker

    Ponto The Pacific

    Read more

Best Black Sneakers | Best Leather Sneakers | Best Dress Boots

Below are the 16 best dress sneakers for men, from monotone leather low-tops to hybrid dress shoes, for every budget. If you're aiming to look more stately, pair something like Cole Haan’s Wingtip Oxford with your dress shirt and dress pants. For a more casual vibe, throw on jeans, chinos, or quite frankly anything you're comfortable in with suede sneakers. Whatever style your occasion demands, these 16 sleek pairs of dress sneakers for men below can polish off any look.

best dress sneaker for commute

Florsheim Heist Sneaker

Heist Sneaker
best dress sneaker for commute

Florsheim Heist Sneaker

$120 at Nordstrom$120 at Zappos$120 at DSW

Switching from mall-walkers on the train to wingtips once you get to the office is so 2019. As the name suggests, this dress shoe/sneaker hybrid style from Florsheim is made with the commute in mind. When the time comes to trek to the office again, you'll be ready with these.

Size7-14
MaterialLeather upper, textile lining, EVA midsole, rubber sole
BEst affordable dress sneaker

Bruno Marc Rivera Oxfords

Rivera Oxfords
BEst affordable dress sneaker

Bruno Marc Rivera Oxfords

Bruno Marc's Rivera serves a "Monday morning on Wall Street" vibe as effortlessly as it does a get-your-freak-on Friday night justice. It can polish up a laid-back hoodie fit, or make even the dressiest ensemble look casual—just not too casual. (Oh, and it's a favorite on Amazon).

Size6.5-13
MaterialTextile/leather upper, rubber outsole
Best Oxford Sneaker

Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Wingtip Oxford

ZERØGRAND Wingtip Oxford
Best Oxford Sneaker

Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Wingtip Oxford

When you think of dress sneakers, the first brand that comes to mind is probably Cole Haan. Their ZERØGRAND wingtip oxford is, admittedly, more dress shoes than sneakers, yet the footbed is still more comfortable than most sneakers out there.

Size6-16
MaterialLeather upper, EVA midsole with rubber outsole
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Best derby sneaker

Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit™ Derby

SwiftKnit™ Derby
Best derby sneaker

Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit™ Derby

Wolf & Shepherd is no stranger to dress shoes or sneakers, and this hybrid style is a master marriage of the two. Their knit mesh derby is lightweight, breathable, and stretchy, with a break-in time of approximately zero.

Size6-15
MaterialTextile upper, leather lining, rubber sole
Most comfortable dress sneaker

Ponto The Pacific

The Pacific
Most comfortable dress sneaker

Ponto The Pacific

Ponto is setting new standards of sustainability in the footwear industry. If the brand isn't on your radar yet, it should be. Ponto makes one gender-neutral shoe in three colors, and they make it from almost 100% recycled materials. The upper is recycled leather scraps and the soles are biodegradable plant-based foam, plus the lining, made of woven wood fibers, is naturally breathable, water-repellent, odor-resistant, and sweat-absorbent. No socks needed!

Size8.5-14
MaterialRecycled and bio-based upper, rubber sole
Most formal dress sneaker

Charles Tyrwhitt Suede Brogue Sneakers

Suede Brogue Sneakers
Most formal dress sneaker

Charles Tyrwhitt Suede Brogue Sneakers

The elegant brogue details make these kicks almost belong to the camp of cocktail attire footwear, but they don't make the final cut—fortunately—because of how comfortable they feel and how walking-friendly, weekend-trips-appropriate they are. As such, it's able to find its place amid the tribe of dress sneakers as one that's best for dressing up.

Size8-13
MaterialSuede upper, 100% leather lining, rubber sole
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Best suede dress sneaker

Beckett Simonon Reid Sneakers

Reid Sneakers
Best suede dress sneaker

Beckett Simonon Reid Sneakers

This classic, minimalist leather sneaker by Beckett Simonon is complete with water-repellent Suede for a worry-free swagger in all weathers—a feature absent from many of its dressier counterparts. The color-matching laces and white outsole also make the soft suede pop somehow.

