What are sneaker loafers and why is every footwear brand making a pair?

It makes sense to be skeptical of the sneaker loafer. It’s a bizarre combination: the timeless design of a loafer fused with the sporty side and build of a sneaker. And yet, somehow, it works. What started as a niche collaboration between New Balance and Junya Watanabe in 2024 exploded into a full-blown footwear trend that major brands like Hoka and Puma embraced.

The original sneaker loafer, based on the New Balance 1906 silhouette, drew attention for its unconventional blend of styles — the classic loafer upper paired with a performance-inspired sole. Now, more brands are experimenting with their versions of the hybrid shoe. Below, we highlight some of the best sneaker loafers available right now.

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Sneaker loafers are a combination of the loafer design and modern sneakers. They’re part lifestyle shoe, part performance sneaker. These shoes aren’t meant to replace either category, but instead reinterpret both.

NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez started noticing the sneaker loafers a few months ago when she pointed them out to me after a meeting. We were chatting about how nice a pair of brown suede sneaker loafers looked. New Balance and many other brands have started jumping in on the trend with all-new models and color options.

New Balance 1906L Loafer

New Balance 1906L Loafer

$150.00 at Ssense$226.00 at Farfetch

This is the sneaker loafer that started it all. Based on New Balance’s 1906 silhouette, the 1906L blends performance DNA with a loafer-like upper — a mix that looks strange at first but grows on you fast. The design is so popular it often sells out.

Hoka Speed Loafer

Hoka Speed Loafer

$185.00 at Hoka

The Hoka Speed Loafer feels even more ludicrous than the New Balance model thanks to its classic Hoka chunky sole and the clever little tassels at the top of the shoe. It’s like someone asked a marathon runner to create their ideal version of a sneaker made for a black tie dinner. It has a suede trim and leather upper and refers to the Hoka Speedgoat 5, the brand’s trail running shoe.

Puma Sophyr Loafyr

Puma Sophyr Loafyr

$110.00 at Puma

The Sophyr Loafyr (yes, that’s the name) features a leather upper, mesh lining, and trail-style outsole. It’s rugged and performance-forward, with a logo cut-out strap that leans sporty over sleek.

ROA Black Hybrid Loafers

ROA Black Hybrid Loafers

$506.00 $595.00 at Ssense$535.00 at Roa

More aligned with hiking sneakers than business casual, this hybrid shoe features a Vibram sole and a rubberized toe cap for grip and durability. It’s the most outdoorsy option here — odd but practical.

G.H. Bass Buxton Penny Loafer

G.H. Bass Buxton Penny Loafer

$195.00 at G.H. Bass & Co.

The other sneaker loafers on this list are more aggressive in their approach to hybridization. This G.H. Bass model is much more inoffensive and easy to digest, which, depending on the person, could be a welcome sight. These have a rubber sole, breathable lining and leather upper, according to the brand.

I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, apparel, home and more. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. For this article, I rounded up my favorite sneaker loafers from NBC Select favorite brands.

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