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• It's time to put away your clunky boots and slip into a pair of sleek summer shoes. 
• A good summer shoe should be able to both keep your feet cool and dry and complete your outfit.
• Flip-flops don't have to be your go-to summer footwear. Here are 19 alternatives.

Warmer weather is here, and that means transitioning from heavy boots and chunky shoes to something sleek, cool, and beach-friendly that pairs well with your lighter wardrobe. Flip flops don't have to be your go-to summer footwear when there are boat shoes, slip-ons, sneakers, or even something more unusual like a clog. Live a little. We've gathered together the best of a range of styles, including several eco-friendly selections like a vegan sneaker made from cactus (yes, cactus), so you can feel good while looking good this summer. These shoes are going to kick your summer look up to the next level, whether you're wearing a seersucker suit or shorts and a T. 

Just note that while many of these styles are unisex and offer a wide range of sizing, others are geared towards men's sizing. For smaller sizes see our guide focused on women's summer shoes. 

Here are the best summer shoes for men in 2021: 

Vans Classic Slip-Ons in Pink Lemonade

You can't beat a classic. Vans Slip-Ons have been making summers cooler for 50 years. 

Sizing options: 3.5 to 13. 

Color options: 12 colors.

Vans, the heritage California brand, has been making summer cooler for more than 50 years. I still recall the thrill of getting my first pair (black-and-white checkered) when I was a kid. They were one of the first (if not the first) brands to sell unisex shoes and an expansive color range. The uppers are made from breathable canvas and feature padded collars. The outsoles feature Vans' iconic rubber waffle design. You can't beat a classic, especially for the price ($50) or the fantastic bright hue with a name that screams out summer: "Pink Lemonade."

Moral Code Ronan

Moral Code's Ronan loafer is a handsome summer shoe made with eco-conscious methods and will last for years. 

Sizing options: 8 to 13.

Color options: cognac, black. 

Moral Code, the direct-to-consumer footwear brand, makes sharp-looking shoes using eco-friendly production methods and a transparent supply chain (win-win!). Leather tanning can be a nasty business, leading to water contamination and carcinogens in the environment. Moral Code's Ethical Living collection uses waste olive leaves as the basis for its tanning agent rather than harsher industrial chemicals. The method produces a leather that takes on a beautiful patina over time. The Ronan loafer is a classic summer shoe that can be dressed up or down. It comes in a rich cognac or a jet black and features a leather liner and footbed for breathability and a Goodyear welted outsole for longevity.

Casca Avro Knit

The Casca Avro Knit may convince you to ditch your white leather sneakers this summer thanks to its minimalist aesthetic and are ultra comfortable and breathable. 

Sizing options: 5.5 to 13.5.

Color options: 8 colorways, including a stunning Ash White. 

Casca's Avro Knit may convince you to ditch your white leather sneakers this summer. These shoes incorporate several innovations, like an internal "cage" that helps the shoe maintain its shape and uppers made from a single panel of fabric making them seamless. These fit like a glove but are still ultra breathable. The Avro Knits have a super cushioned insole, micro-suede lining, and  plush padding at the back of the collar.. I prefer wearing these without socks but I did get a blister on my right pinky toe after walking 1.5 miles when I first got them, so I recommend breaking them in with socks on. After a few wears they've become one of the most comfortable pairs of sneakers I own. Besides that, the Avro Knit is just a great-looking shoe. The Ash White is especially so, with its subtle monochromatic coloring. These are minimalist enough to pair with business casual or a summer suit. According to Braden Parker, Casca's CEO and Cofounder, the company takes the best technology from different footwear verticals, like running shoes and hiking boots, and incorporates them into timeless silhouettes that are meant to last for years. For example, their outsoles are made from the type of rubber found in the boots used by mountaineers to scale Mount Everest. For an extra $65 you can get SmartFit 3D custom insoles from the company that is as easy as downloading an app and scanning your feet with your smartphone. They do the rest. Casca also has a two-year warranty that covers all manufacturing defects.

