Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

6 Lightweight Men’s Dress Shoes to Wear When the Weather Is Warm

It may not be barefoot weather, yet, but as temperatures warm up, it’s certainly nice to head out for the day without swathing our feet in thick winter socks. Instead, it’s time to pull on shoes that are light in both feeling and weight.

Although modern materials allow shoe manufacturers to significantly lighten the load with everything from EVA technology borrowed from the sports world to high-tech carbon-fiber components; good old-fashioned basic cobbling techniques also play a part in producing spring footwear that will leave you feeling like you’re walking on air. Here are a few of our favorites we’re kicking around in this season. 

Recommended Videos

Lightweight Men’s Dress Shoes to Shop this Spring

Reef Landis 2 Natural
Reef Landis 2 Lace-Up
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’ll trust a company that makes flip-flops to craft a pair of shoes that won’t weigh us down either at work or play. The Reef Landis teases classic shoe styling with its Derby silhouette, lacing, and Brogue-like perforations, but the cork insole and contoured EVA liner ensure all-day comfort.

Taft The Kennedy in Grey
Taft The Kennedy in Grey
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A classic cap-toe lace-up is lightened up with grey wool flannel. Despite the unexpected material choice, Taft incorporates fully artisanal construction, including a stacked leather sole with rubber injections for durability, comfort, and traction, as well as increased flexibility and a sleek silhouette. The flannel itself is made in Italy then shipped to Taft’s Spanish factory for construction. The perfect neutral pale grey is a quiet, yet unexpected combination and great to pair with navy suits, white dress trousers, or tailored spring chinos.

Toms Tarmac Olive Washed Canvas Stitch Our Preston
Toms Preston Lace-Up
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While definitely headed in a more casual direction for many offices, the fact that you’re not showing up in sneakers is a step in the right direction. This Derby lace-up starts out lightweight with its canvas upper, but the buoyancy continues with a lightweight injection outsole that features a serrated tread pattern for increased traction and flexibility. This “non-neutral neutral” is great for travel. The olive color is one of our favorite trend colors for the season, so pair with khakis, white jeans, or navy trousers to keep things cool. You can even wear with shorts once summer’s heat hits!

Bruno Magli Ivan Suede Slip-On Loafer in Cognac
Bruno Magli Ivan Suede Slip-On Loafer
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While the calf suede may be un peu casual for the most buttoned-up offices, its minimalistic, elegant design and unlined construction should see you through most dress situations. For comfort and flexibility, Bruno Magli incorporates old world sacchetto construction into this collection. The word literally means “little bag.” It’s actually a rare shoemaking technique where each piece of leather is cut by hand and hand-stitched together for fewer seams. The result? Maximum comfort with a flexible sole that easily adapts to the movement and shape of your feet. 

To Boot New York Aidan in Tan
To Boot Aidan Tan Lace-Up
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hand burnished leather gives the Aidan a sort of broken-in glow that makes them look like they’ve been in the family for years. We particularly like this lighter tan for spring, and the lace-up Oxford looks as great with a perfectly tailored suit as it does with your favorite pair of jeans. Again, the brand’s superior construction techniques lighten the load, resulting in greater flexibility and more on-the-job comfort — whatever the job happens to be. 

Wolf & Shepherd Gambit Double Monk Strap
Wolf & Shepherd Gambit Double Monk Strap
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wolf & Shepherd has built a brand on creating comfortable dress shoes from an athletic shoe tradition. Yes, founder Justin Schneider literally created his first prototype by gluing the foam heel of a pair of running shoes to the sole of a pair of dress shoes! This pair of sleek double monks will look a lot better than that, though. The sole incorporates supportive memory foam to hug your foot as it changes positions, a lightweight carbon fiber shank provides stability, and a high-density EVA heel absorbs shock. We also like this midnight blue color that still looks formal, but adds a little step-up from basic black. 

Still not quite sure when or how to wear dress shoes? Get the scoop with our full guide on the topic.

Topics
John Jones
John Jones is a Jersey City, New Jersey-based writer who enjoys covering design in all its forms, from fashion to…
The best men’s dress shoes: Our top picks
Look great with the best dress shoe in any style
best mens dress shoes man shopping for

Dress shoes are a staple in a man's wardrobe. No man is fully dressed until he has chosen the right pair of shoes. Whether you are wearing a suit every day and need a pair of dress shoes for daily use, or you are only dressing up on occasion and need that perfect shoe to really show off on your night out, you have to know which one is right for you. Of course, we're not going to force you to go it alone while you search aimlessly through the world of men's dress shoes. No way, we have done the hard work and found you the best of the best for any occasion and any type.
Oxfords

We don't know if this was the first dress shoe. It probably wasn't. Guys dressed up before Oxford students in the 1800s, right? Anyway, this is the most famous dress shoe, and for good reason. Originating on the campus of the namesake university, the Oxford is known by its closed lace system, meeting at the end of the laces in a 'V' shape. This keeps everything nice and tight, looking very put together.
Florsheim Sorrento Cap Toe

Read more
How to wear cowboy boots: Don’t believe these 6 myths
Curious about the fashion do's and don'ts of cowboy boots? You've come to the right place
Man wearing cowboy boots

Cowboy boots have a rich history that dates back to the American frontier. Originally designed to meet the practical needs of ranchers, these boots have evolved into an iconic fashion statement embraced by people from all walks of life. However, despite their enduring popularity, cowboy boots are often misconstrued as a niche footwear choice. That couldn't be further from the truth.

When worn properly, just about anyone can rock a pair of cowboy boots; you just have to follow a few simple fashion steps. Cowboy boots also need to be cared for properly so the keep looking their best. Keep reading, and we'll show you everything you need to know about how to wear cowboy boots.
Where did cowboy boots come from?

Read more
The Adidas Superstar sneaker is now a dress shoe
The sneaker dress shoe trend continues
man wearing Adidas Superstar sneakers in blue

Although it might seem like your entire social media feed is filled with different versions of the Adidas Gazelle and Sambas, there’s another Adidas shoe coming to take over your wardrobe. The Adidas Superstar sneaker is one of the many iconic styles under the domain of the athletic company. Its chunkier design became iconic with the classic white and black color combination and has stood the test of time in the style and trends list. And while other Adidas styles are battling it out for sneaker of the year, the Superstar is looking to make a different impact in your wardrobe. 

Thanks to an upcoming collaboration with Chinese streetwear brand Clot, the Superstar sneaker will turn into a must-have dress shoe that will transform your favorite sneaker into your new favorite formalwear item. In previous collaborations with the Superstar sneaker, we’ve seen how this classic shoe design has successfully transformed into various styles. However, the newest iteration of the sneaker is by far the most sophisticated and elegant version yet.

Read more