15 Men’s Shoes to Wear Without Socks % % (2024)

Sometimes, it’s nice to let your feet breathe. Here are some shoes that you can happily wear without needing socks.

Whether you want to show off the results of your calf-day workouts or you just want to give your hooves a breather, going sockless can be liberating. You deserve to do both, by the way. Treat yourself.

Plus, many looks and outfit combinations are often better without socks (or at least with no-shows). That being the case, you must choose the proper shoes in these situations — those below round-up, for example.

Not all footwear works without socks, after all.

We’ve got you covered from loafers to sneakers, formal and casual, budget and luxury.

Quick Take

Here are our recommendations from the list:

Read on for more info and the complete list…

15 Best Shoes Without Socks

Here they are in no specific order, with all price points represented.

Todd Snyder Tuscan Court Shoe

Todd Snyder, previously dubbed the man who taught men how to love clothes, recently got into another game — one already well-populated by the male species. Still, the brand’s first-ever sneaker, the Tuscan Court Shoe, similarly lifts barriers on two accounts.

First, the design successfully makes overtly cool styling less intimidating to the classically-minded and makes the traditional vintage court shoe interesting enough to be trend-focused.

The Biscotti Cream and Grigio Gray colorways feature neutral yet fun palettes, the outsole texturing on the former perfectly exemplifying this balance.

As such, you can certainly wear either with or without socks.

Second, it builds this basketball and tennis shoe template using Vachetta leather (the hard-wearing kind used on designer handbags). It’s sporty, versatile, and built with the craft of a fine Italian loafer.

Viscata Sitges Canvas Espadrille

I believe that the Sitges Canvas Espadrille from Viscata is one of the best espadrilles available. Before I get to how great this shoe is, Viscata admirably focuses on sustainability and even has a program for shoe recycling. Check out our full review on Viscata to get our overall thoughts!

Related to their eco-conscious approach, the Sitges are made of all-natural canvas and the traditional jute material for the sole. The bottom is modernized using rubber, though, which makes it more durable and, in my opinion, more comfortable.

It’s an authentic shoe and definitely doesn’t need to be worn with socks. In fact, it would very much look better without them. Did I mention that it’s handcrafted in Spain?

This espadrille would pair handsomely with shorts, vacation linens (including a linen suit for that off-duty cosmopolitan look), or just any casual or warm-weather outfit.

Astorflex Patnoflex Travel Loafer

The Astorflex Pantoflex Travel Loafer over at Huckberry looks like a deconstructed slipper loafer. It’s just as classy but not stuffy and downright relaxed. It’s somehow raw and refined, more akin to a Paul Newman vibe rather than a Cary Grant.

The two-piece upper is made of soft, buttery European leather, complemented by the fibrous and wood-like outsole. It’s the kind of shoe that you can wear with a tan blazer or a top-unbuttoned camp collar shirt.

If you really want to level up a look, use this as your beach or pool shoe and watch the flip-flopped masses get inspired.

The ergonomic footbed is also a nice touch. It might feel funny at first, but after a few wears, you’ll notice an effective combination of support and flex.

Koio Capri

Often considered a more bang-for-buck alternative to the Common Projects Achilles, the Koio Capri is a classic, low-profile sneaker. Hence, you can easily wear it sockless. Personally, I think it looks better that way when you’re partnering it with shorts or even cuffed pants.

The Koio Capri is so impressive that it’s fully handmade in Marche, Italy, with full-grain leather and a 100% rubber sole. Even the edges are hand-painted, creating a genuinely artisanal and flawless shoe.

The stitching is tight and incredibly reinforced, especially by the toe and in high-pressure areas like below the eyelets. This is so it doesn’t get too wrinkly and old-looking too fast, but it means there’s a slight break-in period.

Once you get past that, though, those ortholite insoles will remain consistent and comfortable.

And if you don’t want to go the Achilles-esque route, the Capri comes in several colorways outside the Triple White. The white with gum sole looks a bit like an unfinished GAT, the black is urban and modern, while variations like goji and amber are definitely fun statement pieces.

Velasca Cadregatt

Traditional tassel loafers aren’t always the sleekest of loafers, but the Velasca Cadregatt is an effective example of a successful modernization. It’s slim but not overly sharp and features an abbreviated top vamp design, making it more minimal than the typical tassel.

It’s more graceful than an American-style tassel loafer but not overly formal like a pointed Italian one, allowing you to clock a lot of mileage. Velasca even lets you customize your shoe soles, offering a choice between a durable and grippy rubber outsole or a classy leather one.

Whoever said you can’t wear tassel loafers sockless with shorts has never seen this pair.