Sperry Men's Gold Cup Authentic Original 2-Eye Soft Leather Boat Shoe

Sperry invented the boat shoe more than 80 years ago and has given the style an upgrade with the Gold Cup Authentic Original 2-Eye Soft Leather Boat Shoe featuring a supple leather outer and lambskin lining. 

Sizing options: 7 to 15, medium and wide. 

Color options: tan, cream, and charcoal. 

The boat shoe has been a summer staple for decades and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. Sperry, the heritage brand that's been around since 1935 and created the style, continues to produce the go-to boat shoe. With the Gold Cup Authentic Original Sperry boat shoe, they took a great product and made it even better with a supple leather upper and lambskin lining, hand-sewn construction, and an outsole that provides great traction in slippery conditions. These are versatile enough for a day at the beach—shorts and a tee—and a dinner out paired with a polo, sports coat, and chinos. 

Clae Bradley Cactus

You wouldn't know it by seeing or even touching the Clae Bradley Cactus sneakers that they're not made out of animal leather, but an innovative and sustainable cactus material. Better yet, they're stylish and extremely comfortable. 

Sizing options: 4 to 14. 

Color options: Black, white, and green. 

You wouldn't know it by looking at these sneakers or even touching them that they aren't made out of animal leather but cactus. Yes, cactus! Clae's Bradley Cactus sneakers are the first on the market to be made using Desserto, an award-winning sustainable leather made from mature nopal leaves and involving a patented process from the Mexican company Adriano Di Marti. Clae, based in Los Angeles, has been an independent eco-conscious footwear brand for two decades and has continued to push the boundaries of sustainable style with shoes that are timeless, well-made, and appropriately priced. The Bradley Cactus is no exception. It's a minimalist sneaker that is as comfortable as it is good-looking. It features a natural rubber outsole that contrasts nicely with the color of the uppers, particularly with the green colorway, but with the white and black colorways as well. The first day I had them I walked five miles with no foot issues. They have molded EVA footbeds and neoprene heel accents that help make these sneakers so comfortable. I also found them as breathable as animal leather in hot weather. They also feature two vents on the instep that help circulate air. The Bradley Cactus is an innovative shoe that's stylish, sustainable, and reasonably priced at $150.

Nisolo Alejandro Woven Slip On

Upgrade from your everyday sandals to Nisolo's Alejandro Woven Slip On that features hand-woven leather uppers and high ethical and environmental production standards as well. 

Sizing options: 8 to 13.

Color options: brown and black. 

Nisolo, a Nashville-based footwear company that mainly produces its shoes at its own facility in Peru, has an elegant take on the summer slip-on that's an upgrade from your everyday sandal. The Alejandro Woven Slip On is made from handwoven leather that's water resistant, making it perfect for beach days and poolside. The woven technique used in the uppers provides breathability in the heart of summer and the cushioned insoles make them perfect for all-day wear. They're also partially lined with a soft leather for added comfort. The outsoles are made of leather and have a slip-resistant rubber heel cap. Besides looking great, you can feel good about them as well. The leather is certified as meeting high environmental standards for its production and Nisolo is a Certified B Corporation that meets high ethical standards like providing a living wage to its workers and being 0% Net Carbon. I found that there was a short break-in period of a few wears, but the shoes soon conformed to my feet and became quite comfortable. The Alejandro Woven Slip On pairs well with shorts or light pants (linen, summer-weight chinos, or seersucker) with the pant legs rolled up past the ankle. You'll be looking like you belong amongst the glitterati of the French Riviera, even if you're just hanging out with friends at a backyard BBQ.

Ponto Pacific

Ponto's Pacific is a perfect balance between a sneaker and a dress shoe that's light, breathable, and made with innovative eco-conscious materials. 

Sizing options: 8.5 to 13.

Color options: Nimbus Grey, Slate Blue, Black, and Desert Orange. 

