Men’s footwear is having its moment as more consumers are looking to add fresh styles to their wardrobes. And despite several headlines that consumers are buying fewer sneakers in lieu of dressier options, retailers are seeing growth in multiple segments of the men’s shoe market.

Indeed, executives from retailers such as Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman are seeing growth across low-profile sneakers and loafers, while popular styles from Adidas, Nike, Asics and On are resonating well at Shoe Palace, Urban Outfitters and Tip Top Shoes’ West NYC.

As shoppers gear up for the fall season, buyers are relying on a few key trends to resonate. At Urban Outfitters, outdoor-inspired footwear from Keen, Merrell and Salomon have continued to grow in popularity and will be a “must-have” this fall. At Macy’s, the department store is looking to iconic styles such as the Sperry boat shoe, Clarks chukka boot, Bass Weejuns and Dr. Martens boots for success.

Mr Porter executives are expecting strong sales this fall from its “hard shoe” offering from brands like John Lobb, J.M. Weston, Vinny’s, Morjas and George Cleverley, while Nordstrom expects dressier silhouettes from Magnanni, Allen Edmonds and Santoni to do well.

Here, executives from top retailers reveal what was hot this summer, what they invested in for fall and what’s going to be popular for spring 2027.

Which men’s footwear styles are top sellers right now?

Daniel Todd, buying director at Mr Porter: “Apart from the traditional summer shoe categories (e.g. espadrilles from Castañer) we are continuing to see traction in loafers and boat shoes done in soft constructions. The Pace from John Lobb has been one of our standout styles, the styling is the same as the iconic Lopez loafer but offered in a super soft construction so they are easy to wear straight out of the box.”

Jian DeLeon, men’s fashion director at Nordstrom: “There’s been a resurgence of the minimal sneaker, going a bit back to the early 2000s prep trends that saw the rise of simplistic sneakers from Common Projects, Adidas, and Maison Margiela. The German Army Trainer silhouette seen in shoes like the BW Army from Adidas is a welcome alternative to the Samba, as are cleaner tennis-inspired silhouettes like the Rod Laver, which means we are overdue for a comeback of the Stan Smith. Dressier silhouettes with a casual elegance are also important, like lower-profile loafers and versatile dress shoes that can be worn with a suit or a pair of jeans.”

Young-Su Kim, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of men’s, home, jewelry and beauty and men’s fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman: “Loafers continue to perform well, particularly more casual yet refined styles that can be worn without socks. Whether deck-shoe inspired or with elegant hand-stitched and gathered uppers, our clients are looking for elevated, glove-like styles that can be worn from day to summer evening.”

Bijon Javadzadeh, men’s general merchandise manager at Urban Outfitters: “The low-profile silhouette may have started as a women’s trend, but it has shown no signs of slowing down in men’s footwear. If anything, the trend has only grown. Guys are gravitating toward streamlined, versatile styles that are easy to wear and work across their everyday wardrobe.”

Joo Woo, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of men’s at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus: “During the spring and summer seasons, we see an increase in preppy footwear trends with a focus on the penny loafer and all of its iterations.”

Adir Landes, brand director at Tip Top Shoes — West NYC: “I was most surprised by how well the Reebok x BBC Ice Cream Boardflip retro was received. In a market dominated by retro basketball shoes and 2000s tech runners, this chunky and vibrant retro skate shoe cut through the noise. To me, it begs the question of how far Gen Z and Alpha are going to play into 2000s style. He’s been wearing baggy denim shorts, but I’m betting the cut is still getting longer. I’m seeing mesh basketball shorts that cut below the knee picking up engagement on social media quickly — will that hit with a broader demographic in spring/summer 2027?”

Robert Brack, senior vice president of product, marketing and brand strategy at Shoe Palace: “We’re seeing strength across three distinct areas. Court and heritage silhouettes continue to perform, led by the Nike Air Force 1, particularly white/white and more fashion-driven executions, along with the Adidas BW Army and Vans LX Old Skool 36. Lifestyle running remains a major growth driver, with consumers responding to styles like the Asics Gel-1130, Gel-NYC, Gel-2160 and Stratus as well as On silhouettes including the Cloudtilt and Cloudmonster, and the Nike P-6000. We’re also seeing meaningful demand around iconic, performance and retro storytelling. Nike’s return of The Glove exceeded our expectations, while the Ja 3 continues to show strong consumer energy.”