It also flaunts premium construction. The brushed calfskin is tight, smooth, and soft, providing the high strength-to-weight ratio you want from an everyday shoe.

Mercifully, this brand is considerate to smaller guys, providing shoe sizes as small as a men’s 5.

Oliver Cabell Driver

Nothing says elegantly cozy or effortlessly cool than a good driving shoe. They’re like loafers but less architectural, with a rubber outsole. The Oliver Cabell Driver has a skinny, pebbled outsole, making it look a bit like the kind of gentleman’s slipper you’d wear with a smoking jacket but more structured.

It’s casual but worldly. It looks great with socks but more natural without them, whether in shorts or a full casual suit.

Here’s a casual Friday style tip: Partner your full suit with a nice, fitted t-shirt instead of a shirt-and-tie combo, and pop this driver on as well. You’ll look resort-ready but also ready to take a last-minute conference call if need be.

Drivers are perfect shoes if you want to casualize an outfit but want to go for a more upscale traditional approach that sneakers can’t always accomplish.

Other things you can do with the OC Driver? Keep a pair by your door for you to jump in and out of for quick escapes, or keep it under your desk at work in case you need a reprieve from your traditional dress shoe.

Toms Santiago Espadrille

While I’m pro-experimentation and pro-do-what-makes-you-feel-good, I might go on record to state that you shoulsn’t wear Toms espadrilles with socks. The super practical Santiago is too much a combination of everything casual for it to work with socks. But boy, does it look handsomely breezy without them.

It’s a classic espadrille with a one-piece build and an almost skater slip-on silhouette, especially with that lip. It also has a bit of a smoking slipper vibe, so this is the kind of shoe you wear when you’re clocked out.

And it isn’t all show either. The light upper really lets your feet breathe, while the foam insole is extra soft, with high density, making this guy easy to walk around in for hours at a time.

Grant Stone Traveler

The Grant Stone Traveler Penny Loafer is an exceptionally built shoe with exceptional adaptability. You can wear it with shorts and no socks at a barbecue. And yes, you can also wear it with dark dress socks and a suit to a board meeting. How? Why?

What looks like a familiar loafer combines American-style loafer elements and European ones. The missing beef roll and flat saddle that goes past the collar give it a clean, sleek look. The lack of sharp turns, however, makes it a rounder and less stuffy shoe.

This balance is what makes it easy to wear. The Traveler was my everyday shoe for a few months and is still one of my favorites. This is especially so during travel, especially if I can only bring one pair of shoes.

Its build is fully Goodyear-welted, made with premium full-grain leather or special water-resistant calfskin suede, and can very much take a beating.

It’s made in China, but the founder of Grant Stone has roots there. Therefore, he knows where the hidden treasure artisans are, works with them specifically, and has a real relationship with his manufacturing partners.

You can definitely tell that’s the case with this sturdy loafer.

Minnetonka Classic Mocs

I’m a big fan of Minnetonka as a brand, and the Classic Moc brings together all aspects of American shoe heritage.

It’s a Native American slip-on that you can wear if you have an earthy outdoor personal style that incorporates sandalwood meditation beads or even an Americana lover — the denim-leaning set and the cable-knit leaning kind.

It’s affordable, easy to slip in and out of, and incredibly comfortable.

Minnetonka equips this guy with a super skinny gum rubber sole that brings you litheness and bounce. It’s thin in height and width, so it completely hides under the shoe so no one can see it. I love this design because if you could see that sole, it would give it a hybrid look, and I prefer the more authentic aesthetic.

And, once they’ve started to show signs of wear, you can take steps to bring them back to their former glory.

John Lobb Suede Smoking Slipper

The Italian-made John Lobb Suede Smoking Slipper has no detailing yet comes with the utmost class. That’s also the same vibe it’ll bring to your outfit.

The attractively napped suede body, long and balletic, features classy leather accents. There’s even a stacked heel, which is rare for traction-focused rubber outsoles.

If you’re in a full suit, it’ll look like you’re either on your way to do something cultural, like cut the ribbon to the Met’s latest exhibit, or on your way to the office to close a big deal. Either way, you’ll look like you’d do it with what seems like no effort.

This is because this shoe is so relaxed looking. But it’s not the sweatpants kind of relaxed. It’s more like sitting on your Chesterfield chair in a silk smoking jacket, puffing on a cigar, or walking around the Caribbean, linen-clad.

A key to bringing out the visual strength of this shoe is to go without socks. Remember, it’s an undemanding elegance. Less is more.

