Best Summer Shoes for Men in Italy

Summer in Italy is hot, walkable, and honestly a little hard on your feet if you're wearing the wrong shoes. Between cobblestone streets, long lunches, and evenings that stretch out on a piazza somewhere, your footwear needs to handle a lot without slowing you down. Here's what actually works.

Moccasins and loafers

If there's one shoe that defines Italian summer style, it's the moccasin. Lightweight, breathable, and easy to slip on and off, a good pair of suede loafers works with everything from tailored trousers to rolled up jeans. They're comfortable enough for a day of walking and still look sharp at dinner, which is exactly why Italians reach for them so often once the weather turns warm.

Espadrilles for the coast

If your trip includes any time near the water, espadrilles are worth packing. The canvas upper and rope sole keep your feet cool, and they dry fast if you end up on sand or near a pool. They're casual by design, so save them for beach towns and relaxed afternoons rather than a formal dinner in Milan.

Clean sneakers for the city

For days spent covering a lot of ground, a pair of minimal leather sneakers in white or a neutral tone is hard to beat. Skip anything too sporty. A clean, low profile design pairs naturally with linen shirts and chinos, and it won't look out of place stepping into a nicer restaurant later in the day.

Sandals, used sparingly

Sandals have their place, mainly at the beach or by the pool, but they're not really part of the everyday Italian wardrobe once you're in a city. If you bring a pair, treat them as swimwear adjacent rather than something to wear around town.

What to actually pack

For most trips, two pairs cover it. One moccasin or loafer for daily wear and dinners, and either a sneaker or an espadrille depending on whether you're spending more time in cities or on the coast. That combination handles almost every summer setting without weighing down your suitcase.

If you're building out this part of your wardrobe before a trip, it's worth browsing Max Martini Milano's shoes collection. Good leather and a comfortable fit matter more than trend here, since these are the shoes that'll be doing the walking.