In the 70s, men’s driving shoes were worn only by the wealthiest and most successful, from professional race car drivers to entrepreneurs to hotshot lawyers; the driving shoe was a bat signal for affluent men. However, these days driving shoes have ditched their exclusive status and have been adopted by a greater range of men.
Whether it be running daytime errands or relaxing by the poolside, men’s driving shoes are extremely cosy, thanks to their relaxed silhouette and fit. They have remained trendy due to their versatility and functionality, suitable for almost any occasion.
When hunting for the perfect driving shoe, the most important thing to note is how they make you feel. It doesn’t matter if they’re penny loafers, boat shoes, or driving moccasins; make sure you invest in a pair that’s supportive and flexible. You want a driving shoe that’s easy to slip on while providing extra grip when you drive. For this purpose, shoes with pebbled rubber soles are ideal.
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If you’re wanting to upgrade your style with a pair of elegant driving shoes, we’ve collated a list of brands guaranteed to make you look (and feel) incredibly luxurious with their thoughtful and well-crafted designs.
Whether you’re escaping to the countryside for the weekend or you’re an aspiring F1 driver, these are the best men’s driving shoes that will elevate your wardrobe.
Oliver Cabell
1/15
Price: From $224
Sizes: 6-15
Material: Italian leather
In 2016, 27-year-old Scott Gabrielson launched Oliver Cabell in England after leaving his job at a non-for-profit. Oliver Cabell is an independent footwear brand using old school techniques to create its well-crafted shoes. This brand is known for their comfortable shoes – especially their leather shoes, as traditionally, these shoes take a while to break in. However, Oliver Cabell footwear feels like a customised fit from the moment you slip them on.
Oliver Cabell has some of the best men’s driving shoes out there; for the best value as well. Their men’s driving shoes come in various colours and feature Italian soft suede with calfskin leather lining. These shoes also come with a rubber outsole, providing additional grip for your foot on the pedal.
Duke & Dexter
2/15
Price: From $175
Sizes: 7-12
Material: Nubuck leather
Duke & Dexter is a London footwear label creating game-changing footwear. Their shoes are made from sustainably sourced materials, while their designs capture British elegance and charm. Over the years, Duke & Dexter have worked with a range of creatives, from musicians, artists, designers, photographers and pioneers who are all working toward the same goal: to create innovative and functional footwear.
These men’s driving shoes come from Southern Spain, manufactured in a family-owned traditional workshop – known for being one of the best driving shoemakers in the world. Duke & Dexter’s driving loafers are available in playful and lively styles while also being flexible. They’re perfect for all-day comfort and for you to feel super at ease behind the wheel.
GH Bass
3/15
Price: From $165
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
Founded in 1876 by George Henry Bass, GH Bass quickly built a reputation for creating high-quality and cosy shoes. GH Bass has perfected their shoe-making technique over decades as they have tested and trialed to develop the most innovative footwear that’s highly functional. If you’re looking for rugged, durable shoes built to last a lifetime, then look no further.
GH Bass men’s driving shoes are robust thanks to their tubular Moccasin construction and rugged terrains. However, these men’s driving shoes are lightweight and comfortable too and offer a cushioned outsole. These shoes are classic, handmade in Salvador and are easy to slip on and off.
Scarosso
4/15
Price: From $265
Sizes: 39-48
Material: Calfskin
Scarosso has been shoemaking for over 40 years, with the best craftsman secrets passed down from generations. Scarosso is all about creating quality footwear without harming the planet. These shoes are produced using artisanal techniques and luxury materials through sustainable practices.
Scarosso’s collections offer a huge range of men’s driving shoes in penny and laced styles, available in various colours. Their driving shoes are easy to move in, with their cushioned insole and rubber black studs that provide additional grip. These driving moccasins are the pinnacle of luxury and superb style as they upgrade any outfit. Perfect while you drive by the countryside or head to a weekend getaway.
Car Shoe
5/15
Price: From $396
Sizes: 7-16
Material: Calf suede
Prada has owned Car Shoe since 2001, preserving this Italian staple brand. With its logo reinvented in the early 60s, Car Shoe has always been committed to keeping up with the latest trends with its ever-evolving style. The brand is highly passionate about making apparel and clothing suited for driving. In 2013, they even launched The Driver’s Club – a space dedicated to the lifestyle and love of driving.
Car Shoe’s collection is incredibly versatile and elegant, with men’s driving shoes that feature clean lines and pared-back detailing. They deliver unexpected shapes and bold colours, with a branded insole and a rubber sole. Car Shoes also feature men’s driving shoes with a pebbled sole and a slip-on design, making them super flexible and convenient to move in.
Tods
6/15
Price: From $595
Sizes: 4-13
Material: Suede
Tod’s is an Italian footwear company producing some of the most luxurious shoes out there. Tod’s was founded by Filippo Della Vela in the late 1920s. However, Diego Della Valle, the elder son of Dorino Della Valle and a grandson of Filippo Della Valle expanded the business and started manufacturing shoes for American department shoes in the 70s. These driving loafers are classic as they transcend times and trends, guaranteed to last a lifetime too.
Tod’s men’s driving shoes are available in all sorts of colours, no matter if you’re looking for a casual tan suitable with every outfit or a bold violet loafer, adding a little eccentricity to your driving sessions. They come in velvet suede and feature hand-stitching, Tod’s monogram, front tie and iconic rubber pebble outsole.
Carmina
7/15
Price: From $252
Sizes: 5-14
Material: Suede
Carmina has been manufacturing their shoes on the island of Mallorca since 1866. Mallorca is located in the centre of the Mediterranean sea, inspiring all of the brand’s designs. Carmina created hand-stitched driving loafers known for their exceptional level of comfort. Carmina has a massive collection of suede driving shoes and moccasins loafers constructed with fine leather.
