The Complex Guide to Essential Spring Footwear

When you're a bit more buttoned up than usual there's always the spring/summer staple shoe, the suede buck. Walk-Over is a company that's been making them for years, and you can't go wrong with a classic red buck sole and white nubuck upper. Let 'em get dirty over the season. If you want a little more pop, their Derby 100's and Derby Midi's come in any color suede you can imagine, and the soles come in a grip of colors too. These are so versatile, you can rock them with jeans, khakis, or even wear them with a suit depending on the occasion.

Buy It Now at Walk-Over Shoes, $249-255

Desert boots have been in style for more years than you've been on Earth, ask your pops. Generally made of durable materials like leather and suede, they have a crepe sole so they are super comfortable. Clarks, the originators of the desert boot, has them in plenty of colors and new fabrics, so grab more than one pair, since they're priced to not hurt your pockets.

Buy It Now at Clarks Originals, $119.

Blending sport elements with fashion is an easy feat for the good folks at Y-3. Constructed similar to a basketball performance shoe, the Honja High from Y-3 is made with lightweight materials, and thinner soles to make it comfortable for all day wear. Pair these with a pair of slim-fit jeans, and you're casual look is on lock.

Buy It Now at Y-3, $300

Everyone needs a pair of simple canvas sneakers. Vans are the OG. This is a shoe you can wear daily until the fall apart. The Vans Authentic specifically have a clean look when they are new, and get better as they get beat up.

Buy It Now at Vans, $45

The key to pulling off the espadrille, is making sure that you don't wear them in public unless you're at the beach or on a boat. And make sure you don't rock them while your girl is rocking hers (that might happen).

This is really a vacation shoe, but it's a great style to have in your spring lineup because they're lightweight, and crazy comfortable. Soludos has them in muted colors which makes them even easier to rock. And they're cheap.

Buy It Now at Soludos, $26-36

You might be thinking that bluchers are reserved for dads, but the comfortable shoes have been making a resurgence with younger guys. Think of them as a more sturdy and dressed-up version of the boat shoe, and they look dope when you're wearing cuffed jeans or chinos. L.L.Bean does the best version, and they'll run you under $70.

Buy It Now at L.L. Bean, $69.

Boat shoes are one of the best shoes for spring, and will carry you through to summer. Sperry Top Sider is the go-to, and the brand offers them in countless colorways. The great thing about the shape and style of a boat shoe is that it's casual enough to wear to class or to work, but it also has the same comfort level of a sneaker. These days, you can't go wrong with a classic colorway, but you can also go for models made with bright soles or bolder colors and materials.

Buy it Now at Sperry Top-Sider, $80-90

Saddle shoes may not be for everyone, but they are a great spring shoe to try to adapt into your wardrobe. Its kind of like a buck with a leather panel on the rise of the foot, that really has no functional purpose, but it looks cool as hell. With everyone dressing up these days you'll see more guys rocking them, and the color combinations are endless. G.H. Bass has you covered from classic leather versions to some sick colorways in suede.

Buy It Now at Bass Shoes, $89.

Go sockless. Its the only way you can pull the classic loafer off without looking like a televangelist or off-duty postman. The crew at Epaulet has the slickest version of the modern loafer, and they did them in brown embossed leather, and the staple all-black.

Buy It Now at Epaulet, $295.

Celebs love them, but you don't have to be Scott Disick to feel comfortable in a proper slipper. They're kind of like a glorified house shoe, but adding these to any outfit officially makes you a boss. The ultimate version is made by Stubbs & Wooton, and since they'll hit your pockets for over $400, you only need one, and you can customize them with your initials, or buy one of their hilarious off the rack versions.

Buy It Now at Stubbs & Wooton, $450.

With the glorious spring whether you can expect some rainy days, so get yourself a pair of waterproof duck boots from Native. The boot is constructed of waterproof canvas and rubber and bonded together for an an air tight seal. The Jimmy comes in several color ways from solid neutral versions, to bright colors, there's even some two-tone combinations. All of them are dope.

Buy It Now at Native Shoes, $90

Fancy footware maestro Mark McNairy blends his own carefree approach to dressing up, and the end result is shoes that look fresh, have a good sense of humor, and work anywhere, anytime, from weekdays at the office, to weekends at the pub. From tassel loafers, to modernized double monk-straps, McNairy is recreating classic dress shoes to fit easily into a modern guy's wardrobe.

Buy It Now at Mr.Porter, $425-450

The Rec from Common Projects blends the brand's usual minimalist look with a low-top chukka style, and the result is a slick sneaker you can wear on any occasion. Don't let the price tag deter you from this investment—CPs are handmade in Italy from the most premium materials. And true fashion heads will recognize.

Buy It Now at Gargyle, $380

When he's not rocking Jordans, Kanye West is wearing a fresh pair of Balenciaga Arena sneakers. Mr. West has a really discerning eye when it comes to fashion so his choice to rock these at all times definitely puts them in the running for one of spring's top sneakers. These mid-tops come in several colorways and materials so choosing the one that's right for you will be simple, and at over $500 you won't have many twins besides 'Ye when you're rocking them.

Buy It Now at Balenciaga, $545