Best Merino Shoes for Men
Our Favorite Merino Shoes of 2023 Make for a Breezy Spring Style Upgrade
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You might have noticed a low hum building in the distance, or rather, not building: That’s the springy, lightweight sound of the rising popularity of merino shoes for men, an innovative fabric that’s actually not so new in the grand scheme of things.
Merino wool is often praised as one of the best natural fabrics found in nature — merino wool hails from Merino sheep from the Land Down Under these days (though first developed in Spain). The important thing to note in this era about merino wool is precisely what those fibers contain: Merino wool fibers are naturally antimicrobial, moisture-wicking, breathable and yet temperature-regulating when they need to be.
This makes them an ideal candidate for base layers, like T-shirts and henleys, as well as cardigans, crewneck sweaters and even the occasional jogger pant. Those qualities, as it turns out, are also quite applicable in the world of men’s footwear. Lately, there’s a trend quite literally afoot: The best merino shoes for men are rising up on the foot of a dedicated fanbase, helped along by brands like Allbirds. The design is low-key, easy to wear and often easy to slide into and out of — they could be an ideal travel shoe, for that very reason.
There’s going to be plenty of time to wear your trusty leather sneakers or suede chukka boots the rest of spring. For now, take on a new season with the unexpected — an unexpectedly stylish pair of merino shoes.
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Allbirds Men’s Wool Pipers
You’ve seen the now-instantly recognizable Allbirds Wool Runners before, but what about the Pipers? More akin to a traditional court lace-up, the Pipers boast the same enviable attributes as its more famous older brother, including sustainable, soft and cozy ZQ Merino wool in the upper, plus a spring, sugarcane-based EVA midsole. Provided you remove the laces and insoles, you can even machine wash these, and the Natural White color has plenty in common with your trusty white leather sneakers.
$110 at Allbirds.com
NOBULL Merino Knit Runners
Merino is a naturally performance-minded fabric, thanks to those moisture-wicking, odor-fighting properties we discussed earlier. Accordingly, NOBULL applied those same principles to a pair of innovative training shoes, ideally made to pair up with NOBULL’s durable workout gear. Yet, these runners are also streamlined enough to work in off-duty style situations with joggers and a henley. When the time comes to hit the gym, the snug knit sock upper ensures a snug fit, the porous design of the merino wool upper regulates airflow, and the mini-lug pattern makes them suitable for use on and off light terrain.
$169 at NOBULL.com
Merino Shoes Slip-Ons
Craving something simple, minimal and comfortable, all the better to wear at home and out casually (and we mean very casually)? Trade in your canvas slip-on kicks for supremely comfortable merino slip-ons from the aptly named masters of merino shoes. A pair of these shoes clocks in at less than a pound, making them a perfect easy-on, easy-off travel shoe, while a range of 18 color options deliver a touch of style for every sensibility. Again, that merino upper is soft, breathable and temperature-regulating.
$99.99 at MerinoShoes.com
Giesswein Merino Wool Knit Men’s Shoes
Those who grew up or live in cold climates are likely well-acquainted with the wonder that is merino wool: Light yet cozy, breathable and moisture-wicking, nicely textured… all rolled into one. It’s perfectly sensible then, that family-owned Giesswein hangs its hat on merino wool, this time turned into a linen-stitched sneaker upper for texture and performance-minded appeal. A comfort footbed and the brand’s ultra-light sole provide a smooth ride underfoot, and the simple five-eyelet sneaker design and textured merino upper blend subtle style and merino’s trademark functionality.
$150 at Giesswein.com
Le Mouton Men’s Merino Wool Shoes
The best part about tracking down a pair of the best merino shoes for men? Stepping, quite literally, into a world of comfort. A world where, at least in the case of these merino shoes, both the upper and its lining are crafted from soft merino wool. They’re also about 50 percent of the weight of standard sneakers, especially dressier leather options, making these merino kicks an ideal grab-and-go option (style them with light wash jeans, a white tee and a field jacket on the move this spring and summer).
From $69 at Amazon.com
Vivobarefoot Leather and Wool Hiking Trainers
The thing with even the best men’s merino shoes is that they’re often built more like a low-cut sneaker, without a ton of support if you favor more adventurous pursuits. The solution? A hybrid pair, but one that still contains utilitarian merino wool, blended with textured leather and a sturdy speed-lacing system. The ankle-high nature and sneaker-like construction of these hybrid boots make these a reliable style move — with tapered joggers, to show off the high-top — or else an off-grid or travel-ready pair of kicks.
From $193.99 at Amazon.com
Merino Protect Merino Wool Shoes
Merino Protect is serious about its mission: Make no-frills merino shoes that are so comfortable, you might want to go sockless when wearing them. Our advice: At least wear no-show socks, but other than that, comfort reigns supreme with these subtly stylish merino wool shoes. The cushioned midsole is geared toward arch support, while the no-slip outsole delivers the traction you need. That merino wool upper will wick away sweat, while these kicks are also lightweight (less than a pound, like some of our other favorite merino shoes for men).
From $69.99 at Amazon.com
Woolloomooloo Frasier Merino Sneakers
The fast-growing world of merino shoes isn’t afraid to take a few leaps and bounds into the future: Witness the fact that Woolloomool used a digital knitting technique to turn this Australian merino wool into a streamlined pair of sneakers. The multi-color textured upper is a nice style touch that also adds a degree of breathability to these kicks, while the wavy printed outsole provides traction on uneven terrain. These are sneakers made to go just about anywhere you want to go — that’s the wonder of merino wool, right?
$150 at Zappos.com
Nootkas Felted Merino Wool House Shoes
If you’ve gotten a little too used to padding around your house barefoot on work-from-home days, give your feet a break in a comfortable, surprisingly stylish manner. More visually appealing than a pair of fuzzy slippers, the felted merino wool is warming and sweat-wicking at the same time (as you’d expect from merino shoes, after all). They’re also Fair Trade Certified in terms of production — never a bad thing to have in your house shoe rotation — while the padded bottom supports your natural foot movement.
$94 at Amazon.com
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