According to modern society, if you don’t have everything, you might as well have nothing. The 21st century world is all about overabundance and overconsumption. Cars are over-complicated, technology is over-designed, and that latte you just ordered? It’s over-the-top. Even your footwear is becoming more and more elaborate. Sometimes you just want some minimalist shoes for men that are simple and sleek, with no dramas and no nonsense. As legendary Bauhaus architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe once said: less is more.
If you want to cut through all the noise and introduce some minimalist shoes for men to your collection, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll be checking out some of the cleanest sneakers, dress shoes, and boots that the footwear world has to offer, from the likes of Aurélien, Pini Parma, and so much more. So, let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
Minimalist sneakers for men
Dalgado Roberto
To kick things off, we have the Roberto by Dalgado. Lovingly handmade in Portugal from full grain Italian calfskin leather, these minimalist sneakers for men are some of the best in the business. The midsole is crafted from Margom rubber and even the laces are organic cotton. What’s more, each pair comes with an exclusive dust bag for travelling, which is always nice.
Pini Parma Luxury White Sneakers
If simple sneakers are something that you’re searching for, Pini Parma should definitely be on your radar. Beautifully made in Italy from some of the most premium calf leather available today, it’s painted in a crisp all-white colour palette and is contrasted by a beige midsole down below that’s 100% natural rubber. What’s there not to love?
WAHTS Stevens
It doesn’t get more pared-back than the WAHTS Stevens. Not only is it one of these best slip-on trainers of all-time, it’s also one of the greatest minimalist sneakers that money can buy. Boasting an Italian suede construction, it boasts a perforated texture that results in a sporty and stylish aesthetic. Even the entire inner lining is decked out in luxurious calf leather.
North 89
Founded in 2016, North 89 has always been one of the industry leaders when it comes to seriously clean kicks, and the Court is one of its best works yet. Inspired by old school tennis shoes, the breathable cotton mesh and perforated leather upper has summer written all over it. The insole is made from memory foam, and the laces are made from nylon that’s extra durable.
CLAE Bradley Mid
Looking for a pair of minimalist sneakers for men that have extra ankle support? Then be sure to check out the Bradley Mid by CLAE. One of the latest silhouettes to hit the Los Angeles label’s ever-popular Bradley line, this rendition is dipped in an all-white colour scheme that’ll work with anything you throw on. The Italian Nappa leather upper is also built to last, too.
Minimalist dress shoes for men
Velasca Cumenda
The Cumenda by Velasca is basically the Milanese brand’s interpretation of the classic Derby. With its polished binder leather and its blake-rapid construction, it really doesn’t get better than this. What’s more, it’s equipped with a rounded toe and broader sole, making it perfect for those with a high instep and particularly wide feet. You know who you are.
Yearn Split-Toe Monks
Most minimalist shoes for men are pretty simple, but they also lack substance. With Yearn, looking seriously stylish is their number one priority. This single strap monk features an elegant centre seam at the toe. Each pair is hand-welted and hand-stitched, which means they’re extremely comfortable to wear. They’re a little on the pricier side, but they’re worth every penny.
Kleman
Over the past few months, the Kleman Padror has become one of the most popular shoes on Instagram, and it’s easy to see why. Injecting a little bit of rebelliousness to your collection, these totally chunky kicks are made from cowhide that’s certified by the Leather Working Group. They’re then finished with a serrated hem and fancy stitching – a signature detail to the model.
Pini Parma Black Tassel Loafers
Pini Parma’s tassel loafers are the ultimate footwear if you want to dress up or dress down. Handcrafted in Italy, the calfskin leather is silky and sumptuous, and even the inside and outsole are lined with it so that it feels even more premium. The Parisian imprint has even added a little tassel upfront, which we just can’t help but adore.
Minimalist boots for men
Myrqvist Elfvik
Myrqvist is world-renowned for its Oxfords, its loafers, and even its sneakers, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the Scandinavian label’s boot game. Take the Elfvik, for example. Boasting a slick all-black palette, this Chelsea boot is made with French full grain calfskin and is finished with a studded rubber sole.
Aurélien Desert Boot
There’s no way you can talk about the world’s best minimalist shoes for men without bringing up Aurélien. While most desert boots are quite rugged and traditionally masculine, these go down a more understated route. With a navy grain leather build and a contrasting ivory sole, they’re as timeless as they come.
Oliver Cabell SB 1
Though Oliver Cabell is known mostly for its simple sneakers, its boots definitely shouldn’t be ignored. Inspired by some of the pairs that you might find in the military, the SB 1 (short for Service Boot, by the way) has a water resistant leather upper that’s sourced from Spain, and custom anti-slip outsole from England. There’s a reason why it’s so popular.
North 89
So nice we’ve mentioned them twice. As you might have already guessed from its name, the Rain Boot by North 89 takes the iconic Chelsea Boot, remixes it with a sneaker sole, and makes it water resistant. It’s light, it’s comfortable, and it also comes in a bunch of other colourways, but the classic black one is probably our favourite.
Manolo Blahnik
And last but certainly not least, it’s the Delsa by Manolo Blahnik. A streamlined rendition of classic Chelsea styles, this is smart enough to wear with suits but also edgy enough for streetwear. It’s completely covered in beautiful beige suede, and it’s fitted with elasticated gores and pull tabs to limit creasing, so your minimalist shoes for men will look boxfresh for even longer.
For more like this, peruse the best minimalist sneakers for men.
