Best worn with neutral or darker colours, brown sneakers occupy their own special niche in the world of footwear. Often too casual to qualify for the business or formal dress code, we often find them occupying a sort of smart casual and semi-formal bubble, where they can bolster ensembles whilst still delivering optimal performance, comfort, and wearability.
Of course, they’re too elegant to rock to the gym or during pick-up basketball games, we recommend keeping these as an alternative to the best white or black shoes for men.
Brown casual sneakers also pay palpable tribute to the material most often used in their construction. We’re speaking of leather, of course, which can appear in a variety of colours but seems most authentic when presented in brown or tan with subtle textural variances. Handsome in their own right, brown or tan leather sneakers are simultaneously a prime accoutrement to your growing wardrobe of modern apparel.
Big brands including Nike also cater to more ethically minded sneaker lovers with a range of vegan sneakers for those wanting a leather alternative.
Our list rounds up our top picks from brands such as Oliver Cabell, Bally, and Greats.
RELATED: Our guide on the best sneakers for men will help you find your favourite style.
How Man of Many Chose the Best Brown Sneakers for Men
In choosing the best brown sneakers for men, expertise is key. Man of Many has remained an active member of the sneaker sub-culture since we were founded in 2012, and today, remain focused on all the latest sneaker news, reviews, and more. Our list of the best brown sneakers for men has a focus on leather, it’s the most durable, comfortable, and stylish option when you’re shopping for tan. As such, expect the price points to be a little higher than white or black sneakers, but still a hair less than the best Jordans of all time. While our list includes sneakers that range between $200 and $1000 there are great options to be found at all ends of the price range. Most importantly, all the shoes below promise durability and comfortable wear, even if you have to break the premium leather in a little more than you would a trainer. Let’s check out the list.
Best Brown Sneakers for Men at a Glance
Our list of the best brown leather shoes for men goes like this.
- Best brown sneakers for men overall: Oliver Cabell Low 1
- Best for everyday wear: CLAE Bradley
- Best for business casual: Tod’s Tab Sneakers in Leather
- Best brown leather shoes: Crown Northampton Harlestone Derby
Now we’ve rounded up our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.
1. Oliver Cabell Low 1 in Lion
No one does leather footwear quite like the minimalist masters at Oliver Cabell. There’s a reason the team at Man of Many continues to wear these almost every day of the week. One of our favourite sneaker brands for men period, we particularly love their Low 1s and the Lion colourway is the perfect fit for this brown leather shoe trend we’re in the middle of. Crafted in Italy and dressed in premium calfskin leather with Margom rubber outsoles, we recommend you pair them with smart casual or semi-formal attire, slacks, trousers, and chinos will work wonders.
Construction: Hand-stitched and lasted in Marche, Italy.
Upper: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy.
Outsole: Margom Italian outsoles – renowned for their durable, lightweight rubber.
Footbed: Italian calf-skin over removable moulded insole.
Lining: Italian calfskin leather.
Counters: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy.
Laces: Italian cotton.
Price: from $320 AUD
Buy it here (Oliver Cabell) Buy it here (Milu)
2. Common Projects Achilles Low in Moka
We’re firm believers that luxury footwear brand Common Projects kicked off the modern minimalist sneaker trend so expect to see the originators make up a good portion of our favourite sneaker articles. When it comes to CPs, they keep things simple. Choosing a pair for yourself is as easy as picking the colour that suits you the most, in our case, we’re looking at the best brown sneakers for men so allow us to introduce ‘Moka’. The quintessential example of sophisticated style and durable construction, we recommend pairing the brown colour above with a smart casual fit. The best part? They’re made from premium calfskin leather, so expect years of comfort.
Features: Brown leather, gold stamped serial numbers, leather linings, rubber soles, Made in Italy.
Colourway: Moka
Price: from $640 AUD
Buy it here (The ICONIC) Buy it here (GOAT)
3. Crown Northampton Harlestone Derby
We remember the first time someone told us about UK-based Crown Northampton. Hand-made, custom-size orders, and some of the best materials in the business? It just sounds too good to be true, but the brand has been crafting quality leather shoes since 1908 so it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about men’s brown sneakers. Our pick of the bunch is the Harlestone Derby which hails from their Hand Stitch Collection and delivers top-shelf construction at every turn. Made from the finest Scottish deer suede, each silhouette is cork-filled by hand so as to increase comfort, stability, and breathability. If you’re looking for the best brown leather sneakers for men at any price point, here they are.
Features: Horween Shell Cordovan upper, Derby construction with French binding, Traditional oak bark counter & stiffener.
Upper material: Horween shell cordovan leather
Price: from $1000 AUD
Buy it here (Crown Northampton)
4. KOIO Capri in Castagna
Remember when we said that most men’s brown leather sneakers wouldn’t necessarily accommodate business or formal dress codes? Well, these stylish classics are here to prove us wrong. They’ll also go just as well with a smart casual ensemble as they would a tailored suit. Handcrafted in Tuscany from vegetable-tanned leather and equipped with thick rubber soles, each pair takes on a distinctive patina over time. If you’re looking for a pair of smart leather sneakers for men at an affordable price point, these might be at the top of our list. A great Oliver Cabell alternative.
