12 Best Espadrilles for Men (October 2026) Ranked

If you want one pair of summer shoes that works at the beach, on a holiday terrace and with linen trousers on a city dinner, the best espadrilles for men are the TOMS Alpargata Loafer. It is the most reviewed shoe in this roundup by a wide margin, it needs no break-in, and its recycled cotton upper handles humidity better than anything else we looked at. Our runner-up is the Ferro Aldo woven espadrille loafer, which trades the alpargata look for a sneaker-style sole, and our best-value pick is the Alexis Leroy canvas espadrille, the cleanest expression of the classic silhouette on this list.

That ranking came from a simple test: twelve men’s espadrilles, worn and argued over, then scored on the three things buyers actually care about. Does it look like a slipper or a shoe? Does the sole grip a wet pool deck? And does the last fit a real foot, or a very narrow one?

Espadrilles have been worn in Catalonia and the Basque Country for centuries, which is why they are still the default warm-weather shoe in much of southern Europe. They are the answer to the man who has decided slides make him look like he gave up, but who still wants a shoe he can wear to the beach. If you are also building out the rest of the summer wardrobe, our picks for platform espadrilles for women cover the height question from the other direction.

What Are Espadrilles? The Short Answer

An espadrille is a slip-on shoe with a canvas, cotton or suede upper hand-stitched onto a braided rope sole, usually made from esparto grass and sold as jute. The Catalan word for it is espardenya, and the design is older than almost any other shoe still in regular production.

Two construction details decide whether a shoe deserves the name. The first is the sole: a real espadrille has a braided esparto or jute sidewall and footbed, not a flat rubber sole with a strip of decorative rope glued around the edge. The second is the upper: a one-piece upper wraps the foot and ends at the sole in a single clean line, while a two-piece upper is stitched from separate panels and has a visible eyestay.

Both materials are natural, breathable and light. Both absorb water. That single trade-off is the reason espadrilles feel incredible for six weeks and then start to fray at the rope, and it is the reason the buying guide below spends as much time on care as it does on style.

Top 3 Espadrilles for Men in 2026

These three cover the range. The TOMS Alpargata wins on social proof and all-day comfort, the Ferro Aldo wins on a more modern, sneaker-adjacent sole, and the Alexis Leroy is the cheapest route into a proper rope-soled espadrille.

All 12 Picks at a Glance

Every shoe below appears in this table with the materials that actually matter when you are choosing. Read the sole column first, because it decides grip, weight and how the shoe handles water.

1. TOMS Alpargata Loafer – The Best All-Rounder

This is the shoe I end up recommending to people who ask me for one pair. More than 7,700 reviews sit behind it at a 4.6 average, which is more social proof than anything else in this category. The upper is an Earthwise textile in recycled cotton or heritage canvas, lined and footbedded in recycled cotton, and there is an elastic gore at the instep so it goes on without a fight.

The insole is non-removable and carries 50% eco content, a mix of recycled PU foam, recycled rubber and bio oil. In practice that means the shoe is comfortable the moment you step into it. There is no break-in, no blistering at the heel collar, and nothing to soften up over a fortnight.

Where it earns its keep is as a city shoe. It is the pair that works with a knit polo and shorts, with chinos and a belt, and with an untucked Oxford if you are feeling brave. The alpargata lineage is a South American rope shoe, and TOMS renders it in a way that reads European resort rather than market stall.

The honest weakness is lifespan. Reviewers repeatedly report the canvas around the heel breaking down after about a season of regular wear, which is normal for a rope-soled shoe but shorter than a leather alternative. The narrow midfoot is the other recurring note.

Who the Alpargata suits best

If your summer is one long city stretch, this is the pick. The recycled cotton footbed survives a full day of walking in a way the thinner budget espadrilles on this list do not, and the neutral styling never dates.

It is also the safest first espadrille for a man who has never owned one. Nothing about it looks like a costume.

Who should pass on it

Skip it if you plan to keep one pair for five years, or if you have wide feet and no patience for sizing. Buy half a size up and read the narrow-midfoot note again, because that fit is the whole reason it scores 4.6 and not 4.9.

2. Alexis Leroy Canvas Espadrille – The Classic Done Cheapest

If the question is what a textbook espadrille looks like, this is it. Round jute-capped toe, low-top fabric, rubber sole, no branding anywhere on the upper. Model number ALMS004-Men, and the whole point is that nothing distracts from the silhouette.

It weighs almost nothing and slips on in one motion, which makes it a natural poolside and dockside shoe. With 1,600-plus reviews at 4.2, it is also the second most proven shoe in this roundup, so you are not guessing.

