There are times in a person’s life when trainers simply aren’t going to cut it. Nor are flip-flops, sandals, or football boots – the only thing that will, is a pair of semi-smart shoes. Usually, these make an appearance at weddings or a networking event that you don’t really want to go to. Just to be clear, we’re not on about those turbo flicky shoes, so polished that you get sunburn on the underside of your nose, more so the understated side of smart. The type of shoes that you can wear to the pub, but also get away with wearing to meet your spouse’s parents.
Boat shoes. Loafers. There’s a plethora of leather & suede creations that qualify as semi-smart shoes, and to make your life that little bit easier, we’ve compiled a list of six of them. Enjoy.
The Mephisto Rainbow is possibly the most Proper shoe of all time. Everyone at Proper sleeps in a pair of Rainbow’s and we’ve actually got a sensor on the office door that prevents people from entering if they don’t have them on foot. Our love for the silhouette is well justified; these things are absolutely bulletproof, look smart – but not too smart, and are worthy of being worn year-round. 10/10, if you don’t have a pair, what’re you doing?
The New Balance 1906L received its fair share of attention when it first released, and it’s easy to see why. What even is it? Some sort of hybrid mutant running shoe crossed with a loafer by the looks of things. We’re kind of into them, but you’d definitely get called out for wearing these at a wedding. At least you’ll be able to run away fast.
If you’re after a pair of semi-smart shoes that you can also wear while operating power tools, the Diemme Ampezzo is the answer to your prayers. Just look at the size of that toe guard, could easily withstand a Makita DSS611Z falling on it. And they look pretty nice too.
If you thought the New Balance hybrid loafers were mad, you’ve probably had a heart attack looking at these. HOKA haven’t even tried to blend the two types of footwear here; they’ve literally just plonked a loafer upper on top of a massive trail running midsole. And somehow, it works. Sort of like brown sauce.
Being established all the way back in 1876, G.H. Bass certainly knows their way around a pair of semi-smart shoes, as evidenced by these Ranger Camp Mocs. We’re big into these shoes, and that’s probably because of their tastefully executed military-inspired design. If these could talk, they’d almost certainly say, ‘You weren’t there, man, you weren’t there!’
Obviously, Paraboot was going to make the cut. The only question was, what model was going to make the cut? And after 1 minute and 33 seconds of scrolling, we’ve settled on this Peggs & Son collab version of the iconic Thiers. Big lugged sole, heavy suede upper, and suitable for all kinds of formal & informal occasions.