Ponto, a young, innovative, socially conscious California brand, has a summer shoe that hits the sweet spot between sneakers and dress shoes. The Pacific is in the same category as many of Cole Haan's offerings, but Ponto goes further in its use of eco-conscious materials. The uppers are made from a recycled leather composite using repurposed scrap leather. According to the company, the process emits 33% less C02 emissions and uses up to 95% recycled water. It's water-repellent as well. The lining is made of tencel from eucalyptus and wood and is odor and microbe resistant. The insole comes from recycled and plant-based materials and even the outsole is innovative. It's a foam made from algae. These shoes are designed to be worn without socks, but if that's not your thing then go up a half-size, per the company.

G.H. Bass & Co. Larson Nubuck Weejuns

G.H. Bass & Co. Larson Nubuck Weejuns have been a summer staple since 1936 and are easy to dress up or down. 

Sizing options: 7 to 15.

Color options: Navy and Tan. 

Loafers, a moccasin-like slip on, are another warm-weather staple that are versatile—refined enough for a summer suit and still casual enough for shorts and a T-shirt—and defy the whims of fashion. There are several subcategories, including the Penny Loafer, which is differentiated by the decorative leather strip across the vamp with a lip-like cutout that is the perfect size to store a penny (probably more useful back when you could actually buy something for a penny). The G.H. Bass & Co. Larson Nubuck Weejuns are a classic, literally. They've been a signature style since 1936 when the company popularized loafers in the U.S. The uppers are a soft nubuck leather featuring classic moc stitching and "beefroll" detailing where the penny keeper is stitched onto the shoe, a soft synthetic lining, and a chunky leather outsole. Hand sewn in El Salvador, these loafers are sharp, comfortable, and will smarten up any outfit you pair them with.

Kizik Madrid Eco Knit

Kizik's Madrid Eco Knit is extremely comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and will keep your feet cool in the heart of the summer. 

Sizing options: 4.5 to 15, standard and wide EE.

Color options: 9 colors. 

Kizik is known for its leather sneakers with a patented system that lets you easily slip in and out of their shoes hands-free thanks in part to a titanium wire in the heel that compresses when you slide your foot in and bounces back into place afterward. The brand also makes an extremely light and breathable knit version with the same technology that can be further adjusted with the laces for the perfect fit. It's also eco-friendly—the upper features a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. These are a staple for my summer in-town walks, keeping my feet dry in hot weather. They're super comfortable and have held up very well over 1.5 years of hard use. The shoe comes in a wide selection of sizes and colors.

Dunham Men's Captain Boat Shoe

Dunham's Captain Boat Shoe has the classic attributes of the style with added details that help keep your sockless feet even more cool and comfortable. 

Sizing options: 6 to 18, widths from 2E to D. 

Color options: 5 colorways

If you're looking for a boat shoe that's a bit more modern and streamlined, the Dunham Captain Boat Shoe is a perfect choice. It still has the classic details of the style—laces that run the length of the shoes, moccasin-like construction—but has mesh panels in the leather uppers for added air flow and water drainage. It features a rubber outsole that's sneaker-like but still very slip-resistant, and molded EVA and memory foam footbeds for added comfort. These have become my go-to casual summer shoes when I'm not feeling sandals or sneakers. They're super comfortable right out of the box—definitely no break-in period—and have kept my sockless feet cool and dry even on the hottest summer days. They are supportive—there's a nylon shank that runs the length of the midsole providing arch support—and have kept me from slipping on wet slimy docks. Plus, Dunham offers a great range of sizes and widths. If you're thinking of getting into the boat shoe style that's become trendy, these are a great choice thanks to their comfort, looks, and ability to keep you from slipping off a boat.

Nothing New Low Top

The direct-to-consumer brand Nothing New has taken the old school canvas sneaker and reinvented it with sustainable materials and a rainbow of colorways. 

Sizing options: 7 to 13.

Color options: 15 colorways. 

