The best dress sneakers for men are polished, but they also have features like cushioned insoles and molded footbeds that ensure all-day comfort. Our top pick is the Cole Haan 2.ZeroGrand Laser Wingtip Oxford, which looks like a classic Oxford but has a contoured foam footbed that distributes weight better and cushions each step. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the Bruno Marc Casual Oxford or the Banana Republic Nicklas 2.0.
The best dress sneakers for men are comfortable, stylish and can elevate any outfit.
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Unlike traditional dress shoes, which tend to be less flexible and comfort-focused, dress sneakers have stylish uppers, an athletic outsole and good traction. They’re equally great for the office, formal events or casual outings. Ahead, our fashion team curated the best dress sneakers for men in 2025. And for more footwear picks, we also reviewed the most comfortable dress shoes and the best casual shoes for men.
Best Dress Sneakers For Men Overall: Cole Haan 2.ZeroGrand Laser Wingtip Oxford
Best Affordable Dress Sneakers For Men: Bruno Marc Casual Oxford
Best Comfortable Dress Sneakers For Men: Wolf & Shepherd Swiftknit Derby
Best Leather Dress Sneakers For Men: Amberjack The Original
Best Derby Dress Sneakers For Men: Johnston & Murphy Upton Plain Toe Derby
Best Business Casual Dress Sneakers For Men: Banana Republic Nicklas 2.0
Best Waterproof Dress Sneakers For Men: OluKai Lae‘ahi Lī ‘Ili Waterproof Leather Sneakers
Sizes: 6 to 16 | Colors: 4 total, including British Tan and Black | Upper material: Leather
The Cole Haan 2.ZeroGrand Laser Wingtip Oxford combines the look of an Oxford with the comfort of a sneaker, making these shoes super versatile. The laser-perforated leather offers breathability, and the anatomically contoured foam footbed cushions your step while evenly distributing your weight. Also great: The pull-on sock liner and closed-lace design ensure a snug (but not too snug) fit. FYI, this style comes in two widths, and the brand advises sizing up if you have a slightly wider foot or high instep.
What the reviews say: Reviewers praise these shoes for their comfort, durability and fit. “These are great shoes all year round. I just purchased another pair. I had my first pair for four years—awesome durability,” says one Cole Haan buyer.
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Sizes: 6.5 to 13 | Colors: 6 total, including Black and Brown | Upper material: Polyurethane (PU)
Dress sneakers can easily cost several hundred dollars, so we like Bruno Marc’s Casual Oxford as a more affordable option. Although this pair isn’t made from genuine leather, the polyurethane uppers have a convincing look and feel. The honeycomb foam insole provides arch support, and the EVA outsole absorbs shock and cushions your feet. Plus, these shoes are surprisingly lightweight.
What the reviews say: Reviewers agree these shoes are comfortable, versatile and work well with a suit. “First and foremost, the design of these dress sneakers is top-notch,” says one Amazon customer. “The Oxford-style detailing and the combination of materials give them a sophisticated look, elevating my outfits effortlessly. Whether I pair them with jeans, chinos, or dress pants, they always add style and polish to my overall look.”
Sizes: 6 to 15 | Colors: 6 total, including Navy and White/Honey | Upper material: Recycled polyester
This popular dress sneaker stands out because it’s the only shoe on our list with knit uppers—our other picks are constructed from leather or polyurethane (PU)—which helps the Swiftknit Derby feel more flexible. The uppers are also “zoned,” so certain sections have a tighter weave that hugs the foot and provides better stability throughout the day without feeling tight. The cushioned midsole enhances the overall comfort, and the leather pull tabs make this sneaker easy to slip on and off.
What the reviews say: “This is a beautifully crafted shoe, and the soles are extremely comfortable,” says one Wolf & Shepherd customer. “They’re the most comfortable shoes I own.”
Sizes: 7 to 15 | Colors: 13 total, including Chestnut and Onyx | Upper material: Leather
Stylists agree that leather is the best option for dress sneakers since it holds up well and elevates any outfit you pair it with. These sneakers from Amberjack are crafted from supple leather and have a soft sheepskin lining that’s laser perforated for better airflow, which also adds an interesting style detail. Other standout features include a supportive TPU outsole and heat-activated arch support that molds to your foot with each wear.
What the reviews say: “They are incredibly comfortable,” says an Amberjack reviewer. “The leather looks great and goes with almost any style and color pants.” Another user writes, “These are the most comfortable dress shoes I’ve ever worn.”
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Johnston & Murphy Upton Plain Toe Derby
Sizes: 8 to 15 | Colors: 7 total, including Black Full Grain and Tan Oiled Full Grain | Upper material: Leather
A Derby shoe is similar to an Oxford, but it has an open-lacing system, which gives the shoe a roomier and more casual appearance. The Upton Plain Tie Derby sneaker is an ultra-cushioned version of this classic style, with a contoured memory foam footbed and anti-microbial mesh lining. The leather is light and flexible, so these shoes should be comfortable right out of the box.
What the reviews say: “This is my first pair of Johnston & Murphy shoes, and I’m very impressed,” says one user. “They’re well made, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. There’s little to no break-in period, and my feet did not feel fatigued or cramped after wearing them all day.”