Features: Handmade in Tuscany, lined with LWG Silver-certified Italian leather, set on a 100% rubber sole.
Upper material: Vegetable-tanned Italian cow leather.
Price: from $295 AUD
5. CLAE Bradley
Refined footwear that keeps pace with modern lifestyles is the mission statement over at CLAE, a brand that continues to offer tremendous quality and value. Their popular Bradley leather sneaker is available in a variety of handsome colours, including Cashew Brown which is our personal favourite. Premium leather uppers sit upon thick rubber soles whilst recycled foam insoles dial up the comfort factor. Considering adidas doesn’t make a brown leather Stan Smith, these might be the best choice if you’re looking down that right.
Features: Recycled poly lining, neoprene heel tab detail, and recycled foam insole for comfort.
Upper material: Premium leather.
Price: from $285 AUD
6. Greats The Royale
We think these brown sneakers from Greats are a masterpiece of their respective domain and the legions of five-star customer reviews seem to agree with our assessment. Responsibly handcrafted by way of sustainable practices, they combine full-grain leather uppers with breathable soft leather lining, 100% waxed-cotton laces, antimicrobial cushioned footbeds, and natural rubber outsoles with a custom tread pattern. Your smart casual (and even business casual) wardrobe has just been optimised.
Features: Lined with breathable soft leather, footbed with antimicrobial properties, 100% waxed-cotton laces.
Upper material: Full-grain leather
Price: from $189 AUD
7. Allen Edmonds Courtside
Streamlined style and brilliant comfort collide on the Courtside leather sneakers from Allen Edmonds. Sleek by design, their patented FlyForm insoles and durable outsoles impart effortless wearability across a host of terrains. Whether on the court or off, these are every bit as versatile as their roomy fit, expert construction, and impeccable aesthetic would suggest. We like to pair these with classic chinos and a button-up outfit, although, they’d be equally as comfortable under a pair of corduroy trousers.
Features: Relaxed fit, FlyForm insoles, corner stitched construction.
Upper material: Soft leather
Price: from $295 USD
8. Camper Runner
These brown casual sneakers of premium full-grain leather are built to last and are always ready for action. Delivering a sporty silhouette with top-notch performance to match, their use of EVA outsoles, OrthoLite cushioning, and patented XL EXTRALIGHT technology improves upon both wearability and shock absorption.
Features: EVA outsole, OrthoLite insole.
Upper material: Calfskin leather
Price: from $230 AUD
Buy it here (Camper) Buy it here (Mountfords)
9. Tod’s Tab Sneakers in Leather
When only the best tan leather sneakers will suffice, look no further than this designer option from Italy-based Tod’s. Their fine-stitched leather uppers cultivate a subtle retro vibe whilst rubber pebble detailing on the heels and outsoles inject no shortage of visual detail. Expect to pay for the privilege of owning a pair but if only the best will suffice, this is what we’d recommend.
Features: Made in Italy, vintage effect finish, rubber cupsole, and Tod’s logo stamped on the side.
Upper material: Premium leather
Price: from $980 AUD
10. Bally Asken
Look once at these men’s brown sneakers and then look again because there’s a lot to take in, despite the minimalist silhouette. Bridging the gap between high style and sporty performance, the Bally Askens feature distinguished calf leather uppers with perforated accents, logo detailing on the heels, leather lining, and contrasting rubber soles. Luxurious perhaps, but also tastefully casual in their own expensive way.
Features: Perforated detailing, rubber sole, leather lining, Strobel construction.
Upper material: Calf leather
Price: from $1,220 AUD
11. Aquila Deco 2.0
Like so many of the best men’s leather sneakers, these ones from Aquila dispense with the finest grain texture. Combine that with plush leather lining, organic cotton laces, ergonomic insoles, and stitched rubber outsoles and you get a stylish, top-selling classic. Thanks to Strobel Construction—an enduring hallmark of premium athletic footwear—these shoes are equal parts lightweight and flexible, making them perfectly wearable across a variety of seasons, activities, and ensembles.
Features: Leather lining, organic cotton laces, Strobel construction, Made in Portugal.
Upper material: Milled leather
Price: from $259 AUD
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Brown Leather Sneaker FAQ
Whilst handsome, most brown leather sneakers are a bit too casual to wear during formal events. However, brands such as Tod's and KOIO do offer variants that could potentially accomodate a formal ensemble.
It's not common to wear brown leather sneakers with a suit, but it's also not completely out of the question. Make sure the sneakers are high-end on every front, such as silhouettes offered by Tod's or Crown Northhampton.
Some of our favourite brown leather sneaker brands are Oliver Cabell, Bally, Tod's, KOIO, Common Projects, CLAE, Allen Edmonds, and Greats.
