Top Suede Shoe Brands You Can't Resist Stepping Into

Suede shoes have long been celebrated for their elegance and versatility, making them a staple in many fashion-forward wardrobes. A variety of brands have emerged as leaders in crafting these stylish footwear essentials, each offering unique designs and unmatched quality. Renowned names like Tod's, Clarks, and Common Projects boast reputation for creating suede shoes that effortlessly blend sophistication with comfort, while other emerging brands are reshaping the landscape with innovative approaches. To explore our curated list of the best brands for suede shoes that suit any style or occasion, look below.

Illustration of suede shoes

Best brands of suede shoes in 2025

Clarks

Clarks, a British institution since 1825, is renowned for its exceptional suede craftsmanship, prioritizing comfort and innovation. The brand has been a leader in suede shoe production, with a history of designing shoes that put comfort above all, as seen in their iconic Desert Boot and Wallabee models. Despite the decline of Britain's shoe industry, Clarks has maintained its quality and value, with around 30 factories still operating in the UK, exporting about 60% of their production. The company's decision to reopen a UK manufacturing plant in 2018 marked a significant return to domestic production after a 12-year hiatus. Clarks continues to innovate, combining traditional techniques with modern technologies to ensure their shoes remain a benchmark for quality. For more information about their history and innovations, visit their official website.

Tod's

Tod's is renowned as one of the best producers of suede shoes, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and style. In the first half of 2023, the Tod's brand posted a 21.3% increase in revenue to 283.3 million euros, with shoes, including suede models, contributing significantly to this growth, rising by 18.9% year-over-year to 439.3 million euros across all brands. The brand's strong performance is also driven by its robust presence in Asian markets, where revenues grew by 43.2% in Greater China during the same period. Tod's commitment to high-quality products and its focus on controlling costs have contributed to its solid financial results. The brand's suede shoes are particularly appreciated for their quality and style, reflecting the company's overall strategy of producing highly desirable products. For more details on their offerings, visit the Tod's website.

Cole Haan

Cole Haan is renowned for its innovative and high-quality footwear, including suede shoes, which are part of their extensive range of casual and formal offerings. The brand has adapted to the casualization trend in fashion by introducing new materials and technologies, such as the use of 25% recycled materials and dandelion rubber in their sustainable sneakers. Since its founding in 1928, Cole Haan has continuously innovated, as seen in their ZEROGRAND line, which combines centuries-old broguing details with modern lightweight and flexible designs. Their commitment to sustainability and performance has made them a significant player in the men's formal shoe market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2023 to 2030. With millions of ZEROGRAND pairs sold, Cole Haan remains a leader in redefining men's footwear. For more about their offerings, visit their official website.

Church's

Church's is renowned as one of the best producers of suede shoes, with a heritage spanning nearly 150 years. Founded in England, the brand has innovated significantly, introducing the first women's formal shoe model, the "Archmoulded," in 1921, and offering differentiated right and left-side shoes, half-sizes, and varied widths. Despite recent challenges, including a 57% drop in sales after a 40-50% price increase in 2021, Church's maintains its reputation for high-quality, Goodyear-welted shoes that can be resoled and repaired multiple times. The brand's iconic models, such as the "Consul" introduced in 1945, are staples in men's formal footwear. Church's commitment to quality and craftsmanship continues under the Prada Group's ownership since 1999. For more insight into Church's and their heritage, you can explore a detailed article about the brand's impact on the shoe industry.

Allen Edmonds

Allen Edmonds is renowned as one of the premier producers of high-quality suede shoes, with a rich history dating back to 1922. The company, based in Port Washington, Wisconsin, is notable for maintaining domestic manufacturing, with over 98% of shoes sold in the U.S. being produced overseas, yet Allen Edmonds continues to produce domestically. Their suede shoes undergo a meticulous 212-step process, involving 48 pairs of hands, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship. The company's commitment to quality is further highlighted by its recrafting service, which has saved over 500,000 shoes from landfills in the last ten years. With a legacy of supplying shoes to every U.S. president from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush, Allen Edmonds stands as a testament to timeless American style. For more information, visit their official website.

Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent, a renowned luxury fashion brand, stands out as a leading producer of high-quality suede shoes, with leather goods accounting for 71% of its global revenue in 2023. The brand's global revenue reached approximately 3.18 billion euros in 2023, with a significant focus on expanding its geographic footprint and increasing its store count to between 300 and 350 worldwide. Saint Laurent's success is partly attributed to its strong performance in the leather goods sector, which has been a key growth engine for the brand. In 2021, Saint Laurent posted revenue of 2.52 billion euros, a 46% increase from the previous year, highlighting its rapid growth. The brand's commitment to luxury and style has made it a powerhouse in the fashion industry.

Gucci

Gucci, a renowned Italian luxury fashion house, is esteemed for its high-quality suede shoes, which are a significant part of its leather goods segment that accounted for 52% of the brand's revenue in 2022. Known for its exquisite craftsmanship and stylish designs, Gucci's suede shoes are highly sought after globally, particularly in the Asia-Pacific market, which contributed 36% to Gucci's revenue in 2022. The brand's online store, gucci.com, also plays a crucial role in selling these products, with eCommerce revenue reaching $1.63 billion in 2022. Gucci's commitment to luxury and innovation has made it a leader in the luxury footwear market, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. With over 538 stores worldwide as of 2023, Gucci continues to expand its reach and maintain its status as a premium brand.

Common Projects

Common Projects, renowned as one of the best producers of suede shoes, was founded in 2004 by Peter Poopat and Flavio Girolami. The brand is known for its minimalist and luxurious aesthetic, with shoes crafted from high-quality Italian calfskin and stitched by hand in a factory in the Marche region of Italy. Each style is limited to just 600 pairs, enhancing their exclusivity and demand. The Achilles, their first shoe, is still a best seller and comes in various finishes, including matte leather and tonal suede. The brand's attention to detail and use of premium materials justify its high pricing, with the basic white Achilles retailing for around $450. For more information, visit their feature page on LDNFashion.

Timberland

Timberland is renowned as one of the best producers of suede shoes, particularly with its iconic "Yellow Boot" introduced in 1973, which has become a staple in both outdoor and urban fashion. The company's commitment to quality and sustainability is evident in its use of leather from tanneries with Gold or Silver LWG ratings, with 99.8% of leather used for Timberland footwear coming from such tanneries in Q2 2020. Timberland's innovative approach includes the Timberloop product take-back program, launched in 2022, which allows customers to return used footwear for recycling or refurbishment. The brand's collaboration with various fashion and footwear brands, such as Supreme and Jimmy Choo, further enhances its reputation. With its roots in New England and a history dating back to 1918, Timberland continues to innovate and solve problems through its products. Discover more about their commitment to quality and innovation.

Red Wing Heritage

Red Wing Heritage is renowned for its exceptional suede shoes, showcasing a century-long commitment to craftsmanship and quality. Founded in 1905, Red Wing has evolved to include the Heritage line, which accounts for about 9% of its business and has been particularly popular since its launch in 2008. This line features classic styles revived from the company's archives, dating back to the 1920s, and has gained a significant following, especially after being adopted as a fashion statement in Japan in the 1970s. The Heritage collection is known for its durability and comfort, with each pair undergoing rigorous testing and inspection to meet or exceed industry standards. Red Wing's use of high-quality materials, such as leather sourced from within a 600-mile radius, and its adherence to traditional manufacturing methods, ensure that every pair of suede shoes is both stylish and reliable. For more details about their offerings, you can visit the Red Wing Heritage website.