Monk Straps were originally made for Monks in the medieval times who before then wore buckle sandals. As the sandals were not effective for walking through certain types of terrain they had to get shoes. So, making shoes that used buckle closures were the next best thing.
Over the years, however, these shoes have come to be widely accepted, both for formal and informal occasions. Today, they are some of the most classy shoes around.
In this review, we have outlined some of the best brown monk strap shoes out there for men. Read carefully and take a pick.
La Milano Men’s Winter Ankle Dress Boots
The La Milano Men’s Winter boot is a classic plain-toed shoe made with modern style. It features a genuine leather upper plus three layers of insole for comfort and to protect you from the worst of the weather outside.
The outsole is made of flexible rubber, giving it better traction and making it harder to wear off. This shoe goes perfectly well with casual outfits; jeans, chinos and the like.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Stylish, as is the case with most buckle boots
- Durable leather and sole
- Moderately priced ($80)
Cons
- The winter-inclined design may not be as comfortable in other seasons.
Marino Avenue Formal Men’s Dress Shoes
This shoe is made to suit modern style needs for men. It has a plain-toe design and is made of leather, crafted and lined for to be flexible and breathable.
The insole is cushioned well enough to give the wearer comfort and prevent sore feet after long wears.
Under the shoe, anti-slip rubber pads are used to form a durable sole. This shoe can be worn to dinner parties, formal gatherings, etc.
Pros
- Its use is versatile
- Quite affordable ($45)
- Stylish
- Durable
- Comfortable
Cons
- Has a slim design and won’t favor the wide-footed
Stacy Adams Desmond Cap Toe Monk Strap
Desmond Monk Strap is all about the comfort. The shoe is a semi-formal cum casual type of monk strap, having a round cap-toe with quarter brogue perforations.
The insoles of the shoe are made of memory foam, known for its adaptability and custom comfort. The outsoles are made of synthetic flexible rubber for traction while the upper is made of leather.
Pros
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Stylish
- Breathable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not true to size
La Milano Men’s Double Monk Strap Cap Toe
The La Milano Men’s monk strap features not a single, but a double strap design for extra grip. This shoe is great with formal or semi-formal outfits and occasions. It features a cap-toe design for aesthetic appeal.
It has a leather upper and is lined with synthetic leather to absorb moisture and keep out bad smell. The sole is made of rubber and is supported with a stacked heel to increase shock absorption.
Pros
- True to size
- Breathable
- Easy to wear and walk around in
- Moderately priced at $69
Cons
- The double strap area may no look so appealing to some
Stacy Adams Men’s MacMillian Cap Toe Monk Strap
One of the most intriguing things about this shoe is the shape. It is designed to perfectly fit one’s foot, thereby easing the movement of the wearer. The square cap-toe design is also a sweet addition to the mix.
The shoe is has a leather upper, with the known memory foam insole, popular for its ability to adapt to the wearer’s feet. Underneath, the sole is made of flexible rubber, patterned at mid-foot and heel for added traction
Pros
- Durable, due to flexible rubber sole
- Comfortable, due to cushioned memory insole
- Stylish
- True to size
- Lightweight
Cons
- For those with high arch, this should wouldn’t offer much support.
Frasoicus Men’s Monk Strap Wingtip Shoes
Frasoicus’ Monk Strap attempts to bring in the beautiful, oxford closed lacing design by sewing the strap leather under the vamp and it works out just fine.
This shoe is a full-brogue monk strap, made with strong, breathable cowhide leather and durable rubber outsole. It has a low ankle design and will suit formal dresses and occasions, but also semi-formal ones; e.g. Tuxedos
Pros
- Breathable
- Stylish
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- True to size
Cons
- It might be narrow for those with wide feet.
Cole Haan Men’s Williams II Monk-Strap Loafer
Having a plain-toed design, this could be one of the most formal monk-straps you come across. It goes with just about any formal dress combination, perfect for business meetings and the like.
The shoe upper is made of leather, lined on the inside to absorb moisture and prevent irritation. It has a low-top design and is supported underneath with rubber soles and a stacked heel for shock absorption.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- True to size
Cons
- Could do with better cushioning for comfort.
Mezlan Forest Men’s Luxury Wing Tip Monkstrap Shoes
Crafted by hand from calfskin leather, this shoe possesses a different kind of beauty. It is a half-brogue show with its broguing perforations reaching to the ends of the strap.
The shoe comes with a memory foam insole, well-cushioned for your ultimate comfort. Beneath it is a combination sole of leather and flexible rubber, well-positioned and patterned for traction. It is worn best with casual and semi-formal outfits at weddings, regular dates, etc.
Pros
- Elegant design
- True to size
- Comfortable
- Breathable
Cons
- Quite pricey at $350
Kenneth Cole Men’s EEL Monk-Strap Loafer
The shoe here is a round cap-toed shoe made of synthetic leather. This leather, being well-enhanced, breathable and more durable than regular leather.
