Clothing > Footwear
10 Best Mules for Men to Slide Into this Summer
The brilliant thing about the menswear world is seemingly that, if you can dream it up, there’s likely a brand making whatever you’ve got in mind. Take some of the best mule shoes: A traditional clog-style shoe that manages to walk the fine line between an open-toed sandal, a beach-ready flip-flop and a more sturdy loafer or boat shoe.
With plenty of heritage and easygoing comfort, plus casual, leisurely good looks (especially when crafted from leather or suede), the best mule shoes are the answer to laidback footwear conundrums aplenty.
- Slide into style: Some of the best mule shoes on the market mimic the same material and upper as sandals, yet with a more polished, closed-toe look that can even be dressed up slightly.
- Mules made for everyone: A surprising array of brands, from athletic footwear giants to heritage leather footwear producers, make easygoing mule shoes, some of which can even be used to aid in workout recovery (more on that shortly).
- Find your fabrication: Mule shoes, despite their simple build, sometimes use a thick outsole, thicker than a pair of sandals, that should promptly deliver standout all day comfort and breezy good looks from day to night.
As fit to wear with breezy linen trousers and a knit polo as they are with chino shorts and a pocket tee, the best men’s mule shoes offer more coverage when you seek a closed-toe set of kicks, all with the easy-on, easy-off comfort of a pair of slides.
The next time you find yourself in search of something that’s simple yet stylish, comfortable without being clunky, opt for mule shoes.
Try these:
Jack Reacher, James Patterson, Brandon Sanderson
LUCA Drift Outdoor Mule Shoes
Huckberry bills these shoes as a “sweet spot” between leather loafers and flip-flops, with a stylish crepe rubber outsole, Italian full-grain leather uppers and a wide toe box for comfort and classic good looks. Since LUCA is known for its hybrid sneakers with heritage appeal, these are perfect for wearing with a refined summer #OOTD.
Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clogs
You might not find a brand better known for its sandals and mule shoes than Birkenstock, as the company pioneered the style and continues to tweak its signature silhouettes with each passing season. The Boston Soft Footbed Clogs are finished with a suede lining for comfort and rest atop a lightweight, flexible EVA outsole.
Crocs Dylan Clogs
The best part about wearing a pair of the best mule shoes, at least in my experience, is that they’re not a pair of shoes to be overthought. Simply slide them on – with chino shorts and a polo, with swim trunks and a tank top – and get out there this summer. Helpfully, Crocs makes these supremely easy to clean after all-day wear.
Nike Calm Mules
Nike delivers a more technical pair of mule shoes than other pairs on the market, using an adjustable, customizable heel strap that turns these into a terrain-friendly pair of slip-on sandals.
Supportive foam also offers rebound and cushioning, while the classic Nike logo gives them some sporty appeal with joggers and a moisture-wicking tee.
Skechers Equalizer Coast-to-Coast Mule
Prized for its ideal blend of comfort and support, Skechers gets the formula just right when it comes to a pair of springy, supportive mule shoes.
Offered in a range of wide sizes, the mesh panels and fabrication keep your feet cool in the heat, while the memory foam insole is a Skechers signature, at least in my experience.
Clarks Solsbury Mule
Like its famously durable chukka boots, Clarks goes all-in on rugged appeal and amped-up design with these mule shoes. A lightweight ridged EVA outsole provides traction when needed from day to night, while a suede lining makes it easier than ever to wear these laidback shoes barefoot.
SeaVees Tiburon Trekker
SeaVees helped put breezy SoCal sneaker culture on the map with its classic canvas lace-up kicks, and there’s something suitably easygoing about its own take on some of the best mule shoes on the market.
These feature a chunky Vibram outsole for a smooth ride, and the design contrasts handsomely with a leather upper made to patina over time.
Sabah Baba Shoes
Spend any time searching for the best mule shoes for men, as we have, and you’re bound to come across the ruggedly elegant appeal of handcrafted Sabah men’s shoes.
With a natural leather upper and supremely comfortable leather lining, they boast heritage-minded great looks you can even dress up slightly with a lightweight blazer and stretch chinos.
The North Face Base Camp Mule
When it comes time to kick off your hiking boots after a day on the trail, recovery is of the essence – in my experience, the best mule shoes certainly can help aid in that pursuit.
Made from an ultra-breathable recycled PET mesh upper fit for the trail or the stream, these tech-savvy mule shoes rest above a thick, translucent rubber outsole for true spring in your step.
OluKai Moloā Slip-On Leather Shoes
OluKai takes great care in every stitch of its historically inspired, heritage-focused leather sandals, and this set of waxed leather mule shoes carries on that lineage in style.
With a thicker, grooved outsole and an upper that extends slightly higher on the foot than even other pairs of mule shoes, these thoughtfully designed kicks were practically made to be worn on your next summer getaway.
WERD has been reader-supported since 2009. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We do not accept compensation for reviews.
