The Best Men's Mules For Every Occassion (2024)

As one of the more polarizing silhouettes in theworld of footwear, you’ve got to give it up for the mule’s heightened popularity. Having been around as early as the 15th century, we would’ve figured the hype behind them was bound to die down at some point — yet, here we are. With one brand after another piggybacking on the ever-so-handsome slip-on’s claim to fame, it’s hard to discern which ones are worth the money or how they differ from another.

Whether you consider the style a trend or a fortified element of fashion, it seems as though mules are here to stay — at least for the meantime, anyway. With that in mind, we figured it’d be best to scour the web and narrow down a dozen of the market’s best and most unique options for men. So without further ado, buckle up for our best mules for men guide.

What are mules?

Hailing from Ancient Rome, these shoes were once reserved for the bedroom, and really considered to be slippers. Over the years, the open-heel construction of these shoes has been reworked into a myriad of styles, and many consider most backless shoes to be a mule (more on that below). But these styles can vary quite a bit, so we’ve narrowed it down to men’s mules with a mostly flat base, with a few taller heel options.

Mules vs. clogs

Clogs will have thicker soles and will generally be heftier than mules, which is very representative of the clogs’ working-class background and the mules’ aristocratic history. That’s not to say they aren’t durable mules out there, but most of them are still backless, so they aren’t exactly meant for anything too strenuous.

Why are mules so popular?

Since mules are worn by both men and women, and have been getting popular in the streetwear scene, they’ve become a hot topic in the fashion world over the last decade. Bolstered by how easy they are to wear and the versatility of their style.

Crocs All Terrain Clog

The Starters: We would be fools to compose a list of mules and overlook the world-famous Colorado-based brand. The manufacturer’sAll Terrain optionis great for people looking to keep things comfortable on their next adventure. Thanks to the brand’s proprietary Croslite foam upper, these provide optimized lightweight support, which makes walking in them all day an absolute breeze. For extra security, their webbed heel strap is much sturdier and more comfortable than your average pair of Crocs. Lastly, they are rounded out with a lugged outsole built to take on the great outdoors.

The North Face Nuptse Mule

The Warmest Mules: From social media influencers to outdoor enthusiasts, these Nuptse booties have grown ubiquitous over the past year or so. Thanks to their 550-fill down insulation, these are the perfect choice to rock when it’s chilly outside, but they still maintain a light enough weight to throw on even when the weather heats up a bit. Plus, they’re impressively sturdy, boasting a fully recycled ripstop upper and sturdy rubber outsole. All in all, you can’t go wrong with anything fromThe North Face, and the same notion applies here.

Dr. Martens Carlson Lusso Leather Mules

The Best Leather Mules: You’re surely more accustomed to seeing combat boots from the famed British manufacturer, but the Doc’s newly-released Carlson Lusso Mule brings that classic, edgy look to the forefront of this new-age silhouette. Composed of textured waxy leather and rounded out withDoc Martens’signature yellow stitching throughout, these have all the potential to be your average punk kid’s favorite set of mules.

Obra Heavy Suede Buckled Mule

The Best Mule/Sneaker Hybrid: As one of the more lowkey names you’ll find on this list, don’t let OBRA’s limited popularity steer you away from this chic shoe. The Brazilian brand’s Heavy Suede Buckled Mule boasts a luxurious makeup fromheel to toe, with a performance kidskin lining to provide maximized comfort. This eco-friendly option also features OBRA’s proprietary Working Footbed, crafted from an ultra-sturdy BIO-EVA material to ensure nothing short of comfort and sustainability through and through. Rounded out with a sleek buckle for adjustability, this is a choice that both you and the planet can appreciate.

Birkenstock Boston

The Best Mules Overall: Aside from Crocs, these are most likely the first shoes that came to mind when reading this headline — and that’s completely warranted, as they are a great pair of mules. The famed German shoemaker’sBoston silhouetteis an absolute classic and serves as a perfect choice whether you are working from home, the office, the coffee shop, or anywhere else. Thanks to the brand’s proprietary soft footbed, these will adjust to your feet over time, growing more and more comfortable with every step you take.

Brandblack Men’s Carrera Suede

The All-Arounders: Brandblack was founded by David Raysse in 2012, a former lead designer at FILA. The brand has since paved its own way with quality athleisure and athletic gear, much like these suede mules right here. At a glance, they look like a classic pair of mules with perforations on the top, but the sole is shock-absorbing and made with crepe rubber, making them comfortable for extended wear.

Fear of God The California

The Most Stylish Mules: Jerry Lorenzo’s brand is a prime example of giving and taking, having garnered inspiration from the minimalist likes of Kanye West and ultimately receiving the same amount of appreciation from the very same names. Known for keeping things as simple as possible, the California Mule is a seamless showcase of what Fear of God is known for. With the slip-on’s effortlessly cool silhouette, neutral color palette, and sturdy, shock-absorbent XL EXTRALIGHT makeup, this shoe is built for hypebeasts who are tired of wearing sneakers all the time.

Blackstock and Weber Ellis Mule

The Best Formal Mules: Luxurious in every sense, Blackstock and Weber’s decadent Ellis Croc Mule is merely a mule rendition of itsexceedingly popular loafers. As you would expect, no style was sacrificed in the process, as these remain an impressively handsome choice. If you are interested in picking these up, however, keep in mind that they typically run half a size large, so make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before nabbing this croc-embossed option.

Brother Vellies Men’s Greg Shoes

The Premium Pick: This uber-stylish, metal-buckled Greg Shoe was designed by Brother Vellies, a label founded by Aurora James in 2013 with a focus on unique pieces and traditional African design techniques. And these mules are, without a doubt, unique – featuring a distinctly patterned buckle and the classic mule design, coming together in a modern and stylish shoe. They also come in these fun cow colorways if you’re feeling bold.