The compromise is the sole. It is flat and thin, with minimal cushioning, and it is built for standing around in a hotel lobby rather than covering miles on hot pavement. Buyers who expect a walking shoe tend to notice that in the first week.

Where this pair wins

It is the cheapest honest espadrille here, and the jute cap means it still reads as the real thing rather than a canvas shoe with rope trim. For a first pair, a holiday week or a gift, it does the job without asking you to commit.

Where it falls short

Long days on your feet and wet ground are both problems. The flat sole gives back everything you put into it, and canvas marks if it gets soaked.

3. Alexis Leroy Lace-Up Espadrille – The One With an Adjustment

Same shoe as the slip-on, same round jute cap, one big difference: laces. Model ALMS044-Men adds a lace closure over the instep, which turns a fixed-fit slip-on into something you can tighten across the top of the foot.

That matters for the man with a high instep or a narrow heel who finds most espadrilles too loose at the front and too tight at the side. The laces give you a second lever, and the soft canvas is described as flexible and comfortable in heat.

Reviewers also mention repeat purchases at this tier, which tells you something about the fabric quality relative to the price bracket. The upper is still lightweight canvas with a fabric and rubber sole, so it breathes the same way.

Why pick the laced version

Adjustability is the whole reason this exists. If you have fought with the narrow last in other brands, a lace closure buys you tolerance that a pure slip-on cannot offer.

It also dresses slightly smarter. A laced espadrille reads closer to a summer sneaker, which makes it an easier match for a pair of tailored shorts.

What to know before ordering

It runs small, so size up half a size. The supplied laces are described as flimsy enough that several buyers replace them, which is a two-minute job. Like its sibling, it is not a long-walking shoe.

4. Altxic Closed Toe Espadrille – The One With Real Traction

The Altxic is the pair to buy if your summer involves wet ground. It has a flexible, durable rubber outsole for reliable traction, and the braided jute is wrapped around a flat heel, which is a detail you rarely see at this tier.

Construction is otherwise straightforward: a breathable canvas upper, an elastic V-panel at the instep so the shoe opens without a shoehorn, and a round jute-cap toe. Reviewers consistently describe the rubber sole as moulding to the foot, which is the main reason the canvas feels supportive despite the flat profile.

At 4.3 across 600-plus reviews it is comfortably the best-scoring shoe in the sub-tier portion of this list, and the closed toe gives it a more everyday, less holiday-camp read than most espadrilles.

Why the grip matters

Rubber outsoles are the single construction upgrade worth paying for. Jute on wet stone is a slip risk, and rubber is not, which makes this the pair for pool decks, marina walkways and anywhere with sprinklers.

It is also the more sensible choice if your walks involve the kind of uneven paving where a thin fabric-and-rubber sole would give up.

What it cannot do

Flat means flat. There is limited arch and heel support, so it is not a shoe for standing all day in a job that keeps you on your feet. And the canvas is not waterproof, so it will mark in wet or dirty conditions.

5. Mintzice Canvas Espadrille – The Handmade-Style Budget Pick

The Mintzice is sold as traditional handicraft, handmade with jute and canvas, and reviewers back up the breathability claim directly: the fabric absorbs sweat rather than holding it against the skin. That is the specific problem it solves, and it solves it in humid weather better than the thicker uppers on this list.

The rest is a plain slip-on with a wear-resistant rubber sole, sold in a wide range of solid colours and a broad size run. It is not trying to be clever, and that restraint is the point.

At 4.1 from 253 reviews, the rating sits below the picks above it, and the feedback explains why: the sole is flat with minimal cushioning, and the canvas wears at the heel with regular seasonal use. Buy it for a season of solid colour, not as your only summer shoe.

Who this suits

If you run hot, or you live somewhere with real August humidity, the sweat-absorbing canvas is a genuine advantage. Solid colours in a broad size run also make it an easy first espadrille for someone who just wants one without thinking about it.

Who should look elsewhere

Long walks and wet conditions are both weak points here, as is anyone who wants a pair to keep for years. The heel wears faster than the constructions above, so budget for a replacement.

6. Ferro Aldo Woven Espadrille Loafer – The Most Modern Option

The Ferro Aldo is the least traditional shoe here and the one I would wear on a long flight. The upper is a woven and knit fabric in an espadrille-style texture, with dual elastic side panels that stretch for a snug slip-on fit, and the sole is a durable, ultra-flexible rubber unit with sneaker-like traction and cushioning.

