Aquila

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 11 October 2026

The best men's shoes in Australia span iconic heritage boots, podiatrist-approved comfort wear, and top performance sneakers.

- R.M.Williams: Widely considered the best overall Australian bootmaker, famous for the classic one-piece leather construction of the Craftsman Boot ($699-$749). - Bared Footwear: The top choice for all-day comfort and support, featuring a podiatrist-designed 'Secret Support' footbed and B Corp certification. - Christian Kimber: A premier Melbourne-based brand known for modern Australian luxury, smart leather loafers, and sleek casual sneakers. - Feit Sydney: Renowned for high-craftsmanship, minimalist leather shoes made from natural, eco-friendly materials by single master cordwainers. - Aquila: A long-standing staple since the 1950s for versatile, modern European-styled dress shoes and boots. - Julius Marlow: The go-to option for stylish, reliable, and accessible everyday business and casual shoes.

### Top Retailers & Multi-Brand Options

- Merchant 1948: Offers a popular lineup of quality boots, loafers, and smart-casual shoes via the Merchant 1948 Men's Best Sellers collection. - Loake Shoes Sydney: Specializes in high-end Goodyear-welted English leather shoes and professional fittings on Elizabeth Street. - Florsheim: Trusted across multiple CBD and outlet locations for comfortable walking and travel-ready leather footwear.

### Best Everyday & Running Sneakers

- Asics Novablast 5: A premier choice for soft, responsive daily road running and training (~$179.99 AUD at rebel). - New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5: A lightweight, high-energy trainer popular for fast sessions and long distances (~$138 AUD at THE ICONIC). - Nike Air Max 90: A timeless retro streetwear icon featuring classic Waffle outsoles and Max Air cushioning (~$180 AUD at Foot Locker Australia). - For broader editorial recommendations across categories, check out GQ Australia.

To help narrow down the best pair for you, tell me:

- What is the main occasion (e.g., office work, formal events, running, or casual wear)? - What is your budget? - Do you have any specific fit needs (like wide feet or arch support)?

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 11 October 2026

# Best leather shoes in Australia (2026)

The best choice depends on whether you want smart office shoes, everyday leather footwear, boots or something premium that will last for years. For Australian shoppers, I'd start with these brands, balancing craftsmanship, comfort, versatility and price.

## My top picks

!Buy R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Black | Qantas Marketplace

1\. R.M. Williams - Best premium investment

(Best overall for boots)

The iconic leather Chelsea boot suits business casual, jeans and smarter occasions. A strong option if you value quality construction and a classic style.

Typical premium pricing: around A\$700-750.

Shop R.M. Williams

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!Aquila Magnus Derby Shoes in Black | MYER

2\. Aquila - Best dress shoes

A good starting point for black or brown leather Derbies, Oxfords and smart-casual shoes. Particularly worth considering for work and events.

Example dress-shoe pricing: around A\$239.

Shop Aquila

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!Rustic Brown Premium Leather Chelsea Boots, Men's Classics 585 - Blundstone

3\. Blundstone - Best everyday boots

Rugged, easy to slip on and versatile for casual outfits, travel and everyday wear. A practical choice if you want leather boots without a dressy look.

Typical price: around A\$255.

Shop Blundstone

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!503 Colt Boot Chestnut | Rossi Boots

4\. Rossi Boots - Best rugged value

Worth a look if you want sturdy leather footwear with a heritage workwear feel, without necessarily spending premium-boot money.

Example pricing: around A\$250-320, depending on model.

Shop Rossi Boots

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!Whooper Black Leather & Hardware Loafers - Bared Footwear

5\. Bared Footwear - Best comfort-focused option

A strong candidate for loafers, flats and work shoes if supportive footbeds and all-day comfort matter as much as appearance.

Shop Bared Footwear

Prices are indicative examples, not verified live prices or a guarantee of current stock. Brand coverage and product examples informed by Man of Many's Australian shoe brand guide and Broadsheet's Australian women's shoe guide\. manofmany.comwww.broadsheet.com.auwww.shopback.com.au

## Which type should you buy?

| If you want… | My recommendation | |--------|--------| | Best long-term investment | R.M. Williams | | Formal leather shoes for work | Aquila | | Comfortable daily walking | Bared Footwear | | Casual leather boots | Blundstone | | More affordable rugged boots | Rossi Boots |

My advice\: prioritise a good fit, a quality leather upper, a durable sole and repairability. Genuine leather alone doesn't guarantee quality; construction and comfort matter just as much.

One quick question so I can narrow this down to the best actual shoes for you\:

1\. Who are the shoes for?

Men's

Women's

Unisex

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2\. What style?

Formal / office dress shoes

Smart casual / loafers

Leather boots

Casual leather sneakers

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3\. Budget in Australian dollars

Under A\$150

A\$150-200

A\$200-400

A\$400+

[Find my best options]

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 11 October 2026

Australia has excellent footwear brands across boots, comfort shoes, sneakers, sandals, and fashion footwear. The best choices depend on what you need:

- R.M.Williams - Iconic, premium leather boots; especially the handcrafted Chelsea-style Craftsman. Best for durability and heritage style. - Blundstone - Practical pull-on boots with a rugged, casual feel. Best for everyday wear and outdoor use. - Bared Footwear - Fashionable shoes designed with podiatrist-informed comfort features. Best for work shoes and long days on your feet. - Aquila - Melbourne-founded brand known for men's leather dress shoes, loafers, boots, and smart-casual styles. - A.Emery - Minimalist, refined sandals in neutral colours. Best for understated summer footwear. - Tony Bianco - Trend-led women's shoes, including boots, heels, loafers, and sandals. Best for accessible fashion footwear. - Alias Mae - Contemporary women's shoes with on-trend silhouettes at a relatively accessible price point. - Jo Mercer - Polished, versatile women's footwear for work and everyday wear; frequently recommended for workwear. - Rollie - Lightweight, colourful casual shoes and sneakers. Best for travel and all-day walking. - Volley - Classic Australian canvas sneakers with a simple retro look. Best for casual everyday wear. - Sambag - Comfortable, easy-to-wear women's flats, sandals, and casual styles. - Nelson Made - Small-scale Melbourne label focused on locally made footwear. - Sol Sana - Fashion-forward women's shoes with distinctive, beach-to-city styling.

Quick picks: - Best overall boots: R.M.Williams - Best comfort: Bared Footwear - Best men's dress shoes: Aquila - Best minimalist sandals: A.Emery - Best women's fashion shoes: Tony Bianco or Alias Mae - Best casual sneakers: Volley or Rollie - Best locally made option: Nelson Made