Some people like it when you wear shoes without socks, while others don’t. Especially among older people. I flashed my legs at a spring wedding, and my aunts and uncles kept telling me I “forgot something.”But I hadn’t; Grandpa, you’ve never heard of a no-show shock?
Anyway, I’m here to tell you that not wearing socks is fine. It’s a very smart thing to do in warm weather. Everyone does it; it’s just that some people aren’t doing it right.
It’s not easy to find the best shoes to wear without socks. When you make a mistake, your feet will be very smelly and have painful burns. But if you pick the right pair, you’ll have ten times more style options.
To help you switch to summer shoes without socks, I’ve compiled a list of styles you might like and explained why they can be worn without socks. Read on to see my list of the best shoes to wear without socks that every man should have.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
It’s free to leave your socks at home when you go to the beach or eat outside, but it’s easy to get wet and pretty uncomfortable. Finding the best shoes to wear without socks is important so you don’t hurt your feet with stiff slip-ons and flats that cut into your heels.
From Cole Haan’s Oxfords to Myrqvist’s flats, these shoes might be worth adding to your rotation for sunny days. Different kinds of sneakers and boat shoes should have their yacht.
BEST OVERALL: COLE HAAN ØRIGINALGRAND WINGTIP OXFORD SHOES
Going sockless is the most powerful thing you can do. It’s a great way to bring your look into the 21st century because it’s freeing, a little rebellious, and a middle finger to your parents. It also lets your feet breathe and hides those too-hairy toes.
The original Grand Oxfords from Cole Haan is a lighter, more breathable take on the standard style. They’re made of a flexible and airy knit material, and they’re stylish and comfortable enough to wear without socks (obviously). With slacks and a shirt, they look dressy. With pants and a short-sleeved polo, they play it cool.
BEST EVERY DAY: TROPICAL JUNGLE SNEAKERS
When it gets warmer, there are many types of summer shoes to choose from. But not all of them are good enough to wear without socks. That’s fine if you’re going out for coffee but not so great if you’re getting ready for the day.
The answer is a pair of soft, airy sneakers like these from Tropic Feel. The all-terrain design was made with being outside in mind. They have speciality mesh and are treated with Lava XL and Anti-bacteria to eliminate unwanted smells. Wear yours with shorts or pants and a T-shirt if it’s really hot.
BEST SUMMER CHOICE: AURELIEN SAPPHIRE BEACHSIDE SLIPPER
Now that the rainy days are over, it’s time to put away your boots and wear shoes that are better for holidays, festivals, and backyard barbecues. Remember, though, that you should be careful if you want to remove your socks.
Aurelien’s beach shoes mix sandals and espadrille, so you must walk barefoot. These shoes let a lot of airflow through and have a style that would look great on the French Riviera. Wear them with linen pants and a short-sleeved shirt to look like you belong in Europe.
BEST SMART-CASUAL: CARIUMA KNIT IBI SNEAKERS
Over the years, there have been big changes in how people should dress for work. In other words, you don’t have to wear socks anymore if you’re not wearing a suit. You should probably also check with your boss to make sure.
If you get the green light, Cariuma’s IBI sneakers will get you promoted quickly to best-dressed manager (especially if you wear them with pants and a plaid shirt). They’re made from bamboo and recycled plastics, so they breathe well and are good for the environment. You can wash them in the washing machine if your feet get sweaty. The shape or material will not be damaged.
BEST SANDAL: MYRQVIST SOLVIK SANDALS
Sandals are one of the best shoes to wear without socks. These shoes are not only necessary because they let your feet breathe, but they’re also one of the coolest styles on the market right now (in more than one way).
Myrqvist makes my favourite pair. The Slovik style is made by hand from leather and has cork feet that can be shaped. These pants look great with swim shorts at the beach or with linen pants and a camp collar shirt at the bar by the pool. Do not put them in the water, but it’s okay if they get a little wet.
BEST LUXURY: MULO SUEDE LOAFERS
Getting through the hot heat is hard. Before leaving the house, we must remember many things, like sunscreen, baseball caps, and picnic blankets. We forget about our shoes so much that our feet smell bad, are hot, and feel like they could catch fire anytime.
