Photo: Crocs All-Terrain Clog | Huckberry

As one of the more polarizing silhouettes in the world 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 collection of the best men’s mules to slip into this summer.

We would be fools to compose a list of mules and overlook the world-famous Colorado-based brand. The manufacturer’s All Terrain option is 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.

When you think of Vans, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t a pair of mules, but this unique take of the brand’s classic silhouette is here to throw you for quite a loop. The SoCal label’s Canvas Classic Mule packs everything you love about Vans’ Slip-Ons — the sturdy canvas composition, elastic accents, and signature waffle outsole — into an easy-going mule, somehow making the iconic shoe as easy to slip on as ever.

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 from The North Face, and the same notion applies here.

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 with Doc Martens’ signature yellow stitching throughout, these have all the potential to be your average punk kid’s favorite set of mules.

If you’re looking to go down the unbeaten path, these interesting kicks from Reebok are a great casual choice thanks to their chic, shark-tooth outsole. The Beatniks have been a hit ever since their debut in 1996 thanks to their unique design elements, and they are bound to look just as good on foot over 25 years later. Plus, in a similar fashion to the aforementioned Nuptses, these boast a quilted upper, paving the way for additional warmth.

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 from heel 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.

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’s Boston silhouette is 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.

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.

We consider these sleek mules to be picnic basket-adjacent, deeming them the ideal pair to wear on your next walk around the park this spring (just watch out for Yogi Bear, naturally). Made with a round toe and finished off with a flat heel for a slim look, these luxuriously crafted slide-in shoes are also perfect for your next day at the beach, or really any place that appreciates a breezy and stylish piece of casual footwear.

Luxurious in every sense, Blackstock and Weber’s decadent Ellis Croc Mule is merely a mule-rendition of its exceedingly 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.

If something appears on Todd Snyder’s website, you can almost rest assured that it will also secure a spot on ours. The New York designer’s eye for style stretches far beyond his own brand, as his admiration for countless staples is one whose timelessness is easy to appreciate. Following that same trend is the uber-stylish, metal-buckled Greg Shoe designed by Brother Vellies and available through Snyder’s online shop.

John Elliott’s blend of form and function often earns respect across the board, and the same applies to the brand’s newly released Grace Slides. Though a bit off-kilter, this pair’s streamlined silhouette is stylish enough to write home about, all the while boasting an opulent makeup that is equally hard to pass up. Boasting a buttery upper composed of suede calf leather and a cushy EVA foam midsole, the Los Angeles-bred brand doesn’t force you to choose between looking good and feeling good, as this shoe’s owners have the opportunity to do both with sheer grace.

Looking to slip into something a little more casual this spring? Take a look at our list of the best slip-on shoes to have on hand (and on-feet) over the next few months.

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