Sean Estock, vice president and divisional merchandise manager of men’s tailored clothing, furnishings, basics and shoes at Macy’s: “Crafted sandals are a standout this season, appealing to fashion-forward customers drawn to their elevated, artisanal feel. Soft loafers are also resonating for their lightweight, flexible construction and polished look without sacrificing comfort. And dress shoes remain important, with customers responding to elevated quality and design across brands.”

For fall and winter, which men’s shoe categories will pop?

Todd: “Hiking boots continue to be the prevailing trend for fall/winter 2026, Brunello Cucinelli makes one of the best in the business and we have some great styles coming from the likes of Diemme and Yuketen as well as low-profile version from Officine Creative and Church’s.”

Kim: “We expect loafers to perform well into the early fall season. Sneakers continue to be a top choice among customers. Luxe leather timeless styles — the kind that can be worn with all types of trousers, not just jeans — continue to stand out. With the arrival of fall comes the excitement for boot season; particularly slim-soled Chelsea boots while the weather cools and then more hiker-inspired lace-up styles as the temperature drops. Specifically in dress, rounder toes are trending; a refreshing alternative to the almond shape that has dominated for the past few seasons.”

Javadzadeh: “New styles from Adidas Originals, Keen, Dr. Marten’s and Birkenstock are key focuses for us this fall. Each brand is bringing something different to the table, but collectively, they reflect the continued blurring of sport, outdoor and lifestyle, a shift that’s really resonating with our customer right now.”

Woo: “We expect the loafer trend to continue into the fall in a variety of styles such as suede, exotics, tasseled, and spectators. The ruched-wrinkle-seam loafer also continues to be a favorite.”

DeLeon: “The minimal sneaker is poised to have a strong year trend-wise, especially in statement colors that are easier to wear in a versatile shape. Given how loafers are a year-round staple, chukka boots and easy but dressy pull-on boots should complement that trend.”

Landes: “Outdoor for him is imperative. Salomon is killing it for me and that’s broadening out to other outdoor brands, namely Merrell, but I even had a great season with the Challenger from Hoka in fall 2025. New York saw a ton of snow last winter, but even before the snow came, I was seeing success with Timberland boots. The Nike [Air Max] Goadome has been strong, too, and I’m excited for what’s to come on that silhouette.”

Brack: “For fall, we expect personalization and elevated material expression to continue gaining momentum. Pearls, embellishments and patent finishes are bringing more dimension to familiar silhouettes. At the same time, court-inspired footwear remains important, while accessible, lower-priced running silhouettes are creating another strong entry point for consumers. The broader shift is toward product that feels recognizable but has enough design distinction to feel new.”

Estock: “Boots, particularly dress boots, are poised for renewed interest this fall as customers look for versatile seasonal updates. In dress shoes, a broader range of browns — from tan to deeper shades — feels fresh for fall, while tumbled leathers add dimension and softness.”

What do you expect to do well in the spring 2027 season?

DeLeon: “I quite liked seeing opera pumps and eveningwear slip-on silhouettes getting repurposed into daywear and more casual looks, as seen in some of my favorite looks from the Ralph Lauren show.”

Todd: “Deck shoes, driving shoes and soft construction in general, ballet/jazz shoes, low-profile and canvas styles.”

Javadzadeh: “Guys are willing to take more risks with color and materials in their footwear right now. Vibrant shades like red and blue were everywhere across the European shows, which is a strong indication of where the market is heading. At the same time, low-profile and outdoor-inspired footwear continue to have real momentum and will be key trends heading into spring/summer 2027.”

Woo: “We expect the ballerino-style to be a hit among our customers for spring/summer 2027.”

Kim: “The outdoor house slipper and low-profile lace-ups are the next generation to the slim, pared-down sneakers that have been popular in recent seasons. The key features are minimalism, extreme softness and comfort.”

Brack: “The strongest directional signal is the continued convergence of performance and fashion. Running and trail-inspired performance silhouettes are increasingly influencing everyday style, with Salomon, Asics, On and Nike particularly well positioned within that movement. We also see a vintage, distressed aesthetic with a clear nod to ’90s grunge gaining relevance.”

Estock: “Dress shoes are moving toward slimmer outsoles and lower-profile shapes that feel polished and modern. Leather sandals remain relevant, with thong silhouettes emerging as a sharper option that can pair with tailored looks, including linen suits.”