Low top canvas sneakers are an old-school summer shoe style worth revisiting. Nothing New, a sustainable sneaker brand from the folks at Thursday Boots, a much-loved direct-to-consumer boot company, has redefined the style using eco-friendly materials from top to bottom. The uppers are made from Better Canvas, a material derived from 100% recycled plastic, that still looks and feels like cotton canvas. The outsoles are made from recycled plastic and cork and are stitched to the uppers, rather than glued. This process makes for a shoe with more flexibility and avoids the use of chemical heavy glues. Even the laces and heel counters (the inserts used to reinforce the heel cup) come from recycled plastic (the latter from used fishing nets). Besides all that, these are good looking sneakers that come in 15 different colorways, from classic black and white to a monochromatic pink.

Cole Haan Somerset Venetian Driver

The Somerset Venetian Driver from Cole Haan, famed for high-quality, extremely comfortable footwear, is minimalist enough for dressing down but elegant enough for a suit. 

Sizing options: 6 to 15, regular and wide. 

Color options: Black, Dark Camel. 

The Venetian Driver is another type of loafer that's great for summer styles thanks to its versatility. It's minimalist enough for dressing down (wear them like you would sneakers or leather sandals) but still elegant enough for a suit. The Italian driver, which was originally intended (as the name implies) for driving a car back in the early 60s, always features a flexible pebbled rubber outsole to keep your feet from slipping off the pedals. Cole Haan, famed for high-quality, extremely comfortable footwear, has an elegant version called the Somerset Venetian Driver. The shoe has a leather upper hand sewn on the last (the mold on which a shoe is constructed). It's partially lined in leather, and has a flexible rubber sole for a solid grip whether you're driving an Italian roadster or just caught out in the rain while walking.

Greats Wooster Suede Slip-ons

Greats, the Brooklyn-based direct-to-consumer brand, offers a luxe version of the slip-on sneaker. The Wooster in suede is hand-sewn and has a natural rubber outsole. 

Sizing options: 7 to 15.

Color options: Light Grey, Navy, Olive. 

Greats, the Brooklyn-based direct-to-consumer brand that's been disrupting the luxury sneaker market since 2014 by offering high-end shoes at affordable prices, has also upped the slip-on sneaker game. The Greats' Wooster takes the slip-on sneaker out of the skatepark (though you could certainly skate in these) with luxe materials like soft suede and natural rubber, hand-sewn construction, and a premium footbed for extra comfort. Dress them up like you would white leather sneakers (a linen suit or chinos, a crisp white button-up, and an unstructured blazer) or pair with white jeans and a pastel colored T.

Duckfeet Blåvand Clog

Danish footwear brand Duckfeet makes a simple, elegant, and utterly good-looking clog perfect for summer. 

Sizing options: Unisex, sizes from women's 5 to men's 14. 

Color options: 6 colorways, including a Jeans, a light blue. 

Clogs have been around for hundreds of years and have recently made a resurgence. Think of them as the upscale version of slide sandals with the benefit that no one has to look at your hairy toes. Duckfeet, a Danish brand, is known for its footwear designed to mimic the natural shape of the foot, its use of premium materials, and an elegant, minimalist aesthetic. The brand's Blåvand clogs, which are made in Poland, feature eco-conscious yet high performance Terracare leather sourced in Europe, and a responsive crepe rubber outsole. They come in seven colors. We're fond of the Jeans colorway, a light blue perfect for summer.

SeaVees Baja Slip On Hoffman

The Baja Slip On Hoffman from the California heritage brand Seavees will give any summer outfit a boost with its bold floral design that comes in two colorways. 

Sizing options: 7 to 13. 

Color options: red and blue floral. 

SeaVees, like Vans, is a heritage California brand that was also born in the '60s. The company continues to create casual, comfortable, cool, fun summer shoes like the Baja Hoffman. These are slip-ons that feature archival artwork from Hoffman, the storied California fabric company that's been around for nearly a hundred years. The bold floral design is screen printed onto the cotton poplin twill uppers and will enhance any outfit you pair with them. The shoes have a thick contoured footbed for extra comfort and the company's exclusive cooling system that provides better airflow to keep your feet dry The interior is lined with a recycled cotton canvas. If you're looking for something even more unusual that also supports the LGBTQIA community, SeaVees has teamed up with McConnell's Fine Ice Creams on a limited edition slip-on (and ice cream flavor) with summer sundae vibes dropping on the SeaVees website June 11. A percentage of sales goes to the Pacific Pride Foundation, a California organization that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.