Size7-14
MaterialSuede upper, rubber sole
Best retro dress sneaker

Peter Millar Vantage Suede Sneaker

Vantage Suede Sneaker
Best retro dress sneaker

Peter Millar Vantage Suede Sneaker

Here, the '70s flair plus a timeless silhouette add some stylish punctuation to your Friday night looks. It feels sophisticated yet casual, of the moment yet nostalgic. And it doesn't scrimp on the comfort side of things—the memory foam footbed and padding deliver ergonomic support every single time.

Size8-13
Material100% suede upper, rubber outsole
Best wool dress sneakers

Allbirds Wool Pipers

Wool Pipers
Best wool dress sneakers

Allbirds Wool Pipers

Allbirds' Wool Pipers are really good for logging the mileage on foot, especially during colder days that call for layering. They're made in premium ZQ Merino wool, which means they're super soft, super cozy, and super versatile for everyday wear, as well as all-day wear.

Size8-14
MaterialMerino wool upper, SweetFoam® midsole, rubber outsole
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Best slip-on dress sneaker

Allen Edmonds Randolph Slip-On Sneaker

Randolph Slip-On Sneaker
Best slip-on dress sneaker

Allen Edmonds Randolph Slip-On Sneaker

No sweat here. Just a slide-and-go M.O. to match your smart casual style. More than that, these loafer-y sneakers look sophisticated enough to be considered dress shoes, but that sneaker-inspired sole gives their real stature all away.

Size7-14
MaterialLeather upper and lining/synthetic sole
best leather dress sneaker

Koio Capri

Capri
best leather dress sneaker

Koio Capri

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. Look no further than Koio. Their sneakers are made from full-grain nubuck leather, and even finished with hand-painted edges so there's no break in the monochrome effect. This muted ecru color goes with anything and will never go out of style, but packs a more stylish punch than your standard black or white sneaker.

Size7-16
MaterialItalian nubuck leather upper, 100% rubber sole
Best high-top dress sneaker

Nisolo Everyday Mid Top Sneaker

Everyday Mid Top Sneaker
Best high-top dress sneaker

Nisolo Everyday Mid Top Sneaker

While their upper resemble a pair of chukka boots, given the sporty outsole, we'll be damned if these are not considered a pair of high-top dress sneakers that can match both denim and dress trousers. So stop being so fussy about its name, and just let its refined yet rugged vibe spruce up whatever you're wearing for the day. (Better yet, they’re waterproof.)

Size8-13
MaterialLeather upper, Vibram rubber sole
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These editors-approved kicks are also a favorite of Pedro Pascal. They have a dynamic, retro-inspired knit upper to elevate any of your basic workwear trousers, while their durable gum sole guarantees these sleek kicks will provide the foot support you need for months or years of long wear. And unlike other sneakers, these don’t require breaking in and are fully machine washable.

Size7-16
MaterialKnit upper, gum outsole
Best dress sneaker on Amazon

COSIDRAM Casual Shoes

Casual Shoes
Best dress sneaker on Amazon

COSIDRAM Casual Shoes

Keep it casual on any formal occasion with this best-seller on Amazon. Despite being under $50, its stellar design that mixes a sporty sneaker outsole with the upper of dress shoes looks absolutely second to none. Wear it with shorts, chinos, and jeans—any day you're taking it easy but still want to look sharp. Whether it’s in the office or on your vacation, these kicks will stand out.

Size7-15
MaterialMicrofiber upper, rubber sole
Best black dress sneaker

Common Projects Original Achilles Leather Sneakers

Original Achilles Leather Sneakers
Best black dress sneaker

Common Projects Original Achilles Leather Sneakers

Behold the internet darling of luxury black sneakers, Common Projects. You'll surely spot the signature gold serial number stamped on your favorite influencer's heel or when passing a stylish netizen on the street.