It weighs 3.5 pounds for the pair, and reviewers call out the lightweight, packable build as the standout feature. For a suitcase, that is worth more than any amount of rope detail.

The 4.6 rating across 217 reviews comes with a clear warning: it runs narrow, and reviewers consistently say about half a size small, especially for wide feet. The toe is also slightly more pointed than a classic round loafer, which flatters a narrow foot and less so a square one.

Why it beats a traditional espadrille

Cushioning. Every other flat shoe in this roundup gives that back to the ground, and this one does not, which is why it holds up better over a full day of walking. It also dresses up more easily than a jute-wrapped alpargata.

Where the compromise sits

The fit is the trade. Plan to go up half a size, and if your toes are wide or your foot is square, look at a round-toed model instead. Some buyers also find it less comfortable after a full day, which is the price of the more structured toe.

7. VISCATA Sitges – The Authentic Spanish Workshop Option

The VISCATA Sitges is the only shoe here where the brand is itself a slipper-alternative workshop, and the spec sheet shows it: a 100% organic cotton canvas upper, a 100% natural jute midsole and a jute innersole, handcrafted in Spain with a durable rubber sole and extra padding.

It is also the lightest, quietest answer to the beach problem. The slip-on silhouette packs flat, the canvas is cool in heat, and the padded comfort means it works for a full day of wandering rather than an hour on a towel.

Two honest notes. The 4.0 rating is the lowest of the twelve, and the reason is in the construction rather than the idea: handmade production means slight size variation between pairs, and the canvas and jute are not built for wet or rough conditions.

Who should buy the Spanish workshop shoe

If you want a genuine esparto construction and you are heading somewhere hot, this is the honest version. The rubber outsole gives you grip that a pure jute sole does not, and the padded footbed makes long sightseeing days manageable.

The brand’s own care guidance is specific: dab with a damp cloth in cold water, air dry, and never use heat or a dryer. Follow it and the shoe lasts.

What to watch out for

Handmade means no two pairs are identical, and the size range is narrower and the colour selection smaller than mass-market canvas espadrilles. In-between sizes are advised to size up half a size, which is also the advice the wider wearing community gives for this brand.

8. VISCATA Castell Platform Espadrille – The One That Adds 1.5 Inches of Height

I am including this one with a caveat attached, and the caveat is in the listing itself: this is a platform espadrille catalogued in a women’s department. Men’s sizing runs differently, so check the size chart rather than assuming a US equivalent. Our sister guide covers that category properly in our picks for wedge espadrilles for women.

The shoe itself is well made. A 1.5 inch platform in 100% organic cotton canvas over a 100% natural jute midsole, handcrafted in Spain, with a durable rubber sole, an elastic inseam and a cushioned insole. The package is 4.72 by 3.15 by 2.36 inches and 4.41 pounds.

What makes it interesting to a man is the profile: it adds noticeable height without looking like a heavy wedge, and the elastic inseam makes it far easier to get into than a platform loafer.

Who will like it

Men with a shorter inseam who want a little lift without the visual weight of a chunky wedge, and anyone who prefers the extended silhouette of a platform espadrille to the flat alpargata shape.

The cushioned insole and elastic inseam also make it more forgiving than the profile suggests.

Who should skip it

Anyone who needs a real men’s last, ground feel or stability. A 1.5 inch platform gives up both, and the handmade sizing varies slightly between pairs, so the sizing risk is higher than on a flat model.

9. TOMS Santiago – The Smoker With Removable Insoles

The Santiago is a smoking slipper with an espadrille build, and the difference shows up in two places. The first is the 23mm jute wrap midsole, roughly 3mm of outsole under it, which gives far more structure than a flat canvas espadrille. The second is the insole: OrthoLite Eco LT Hybrid, made with 26% eco content from waste foam, recycled material and bio-oils, and fully removable.

Removable matters more than it sounds. It means you can drop in your own orthotics, which is the difference between a shoe that works all summer and one that stops working in September.

Upper is textile and suede with canvas or twill lining and footbed, plus a deconstructed heel for slip-on entry. Styling is deliberately quiet, with no visible logo, which makes it the easiest of the rope shoes here to wear with a plain tee and tailored shorts.

Why the removable insole wins

It is the only pick here where the footbed can be replaced. For anyone with a specific orthotic need, or for anyone whose feet simply change over a long summer, that turns a fixed shoe into a long-term one.

The jute wrap also means this shoe looks more like a loafer than a beach sandal, so it travels better between day and evening.

The gripes worth knowing

No stretch gusset, so slip-on entry can be stiff at first and a shoehorn helps. Uppers soften and look scruffy after a few weeks of regular wear, some pairs arrive scuffed or wrinkled, and the thick sole reduces ground feel. Better suited to narrow and medium feet.

