5 Essential Shoe Styles for Men

by Kaylyn Means · Published June 11, 2015 · Updated July 30, 2015

In general, men have very simple needs. Many guys look at shoes as just a necessity, only to be replaced when they wear out. For those that do enjoy shoe shopping, check out our great selection of men’s footwear. I’m sure we have something to add to your collection that combines comfort and fashion. For the rest of you, we are going to make this as simple as possible. Below are the five styles of shoes we recommend every guy has in their closet. With these core styles, you will be prepared for nearly every occasion.

Dress Shoes

ECCO Windsor Tie, Black – $250

Dress shoes come in many styles and varieties. The style is up to you and what you like best. Some prefer a plain-toe, others a cap-toe, or wing-tip. Whether you plan to wear these shoes with a suit on a regular basis or just slacks and a button down, this can help deciding what specific dress shoe styles will work best for you. We highly recommend having both a black pair of dress shoes as well as a brown option. Since many guys don’t wear dress shoes every day, these styles tend to last must longer than your everyday shoes. We have plenty of great brands for men’s dress shoes like Allen Edmonds, Cole Haan, ECCO, Clarks, and Florsheim. Our recommendations:

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original Boat Shoe, Sahara – $85

Casual Shoes

This category is a very broad and flexible one. It can easily be tailored to match your style. Depending on what your everyday attire is, you can pick the best casual shoe to match. Some of our favorite styles are the boat shoe, loafer, and sneaker. To clarify, a sneaker is different from a running shoe. Sneakers are not to be worked out in. When it comes to loafers, you can get penny loafers, driving mocs, tassel loafers, and plenty of other options. Our most popular brands for casual footwear are Sperry, Clarks, Pikolinos, Olukai, and ECCO. Our recommendations:

ECCO Yucatan Sandal, Black Mole – $130

Sandals

Sandals are pretty straight forward. Everyone needs a pair of sandals for enjoying the warm weather or a trip to the beach. There are plenty of options to consider with picking out sandals for you. Do you want a slide-on sandal like a flip-flop or something more secure like a walking sandal? Do you prefer a water friendly sandal or something closed toe? No matter what you decide, we have a sandal to match your style and preferences. Our top brands for sandals are Birkenstock, Keen, Olukai, Merrell, and ECCO. Our recommendations:

Boots/Chukkas

ECCO Track 6 GTX Plain Toe Hi, Bison/Birch – $230

No need to worry if rain, cold, or snow is in the forecast. With a good pair of chukkas or boots, you will be ready. This is a staple for men’s fall and winter attire. How you approach this category again, is up to you. Whether you are more focused on function or fashion, having an option that goes over the ankle is very useful. Some boots are breathable and mesh, others are insulated. Our top men’s boot brands are Clarks, Merrell, ECCO, and UGG Australia. Our recommendations.

Athletic Shoes

New Balance, Silver with Navy – $121

Athletic shoes serve a very specific purpose however, everyone needs a pair. It does not matter if you are active every day or once a month. You don’t want to get caught trying to walk trails or hike in a pair of boat shoes. You also don’t want to be the guy playing basketball in sandals or boots. There are plenty of brands out there for your athletic shoe options, but our favorites are New Balance and Merrell.