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The 22 Best Men's Summer Shoes for Every Occasion

Refresh your footwear game for the warm weather season.

by Christian Gollayan and Maverick Li
best summer shoes for men
courtesy of retailers

WARM WEATHER always calls for a new lineup of summer shoes. In fact, summer footwear for men becomes the MVP of our daily outfits on hotter days, no matter if you’re in casual shorts or sporting dressier cuffed chinos. And we’re not just talking about Birkenstocks, slip-on shoes, flip-flops, or—god forbid—Crocs. Summer shoes for men can go the whole nine yards. Which is why we've tested dozens of dress shoes, sneakers, and everything in between to curate the 22 best summer shoes for men you can wear anywhere this red-hot season.

  • The RS01 Sneaker

    Best summer Sneakers

    Rothy's The RS01 Sneaker

    $179 at Rothy's
    Read more
  • ØriginalGrand Wingtip Oxfords

    Best summer Dress Shoe

    Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Wingtip Oxfords

    Read more
  • Water Coast

    best waterproof summer shoes

    Reef Water Coast

    Read more
  • A/O Cup 3-Eye Boat Shoes

    Best boat shoes

    Sperry x Brooks Brothers A/O Cup 3-Eye Boat Shoes

    Read more
  • SlipSpeed™ Training Shoes

    best for workouts

    Under Armour SlipSpeed™ Training Shoes

    Read more

Best Waterproof Shoes | Best Walking Shoes | Best Driving Shoes | Best White Sneakers | Best Water Shoes

Thinking of hitting the beach? You’ll need a good pair of water-friendly sandals. Running around town from meeting to meeting in the sizzling daytime? A pair of rugged boat shoes or loafers can keep your 9-to-5 look fresh. If you're a homebody, a cool pair of mules or slides provide all the needed comfort and swagger. And if you're prepping for summer vacation fits already, breathable shoes like espadrilles are essential to beat the heat with cool style.

Best summer Sneakers

Rothy's The RS01 Sneaker

Best Tested
The RS01 Sneaker
Best summer Sneakers

Rothy's The RS01 Sneaker

$179 at Rothy's

If you’re looking for the perfect summer sneaker that’s durable, sustainable, breathable, and insanely comfortable, look no further than Rothy’s washable RS01. Worn by Pedro Pascal himself when he was out and about, its knit construction is perfect for flexing the no-show sock look this summer without a break-in period. After testing these sneakers for a few weeks, they’ve completely dominated our summer shoe rotation. (Tip: if you've got wide feet, size up.)

Read more: Rothy's RS01 Sneaker Review

Best summer Dress Shoe

Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Wingtip Oxfords

ØriginalGrand Wingtip Oxfords
Best summer Dress Shoe

Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Wingtip Oxfords

There’s no need to suffer in uncomfortable 9-to-5 footwear when you can score this breathable and comfortable Zerogrand Wingtip Oxford shoe for a sleek summer style. If you're looking for a dress shoe that will keep you moving with ease on the dance floor at a summer wedding or provide the cushioning you need as you sprint to meetings, look no further.

best waterproof summer shoes

Reef Water Coast

Water Coast
best waterproof summer shoes

Reef Water Coast

Whether it’s for an island cruise, a long walk by the beach, or a weekend boat ride, Water Coast is ready for all the splashes. Made with soft, bouncy cushion and a breathable, perforated upper, these waterproof shoes are also practically beckoning you to dip your toes into some water under the sun. So don’t bother wearing socks in these.

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Best boat shoes

Sperry x Brooks Brothers A/O Cup 3-Eye Boat Shoes

A/O Cup 3-Eye Boat Shoes
Best boat shoes

Sperry x Brooks Brothers A/O Cup 3-Eye Boat Shoes

Now 30% Off

If you're not stepping out in boat shoes this summer, you’re missing out. And Sperry, the OG boat shoe maker, collaborated with Brooks Brothers to bring about a model that delivers both timeless panache and of-the-moment performance. The moccasin silhouette and suede upper need no explanation—they make even preppy fits look sharp. The midsole cushioning grounds every step and provides all-day comfort. And the outsole is extra grippy on almost all road conditions, while the overall look is versatile enough for every summer occasion.

best for workouts

Under Armour SlipSpeed™ Training Shoes

Editor’s Choice
SlipSpeed™ Training Shoes
best for workouts

Under Armour SlipSpeed™ Training Shoes

No doubt the most ingenious sneaker release of the year so far. SlipSpeed is first and foremost a pair of versatile workout shoes with better cushion and fits to handle any hardcore training. But its convertible heel lets it easily take on the form of slip-on shoes for your recovery.

However, what’s cooler about SlipSpeed is that it’s padded with Iso-Chill foam which makes the whole interior cool to the touch. Coupled with a ventilating upper, these are the perfect summer shoes for active guys. (And oh, did we mention that it’s 100% machine-washable?)

best loafers

Astorflex Patnoflex Travel

Patnoflex Travel
best loafers

Astorflex Patnoflex Travel

Summer always calls for a great pair of loafers, and this slip-on style that’s flexible enough to be folded over is built for traveling and living on the move—which you’ll likely be doing this summer. Getting walking-on-cloud comfort and a casual yet elevated style down to a tee, these summer travel shoes are versatile enough for swim trunks to chinos.

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Best water shoes

Astral Loyak Water Shoes

Loyak Water Shoes
Best water shoes

Astral Loyak Water Shoes

Simple and budget-friendly, these kicks are made with a flexible, breathable mesh upper that dries quickly, as well as a balanced footbed that'll keep you moving. It’s one of the best water shoes for snorkeling—at beyond a reasonable price. And while they're made for kayaking, traveling, sailing—or any water activities—hanging around town in them also feels and looks just right.