10. TOMS ALP Rope 2.0 – The One Built for Distance

This is the one durability claim in the whole roundup that is quantified, and it comes from wearers rather than marketing: the ALP Rope 2.0 is reported to hold up over 100-plus kilometres with little visible wear. That is roughly two summers of hard use, which is well past the norm for this category.

Construction matches the Santiago closely: a textile upper in an alpargata silhouette, canvas or twill lining and footbed, a deconstructed heel for slip-on entry, OrthoLite Eco LT Hybrid insoles with 26% eco content, a 23mm jute wrap midsole and roughly a 3mm outsole.

The 4.4 rating is the second highest in the list, and reviewers single out the high jute-wrapped midsole as the reason it looks fuller and more structured than a flat espadrille. It is also the model most often described as working with both shorts and ankle-length pants.

Where it outlasts its rivals

Distance, and hot days. The breathable textile stays comfortable in humid weather, and a wrap this deep resists the abrasion that eats through a flat sole.

It is also one of the few pairs here with a very large size range, which matters more than the spec sheet suggests.

Who should size down

It runs large and wide, especially for narrow or medium feet, and some buyers end up needing insoles to bring it back in. The deconstructed heel also lacks a stretch gusset, so the first week is a little stiff.

11. Soludos Dali – The One With a Full Braided Jute Bed

Every shoe so far wraps jute around the sides of the sole. The Dali goes further: a braided jute footbed and midsole, so the whole bottom of the shoe is rope. Combined with a rubber outsole underneath for grip and longevity, it is the most traditional build in this roundup that still has a modern sole under it.

The silhouette is deliberately plain, a round toe and a slip-on construction with no visible hardware, which is what makes it work with resort wear without looking like a holiday prop. Colour options include natural undyed and navy-and-ivory pairings.

At 4.2 from 58 reviews it carries the thinnest social proof of the higher-priced picks here, so treat the feedback as directional. The complaints that do appear are the familiar ones: a flat sole with limited arch support, little cushioning over long distances, and a narrow fit that calls for a half size up.

Why the braided footbed matters

It is the closest thing to the original espardenya on this list, and rope against the foot is breathable in a way a synthetic footbed is not. It also means the shoe breaks in less and feels familiar faster than a lined model.

The rubber outsole underneath is the modern concession, and it is the one that keeps the shoe usable on stone rather than soft sand only.

Who should buy it

Anyone who wants the real thing and cares more about the rope than the cushioning. It is the pick for a clean, minimal look with shorts and an open shirt, and it is the least noisy shoe here visually.

Pair it with a summer blazer and you have the smartest-looking option in the roundup.

12. Wsvpeto Canvas Slip-On – The Cheapest Useful Pair

At the bottom of the list is a canvas slip-on that is cheap enough to be a travel pair and light enough to live in a carry-on. The upper comes in breathable canvas or mesh, there are elastic side panels instead of laces, and the lining and cushioned heel are what make it work as an indoor or casual shoe.

It is also the most recent release of the twelve, dated to early 2026, and the relaxed fit runs true to US sizing according to the care guidance, which is unusual in this category and worth something.

The 4.1 rating from 33 reviews is the smallest sample here, so treat the feedback as early rather than settled. Buyers report the mesh versions staying cool through long airport days, which is exactly what they were designed for.

Where it makes sense

A spare pair that lives in a bag, costs almost nothing to replace, and can be worn indoors or to the pool. The cushioned heel and soft lining are more useful than they sound for a shoe you slip on and off a dozen times a day.

What you give up

The zero-drop, flat construction leaves feet and legs feeling tired for people not used to it, and there is limited arch and heel support on hard surfaces. Finishing is basic, and some buyers say the shoes look different in person than in the photos.

How to Choose the Right Espadrille

Four decisions do almost all the work: the sole, the upper, the toe shape and the fit. Get those right and the rest is colour.

Check the sole construction first

A real espadrille has a braided esparto or jute sidewall and, ideally, a jute footbed. Some budget models fake it with a flat rubber sole and a rope trim glued around the edge, which looks right in a photo and dies in a fortnight.

Next, ask whether there is rubber underneath the rope. Pure jute on wet stone is a slip risk, and rubber changes the shoe completely for pool decks, marina walkways and city pavement. The Altxic, the VISCATA Sitges and the Soludos Dali all pair rope with a rubber outsole, and that combination is the one I would look for first.

