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Loafers are autumn’s most versatile shoe! 17 comfy pairs you can wear all day long, reviewed
The perfect back-to-school shoe
Is it just us, or are we starting to get that back-to-school, autumnal feeling creeping back into our wardrobes? Now, I'm not ready to wave goodbye to summer just yet, and loafers are definitely a staple shoe that will serve you year-round, but they're especially key during these tricky trans-seasonal dressing days. Like Mary Janes and ballet trainers, flat shoes have been topping the trend charts lately as we search for footwear that's both stylish and functional. Above all, I've noticed it's timeless loafers that are on every fashion editor's style cheat sheet.
Our top picks for the most comfortable loafers in 2025:
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Dr Martens Vintage Adrian Quilon Leather Tassel Loafers
Read review - 5
Why? Well, they're just really cool. Their versatility and retro appeal stem from decades of iterations of the much-loved shoe. The penny loafers of the 1960s paved the way for Gucci's famous Horsebit loafers to dominate the style set of the 1970s and are still as popular as ever today. During the 90s, loafers became chunkier and grungier, of course, with growing rubber lug soles. Think Prada's platform loafers that grace every fashion girlie's wishlist each year. There's something about a polished loafer look that transcends any school uniform vibes and takes you into elevated preppy charm. The pairing of little crew socks and a flirty slip dress, or denim cut-offs and a thin knit cardi are enviable outfit formulas worth their weight in gold.
Looking for the modern-day poster girl for loafers? No one loves a loafer quite like Hailey Bieber. A tailored mini skirt and oversized leather bomber jacket paired with bright white crew socks and leather loafers is quintessential Bieber at her best. Dakota Johnson and Zoe Kravitz are also smitten with the classic shoe trend, often rocking the shoe off-duty as they walk the streets of NYC.
And that's what's great about a loafer. They're made for all-day city living, starting with a morning coffee date, followed by roaming your fave art gallery and ending in evening cocktails, whilst looking chic as hell from dawn to dusk. It's true that some loafers can take a bit of breaking-in, but if you choose wisely - like opting for real leather styles - this can be a blister and plaster-free zone. To help you on your loafer journey, we've rounded up the best-reviewed comfortable loafers on the market, including fave styles from the Cosmo team, too.
Clarks might be famous for its iconic suede Wallabees, but it also makes a mean leather loafer. This chunky black pair has that back-to-school freshness with a splash of Parisian-chic flair.
Plus, they're designed with comfort in mind, so you can gleefully wave goodbye to sore feet after a day of walking. Pair with cigarette trousers and an oversized blazer for everything from coffee runs to business meetings.
The Cosmo team love a bit of Camper. These 90s style loafers with a contemporary twist show you why. The brand's off-kilter, stylish designs are always matched with their signature comfort. The chunky Thelma loafers may have a sizeable heel, but the EVA footbed and XL extra-lightweight outsole offer all-day wear. Don't just take our word for it.
Customer reviews: "I bought this pair because I really like chunky shoes with a bit of presence in the style. Now I ended up walking in them over 15 kilometres on my first day of wear. That was a total coincidence, but everyone kept asking me whether I’m struggling with the walk during the work trip, and I WAS NOT!!! They were more comfortable than my favourite pair of Docs."
"Very comfortable to wear. Also catches a lot of attention and becomes an ice breaker, but then again, which Camper shoes don’t?"
"I wanted a come-get-me shoe, and this is IT. Just the hottest, most fun little loafer out there. Obsessed with these."
These tan loafers are just as versatile as classic black. The gold buckle detail elevates the pared-back design, meaning they’ll look fab with everything from trench coats and jeans to formal attire.
Customer reviews: “Lovely shoe, soft Leather and very comfortable. They look really good and love the style.”
“These shoes are perfect for work, lovely soft leather and comfy insoles. Great for being on your feet all day. Plus, they look great too!.”
Of course our trusted Docs made it into the edit. Our Beauty Writer Lia has had her Adrian Bex loafer DMs since she was 15 and is still rocking them in the office today. A worthwhile investment or what? I'd been eyeing this vintage Quilon leather style before my bf snapped them up before me. He swears by their comfy fit, which might just sway me into matching couple 'fits.
Customer reviews: "Extremely comfy Dr Martens, no breaking in period unlike with the boots. Wear for work 9 hrs a day and no problems with sore feet or pain. Did size down from normal size Dr Martens boots and perfect fit."
"Fab shoes, really comfy. It didn’t take long for them to break in! Only downside is that they're a little wide, I could have done with getting a size smaller. Great work shoes, they’ll last me a lifetime."
Handmade in the UK, Solovair has become renowned as a high-quality alternative to Docs, with shoe lovers divided on which brand is most comfortable. This chunky style is an exclusive collab with TOAST, and the olive green shade in particular will be the answer to all your fun autumnal dressing quandaries. For people firmly in the Solovair camp, the reviews speak for themselves.
Customer reviews: "I absolutely love these loafers they feel like such a special find. They are a touch heavier than all my other loafers but that gives them a solid, well-made feel without sacrificing comfort. I’ve already worn them on long days out and about and they stayed comfortable throughout. A truly timeless pair that feels like it will only get better with wear."
"These are just what I was looking for and they feel so well made, and proved comfortable when wearing them around the house, in part due to the cushioned insoles."
Providing us with comfort since our playground days, Clarks is an obvious go-to for the autumnal 'back-to-school' shoe. The Orinico is a popular 5*-rated style among Clarks fans. The loafers offer their signature cushioned footbed and are available in standard or wide fit for a proper custom fit. We're loving the patent leather, which comes in both black and burgundy.
