Posted on June 29 2015
Hello, gentlemen. Glad you could make it. We need to have a little chat.
It’s time to stop giving women a hard time about having more shoes than they know what to do with. We’ve got news for you: this is the 21st century, and a man can’t get by with one pair of shoes.
That’s why we’ve prepared a list of five essential shoes for men. These shoes have been picked out for their appropriateness and their affordability, so we think you’ll be more than pleased with the selection. Pay close attention, and you’ll find your feet are comfortable in any situation.
Top 5 Shoes (in No Particular Order!)
Dress Shoes – Cole Haan
We start with business, and no brand embodies formal footwear quite like Cole Haan. Having pledged to make “good goods” since 1928, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable, more reliable pair of dress shoes.
Take the Ascot II loafer as a prime example, featuring genuine leather and hand-sewn construction. It’s important to look your best when the situation calls for it, and Cole Haan ensures you’re ready.
Casual Shoes – Sperry
After a long week at work, you’ve earned a chance to kick back and relax. Your feet have earned a casual weekend as well, and a pair of Sperry boat shoes is just what you’re looking for.
The razor cut wave-siping on the bottom of a Top-sider keeps you just as steady on dry land as it does on a wet deck, and as the brand has evolved, Sperry has included a greater variety of shoes for any situation. You can even get a winter version, though we still think the best way to go is the classic Billfish.
Boots – Hi-Tec
A man doesn’t need a reason to wear boots, but inclement weather and a trip outdoors are two excellent reasons to get a grip. Hi-Tec specializes in active wear, giving you the support, durability, and tread of great hiking boots in the comfortable, lightweight package of a tennis shoe.
Your base camp as far as their boots go is the Altitude Trek. These compression molded hiking boots are light but waterproof, so they’re the perfect footwear for day hiking through the foot hills.
Athletic Shoes – Under Armour
If you like to go for a run first thing in the morning, hit the gym after work, or meet up for a game of basketball with your pals on the weekend, you want Under Armour on your feet (and maybe as the rest of your outfit, too). No one makes athletic footwear like Under Armour. When you wear these, you’re working smarter, not harder.
For a basic running shoe, the Under Armour Micro G Assert is an excellent choice. Constructed of lightweight foam and breathable mesh, you’ll feel like you’re running on clouds. Under Armour’s 4D Foam® technology conforms to your foot over time, so these shoes were literally made for you.
Sandals – Teva
When you go to the beach, you’re presented with a genuine conundrum. You don’t really want to wear shoes because sand will get in them, but hot sand and sea shells make it impractical to go barefoot. The solution: sandals. The more specific solution: Tevas.
In many ways the original sandal, Teva offers you the bare essentials, which is what you need. The straps are fashionable, coming in a variety of colors and patterns, and they cover enough of your feet to be secure while still letting your toes feel the open air. Upgrade to leather if you’re feeling fancy.
Bonus: Slippers – L.B. Evans
Any combination of the above shoes is what a man needs to get by in life, but you’re missing something cushy for when you just want to stay in, close the blinds, and shut out the world. No one can judge you within the comfort of your own home, so consider a soft, supple pair of slippers.
For these, we recommend anything by L.B. Evans. For genuine materials and the most comfortable lining, you can’t go wrong.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, we can hook you up with these and similar brands at an SRI Shoe Warehouse near you. We have the largest selection of shoes and the most competitive pricing on big name brands. Come in today so we can help you find the perfect fit.