Size37-47
MaterialLeather upper, leather linings, rubber soles
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Best White Dress Sneaker

Good Man Brand Edge Sneaker

Edge Sneaker
Best White Dress Sneaker

Good Man Brand Edge Sneaker

Good Man Brand makes the ultimate white leather sneaker–they're the epitome of refined casual. Plus, they've managed to not sacrifice an ounce of quality or craft, while maintaining a relatively friendly price point.

Size7-18
MaterialLeather upper and lining/rubber sole

What to Consider in Dress Sneakers for Men?

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Material: What makes up the upper and the outsole is what will make or break your footwear. Thankfully, for most dress sneakers—which often come in a quiet form of a minimalist upper over a flat sole—the upper is most likely leather or suede, both are durable enough to last for years and require little maintenance after daily wear; and the outsole is often rubber which offers a sturdy grip and excellent traction for when you walk. Leather as an upper is also often waterproof to keep you warm and dry, while suede is great for hotter days. Moreover, some dress sneakers are made with knit uppers to be extra breathable for summer.

Versatility: We don’t mean that the best dress sneakers should be able to handle you running a lap or taking a hike in them, but more often than not, dress sneakers are versatile enough for daily wear such as running errands and commuting, as well as for formal occasions such as at work in the office, during cocktail parties or evening dinners, or at the bar. As such, leather sneakers are often failsafe as dress sneakers since they’re truly versatile enough for you to get the most out of them.

Occasion: When purchasing a pair of dress sneakers, keep in mind how you want to wear them. If you're a commuter, definitely opt for the hybrid option. If you're chucking all your dress shoes and plan to dress sneakers in suits, pay attention to the shape—you'll want something slim that will fall in line with your pants. If you plan on being active, go for one that has a great amount of foot support, and be sure there's perforation for breathability.

How to Wear Dress Sneakers?

horizontal black line

Don't over-complicate it. Dress sneakers, at their core, are still dress shoes, only casual enough for non-formal occasions or non-dressy fits. I.e., they can easily be dressed up while giving a more relaxed vibe, or down while making you look more elevated.

For dressing up:
whatever outfits you wear with dress shoes, dress sneakers can easily blend in with them. Especially now, when the line between dressy and casual is more blurred than ever, even your most tailored suit ensemble can be grounded with a pair of dress sneakers. In fact, if your dress sneakers of choice are a pair of Oxford sneakers, you really won’t notice much difference from suiting up with Oxford dress shoes; however, with lace-up leather sneakers, you’ll definitely look more laid-back and casual in them, while still copping an overall elegant, formal flair.

For dressing down: again, whatever outfits you wear with regular sneakers, dress sneakers can go with them, except they’ll make your whole fit look smarter, shaper, and more elevated. That means, anything from t-shirts over joggers to hoodies over sweatpants to sweaters over jeans to just about your whole daily wardrobe rotation, can be anted up by dress sneakers. Albeit, you’ll be dressing down, the style of dress sneakers definitely provides an elegance and professional flair that you won’t find in other shoe styles.

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How We Selected

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For the past three years, we consulted with Men's Health's editors and writers on the best dress sneakers for men. Experts, including our Deputy Editor of Commerce Christian Gollayan, and our Style and Commerce Editor Maverick Li, put a number of dress sneakers to the test, such as wearing Rothy’s retro sneakers to the office and during commutes, or Cole Haan’s Oxford sneakers to formal events, or Charles Tyrwitt’s hybrid sneaker to dinner parties. Then, we evaluated these various dress sneakers their style, comfort, price point, durability, and versatility. We also considered top-reviewed dress sneakers with high praise on e-commerce websites we trust.

Headshot of Maverick Li
Maverick Li
Style and Commerce Editor

Maverick Li is the Style & Commerce Editor of Men’s Health, where he covers clothing, footwear, watches, and grooming. He was previously the Assistant Commerce Editor at Esquire.

Headshot of Christian Gollayan
Deputy Editor, Commerce

As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia. 

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