The Most Comfortable Dress Shoes for Men in 2026, Tested by Style Editors

Ecco landed the top spot on the list because the Citytray Cap Toe does an excellent job of concealing all the comfortable upgrades and keeping the appearance of an old school dress shoe. The removable orthopedic insole, which is replaceable when it wears out, is even covered with a layer of leather to look like an old fashioned footbed liner on the inside. This little detail has the additional benefit of molding to your foot over time.

Ecco’s Citytray midsole and outsole system provides the kind of traction and stability you find in a walking shoe. We tested it for over ten hours of continuous wear and the support held strong, minimizing foot fatigue. This will keep your dogs happy at work, on wedding dance floors, and any time you’re on the move.

Above all, this looks like a dress shoe that every man should have in his arsenal. A simple cap toe derby in brown or black works for absolutely every occasion, from casual to black tie. There is just enough detail to not be boring, but nothing that can clash with any possible look. One of the most comfortable, stylish, and useful shoes we’ve ever tested, full stop.

Read more: Best Men’s Dress Sneakers

Step into something comfortable first before you step into success, like in these business casual shoes that are nothing but supportive and stylish. Having owned and worn these for several months, I can say with confidence that these are perhaps the most comfortable dress shoes I’ve ever tested—all thanks to Amberjack’s athletic performance build.

The memory foam arch support plus the flexible outsole with extra support in the heel are both designed to let your feet move in comfort, and the upper is made with flexible materials. The construction makes it a pair of dress shoes that won’t tire my feet out since it’s soft and easy to break in yet very sturdy.

When it comes to outsole design, this was the most interesting and functional shoe that we tested. Cole Haan was one of the first brands to put rubber sneaker-inspired soles on leather dress shoes, and the American shoemaker continues to stay ahead of the curve in that field. The outsole has been broken into segments between the arch and toes. This provided exceptional flex where it is needed most, while keeping the heel and arch strong and supportive. It was very effective at taking pressure off the balls of our feet in testing.

Our style editors appreciate how this super functional outsole system doesn’t look too sporty or funky. It has the appearance of a standard dress shoe until you look closely. Adding sneaker-like comfort without making a dress shoe look too much like a sneaker has been the biggest challenge for comfortable dress shoes in the past, and we think Cole Haan nailed it here.

Some comfortable dress shoes take clear inspiration from sneakers, the DresSports from Rockport is one of them. While this is essentially a plain toe leather derby, the rubber midsole and ankle padding come from more casual footwear. Those tweaks are made without disrupting the overall dress shoe look. Our testers found that it feels and wears more like a leather sneaker than a dress shoe, which a testament to the overall comfort.

The all white sole contrasts nicely with the brown or black upper to create a business causal look. These are great work shoes for the more relaxed office dress codes out there today. Our style editors found that chinos of any color are a perfect match for this shoe.

This may look like a standard issue cap toe oxford shoe, but Nunn Bush packed the insole and midsole with soothing little details. Gel and foam inserts support your weight and provide bounce in your step. Flexible midsoles and outsoles bend in a natural motion with your feet as you walk. The heel is low to prevent too much pressure on the balls of your feet. These are classic formalwear shoes to wear with suiting or office attire.

The Milwaukee based shoemaker has been in operation for over a century. Our style editors appreciate that this oxford is true to the same classic look that the brand has made for generations. Only, now it is bolstered with supportive features. Of all the shoes on this list, we found that this one works best with a suit because of that timeless look.

Florsheim makes classic looking dress shoes feel comfortable by paying special attention to all three layers of the sole. Starting on the inside, the custom designed insole struck just the right balance between squishy and firm. The rubber midsole looks like leather but felt flexible and provided strong arch support. We felt sure footed the whole time with the grippy outsole. After spending a few hours in this dress shoe, we could feel the entire sole stack working together to provide support and comfort.

Wide fit dress shoes are not easy to come by. Really good looking wide fit dress shoes are even more of a challenge. This is hands down the most comfortable dress shoe that we tested for guys with wide feet, and the old school wingtip upper is perfect for formal occasions and weekday office attire.