Choose canvas or suede by where you will wear it

Cotton canvas is the cooler, more casual option. It breathes well, it washes, it takes a beating, and it is what you want for a beach week or a walking holiday. Suede looks smarter and works better with a summer blazer or a linen suit, but it stains, it water-spots, and it needs a suede brush.

For most men starting out, canvas in a neutral colour is the safer buy. It is less demanding about what you walk on and about how you store it in August.

Toe shape is a real preference, not a detail

Round toes flatter square and wide feet. Square or slightly pointed toes flatter narrow feet and read smarter with tailored trousers. The classic espadrille toe is round, which is why the round-toe models dominate this list.

If you have a narrow foot and want the shoe to look sharper, the Ferro Aldo is the one here with a slightly more pointed toe. If you have a wide foot, avoid it and take the round-toe route.

Fit: size up, and check the last

Espadrilles are traditionally made on a narrow last, and the most common reason people return them is a shoe that is too tight across the forefoot. Half a size up is the normal correction. Our sizing section covers the exceptions.

Worth knowing: the same brand can cut both ways. The TOMS Alpargata is reported to run narrow through the midfoot, while the TOMS ALP Rope 2.0 does the opposite and runs large and wide, so read the fit note for the exact model rather than the label on the box.

Care is what makes them last a season or two

Jute frays because it is a natural fibre and because it gets wet. Four habits extend the life of an espadrille considerably: dab with a damp cloth in cold water rather than soaking, air dry in shade and never with heat, keep them off wet ground and out of puddles, and store them stuffed with paper so the upper holds its shape over winter.

For suede uppers, a suede brush after each wear does more than any cleaning product. For canvas, a cool damp cloth and a little patience is enough.

Wide feet and big sizes

Brands cap their size runs differently, and that is a real limit rather than a preference. Check the largest size a brand offers before you fall for the model, because several European labels stop around EU 46, which cuts off a meaningful number of men.

Within this roundup the broadest options are the TOMS models, one of which is repeatedly praised for its very large size range, while handmade Spanish pairs tend to run narrower.

Sizing: Espadrilles Run Narrow

Size up. The short answer is half a size for most brands and models on this list, and up to a full size or more for the ones built on a particularly slim last. The reason is in the construction: an espadrille upper is stitched to a rope sidewall with no stretch panel, so there is nowhere for a wide forefoot to go.

The VISCATA is the clearest example, and the wearing community is blunt about it. On r/malefashionadvice, one buyer with a US 9.5 wears an 11 in VISCATA, a jump of a full size and a half, and calls them great espadrilles. The brand’s own product guidance on the Sitges takes a softer line and advises in-between wearers to size up half a size.

Per-model verdicts from the review data: the TOMS Alpargata runs narrow through the midfoot, the Alexis Leroy slip-on and lace-up both run small with a half size the usual correction, the Ferro Aldo runs narrow and about half a size small for wide feet, the VISCATA Sitges varies between pairs because it is handmade, and the TOMS ALP Rope 2.0 does the opposite by running large and wide.

Two practical notes. Buy from a seller with an easy return, because the only reliable way to size an espadrille is to try one, and wear them indoors for a day before committing to a full summer.

Espadrilles vs Sandals, Boat Shoes and Loafers

Espadrilles sit between the categories, which is exactly why they keep coming back. A sandal is open, cool and beach-only. An espadrille is closed, breathable and acceptable at a restaurant, which makes it the only warm-weather shoe that covers both dress codes in one pair.

Against boat shoes, espadrilles are lighter, more casual and cheaper, and they do not need a deck. Boat shoes win on wet-weather performance, because leather and a rubber sole handle a splash that destroys jute.

Against loafers, espadrilles are warmer-weather and far more relaxed, but a penny loafer in suede with a summer suit is the smarter look of the two. If your summer involves linen trousers and unstructured jackets, espadrilles win. If it involves tailoring, a loafer is the safer call.

As one comfortable alternative in the slip-on category, wool slip-ons get described on r/resetera as the most comfortable shoe some wearers have ever owned, and comfort is worth weighing against the smart-casual read an espadrille gives you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Verdict: Where to Start

Start with the TOMS Alpargata Loafer. It is the best espadrilles for men pick for the widest set of summer situations, with the strongest review record on this list and no break-in to plan around. If you walk more than a few blocks a day, swap it for the Ferro Aldo and take the half size up. If your feet are wide, look for a round-toe model and size up half a size there as well.

Whatever you pick, buy two things: a proper brush for the upper, and the discipline to keep the pair off wet ground. That is what turns a summer shoe into two summers of wear.