The 5 Best Men's Shoes for Father's Day (That He'll Actually Wear)
Let's be honest, Dad doesn't need another pair of socks. (Okay, he probably does, but hear us out.)
This Father's Day, Sunday 6 September, skip the mug and give him something he'll pull on every single day: a really good pair of men's shoes. We've rounded up our five favourites from the Footgear shelves, a mix of classic men's Birkenstocks, everyday leather sneakers and seriously cushioned walkers, so there's something here for every kind of dad, from the backyard BBQ legend to the 10,000-steps-before-breakfast type.
1. Birkenstock Arizona, the one he'll never take off
Some things just suit dads, and men's Birkenstocks are at the top of that list. The Arizona is the icon: two adjustable straps, a contoured cork footbed with pronounced arch support and a deep heel cup.
The cork footbed moulds to the shape of his foot over time, so they genuinely get more comfortable the more he wears them which, fair warning, will be constantly. That combination of firm arch support and a deep, cradling heel cup is also why the Arizona is such a popular choice with dads managing plantar fasciitis, who need their everyday shoes to work harder underfoot.
Best for: the dad who lives in sandals from September to May (so… most Queensland dads).
Shop the Men's Birkenstock Arizona collection
2. On Cloudmonster, maximum cushioning, maximum Dad energy
The name says it all. The On Cloudmonster is On's most cushioned everyday shoe, with oversized CloudTec® pods underfoot that make every step feel springy. Built into the midsole is On's Speedboard®, a flexible plate that adds stability and helps propel each stride forward, making it a brilliant match for the dad who's always on the move. Whether he's a genuine runner, a weekend walker, or just a man who appreciates good engineering (we know you know one), the Cloudmonster delivers.
Best for: the dad clocking laps of the neighbourhood, or the one who wants to start.
Shop the Men's On Cloudmonster collection
3. ECCO Soft 60, the premium sneaker upgrade
Crafted from beautifully soft ECCO leather with a clean, minimalist profile, the Soft 60 is the sneaker for dads with good taste (or dads who deserve an upgrade from the pair they've been wearing since 2019). It's lightweight, flexible and comfortable straight out of the box. And here's a clever detail: the arch support is built into the shoe itself, so while the footbed is removable for orthotics, taking it out doesn't mean sacrificing comfort.
This is the "goes with everything" shoe, jeans, chinos, shorts on a good day. Dad will wear it to death, and it'll take years to get there.
Best for: the stylish dad, or the one who'd like to be.
Shop the Men's ECCO Soft 60 collection
4. Rockport Jeb, the everyday all-rounder
A sleek leather sneaker with a classic profile, the Rockport Jeb blends timeless looks with modern comfort tech: truTECH® shock absorption in the heel, ultra-soft memory foam cushioning underfoot, and a slip-resistant outsole for grip. It's flexible, easy to wear and quietly handsome, a lot like your dad, probably.
Best for: the low-fuss dad who wants one good pair of men's shoes that does it all.
Shop the Men's Rockport Jeb collection
5. Amberjack The Original, the smart one
If Dad's wardrobe sits somewhere between "office" and "school pickup," Amberjack The Original is the answer. It looks like a polished leather dress shoe but wears like a sneaker, with a supportive, cushioned footbed that keeps him comfortable from the morning meeting to the Sunday roast.
It's also one of the most accommodating dress shoes we stock: a removable footbed makes it orthotic friendly, and the generous shape is great news for wider feet. In other words, the dads who usually can't find a dress shoe that fits? This is their shoe.
Best for: the dad who dresses up for work but complains about his feet by 3pm.
Shop the Men's Amberjack The Original collection
Not sure of his size? We've got you.
Finding the best men's shoes for Dad is a lot easier when you can try before you buy. Pop into any of our stores 8 stores across south-east Queensland and our team will help you find the right fit, whether he needs extra arch support, a wider fit, or room for orthotics with a removable footbed.
Can't get in store? Shop online at footgear.com.au with free express shipping over $130, easy returns, and Click & Collect. Or if you'd rather let Dad do the choosing, a Footgear gift voucher is the no-wrong-answers option.
Happy Father's Day, and Happy Stepping xx