You don’t always need to drop triple digits to get a comfortable dress shoe, and Bruno Marc’s Oxford proves it. We wore it to everything from backyard parties to casual office days, and it held up surprisingly well for a shoe that costs less than dinner and drinks.

The ventilated upper kept our feet from overheating, especially when going full sockless mode in the 80-degree temps. Plus, the cushioned insole offers legit all-day support. Even after 10 hours on your feet, there’s no pinching, no rubbing, or no breaking them in with bandages. The durable TPR outsole provides enough grip for slippery sidewalks and unexpected weather, so you won’t feel like you’re skating across the pavement.

It’s built with the comfort of a sneaker disguised in a dress shoe shell, making it ideal for date nights, casual Fridays, or any situation where you want to look put-together without putting your feet through it. Just because it’s cheaper than most on the list doesn’t mean it wears cheap, and honestly, that’s what makes it such a solid move.

This slip-on loafer is probably the easiest to put on and take off, especially when traveling. Since we didn’t have to untie any laces, it was a breeze to get through airport security and stay comfortable on long-haul flights. The silhouette has a smooth suede upper, which won’t crease like the leather dress shoes that we’ve tested.

The material can’t handle heavy downpour, but let’s be clear: it’s not built for stormy duty. This dress shoe more than makes up for it in comfort and breathability. We found the Patnoflex has a cushioned footbed that makes it cozy enough for short walks on the beach and boardwalk.

Also, the leather liner ensured our feet didn’t feel clammy when we didn’t wear socks. As for the rubber sole, it doesn’t grip the ground as great as others, but we stayed steady on the cobblestone streets on vacation. In terms of style, it looks great with a bunch of beachside fits (think: sharp polos and tailored shorts).

While this minimal dress sneaker is a slight departure from other dress shoes on the list, the leather silhouette still takes comfort to the max. For starters, the Padded Scuba lining, which is made of a soft, spongy layer, cancels out a gruesome break-in period and cushions your feet like a performance trainer. This feature makes the hybrid shoe perfect for business trips, weddings, or any long days on your feet.

Another key comfort player: the high traction rubber outsole. After walking several city blocks, it kept our feet from feeling beat up or fatigued, offering sneaker-like shock absorption and steady grip. Our testers also love the memory foam footbed because it molds to your foot over time, so you get that marshmallow feel on concrete and marble floors. Plus, the full-grain leather can handle light showers and regular wear and tear without compromising your style. We’ve paired with chinos, jeans, and even shorts in the summer.

Most lace-up dress shoes feel like a tradeoff: style up top, soreness underneath. Not these. Kenneth Cole’s Kev Leather Lace-Up packs in comfort features, including the brand’s Rebound System, which uses high-recovery gel pods in the insole to cushion impact and return energy with every step.

We wore them through a full workday: morning train commute, standing meetings, after-hours dinner, and our feet were still in good shape. The gel pods under the heel and forefoot made it feel more like walking in a running shoe than a rigid Oxford. You get real shock absorption where you need it most, and the breathable liner keeps things cool if you’re running around all day.

The flexible rubber outsole also adds just enough give so you’re not stuck with that stiff, dress-shoe clomp. Ideal for guys who want that polished, classic look without punishing their arches, whether you’re heading into the office, traveling for work, or going out somewhere you can’t get away with sneakers.

How to Style Comfortable Dress Shoes

Comfortable dress shoes are an excellent suiting hack, as long as you stick to a pair that looks more traditional. For professional use, every workplace has different wardrobe guidelines, but wool, cotton, or blended slacks work pretty much universally. Chinos are a comfortable business-casual favorite that always look good with comfortable dress shoes, as long as your workplace allows them.

As for above the waist, a collared dress shirt is never the wrong answer. Oxford shirts are pretty much the shirting equivalent of comfortable dress shoes: classic look with a cozy feel. Investing in some solid, dark colored crew neck sweaters in either wool or cashmere is a great office wear alternative for the colder months.