fashion
We're feeling preppy and chic
By Olivia Dubyak
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Published Oct 27, 2023
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Dasha Burobina for PureWow
Treating yourself to a brand new pair of shoes can be the cure to many problems, and lately, we cannot stop shopping for loafers. The style is totally timeless and incredibly versatile, whether you pair yours with jeans and a sleek turtleneck or a midi sweater dress. But finding the most comfortable women’s loafers can be tricky:Onepair pinches, the other pair rubs and so on. Whether you likefur-lined slip-onsor amore professional style, there is a different kind of loafer for every occasion.
If you have wide feet, you're going to want to opt for a shoe that has a more relaxed fit or wider base like these Munro Penny Loafers ($210). And if you're gearing up for a long commute to work on foot, make the journeya little easier bypicking loafersthat offer support andtraction.PerhapstheseMargaux The Penny loafers($325) to keep your feetfeeling comfortable and looking chic.
The Most Comfortable Loafers at A Glance
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Meet the Expert
Ashlyn Greer is a professional fashion stylist and the co-owner and co-founder ofFashivly, a personal styling site.
How We Chose the Most Comfortable Loafers
After sifting through reviews and trusting seven of our editors to give us their insight on the most comfortable loafers in their opinion, we've come up with a comprehensive list of picks that are likely to keep your feet comfortable while wearing. We considered things like material and the quality of the padding of each pair as well as how well they wear throughout a full day and which ones require break-in time.
Keeping these things in mind, here are 14 loafers you'll probably find as comfortable as wedo, starting at just $79.
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Best Overall
1. G.H. Bass Lianna Super Lug Weejuns
What We Like
- cushioned insole
- chunky look
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- a little heavy
G.H. Bass
We can’t talk about loafers without mentioning G.H. Bass. The brand has been around since 1876 and makes some of the best loafers on the market. And while we love most Bass styles, the Weejuns in particular are the perfection combination of fashion and function. The insole is nice and cushiony, and the lug sole adds a bit of height to your frame without sacrificing comfort. "I love the chunky sole and they're really cushioned and comfortable—I can walk around all day in these babies without worrying about blisters," reports Wellness Director Sarah Stiefvater.
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather
- Colors: black, red, burgundy and emerald
- Size Range: 5 to 11
Best for Work
What We Like
- water resistant
- comfortable
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- limited color options
Cole Haan
A classic loafer with a higher heel is the perfect way to elevate a professional look for the office. "These are not only the most comfortable loafers around, but the most comfortable shoes on theplanet," raves Commerce Director Nicole Briese. "I honestlywould choose them over sneakers, house shoes, slippers...anything. Thepadded sock lining literally feels like a cozy blanket being wrapped around your heel every time you walk, and it's nothing like I've everexperienced."They're lined with a molded sock for support and comfort for walking towork, and they'remade of awater-resistantleather to keep your feet dry on rainy days, too.
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather
- Colors: black, bloodstone, Irish coffee
- Size Range: 5 to 11
Best for Walking All Day
What We Like
- glove-like fit
- foam padding
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- Italian suede is hard to keep clean
Margaux
We feel luxurious and fancy just looking at these loafers. They're made of a high-quality Italian suede and have a contoured fit to hug your foot just right.Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu, reports,"They were made for city girls, aka they're great for walking in. My collection of Margaux shoes is growing shamefully. Cushioned, supportive footbed, beautiful styles and materials—reallytimeless."
Fast Facts
- Materials: Italian suede
- Colors: chocolate, caramel, indigo, leopard and five others
- Size Range: 3 to 14
Best Slides
What We Like
- gold hardware
- slip-on style
What We Don't Like
- not cushioned
- limited color options
Coach
Coach has some of the chicest shoes on the market and these loafers are at the top of our list. Not only do they look great for professional and casual attire, the leather lining and upper are very soft to avoid any chafing or discomfort. "While the cushioning on the bottom of these is not nearly as luxurious as the Cole Haans, the softness of the leather on the sides is unparalleled—something that's greatly appreciated for someone like myself with bunions. They also have an open back, eliminating any would-be heel rubbing," says Briese.
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather
- Colors: chalk and black
- Size Range: 5 to 11
Best Loafers with Metal Hardware
5. Bibi Lou Zagreb Leather Loafers
What We Like
- cushioned footbed
- metal hardware on upper
What We Don't Like
- sizes frequently sell out
- run large
Bibi Lou
The metal hardware along the upper of these loafers really caught our eye. Reviewers note they're super comfortable for all day wear, and our Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera agrees. "[They] have such a nice, cushy footbed it makes them great for wearing all day long," she says.