Tod’s Espadrilles

In the post-stealth-wealth world, sporting quiet luxury brands like Tod’s can up the discerning aspect of your look. On the more practical front, as a trusted purveyor of well-crafted Italian leather goods, their espadrilles are undeniably exquisite.

Besides, quiet luxury is all about comfort, not suffering for fashion, which is why this handcrafted, rich-looking, and supple leather espadrille wears beautifully with no socks.

The grain on the leather serves up a raw elegance, which perfectly matches the hand-woven rope trim. The entire shoe is packaged with a modern finish, including a rubber bottom for traction and exposed stitching on the mini beefrolls on the upper.

It’s the kind of shoe you can wear on vacation, after work, or on the weekends to ensure even your most dressed-down outfits are still good-looking.

New Republic Kurt

Mark McNairy launched the New Republic after decades in the shoe industry, which is how and why this brand is so savvy around budgets and raw materials.

The Kurt is wildly impressive for its low cost. It is made of sustainably sourced Italian leather, has a micro-suede lining, and a special airflow-inducing foam insole. It’s comfortably pliant but still supportive, allowing you to stand and walk for long periods if need be.

And, of course, they’re extra breathable without socks.

At this price point, it’s no surprise it’s made in China. Here’s the thing, though. Several sneaker brands from heritage companies also make their shoes cheap overseas. Few, if any, serve up this quality in build and leather.

Also, few of them offer a wide range of sas as New Republic does. The Kurt even comes in a men’s size 4!

Rothys Ravello Loafer

If you capture the relaxed vibe of a breezy afternoon at a beach house and then make it into a shoe, it would be the Rothys Ravello Loafer. And no one wears socks on the beach.

Pairing splendidly with shorts, chinos, jeans of all washes, and even summer suits, this cool coastal shoe has a clean-lined, well-finished, yet somehow organic feel.

It’s made from the brand’s in-house thread, spun from plastic bottles. So not only does this shoe feel good on your feet, but it feels pretty darn great on your conscience. Speaking of comfort, the dual-density insoles and rubber outsoles create a lovely partnership of grip and softness.

Allbirds Tree Runners

The Allbirds Tree Runners lead the pack for a more organic approach to running technology. They’re made to be breathable and natural and, therefore, so easy to wear without socks.

Practicality aside, though, this light and woven aesthetic is the very key to why they’re conducive to a no-socks style. I think the sockless athletic look, say a light and fitted hooded shirt and ankle-exposing joggers, would be better finished with a pair of Tree Runners than cool dad shoes.

The latter has a trendy sensibility, while the former is more effortless. Plus, it adds texture to the outfit.

And on the topic of effortlessness, this shoe’s responsibly sourced eucalyptus tree fiber construction makes it machine washable. So even if you overdo wearing this sneaker without socks and it starts to get a touch odorous, it’s easy to clean anyway.

Cariuma Catiba Pro

I omitted the classic Chuck Taylors from this list because I think many of us already know they look great without socks. A lot of low-profile canvas sneakers do.

Instead, I highly recommend the Catiba Pro from the eco-conscious Cariuma. Combining suede accents and canvas creates an organic feel that is less raw than, say, the kind you’d get from an espadrille. I’ve definitely worn this shoe with a suit after work.

I think the Cariuma leaf adds a distinct touch. It’s branding, but it isn’t too loud since it really just looks like a cool abstract design.

Its silhouette and overall visuals sit somewhere between a classic low-profile sneaker and a slightly more bulbous Osiris-style skate shoe.

Most importantly, this shoe is completely comfortable right out of the box. The memory foam insole is delightfully squishy but still supportive, and the gum sole is bouncy and grippy.

FAQs

Here are some quick answers to common questions when it comes to wearing shoes without socks!

Which shoes can you wear without socks?

A few styles include loafers and low-profile sneakers. You can wear most warm-weather and low-profile shoes without socks.

Is it okay to not wear socks with sneakers?

Absolutely. If you need to let your feet breathe, feel free to go sockless with sneakers. However, rotate this with no-show socks to regulate the moisture in your shoes.

Is it okay to wear loafers without socks?

You can wear loafers without socks for a more casual or summery look. In fact, it’s preferable to go sans socks when you’re wearing shorts with your loafers.

Conclusion

So now that you know that espadrilles and low-profile slip-on aren’t the only shoes you can wear without socks, you can expand your style horizons.

Todd Snyder’s distinct yet easily worn court shoes are sporty yet versatile. Meanwhile, the Velasca Cadregatt is good enough for a tuxedo or linen shorts.

My favorite part is that, besides comfort and breathability, going sockless also means one less component of your outfit to worry about.

Some people can’t stand to wear shoes without socks. What about you? Let me know in the comments!