Men's Health July 14, 2026 0 Comments

How These Manolo Loafers Survived 50 Marathons of Mileage—And My Feet Didn’t Even Flinch

Ever wonder why some shoes make you feel like you’re ready to conquer the world, while others just leave you limping through the day? I’ve always believed your shoes say more about you than your handshake or your words—and growing up, I learned that the next thing people notice after your smile… is your shoes. That’s why when it comes to loafers, I’m not one to skimp. Sure, you can grab flattering jeans or shorts for under $70 without breaking the bank, but a pair of loafers? That’s where craftsmanship, comfort, and a dash of legacy come into play. Enter Manolo Blahnik’s The Perry—a shoe that’s not just a piece of footwear, it’s a statement made in Italy, one step at a time. Strap in, because this isn’t just about style; it’s about an investment in how you carry yourself, every. single. day.

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AT MEN’S HEALTH Style, we usually say spending more on a menswear staple doesn’t always mean you’re getting a better product. Our favorite jeans and shorts both cost under $70. But loafers have always been my exception. Growing up in a Filipino family, where beauty pageants are a national pastime, I was told that after your smile, the next feature people notice is your shoes. That advice has stuck with me. That’s why even though I can be pretty frugal with shopping, I’ve never minded spending more on a great pair of loafers. My favorite: Manolo Blahnik’s The Perry.

North of $1,000, the Italian statesman’s marquee shoe doesn’t come cheap, nor does it rely on flashy logos or TikTok hype to justify the price. Instead, Manolo Blahnik puts the emphasis on craftsmanship. Unlike other luxe Italian shoe labels, the loafers are actually made in Italy from milled calf sourced from some of the country’s finest tanners, with hand-sewn vamp stitching and an unlined construction that feels super soft right out of the box.

The Perry’s leather footbed is firm but provides plenty of cushion that molds to my feet over time. Cheaper loafers I’ve tested require a weeks-long break-in period, and because I’ve had knee pain from excessive running in my 20s, I usually wear custom insoles wthemh my cheaper dress shoes. I’ve never had to do that with my Manolos.

The Perry’s leather footbed is firm but provides plenty of cushioning that molds to my feet over time. Cheaper loafers I’ve tested usually require a weeks-long break-in period, and because I’ve dealt with knee pain from excessive running in my 20s, I typically wear custom insoles with less expensive dress shoes. I’ve never had to do that with my Manolos. On days I wear the Perry, I’ll spend the morning walking to the office, stand through meetings and photo shoots, quickly run back to my apartment to walk my corgis, then straight to a media dinner afterward without having to change shoes. I average about 20,000 steps a day, and by the end of the night, I don’t get that familiar dull ache in my feet that I’ve experienced with other leather lace-ups.

My only complaint is the leather outsole. It doesn’t offer as much grip as a rubber sole, so I’d think twice before wearing these on slick sidewalks or in heavy rain. Then again, that’s hardly a dealbreaker. If you’re investing nearly $1,000 in a pair of loafers, you’re probably not planning to trek through muddy parks or wear them during a downpour anyway. These are meant for the office, dinner reservations, weddings, and just about anywhere else you want to look your best.

What keeps me reaching for the Perry, though, is how easily it pairs with almost everything in my wardrobe. The silhouette has remained largely unchanged since it debuted in Manolo Blahnik’s men’s collection in the 1970s, and for good reason. It never looks dated. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. While Manolo Blahnik is best known for its iconic women’s shoes, the brand has spent decades perfecting timeless men’s styles like the Perry. First introduced in the 1970s (with the current iteration debuting in 2018), its clean lines and luxe leather sheen feel just as relevant today as they did decades ago.

During the summer, I’ll wear them with crew socks and jean shorts for a dressy casual look on weekends. During the workweek, they’re part of my summer office uniform. They look great with my wide-legged chinos or suits. That’s the beauty of a truly classic loafer: it cuts back on my morning outfit decision fatigue because it goes with everything in my closet. I’ve worn the Perry so often over the past two summers that I’ve probably logged the equivalent of 50 marathons in it. Suddenly, that nearly $1,000 price tag doesn’t feel quite so outrageous. The more I wear them, the lower the cost per wear becomes, and that’s exactly what I want from an investment piece.

SHOP MANOLO BLAHNIK’S PERRY LOAFERS HERE

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Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men’s Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.