Meet the inventors of the Penny loafer, G.H. Bass. The "Weejuns" loafer was created by the heritage brand, inspired by a Norwegian slipper-style moccasin and bringing it to the American market in 1936 (hence the name, get it?). The OG is still a top fave today, especially among fashion editors, known for its comfort, style and affordability.
Customer reviews: "Love these shoes! Super comfortable from day one!"
"Amazing shoes, beautiful colour, very comfortable right away, the quality is superb!"
This buzzy brand is making waves with its decorated penny loafers. Why not revamp the dapper shoe with digital prints of 1950s pin-up girls, juicy cherries or Hokusai's The Great Wave? We say seal the deal with a kiss à la these gorge, comfy loafers featuring a leather lining that moulds to your feet. J'adore indeed.
Customer reviews: "I love these shoes, they are beautifully made, so stylish and incredibly comfortable. Absolutely perfect!"
"Stunning shoes. I got the shoes for my graduation and they gave my outfit something different. I got loads of compliments on them throughout the day."
Grenson is another heritage brand to know, handmade in the UK, creating shoes for life using their expert craftsmanship. I'm obsessed with these chunky Nina loafers with a hefty lug sole that's much lighter than it looks. Plus, they're Goodyear welted, meaning they're long-lasting and can be re-soled over and over again. Bag this investment pair whilst they're on sale and be ready to nail new season autumn styling this September.
With over 70 reviews, it's clear Coach is doing something right with their 5*-rated Leah loafers. People rave about their stylish versatility and all-day wear, with many fans hailing them as the perfect work shoes. The cushiony memory foam padding is what'll take you from morning coffee to a post-office dinner res.
Customer reviews: "I wear these to work almost every day, and you’d never be able to tell. These are so incredibly durable, sleek, and overall great."
"I finally found the chunky loafer I've been searching for. Love that the sole is chunky but not platform height. Its also very light weight. The leather is soft and needed no time to break in."
You'll have likely heard of Vivaia by now. Not only taking over our social media feeds with ads promising all-day comfort, even from their heels, but also winning over the hearts (and feet) of celebs and influencers, too. Bella Hadid has been spotted multiple times in their on-trend 'sneakerinas'. The Cosmo team have even put the viral sustainable shoe brand to the test, trialling all of Vivaia's popular styles, including the loafers, which, unsurprisingly, got top marks for comfort. With 782 5*-star reviews on site (yep, that's right 782!!), they come highly recommended.
Customer reviews: "The material is soft and comfortable, making it ideal for walking and working. I really love the minimalist design! 😍"
"I was looking for stylish yet comfortable and easy-to-wear shoes since I'm currently pregnant, and I'm so glad that I found these loafers! They are super stylish yet very comfortable. They are true to size."
Our Beauty Director, Keeks, has been singing M&S' praises ever since she purchased their chocolate brown suede loafers, and I quote "best, most comfy shoes I have ever bought". Sadly, the suede style is currently OOS, however, check out the 'new in' leather tassel pair, which, judging by the reviews on every pair of loafers on the M&S site, are bound to sell out just as quickly as Keeks' beloved pair.
Our SEO Manager, Amy, has been repping Swedish shoemakers Vagabond for years. She swears by their leather boots and says she didn't need to break them in at all, which gives us high hopes for Vagabond's loafers. The soft goat leather lining and solid rubber outsole sound like a promising mix for comfy everyday wear. Plus, they're stylish to boot.
Slim-fitting loafers look sleek, but for all-day wear, they're a risky choice. Luckily, the shoe scientists at Fitflop have created a flat loafer that feels more like a pair of trainers thanks to its supportive moulded footbed and impact-reducing cushioning, all hidden within its sneaky 'flat' sole.
Customer reviews: "Far and away the comfiest shoes I’ve bought in a long, long time. So glad I found them and great that you do a proper size uk 9. They look stylish too."
"Soft leather at the heel, which is comfortable from the off. Fairly narrow fit, but comfortable for me. Wearable from the box with no breaking in needed."
They don't come more classic than Sebago's Dan leather loafers. Made of smooth grain leather and handsewn, these loafers have a leather sock lining and waterproof, durable soles. Did you know the little ridge at the back of the shoe is known as a "gentleman's notch" to help prevent the heel from getting caught on your trouser leg? Fancy.
Customer reviews: "Gorgeous shoe, excellently made, superb finish."
"Quality leather loafers which exceeded my expectations. Delighted with my purchase and know that Sebago means always getting great value for money."
Miista has become the IT-girl footwear brand to know, and I've been spotting many Miista sightings around the office, especially the cult Malene boots. I love their chunky, semi-heeled Lib loafer. The cow leather upper is tanned twice, once in a lighter brown, then in a darker brown, to get that vintage two-tone shade. The Libs have a bouncy rubber sole and the insole is layered with an ultra-cushioned memory foam padded lining for extra comfort. Beautiful!
Considering Sorel's expertise lies in rugged winter boots designed for combating snowy conditions, we bet their evolution into all-season shoes, including these loafers designed for city streets, will prioritise comfort. Boasting a rubber outsole with their trademark tread, a moulded EVA footbed and welted construction, you know these'll last you.
Sophie Leen is the Bookings Editor for Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK. She specialises in creating fashion and shopping content across both digital and print platforms, as well as producing all of our fashion editorial photoshoots, which have included our digital cover with Olly Alexander and our curve influencer’s letter to the high street story. Sophie also looks after our Try Before You Train franchise where our team have tested and reviewed over 100 gymwear items.
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