Having no brogue perforations, this shoe could pass for formal occasions and will go with formal outfits or semi-formal. The sole is made of flexible rubber, which serves both as a mild shock absorber and to provide traction.
Pros
- Flexibility
- Durability
- Moderately priced at $55
- Versatile
Cons
- The shoe features a cemented construction. Goodyear and Blake welted shoes offer better quality
Franco Cuadra Men’s Monk Strap Shoes
The Franco Cuadra Monk Strap is a quarter brogue classic dress shoe made of genuine bovine leather. The insole and lining are made of calf leather for comfort and breathability.
Underneath, the sole of the shoe is a combination leather-rubber sole for the best traction. It is also flexible, anti-slip and durable. It’s got two buckles for a stronger grip
Pros
- Durable
- Flexible
- Stylish
- True to size
Cons
- Quite expensive at $200
Cole Haan Warner Grand Monk Straps
Definitely at the top with some of Cole Haan’s best monk strap shoes for men, the Warmer Grand is an exquisite touch to any dress combination ranging formal to casual. It is a double-strap, round cap-toe shoe crafted to the shape of the feet for ease of movement.
Its uppers are made of leather, lined on the inside with textile material to promote moisture absorption. The insides contain a leather-lined EVA midsole for improved comfort. The soles are a leather-rubber combination for improved traction and flexibility.
Pros
- Flexible
- Versatile
- Durable
- Comfortable
- True to size
Cons
- Quite expensive at $325
Lethato Handcrafted Men’s Double Monk Strap
This quarter brogue, is a round cap-toe shoe and is great with tonnes of semi-formal and casual outfits. The soft, genuine leather uppers, lined with moisture absorbent material provide a bit of flexibility for the wearer’s toes. These features make it good for long wears.
The insole is also made of cushioned leather for comfort. The outsole, however, is made of leather, patterned for good traction and durability.
Pros
- Flexible
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Stylish and classy due to minimal broguing
Cons
Yet, no review has tainted the quality of this shoe
La Milano Men’s Leather Double Monk Strap Loafer
The crafting of this shoe was clearly aimed at satisfying modern style. The combination upper of cowhide and suede is a beauty to behold.
Its insides are also lined with synthetic leather to absorb odour and prevent feet irritation.
This shoe is a half-brogue classic and is generally used with causal outfits. The flexible rubber sole helps prevent slip and is standard for shoe soles.
Pros
- Flexible
- Durable
- Stylish
- Quite affordable at $65
Cons
- Cleaning may need to be a bit more tactical because not all the same cleaning methods apply to leather and suede
Frasoicus Double Monk Strap Slip-On Shoes
This shoe does a lot to add style to a cap toe while still leaving its touch of formality. The combination leather upper takes care of that.
Weddings, business meetings, etc. are some of the places where you can take this shoe.
The shoe involves pigskin lining inside for breathability and flexible rubber soles for traction.
Pros
- Durable
- Flexible
- Stylish
- True to size
- Comfortable
Cons
- Besides its seemingly narrow look, the shoe is a great one for any man who wants to look smart.
Stacy Adams Men’s Dinsmore Plain Toe Monk Strap Loafer
This shoe also tries to replicate the oxford closed-lacing system by sewing the strap leather under the vamp, giving it a very formal appearance.
It is a plain-toed monk strap shoe, crafted with lightweight materials and a contrasting outsole and brogue details at the forefoot for aesthetic appeal.
The shoe has a leather upper with a well-cushioned memory foam insole for custom comfort. The leather linings inside help with breathability and prevent feet irritation.
This shoe would go well with any formal or semi-formal outfit or occasion.
Pros
- Stylish
- Comfortable
- Flexible
- Affordable, at $85
- True to size
Cons
- Low ankle and forefoot design won’t favour wide-footed people.
FAQs
Are monk strap shoes formal?
On the leader board of formal dress shoes monk strap comes second after Oxfords. Nevertheless, they’re seen as one of the most versatile shoes.
You can wear them to both casual and formal occasions. Meanwhile, single monk strap shoes are more formal than double strap.
Why are they called Monk Straps?
These shoes are called monk straps because they were first used by the European monks in the 15th century. The term “strap”, however, refers to the piece of leather that crosses over the ankle to provide better grip.
Can I wear a monk strap with a suit?
One of the best ways to style a monk strap shoe is to accompany it with a sartorial suit. Wear black suit on black monk strap and brown on brown.
More so, go for single straps if you wish to appear more formal. Double monk strap fits better on casual outfits.
Black monk strap or brown?
Both brown and black monk strap shoes are nice and formal depending on the design.
What should decide which to go for is the color of your cloth. Nonetheless, black shoes are more versatile and can fit different colors of clothes.
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