The ultimate penny loafers - does it exist?

[sclemmons]

I have had a couple pairs of Alden LHS including Black Chromexcel and Snuff Suede. Both highly recommended. I also have a Van last Michigan boot which works but is not my favorite.

Keep an eye out for the John Lobb Lopez. These are the definitive penny loafer in my view. Black is a good choice but rarely on sale. Brown Museum if you are only buying one. I found a ridiculous deal on a Navy Blue pair. If you wear an Alden 12D in the LHS, you likely wear a Lobb 11E in the Lopez. And the Lobbs do not stretch in any meaningful way, unlike the Aldens.

Lobb Lopez are a nice upgrade from Alden LHS, and their fit is constant across the different leathers. Alden LHS in the same size 12D fits differently whether you get Color 8, Snuff Suede, or Chromexcel. That is a pain to people like me in flyover country. Find your fit (size is key, and your Lobb last is equally important) in Lobb, and you can order them online, shop for the semi annual in-store sales around the July 4 and Christmas holidays, and live in them forever with periodic recrafting. Lopez has its own last. In my ultimate penny loafer competition, it is a winner.

Sorry about your wallet.

 

[emptym]

I've posted this before, but here's a pic of four commonly recommended penny loafters, LtR: Edward Green Piccadilly, Alden for Brooks Brothers LHS, Crocket & Jones for BB Boston, and Allen Edmonds Patriot:

Imo, the unlined shell LHS is the ultimate penny loafer, as I believe @troika and others have said. Someone said they wish the LHS had a higher vamp, and the Patriot comes closes to that, followed by the Boston/Harvard. But after the LHS, the Piccadilly is my second favorite. It's less versatile and less comfortable, imo, more formal and quite a bit more expensive.

 

[Johnniegold]

I'm really liking them! I was afraid that they're be redundant with lhs or some vintage pairs I have, but they're different imo. The leather is thick and unlined, which is super cool. The sole is comfortable, but also cut close to the upper.

I will say, size up if you're a half size or at all concerned. They're pretty tight, and while I'm sure they'll stretch, after about 5 wears, they're holding steady. Fwiw, I took a 44 for a 10.5. If I was 11, I'd probly consider the 45.

View attachment 1533831

I get around to it eventually. 🤪😀

Picked these up earlier this year. Went with the 44 and I am quite pleased with them.

 

[jellyroller]

I've posted this before, but here's a pic of four commonly recommended penny loafters, LtR: Edward Green Piccadilly, Alden for Brooks Brothers LHS, Crocket & Jones for BB Boston, and Allen Edmonds Patriot:
View attachment 1904915
Imo, the unlined shell LHS is the ultimate penny loafer, as I believe @troika and others have said. Someone said they wish the LHS had a higher vamp, and the Patriot comes closes to that, followed by the Boston/Harvard. But after the LHS, the Piccadilly is my second favorite. It's less versatile and less comfortable, imo, more formal and quite a bit more expensive.

The Piccadilly may be less versatile or comfortable, but to my untrained eye, it is by far the most beautiful of the bunch.

 

[wolfdale]

Guys, are these Grant Stone loafers meant to be an homage to the famed Alden 986 LHS? Are they the same colour? I'm still a novice in the leather shoe world. I love the Alden's but I dont want to splurge on my very first pair of loafers. Thanks!

Traveler Penny Color #8 Chromexcel

Our penny loafer was created with two things in mind: versatility and comfort. It's the ultimate shoe for travel, given the ability to be paired with a sport coat or t-shirt and almost anything in between. We find ourselves wearing this shoe year-round—sockless with shorts/lightweight fabrics in...

www.grantstoneshoes.com

986 Leisure Handsewn Penny Loafer LHS (Color 8 Shell Cordovan)

Leisure Handsewn Moccasin Penny Loafer in Color 8 Horween Shell Cordovan Van Last Single Leather Outsoles

www.aldenshop.com

 

[troika]

Guys, are these Grant Stone loafers meant to be an homage to the famed Alden 986 LHS? Are they the same colour? I'm still a novice in the leather shoe world. I love the Alden's but I dont want to splurge on my very first pair of loafers. Thanks!

Traveler Penny Color #8 Chromexcel

Our penny loafer was created with two things in mind: versatility and comfort. It's the ultimate shoe for travel, given the ability to be paired with a sport coat or t-shirt and almost anything in between. We find ourselves wearing this shoe year-round—sockless with shorts/lightweight fabrics in...

www.grantstoneshoes.com

986 Leisure Handsewn Penny Loafer LHS (Color 8 Shell Cordovan)

Leisure Handsewn Moccasin Penny Loafer in Color 8 Horween Shell Cordovan Van Last Single Leather Outsoles

www.aldenshop.com

They're not the same at all! Not an homage. I did a comparison post somewhere a while ago in a different thread, can't find it right now.