Carmina offers men’s driving shoes made from the most exclusive alligator leather, making them extremely durable while providing an elegant, shiny pill-like pattern. However, if you’re looking for impeccably built driving shoes, they also have loafers finished with a leather and rubber Trenc sole and calf lining. You’ll never look so stylish steering down the highway.
Swims
8/15
Price: From $160
Sizes: 7-15
Material: Textile
Swims launched in 2006 with a simple idea of transforming the galosh – a shoe that’s solely worn for utility, turned into a stylish, bold piece of footwear. Swims draws influence from Scandinavian fashion to design functional shoes with a dash of creativity while providing ultimate comfort and functionality. Perfect for roaming around outdoors or lounging around on hot summer days, their footwear is versatile, suitable for all kinds of occasions.
Swims have a range of men’s driving shoes that includes penny loafers and galosh shoes available in different shapes, sizes and colours. Their collections feature driving shoes with a waterproof and durable upper with soft linings, ideal for wet weather exploration. However, if you’re after a more casual driver shoe, their penny loafers come with cushioned insole, flexible rubber outsole and penny strap detail so that shoes can feel as loose or as snug as you want.
Bally
9/15
Price: From $720
Sizes: 6-13.5
Material: Leather
Bally was born in Switzerland in 1851 by Carl Franz Bally. What started as a family-run business in Schönenwerd quickly grew into a pioneering clothing brand that accumulated a loyal customer base worldwide. Bally creates some of the best driving shoes thanks to its detailed craftsmanship paired with a contemporary aesthetic. These shoes are the intersection of fashion and purpose.
These men’s driving shoes are super lightweight while featuring the company’s stylish logo on the front with rubber soles and a penny loafer design. These driving shoes are available in shades of black and brown.
Cole Haan
10/15
Price: From $160
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
Cole Haan is an American footwear brand founded in 1928 by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan. Cole Haan is known for its timeless and modern designs, suitable for every occasion. Whether you’re walking around in the hustle and bustle of the city or having a lazy weekend, they have it all. Cole Haan recently returned to its roots as an independently owned company, giving it the freedom to create shoes for the best prices without compromising quality.
Cole Haan’s collection of men’s driver shoes includes footwear with a Zerogrand footbed, providing maximum support and flexibility with every step. However, if you’re looking for a minimalist design, check out their penny loafers. These driving shoes feature premium materials and a thoughtful design, guaranteed to feel lightweight, perfect for casual driving.
Allen Edmonds
11/15
Price: From $195
Sizes: 7-15
Material: Full-grain European leather
Allen Edmonds creates high-quality men’s footwear and accessories, designed to feel custom made as every shoe undergoes a thorough hand-crafted 212 step process. Allen Edmonds footwear is treated with great care and detail, so your shoes will feel like a customised fit.
Their boat shoes and driving mocs are the perfect off-duty shoe. These men’s driving shoes feature a relaxed moccasin-toe construction and slip-resistant rubber soles. If you’re looking for driving shoes providing more grip and control on the pedal, then Allen Edmonds is for you. Their footwear is also available in various sizes and different shades of brown.
Hudson Shoes
12/15
Hudson Shoes is an East London brand producing shoes out of quality materials, featuring their unique finishing touches. While Hudson shoes manufacture so many shoes globally, they treat each pair of shoes with great care while blending tradition and modernity. They also draw inspiration from art, music, film or pop culture for fashion-forward and daring designs.
Offering some of the best men’s driving shoes in suede and leather, Hudson’s offers footwear available in a boat shoe design too. These driving shoes are constructed out of soft materials, securing maximum cosiness for your feet. These driving shoes are ideal for summer, thanks to their premium and lightweight soles.
Jack Erwin
13/15
Price: From $158
Sizes: 7-14
Material: Suede
Jack Erwin create luxurious casual shoes, combing a clean, simplistic aesthetic with thoughtful tailoring and construction. The brand was founded in 2013 in New York City by Lane Gerson and Ariel Nelson. Their designs offer an elegant appearance and undeniable comfort, with driving loafers you’ll want to wear even when you’re not behind the steering wheel.
Jack Erwin’s men’s driving shoes come with timeless silhouettes available in multiple suede styles and colours. These casual driving shoes include a full leather lining with a rubber wedge and rubber outsole with proprietary construction and stitch design. Plus, these driving shoes are very supportive as they have Arneflex micro-foam too.
Jones Bootmaker
14/15
Price: From $108
Sizes: 7-11
Material: Leather
Despite the name, Jones Bootmaker deliver some of the best men’s driving shoes the fashion industry has ever seen. Deeming itself as “affordable luxury”, Jones Bootmaker manufacture the best-valued shoes without compromising quality or comfort.
Jones Bootmaker offers a diverse range of men’s driving shoes and moccasins that feature exposed stitching and rope detailing made from the finest materials. Their driving shoes also include a cushioned leather insole with a leather sole reinforced with rubber counters for ultimate grip. A perfect choice while you run your life admin errands on a day off.
Johnston & Murphy
15/15
Price: From $175
Sizes: 8-14
Material: Leather
Johnston & Murphy is an American footwear and clothing company founded by William Dudley, James Johnston and William Murphy in 1850. The iconic brand has high quality and classic styles fashioned by the most famous and successful men of all time. If you’re after a reliable brand that creates highly durable and well-crafted shoes, you have to check out their range.
Johnston & Murphy’s offers men’s driving shoes made from premium leather and suede, paired with sheepskin or calfskin. These driving shoes are very flexible and supportive, as they feature a foamed cushion bed. They also feature leather and sheepskin lining, guaranteed to last a lifetime.
