Advice on Comfortable Loafer or Moccasin shoes

[SereneBlue]

Hi all,
I am looking for a pair of moccasin or Loafer shoes.

Problem is that I live in comfortable Trainers (like Hoka One One) or great boots (Salomon Quad, Matterhorn, Altbergs). I need to find Mocs or Loafers who have that level of comfort, with decent cushioned soles.

Any ideas on where I should look? In a fit of madness, I have bought a pair of used-ish Grenson Loafers which are hopefully built like battleships..but am dreading comfort on leather soles...?

 

[breakaway01]

Hi all,
I am looking for a pair of moccasin or Loafer shoes.

Problem is that I live in comfortable Trainers (like Hoka One One) or great boots (Salomon Quad, Matterhorn, Altbergs). I need to find Mocs or Loafers who have that level of comfort, with decent cushioned soles.

Any ideas on where I should look? In a fit of madness, I have bought a pair of used-ish Grenson Loafers which are hopefully built like battleships..but am dreading comfort on leather soles...?

You're just going to have to modify your expectations. There is no way that a loafer or moc will have the same comfort as a Hoka with a 30+ mm thick foam sole, unless it has an ugly sneaker-sole construction (avoid those). Ask yourself whether you really "need" to have the same level of comfort in a loafer as you do in Hoka trainers or whether you can learn to live with the fact that they are not going to be cushy and spongy underfoot.

Because mocs and loafers don't have laces, the fit around the foot is really important for comfort. You have to understand not just the maker (Grenson) but also the "last" for that particular model. I don't know anything about how Grenson shoes fit, but Alden, for example, has multiple lasts -- I wear US 8.5D in their "Aberdeen" last but an 8D or 8.5C in their "Barrie" last.

 

[GaiusM]

Rancourt makes great loafers and mocs, and the Lactae Hevea soles are pretty comfortable though perhaps not quite to the level of trainers.
If you are in the US Rancourt will send sizing pairs to you to see how they fit. See their website for more.

 

[Mirage-]

If you really care about comfort and have to walk a lot, to be honest I think loafers (of Belgian-style heritage) are about the only dress shoes that work somewhat decently on "sneaker-inspired" soles, i.e. I'm talking about the so-called travel/walking loafers.

E.g.

Sagan Stride in Earth Suede Caramel Sole

Meet the Stride, our revolutionary range of loafers, built around an active rubber sole. Truly unparalleled comfort & the epitome of modern elegance for men. Handcrafted to perfection in our signature creamy soft earth brown glove suede, with water repellent treatment. This, combined with full...

baudoinlange.com

budget choice: https://www.skolyx.se/en/loafers/1230-yanko-traveler-belgian-loafer-smoke-reverse-kudu-suede.html
Unfortunately few models have colored soles, which would help it blend in with the suede upper. Most keep the stark white of the sole which is not very desirable imo.

Not ideal I guess, but still much better than trainers with tailoring if you ask me, and I see that everywhere, including in the office these days.

 

[SereneBlue]

Thank you for the advice, all. Yeah, I am UK based it would be nice to have a European style to go for but the world is a smaller place nowadays, in terms overseas sales.

I will explore all pointers above (loving the Rancourt 1967 Venetians!) BTW, I do have a pair of Croc Santa's Cruz loafers - irreverent but damn comfy!

Regards
Udhi

 

[rwtc]

Loro Piana Summer Walk or anything similar by other companies, for example Cucinelli or Santoni. Unlined suede. Extremely comfortable, very flexible, zero break in. Very walking friendly.

 

[Mirage-]

Yanko (via Skolyx) very recently launched a new collection of those with soles and uppers in matching colour by the way

If you really care about comfort and have to walk a lot, to be honest I think loafers (of Belgian-style heritage) are about the only dress shoes that work somewhat decently on "sneaker-inspired" soles, i.e. I'm talking about the so-called travel/walking loafers.

E.g.

Sagan Stride in Earth Suede Caramel Sole

Meet the Stride, our revolutionary range of loafers, built around an active rubber sole. Truly unparalleled comfort & the epitome of modern elegance for men. Handcrafted to perfection in our signature creamy soft earth brown glove suede, with water repellent treatment. This, combined with full...

baudoinlange.com

budget choice: https://www.skolyx.se/en/loafers/1230-yanko-traveler-belgian-loafer-smoke-reverse-kudu-suede.html
Unfortunately few models have colored soles, which would help it blend in with the suede upper. Most keep the stark white of the sole which is not very desirable imo.

Not ideal I guess, but still much better than trainers with tailoring if you ask me, and I see that everywhere, including in the office these days.