Not this year, though. This time, you’ll have these Molo shoes that let air pass through them. Because they show just enough skin for the breeze to feel, they’re great for hot days in the city or the tropics. If you want to look put-together but still casual, you can wear these with khakis, Oxford shirts, shorts, and crisp cotton t-shirts.
BEST BOAT SHOE: VELASCA CAPELÈE BOAT SHOES
You can wear boat shoes even if you don’t own a yacht. The traditional shoe choice is great because it combines everything from jeans to khakis to Bermuda shorts. Also, guess what? They look great both at sea and on land.
In Velasca’s case, the Capelèe is a style based on classic sailing boats. It is made of soft leather and has canvas cutouts that make it look old. It looks good in casual suits or with seersucker shorts and a Breton stripe T-shirt for a more laid-back look.
BEST ON AMAZON: HEY DUDE WALLY LOAFERS
If you like to shop on Amazon, you will be happy to know that Mr. Bezos sells some of the best shoes without socks. There are many seriously stylish shoe options, from boots to sandals.
This pair from Hey Dude is my favourite (read our full review here). The most popular Wally shoes are flexible, light, and always airy. These shoes, a mix of sneakers and shoes, will be your go-to for drinks and lunch with friends on the weekends. With the memory foam padded insole, you can take it out and wash it; you’ll sweat less and smell better. You can choose from many pairs of socks that are great for Hey Dudes.
BEST BUDGET: TOMS ALPARGATAS CANVAS SHOES
Summer is a pricey time. With the money you don’t spend on flights, you’re buying drinks and new sunglasses to wear to the beach. So wouldn’t it be great if you could get your shoes for a little less?
These slip-on Toms are easy on the wallet and look great with both cargo shorts and khakis that have been rolled up. Even better, they are made from materials that are good for the environment and help you have less of an effect on it. Also, did I mention how cosy they are?
BEST SLIP-ON: ALLBIRDS TREE LOUNGERS
We might as well get rid of the laces, too, if we’re not going to wear socks, right? No-fuss shoes are the best way to finish off your outfit, whether going out in the city or having a party in your backyard.
Allbirds’ slip-on sneakers are made from light eucalyptus tree fibre, which lets your feet breathe and is very comfortable. They’re stylish, squishy, soft, and beautifully padded with our foam. The S-curve tread will make your feet move naturally. On the weekends, wear them with a T-shirt and rolled-up khakis.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SHOES TO WEAR WITHOUT SOCKS
MATERIAL
The right material is very important when looking for the best shoes to wear without socks unless you don’t want your feet to smell bad. Watch out for fabrics that let air pass through them, like leather, suede, and canvas. Stick to leather shoes that let your feet breathe.
STYLE
You can wear many shoes without socks, like canvas shoes and white boots. The ones you should think about are the ones that will go with everything in your closet, or at least the clothes you plan to wear. Remember that some shoes can be worn with more things than others.
CUSHIONING
Cushioning is important to be as comfortable as possible when not wearing socks. Memory foam insoles and heel pads can be part of this. This doesn’t make or break the deal but can help keep you from getting hurt or irritated.
END OF THE STORY
Your feet hurt every day, no matter the season. In the summer, though, it can be hard to take off your socks because of the sweat and sore feet. To prevent this, the original Grand Oxfords from Cole Haan are the best shoes to wear without socks.
The material is an airy knit that is light, flexible, and ridiculously comfortable. They check all the right boxes. They work for almost any dress code because you can dress them up or down.
FAQs
Is it possible to walk around without socks?
It is possible to wear shoes without socks, but you must ensure you get the right pair. The best shoes to wear without socks let your feet breathe and don’t hurt when walking. Look for materials that let air flow and padding, especially in the heels and other high-foot areas.
Should you wear shoes with or without socks?
This is different for each pair of loafers (they should be comfy and airy) and whether you wear them with shorts or pants. For loafers with shorts, you should wear them without socks. For loafers with pants, you can wear them with or without socks. On the other hand, no-show socks make it look like you don’t have any socks on (even though you do).
Why do men wear shoes without socks?
Men usually wear shorts and rolled-up pants in the summer, when shoes without socks are most common. Sometimes, wearing socks isn’t the coolest thing to do, so skipping them might be the best.
How can men wear shoes without socks?
Smart-casual clothes, such as shorts, jeans, or khakis, look best with shoes that don’t have socks. If you’ll be dressed up, like with a suit, you should wear socks.