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Colors: 3 total, including White and Cognac Brown Leather | Upper material: Leather
This modern, streamlined leather sneaker is a solid option for expanding your business casual wardrobe. The Italian leather uppers come in three neutral colors, and the OrthoLite performance insoles craddle your feet. Pair these shoes with jeans on the weekend or chinos and a cashmere sweater when you’re heading to the office.
What the reviews say: “Some of the best shoes I’ve ever had. You can wear them with formal clothes but also with something more sporty,” says a Banana Republic customer. “Great looking shoes with high quantity leather,” adds another reviewer.
Sizes: 7 to 15 | Colors: 7 total, including Dark Java and Stone | Upper material: Waterproof leather
OluKai is best known for its comfortable sandals and slip-on shoes, but it also makes stylish dress sneakers. This pair is constructed from waterproof full-grain leather, so you won’t have to worry about going out in the rain. It’s lined with soft microfiber, and the tongue is decorated with Hawaiian kapa artwork (the brand incorporates elements of Hawaiian culture into all its footwear).
What the reviews say: “Great quality as expected from Olukai. Light, cool and comfortable. This is my second pair,” says an OluKai reviewer. “I wear them to the office, and they’re super comfortable. I get complimented constantly.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published dozens of footwear stories, including roundups of the most comfortable sneakers for men and best casual shoes for men.
This article was overseen by deputy editor (and in-house style expert) Kari Molvar. Molvar holds a certificate in fashion styling from the Business of Fashion and has covered men’s fashion extensively. Her recent work includes guides to the best golf shorts and best loafers for men.
Katherine Louie, the author of this piece, is a lifestyle editor with experience covering fashion and lifestyle topics.
Louie also gathered key insight and guidance from three industry experts: Grant Alexander, founder of House of Style; Bentley Caldwell, a stylist in Nashville, TN; and Kyle Albrecht, lead stylist at Social Garb.
How We Chose The Best Dress Sneakers For Men
To find the best dress sneakers for men, we considered several factors: material, style, size range, fit, comfort, versatility and price.
Our fashion editorial team focused on top-rated brands and retailers known for high-quality footwear, such as Cole Haan, Wolf & Shepherd and more.
We read through hundreds of customer reviews for standout product traits and essential details and only featured brands with straightforward return and exchange policies, should you need to make any returns or exchanges.
The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by our fashion editorial team.
What To Consider When Buying Dress Sneakers
There are several factors to consider when shopping for the best dress sneakers for men. Here’s what to look for.
Comfort
While traditional dress shoes may require a break in period, dress sneakers have more comfort features such as padded insoles and collars, molded footbeds and enhanced traction. They effectively combine the look of a dress shoe with the feel of an everyday sneaker. If you need extra support or have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day, look for flexible uppers and extra cushioned insoles to absorb shock with each step. The Wolf & Shepherd Swiftknit Derby is our top pick for a comfortable pair of dress sneakers, as the breathable mesh upper molds to your foot, and the removable footbeds have several layers of dual-density memory foam.
Materials
While sneakers come in various materials, ranging from leather to canvas to cotton, leather tends to be the most popular option for dress sneakers. “Leather is a solid choice for dress sneakers because it’s durable and always looks sharp,” says Grant Alexander, founder of House of Style. “Suede is another favorite of mine, especially in colder months. It adds texture and richness, and as long as you spray them with a protectant, they’re easy to keep clean—even if they get salt stains.” Bentley Caldwell, a stylist in Nashville, TN, and Kyle Albrecht, lead stylist at Social Garb, agree that leather is the best option. “Cloth dress sneakers look extremely informal and do not hold up as well over time,” says Caldwell.
Colors
Most styles of dress sneakers are available in neutral tones. “Dress sneakers can come in all colors, but white, navy, black, brown and tan are the more versatile—and the most dressy,” says Albrecht. Keep in mind that lighter shades, like white and tan, are more likely to show stains, so it’s a good idea to keep a good sneaker cleaner on hand. (A mild, colorless dish soap mixed with warm water can also work well in a pinch.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Good Brands For Mens Dress Shoes?
All of the brands we highlight in this guide make excellent dress shoes. We particularly appreciate the selection at Cole Haan, Wolf & Shepherd and Banana Republic.
What Are Considered Dress Sneakers?
Dress sneakers are typically worn in business casual or smart casual settings and are made from different materials. “I think of dress sneakers as sneakers designed specifically for style rather than sports or everyday casual wear,” says Alexander. “They’re polished, a bit more refined and purposefully designed to look nice—not just sneakers you happened to wear. They feel intentional and elevate an outfit while keeping it comfortable and modern.”
What Sneakers Look Best With A Suit?
Look for a neutral-colored sneaker that resembles a dress shoe more than a sneaker. “When wearing a dress sneaker with a suit, pick a shoe with an upper typically worn as a dress shoe, i.e. a brogue or a wing tip,” says Caldwell. “That way, you’re getting the comfort of the sneaker sole with the elevated look of the dress shoe. It also won’t be distracting from the suit.” Alexander adds that all-white sneakers can look good, too, but they work best in late spring or summer with lighter suits.