Best Espadrilles for Summer

Koio Ostuni

Ostuni
Best Espadrilles for Summer

Koio Ostuni

From the beach to the bar, these neutral espadrilles are a smart alternative to basic, boring flip-flops. With a convertible collar that easily turns them into a pair of slip-ons for effortless wearing, they’re breathable all summer long.

best summer shoes for active guys

Allbirds Men's Tree Dashers

Best Tested
Men's Tree Dashers
best summer shoes for active guys

Allbirds Men's Tree Dashers

Allbirds’ beloved running shoe is well on its way to becoming a new classic, thanks to its supportive midsole, great energy return, and breathable upper that keeps your feet feel cool while you work up a sweat during your outdoor runs. Trust us, these are worth your hard-earned money.

Read more: Allbirds Tree Dashers Review

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most versatile summer shoes

Ponto The Pacific

The Pacific
most versatile summer shoes

Ponto The Pacific

As comfy as walking on air whether you wear them with socks or not, Ponto's dress sneakers—the brand's only style—are a silver bullet for easygoing, effortless style. And they're a godsend for summer footwear too, thanks to a pliable, lightweight build, and. a water-repellent, odor-resistant, and sweat-absorbent performance.

best slides

Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3

Editor’s Choice
Ora Recovery Slide 3
best slides

Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3

This Men’s Health 2021 Fitness Awards winner allows those barking dogs to recover and breath easy after your intense HIIT workouts with an oversized midsole. We suggest the all-black colorway that gives these sleek slides a stylish edge.

best Huarache

Nisolo Huarache Sandal

Huarache Sandal
best Huarache

Nisolo Huarache Sandal

Now 21% Off

Bound for your summer vacation, the huarache is a traditional Mexican sandal with an instantly recognizable woven leather upper that is breathable, flexible, and durable. Nisolo’s take stay trues to the classic slip-on design but makes the style versatile enough to be dressed up and down, for your run to the bodega or date night at your favorite restaurant's outdoor patio.

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best high-top summer shoes

Converse Chuck 70 High Top Parchment

Chuck 70 High Top Parchment
best high-top summer shoes

Converse Chuck 70 High Top Parchment

When it comes to choosing a casual summer shoe with timeless appeal, Jack Purcells are a no-brainer. Todd Snyder gave the shoe that debuted in the ‘30s a modern twist with a new textured upper, a recycled rubber gum sole, and a comfortable cork liner that compliments any summer fit.

best clogs

Crocs Yukon Vista II Clogs

Yukon Vista II Clogs
best clogs

Crocs Yukon Vista II Clogs

Now 50% Off

Do we even need to make a case for clogs for summer? That’s like the no-brainer of all no-brainers when it comes to footwear. We will, however, argue for this better, more rugged, and most sophisticated style from Crocs. From the stitch to the leather to the brand’s signature lightweight comfort, it reads “masculine” and “sex appeal”, instead of “funky” or “tacky” like those other popular but too-hippy-for-you styles of clogs.

Best summer boots

Clarks Desert Boot Beeswax

Desert Boot Beeswax
Best summer boots

Clarks Desert Boot Beeswax

Boots might be a hard one to sell for summer shoes, but these are not just any boot. In fact, their origin dates back to surviving the deserts in WWII—that means they were built for carrying rough men through sizzling weather from the start. As for the OG style, Clarks’ desert boots are also versatile enough for dressing for summer and for the rest of the year.

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best summer footwear design

Fear of God The California Foam Mules

The California Foam Mules
best summer footwear design

Fear of God The California Foam Mules

No need to take your summer footwear style too seriously. These sleek, streamlined designer mules can be worn comfortably all day without skimping on the style. It’s the kind of summer shoes that can ground a camp shirt, a pair of swim trunks, and no socks.

Best Flip Flops

FitFlop TRAKK-II Leather Toe-Thongs

TRAKK-II Leather Toe-Thongs
Best Flip Flops

FitFlop TRAKK-II Leather Toe-Thongs

Your arsenal of summer footwear wouldn't be incomplete without a pair of flip-flops, but it’s highly unlikely that the simple sandal will last through all of your summer adventures—unless they’re from FitFlop. These leather flip-flops with arch support have a lightweight feel with all the durability you need, and the rubber sole—which adds more height than average flip-flops—is not only shock absorbing but can also diffuse underfoot pressure to deliver all-day comfort.

Best Sandals

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed

Arizona Soft Footbed
Best Sandals

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed

Forget any associations you may have between Birkenstocks and granola crunchers—they're cool, guys. These simple rugged stunners are too comfy to discount and look perfectly polished in dark hardware.

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best driving shoes for summer

Polo Ralph Lauren Roberts Leather Driver

Roberts Leather Driver
best driving shoes for summer

Polo Ralph Lauren Roberts Leather Driver

Driving loafers provide an effortlessly cool accent to your summer wardrobe. The rich leather texture with a rugged grippy outsole simply elevates your everyday white tee and chino shorts look.

best mules for summer

G.H.Bass Winston Mule Weejuns

Winston Mule Weejuns
best mules for summer

G.H.Bass Winston Mule Weejuns

Mules get easily mistaken for slippers. Mules from G.H.Bass—the OG penny loafer maker—however, won’t get that mistreatment. They have withstood the test of time to continue adding a glossy touch to any outfit you’ll wear this season. Throw on a white T-shirt, cuff the ankle of your slim-fit jeans, slide on these classic loafers, and bam, you’ve achieved effortlessly cool summer style.

Headshot of Christian Gollayan
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. 

Headshot of 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.

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