Alpargata Rope Espadrille

Espadrilles have been keeping feet cool for centuries. The Alpargata Rope Espadrille from Toms amps up the style with a cushioned midsole and eco-friendly materials. 

Sizing options: 7 to 14.

Color options: 7 colors.

Espadrilles, which originated in Spain, have been keeping feet cool in the summer heat for hundreds of years but it took Illustrious designer Yves Saint Laurent to make them chic, beginning in the early 1970s. At their most basic, this shoe style's uppers are made of light canvas and the outsoles of natural fiber rope. Toms, the LA-based shoe brand, has a version that stays true to the shoe's origins while adding an Ortholite midsole made with recycled materials to provide a layer of cushioning for all-day wear. The uppers are made from organic cotton (and are lined) and the outsoles from jute, a renewable resource that's biodegradable. Toms is a certified B corporation, meaning the company has high environmental and social standards, and invests ⅓ of its profits in grass-roots programs for positive change. The Alpargata Rope Espadrille comes in seven colors, but we think the Bonsai Green is especially striking.

Raum Goods Slip-Ons

The Raum Goods Slip-On is sleek and comfortable, handmade and ready for summer. 

Sizing options: 7 to 15. 

Color options: 8 colorways, including an attractive Moss Green. 

Raum Goods, A San Diego based footwear startup, offers a summer slip-on that's handmade in Turkey by local artisans and Syrian refugees. Even the materials are local with the water buffalo leather and sheepskin lining being sourced only 90 miles away from where they're produced. These minimalist slip-ons are light and flexible, hug the foot and are breathable. The soles are naturally vegetable tanned. If you're into the whole grounding thing—the practice of being in direct bodily contact with the earth—these shoes feature a copper rivet that runs through the sole from the foot to the ground. The version in Moss, an attractive earthy green, is a favorite.

Comunity Made Traction

The Traction is as comfortable as it is unique. It's a modern update to the classic sneaker and is made in Los Angeles. 

Sizing options: 7 to 13. 

Color options: white leather, grey suede. 

Comunity Made is a California footwear brand that actually makes its shoes in Los Angeles. They're a "for benefit corporation," meaning they give back to the community, are transparent and sustainable, and pay workers a fair wage. The Traction is as light and comfortable as it is unique. It has distinctive stitching on the Italian leather that elevates it beyond the classic white sneaker. The version in gray comes in a soft suede. The shoes feature an OrthoLite antimicrobial insole that provides good cushioning and breathability, a hand-buffed EVA midsole, and a rubber outsole. I've had a pair that look nearly as good today as when I got them in 2018. They run small so I'd recommend going up one size. Bonus: Comunity Made will donate a percentage of the sale to a charity of your choice.

Velasca Tèppa Unlined Suede Sneaker

Velasca's Tèppa unlined suede sneaker is handmade in Italy and an exceptionally stylish addition to your summer wardrobe.

Sizing options: 6 to 14 (listed in Euro sizes). 

Color options: Beige, Tobacco Brown, and Dark Brown. 

Velasca, another direct-to-consumer shoe company, takes the summer sneaker to the next level with an unlined calfskin suede version that's handmade in Italy and priced at $225. The Tèppa is light, comfortable, and versatile enough for three-season wear depending on your climate. It is minimalist in design but rich in luxurious materials, including soft calfskin and natural amber-colored rubber for the outsoles. They're produced in Montegranaro, in the heart of the traditional Italian shoemaking region of Le Marche. These sneakers pair well with both business casual and a weekend shorts and T-shirt. Heck, they'd also look great with a tan linen suit. 

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