We could debate about it, but right now, there’s no better shoe for summer than a loafer. Is there? The leather slip-ons hit that rare sweet spot of being polished but unfussy, versatile without trying too hard. You can wear them with jeans, with tailoring and even shorts or sweats. You can slip into them for your commute or on a long weekend, with socks or none at all. They breathe easy, and somehow always look cool. In a season when getting dressed should feel effortless, loafers do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.

And while the category has exploded in recent years—chunky soles, old school tassels, backless mules and hybrid designs—we keep coming back to the OG penny loafer. It’s the benchmark, the icon, the pair that works with just about everything in your closet. That said, not all penny loafers are created equal. From heritage leather classics to softer, more relaxed takes in suede, there’s a surprising range out there right now. These are the pairs our team rates—across colors, materials and price points—that actually deliver on the promise.