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather
- Colors: cedar, ivory, navy, red and black
- Size Range: 36 to 42
Best for Plantar Fasciitis
What We Like
- less than $100
- no break-in time
What We Don't Like
- limited color options
- run a little narrow
LifeStride
A standard style loafer made for comfort is a staple for any closet. This pair is one of Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth's favorites because of how comfy they are to wear. "I needed no break-in time, which is rare for me—these loafers were incredibly comfortable right out of the box. And the footbed feels extra cushy for bonus comfort," she says. They're made with Soft System cushioning to support your feet from all angles, and the short heel is ideal for anyone with plantar fasciitis.
Fast Facts
- Materials: faux leather/synthetic
- Colors: walnut, black and bone
- Size Range: 5 to 10
Best Square-Toe Loafers
What We Like
- breathable
- antimicrobial
What We Don't Like
- knit material stains easily
- not sized well for narrow feet
Vivaia
The square-toe style of these loafersissleek and stylish.Consideringthe PU foam insole, heelrebound andarch and forefoot support, it's hard to imagine your feet won't be comfortable in these shoes. The material is incredibly flexible and breathable, too. "Both my daughter and I wore these shoes on a long trip, with lots of walking. No break-in time required. Attractive comfy shoes for travel or every day use," writes one reviewer.
Fast Facts
- Materials: knit material made from recycled bottles
- Colors: black, dark leopard, navy, black cheetah and four others
- Size Range: 5 to 11
Best for Narrow Feet
What We Like
- buttery leather
- thin heel and tongue
What We Don't Like
- limited color options
- run a little narrow
Everlane
This leather is buttery soft and adds a polished look to any ensemble, from a pant suit to your go-to jeans. There’s also an additional layer of padding atop the foam-cushionedinsole—afeature that the brand promises will mean there’s “zero break-in needed.” You can grab this pair in this camel hue or a timeless black. "The fit is dead on, the leather is soft. I have tender feet but could wear these without socks the first day and all day no blisters. I bought them in two colors and even plan to take them on a vacation where I will be doing a lot of walking," raves one customer.
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather
- Colors: camel and black
- Size Range: 5 to 11
Best Support
What We Like
- runs true-to-size
- comfortable footbed
- sleek style
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- takes a day to break in
Birdies
A nod to the fashion aesthetic of the 90s (but also a loafer style beloved by the late Princess Diana), the Blackbird puts a modern twist on a timeless silhouette. It features a wide band across the top and also comes in four luxe and fade-resistant hues (think black licorice and oak shimmer, oh la la). But our test drive had us focused on something else: The 7 layers of quilted comfort in every footbed. Reader, our tester wore them to walk nearly 20,000 steps around NYC and zero blisters—a major win. Hard to beat the combo of style, comfort and, well, Diana.
Fast Facts
- Materials: suede, leather
- Colors: black licorice, oak shimmer and two more
- Size Range: 5 to 12
Best No Break-In Loafers
10. Rothy's The Almond Toe Penny Loafers
What We Like
- machine washable
- flexible material
What We Don't Like
- runs big
- expensive
Rothy's
The insole of thislow-keysilhouette is made to mold to your foot for strategic comfort, thanks to the cushioned footbed. Our favorite part? They're also machine washable. The upper is thinner than most styles, which makes them flexible and excellent for lots of walking. Becausethese areso simple in design, we recommend pairing them with statement trousers or dresses, because they’ll complement the rest of your outfit without stealing the show.
Fast Facts
- Materials: Rothy's signature thread
- Colors: black, black twill, leopard, desert cat, portobello and eight others
- Size Range: 5 to 13
Most Classic Style
11. J.Crew Winona Penny Loafers
What We Like
- tested in-house for comfort
- glossy finish
What We Don't Like
- not padded
- run small
J.Crew
You can’t go wrong with a traditional penny loafer. The brand’s team tests these shoes in-house to ensure they are comfortable and walkable for customers. The glossy finish of the spazzolato leather gives a sleek and polished look that will make your entire outfit seem even more luxurious. Customers do say that they run a tad small, so make sure you check out the size chart before you purchase. One satisfied customer raves, “If you’ve been looking for a classic, old-school traditional penny loafer—one that doesn’t compromise style for comfort, then look no further. These loafers are chic, well made and far from dowdy! They look terrific with cropped jeans and a blazer and have a spot-on preppy appeal to them that I happen to like. Super sophisticated and just all-around crisp! Highly recommend them.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather
- Colors: rich caramel and black
- Size Range: 5 to 12
Best for School
12. Vionic Cheryl II Leather Loafers
What We Like
- classic shape
- supportive design
What We Don't Like
- limited colors
- run small
Vionic
These cute loafers are made for comfort, support and all-around wearability.Thepodiatrist-designed footbedis madewith Orthaheel to optimally support your foot's natural alignment. They also boast a supple leather, so they don’t chafe and irritate your skin. This chic shoe is at the top of our list for a comfy loafer that won’t make your outfit look dowdy.
