Whether you wear a suit every day or are deeply entrenched in the business casual dress code, the world of dress shoes can be overwhelming, expensive, and unfortunately, uncomfortable. Lucky for you, the rapid casualization of our professional world has led many brands to develop something a little more conducive to staying stylish and elevated at the same time you are comfortable and mobile.
Dress sneakers are the perfect hybrid between elevated dress shoes and casual sneakers. With uppers (everything above the soles) that resemble dress shoes, you can wear one of these with suits, chinos, and jeans. With soles that rival your favorite sneakers, you can feel comfortable all day, and even run to get out of the rain without being afraid you'll eat it. But what are the best dress sneakers for men? You know we at The Manual have opinions on this, and we put together a list of the perfect choices, no matter what your wardrobe needs.
How we picked the best
To pick the best dress sneakers, we've taken into account multiple factors that easily make these choices the best of the best. Factors such as customer reviews, accessibility for fans, footwear technology, and ease of styling are the some of the reasons the following shoes are determined to be the best dress sneakers for business casual in 2025. With their premium comfort features and sleek quality craftsmanship, these dress shoes are considered some of the top choices in the category for your business casual needs.
Best overall
Johnston & Murphy Uptown GL1 Luxe Hybrid
- Offers more cushion in the midsoles
- Mixes sneaker and dress shoe look
- Could appear more business than casual
Let's face it: The whole point of dress sneakers is to make dress shoes more comfortable. With that in mind, we searched for the best dress sneakers that focus on comfort. Johnston & Murphy will always be a favorite when it comes to any kind of dress shoes or boots, but when the company decided to enter into the dress sneaker game, it created one that will feel like you're riding on a cloud. The Uptown G1 Luxe Hybrid derby style will keep you from strangling your feet, and the smooth leather will look great with anything you want to wear.
Best for statement
TAFT Jack Sneakers in Honey
- Bold and statement piece
- Perfect to add personality to your look
- Not ideal for every outfit
- Takes more styling to mesh into a wardrobe
Your outward appearance is a reflection of your inner self-image. That means there is one foolproof way to make an impression when you are expressing yourself- and that is to send a statement. TAFT is the leader in the shoe world when it comes to making a statement. With unique designs that cover plaids, checks, houndstooth, and floral, and their beautiful and rich colors, there aren't many other dress sneakers that will make an impression the way these will.
One note for all of you hoping to make an impression every day: Less is more. So if you decide you want to wear these Jack Sneakers with a suit or a sport coat and tie, let them speak. If you get too out of left field with the rest of your outfit, then there will be way too much going on.
Best for the cap toes
Amberjack The Cap-Toe
- Smarter and chicer appearence
- Perfect for those who want elevated shoes
- Doesn't offer all the comfort of sneakers
Cap-toe dress shoes are some of the most classic out there. Giving you a solid that never looks creased and is easy to shine, these stay looking fantastic long after you wear them in. Of course, you have already guessed by this point that you aren't forced to resign yourself to dress shoes, as there are Cap Toe Sneakers from Amberjack. It is a no-frills, no-messing-around shoe company, and this is probably the best combination of all the above options. Stylish, elevated, and comfortable as heck.
Best for timelessness
Allen Edmonds Park Avenue 2.0 Oxford Dress Sneakers
- Will never go out of style
- Minimalist and easy to wear with anything
- Has balance of sneakers and dress shoe looks
- Could be less formal than other options
If anyone knows how to put together dress shoes, it's Allen Edmonds. The brand known for crafting premium dress shoes is also a standard when it comes to dress sneakers. In the Park Avenue 2.0 Oxford Dress Sneakers, wearers get the ultimate blend of dress shoes and everyday sneakers. Timeless and minimalist, these sneakers are the easiest shoes to grab everyday. Available in various neutral hues, you don't need another shoe to fulfill your business casual dress code.
Best for formal dressing
Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Remastered Wingtip Oxfords
- Wingtip details offer more style
- Looks most like formal shoes
- Has more comfort than regular oxfords
- Not the comfiest sneaker option
There's no doubt that the oxford shoe is one of the most recognizable dress shoes around. Whether it's for work or a formal event, the oxford can do it all. However, when it comes to a more casual look, oxford sneakers are the best to deliver the same sophistication and comfort. Cole Haan and its iconic ØriginalGrand Remastered Wingtip Oxfords have once again set the bar for what a dress sneaker can be. With the classic wingtip accents typically found on formal dress shoes, these sneakers have everything you need for a formal sneaker.
Nailing the business casual dress code is not an easy feat. Between certain rules set by offices and wanting to stay comfortable throughout the day, finding the right pair of shoes can be a tough task. However, to find the right balance between sophisticated and comfort, you'll need to look for shoes that mesh premium materials for advanced footwear technology. Depending on the type of look you're searching for, these dress shoes are the perfect way to take your workwear from the office to night without a hitch.
