We’ve all heard the old sayings: ‘fashion hurts’, ‘fashion is pain’… you get the idea. But this is simply not true. You do not have to sacrifice comfort to look fashionable or stylish, especially when it comes to shoes.
Nowadays, no matter what type of shoe you wish to add to your wardrobe, you can get a version of it that’s both stylish and comfortable. Dress shoes, sneakers, loafers, running shoes, boat shoes; you name it! Any type of shoe can be found in a style that won’t cause your feet pain.
You just have to know what to look for and which brands to shop from. That’s where we come in.
Features of comfortable shoes
If you’re after the most comfortable shoes for men there are some key features to look out for. The best comfy shoes will have cushioning technology in the heel and sole for shock absorption & arch support, be flexible & will conform to your foot’s natural movement, and be either non-slip or slip-resistant.
Comfortable Shoe FAQs
Why are comfortable shoes important?
Your feet carry your entire body weight and wearing ill-fitting and non-supportive shoes can cause a myriad of health issues from minor to serious. Comfortable shoes are seriously important as they’ll prevent blisters, bunions, posture issues, joint pain, and arthritis.
Should shoes be comfortable right away?
When trying a shoe on for the first time, it should be instantly comfortable. Not too tight, not too loose, and extremely cushiony and supportive. However, most shoes do need to be broken in, so you may find if you wear them for a long period of time when you first get them, they will cause some pain and/or blisters.
We recommend that when you get a new pair of shoes, wear them for only an hour or so every day for roughly two weeks to break them in. That way you won’t get any discomfort.
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We’ve rounded up which brands make the most comfortable shoes for men. Whether you’re after sneakers, running shoes, dress shoes, loafers, etc. we’ve got you covered. These brands produce a wide variety of shoe styles, so no matter what type of shoe you’re after, you’ll find a comfortable yet stylish option below.
1/10Allbirds
Allbirds has a wide range of shoes - runners, everyday sneakers, high-tops, slip-ons, boat shoes, and boots - that are all made with renewable materials that unsurprisingly have amazing benefits. All of Allbirds’ shoes feature insoles that are made from castor oil layered with ZQ Merino wool to cushion, moisture-wick, and odour reduce your feet while you're wearing them.
Lightweight and breezy, Allbirds shoes are either made with merino wool or eucalyptus tree fibres for flexibility, meaning Allbirds’ shoes will conform to your movements while you're standing or moving on your feet for long hours, ensuring maximum comfort.
2/10Cole Haan
The Zero Grand range features men's runners, everyday sneakers, and dress shoes, all with extreme cushioning that was inspired by walking on the moon. Featuring a smart design and engineering, Zero Grand footwear mimics the foot's natural movement, so you can move smoothly with less fatigue.
The shoes are all lightweight, exceptionally comfortable, and are packaged in unique yet stylish designs. Available in a variety of colours and styles, Cole Haan’s Zero Grand shoes are incredibly comfortable.
3/10Camper
For a pair of comfortable shoes, Camper's Lightweight range is an excellent option. All of the men's shoes - sneakers, runners, boots, dress shoes, and more - in the Lightweight range provide advanced everyday performance in terms of mobility. Plus, with cushioned insoles for arch support and EVA rubber outsoles that'll make you feel like you're going barefoot, you'll feel comfortable all day.
4/10Cariuma
Cariuma has a huge range of low-tops, high-tops, and slip-ons that are high-performing, low-impact, and ultra-lightweight. Available in a wide variety of colours and styles, Cariuma’s shoes feature arch support and cushioning footbeds for extreme comfort.
5/10Casca
All of Casca's footwear is designed with orthotic experts and features soles constructed from a triple-thick cushioning with Everest-grade rubber, to ensure premium comfort and long wearability.
Casca believes that every foot is more unique than a fingerprint, which is why they launched Smartfit, in 2020. What is Smartfit, you ask? Made to order custom insoles tailored to your exact foot measurements, to provide optimal cushioning and arch support. Talk about comfortable!
6/10On Running
The highly adaptive sole reduces muscle fatigue and lowers your heart rate thanks to its multi-directional cushioning that ensures that your feet feel supported but never restricted.
The insoles of all CloudTec footwear have fantastic arch support, and the laces come down rather low on the toe to reduce the chance of shin splints. If you're after all-day comfort, these casual shoes, available in running shoes and everyday sneaker styles, are a fantastic option.
7/10Duke & Dexter
Duke & Dexter has a huge range of men’s shoes - sneakers and loafers - available in multiple colours, styles, and fabric options. All shoes are built for supreme comfort with Duke & Dexter's custom-designed sole which provides support and cushioning to your feet.
8/10Ecco
Ecco achieves this with their Vitrus collection of shoes for men which is comprised of dress shoes, loafers, and boots. The innovative Viturs shank, featured in all of the shoes, allows the formulation of a soft, cupped heel that'll bring you closer to the ground for greater stability and comfort. Ecco's Vitrus shoes also feature Fluidfrom, a lightweight and fluid material, that's wrapped around the Vitrus shank so the interior of the shoe follows the natural contours of feet, meaning you can comfortably wear any Ecco Vitrus shoe all day long.
9/10Amberjack
They only have one shoe to offer, ‘The Original’, which is a stylish dress shoe, perfect for both smart casual and formal affairs (and everything in between), available in six timeless colours. But this shoe is secretly a serious game-changer when it comes to men’s shoes. The soles of The Original are crafted with new, proprietary materials created by Amberjack that deliver comfort all day long! The shoes also feature heat-activated arch support made with foam (that’s more durable than memory foam) that when heated by your body warmth will mould to your foot for custom arch support.
Not to mention a dual-density outsole with high-performance athletic technology in the front for flexibility and strong hiking boot material in the back for support. Oh, and the sustainably sourced Italian suede used for the upper is water repellent, meaning you can wear these shoes in rain or shine, and the suede will stay protected and fresh. Seriously, these will be some of the comfiest shoes you’ll ever own.
10/10Johnston & Murphy
And boy, did they. Johnston & Murphy launched their XC4 range, which stands for Extreme Comfort and the number 4 represents the four main features of XC4 shoes: moisture-wicking, lightweight, cushioning, and an extra removable insole for a perfect fit. The XC4 collection is made up of sneakers, boots, and dress shoes that'll all keep your feet feeling but also looking good.