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather
- Colors: black and sand
- Size Range: 5 to 9.5
Nordstrom
Best Fur-Lined
13. Gucci Princetown Shearling Loafer Mule
What We Like
- shearling lining
- mule style
What We Don't Like
- runs small
- can make your feet sweaty
Gucci
If you’re looking for a pair of loafers that you can slip on at the office after you take off your winter boots, these will not disappoint. The furlining makesit feellike you’re wearing We love the sleek gold chain link across the upper and the polished simplicity of the black leather. Whether you’re wearing a pair of trousers or jeans, this sophisticated yet fun pair of mules will make walking around the office way more comfortable.
Fast Facts
- Materials: leather and shearling
- Colors: black
- Size Range: 4 to 8
$1,090 at Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Best for Wide Feet
14. Munro Geena Penny Loafer
What We Like
- padded footbed
- leather and suede material options
What We Don't Like
- limited colors
- wide sizing fits large
Munro
If you’re looking for something a little more professional and preppy, this style fits the bill thanks to thelow-keysole and soft, suede-like finish. It has an arch-supporting footbed and the low heel is great for walking or standing.
Fast Facts
- Material: leather, suede
- Colors: herb, taupe and black
- Size Range: 5 to 12
$210 at Nordstrom
What to Look for in a Comfortable Loafer
Opt for loafers with padded insoles and pairs that are made with sturdy material that will last over time. Because loafers are such a versatile shoe, they need to have durability since you can wear them so frequently. The more support in the shoe, the more comfortable your feet will be.
Is It Normal for Loafers to Hurt?
Because loafers are usually made from a thicker, tougher material likeleather,which can have extras built into the heels for stability, they can feel uncomfortable to wear at first. This is why we recommend testing out brands or styles that work for your feet the best so you can avoid blisters or sore feet,or,at the very least, be prepared for a little bit of a break-in time. "Soft leather loafers are your best bet for a style that's easy to break in. Some synthetics (and more structured/tough leathers) can be harder to break in and can cause more blisters than some of us are comfortable with!" Advises Greer. Looking for even more comfort right off the bat? Greer has one more tip: "[Check] in the inside sole where the shoe meets the inside part of the foot. Some loafers have built-in cushion beds there to help with rubbing, and most online productshots show this part of the shoe too."
How to Break in Loafers
According to Greer, the best tip for breaking in loafers and avoiding discomfort is making sure you're getting the right size."A lot of blisters and rubbing with shoes are actually caused from a shoe that's too tight or too big, causing more friction than necessary either way," she says. Some break-in time for stiffer shoes like leather loafers istotally normal. The key to breaking in loafers is getting the shape to stretch a bit to more comfortably sculptto yourfeet. So, wearing thick socks around the house under your loaferscan be helpful at first.Alternatively,you can take your new pair to a shoe repair stores, where the pros will stretch them out for that lived-in feel.There are other methods, too, like heating and bending. "My grandma showed me this trick she used to use on her shoes years ago and I always go for it first when I get a new pair of stiff shoes," says commerce editor Olivia Dubyak. "Basically you heat your shoe up where it's tight,like witha heatingpack,and then twist and bend the shoe." This may not be an instant fix, but it helps to do it several times before wear to work it most effectively.
What Are the Best Socks to Wear with Loafers?
If you're still in thebreak-inperiod with your loafers, opt for apair of sockswith a thicker material for padding against the heel. You can also style your loafers with a set of highersocks foradark academiaorRory Gilmorestyle, too. "For sock and loafer pairings, the best rule of thumb is opposites attract! If you're styling chunkier loafers with denim or a maxi, pair with a slimmer knit sock. If you've got a slim heeled or flat pair of loafers and you're pairing with a mini, a chunkier sock can help balance out the look," says Greer.
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Olivia Dubyak
Commerce Editor
Olivia Dubyak is PureWow's Commerce Editor and textbook Capricorn. She studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has gone from New York City to...
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