7 Best Types of Men’s Shoes to Dropship in 2025

Footwear has been a part of human culture from the very beginning as the genetic changes in our bodies resulted in more sensitive feet. People are believed to have begun wearing some sort of protection on their feet against climate conditions starting about 50,000 years ago. Although, the earliest example of actual footwear, a pair of sandals, which was found in California dates back to only around 9000 years ago.

Prior to the Middle Ages shoes were really simple, usually made of cloth or leather wrapped around the feet. Structured and sized shoes become common during the 14th century when they also started to differentiate footwear according to sex and rank.

But it wasn’t until 1850 when the first shoe factories were established that shoes started being produced in larger quantities. Equipped with modern machinery that was designed to imitate specific processes done by hand previously, such as the sewing machine invented in France in the 1830s, shoes became fairly inexpensive and quick to produce. This led to the numerous styles, colors, and designs of shoes that are available on the market these days.

Yes. Due to the wide range of options men can choose from nowadays, the constant demand for men’s shoes is ever-increasing. This can be proven by the amount of revenue the footwear market is currently working with:

• The footwear market is set to reach US$412bn in 2024.
• The annual growth is projected to be 3.43% from 2024 to 2028.

The casual segment is definitely one to watch when it comes to dropshipping shoes for men. Regardless of age and other demographics, each man has at least one pair of casual shoes in their wardrobe that they can wear on everyday occasions.

Casual shoes for men are a rather broad category but can be recognized by their structure. This usually involves a bulkier appearance, fabrics such as canvas and leather, and a flat rubber sole. Casual shoes can both be laced or laceless alike. In the case of having laces, they tend to be thicker and either flat or round compared to their formal counterparts. This category can involve sneakers, espadrilles, boat and driving shoes, and loafers.

Casual shoes can be worn on occasions where comfort and personal expression are important such as casual night outs, running errands, or family gatherings. An example of such styles that you can feature in your dropshipping store is this pair of Velvet casual shoes by Dolce & Gabbana that’ll definitely capture the eye of your potential male buyers.

When it comes to dressing up, a formal pair of shoes is necessary to match the outfit. Men’s formal shoes are also called dress shoes as they’re inevitable for occasions where conformity and conventions matter.

They pair great with business meeting outfits, fancy dinner clothing, or formal and semi-formal wedding attire.

Formal shoes are usually sleek in shape and darker in color than their casual counterparts. They’re most of the time designed with laces that are typically thinner than casual shoes and are usually round and waxed to keep up with finer outfits. Also, formal shoes have a separate heel part on their sole and are more likely to be made out of leather but can also be a combination of leather and rubber depending on desired attributes like durability, weather conditions they will be worn in, and comfort.

Some examples of formal shoes designed with thin elegant laces, and soles from leather and rubber are Dolce & Gabbana’s black formal shoes available to buy at wholesale prices at BrandsGateway’s marketplace.

When you’re planning on dropshipping shoes or want to extend your product offering, make sure you include different styles of men’s loafers as well as they’re currently very much in trend.

Loafers are a great option when you’re looking for a laceless shoe that’ll give you comfort and help you look professional. They come in multiple versions and styles such as the widely popular Penny loafer, the Tassel loafer, or the Belgian loafer.

Some of these are already a part of BrandsGateway’s catalog of men’s shoes, specifically, the black loafers by Dolce & Gabbana.

When the colder months are inevitably creeping up on us, it’s essential for every man to add a pair of designer boots to their wardrobe to keep their feet dry and warm.

Boots are usually made from leather which allows them to naturally follow the shape of your feet and be so comfortable that you would never want to take them off. As for the soles, when you’re selling seasonal boots for fall and winter, you’d want to make sure to stay away from those that have soles only in leather and stock those with rubber soles or a mix of leather and rubber. The reason for this is that rubber soles provide a much better grip on any surface your customers would want to use them on, especially in more severe weather conditions.

Two premium models that you should equip your dropshipping store with are Fila’s green boots made from calf leather.

Note: Check out these wholesale designer boots suppliers for products of top-notch quality.

Sneakers were originally designed for sports and physical activities. However, with the ongoing athleisure trend, they made their way to men’s everyday wardrobes as well. For these reasons, you’d want to make sure to incorporate sneakers into the offering of your store when dropshipping shoes for men.

They usually have a rubber sole flexible and fit for sport but can also come with a sole made out of synthetic materials. The upper part of sneakers can be made of canvas, leather, or any other synthetic material that promotes comfort.

In the warmer months when it’s time for your customers to retire their boots and high-top trainers, men’s sandals can be a great option for those who want to achieve a laid-back style. This type of shoe can not only be the coolest to-go option for hot summer days but can serve as a more stylish alternative for sneakers in the summer.

There are two main categories when it comes to sandals: one being the utilitarian, web-strapped version and the other the classic leather ones that make you want to dress up in linen shirts.

No man can have a complete collection of summer shoes without owning a pair of moccasins. Men’s moccasins are known for their U-shaped toes but they come in various shapes and materials such as suede, leather, and fabric. These shoes can be a great choice for semi-formal occasions throughout the whole summer as they can easily be combined with tailored trousers and a shirt.

If your store is dropshipping shoes for men, think about offering different types of moccasins in your spring and summer collections, such as these Dolce & Gabbana leather moccasins in orange or in white.

Adding the above-mentioned styles of men’s shoes to your dropshipping store can effectively increase the traffic on your site and inspire your visitors to not only purchase a single item but also go for a complete look. Especially, when you’re offering a wide range of seasonal and evergreen shoes that appeal to a wider audience. As a dropshipper, it’s key that you work together with a best-in-class dropshipping supplier so you’d have access to new styles regularly and also ensure that you’re selling top-quality products to your customers.