Cole Haan’s Zerogrand has revolutionized the shoe industry. There aren’t many dress shoes you can wear for a long time. But with Zerogrand, the whole painful aspect of the dress shoe scene fades away. However, are there any alternative shoes like Zerogrand?
Several shoes like Zerogrand not only have a similar look but also ensure the same level of comfort. We’ve worn many shoes for a long time in our workplaces to make a list of five shoes that can be considered the best Zerogrand alternative. These dress shoes are stylish, comfortable, and durable.
This article provides a detailed account of these shoes and some shopping guidance for you to make the right decision.
A Quick Comparison: Shoes like Zerogrand
There are many shoes that are similar to Zerogrand. But they all have some unique features.
Firstly we have the ECCO Men’s St.1 Hybrid Lite Brogue. This shoe is very comfortable and has proper dress shoe aesthetics. And their unique feature is the ECCO Shockthru Technology.
After that, we have the Rockport Men’s Essential Details Waterproof Wingtip Oxford Shoe. Although they provide good comfort but have an average build quality. And their unique feature is their waterproof material and the use of adiPRENE cushioning.
Next, we have the Clarks Men’s Atticus Vibe Oxford shoe. And like Rockport’s Wingtip Oxford shoe, the Atticus Vibe also compromises on quality while giving good comfort. Their unique feature is the use of recycled material and making them eco-friendly.
Then we have the Johnston & Murphy Men’s XC4 Tanner Cap Toe Shoe. Unlike the previous two shoes, the XC4 Tanner provides high comfort while maintaining high quality. The unique feature of this shoe is the smart degree technology.
Lastly, we have the Hush Puppies Men’s Bennet Wingtip Oxford Sneaker. This is the most affordable shoe on the list. And the cost-cutting can also be seen in the quality of the product. The unique feature of this shoe is the “PerfectFit Stretch System,” which it has a BounceTM footbed.
Let us quickly compare five of the best shoes like Zerogrand.
| Shoe Model | Comfort | Quality | Unique Feature |
| ECCO Men’s St.1 Hybrid Lite Brogue | High | High | ECCO Shockthru Technology |
| Rockport Men’s Essential Details Waterproof Wingtip Oxford Shoe | High | Moderate | Waterproof and uses adiPRENE cushioning |
| Clarks Men’s Atticus Vibe Oxford | High | Moderate | Eco-friendly |
| Johnston & Murphy Men’s XC4 Tanner Cap Toe Shoe | High | High | Smart Degree Technology |
| Hush Puppies Men’s Bennet Wingtip Oxford Sneaker | High | Average | Comes with the “PerfectFit Stretch System” and has BounceTM footbed |
Five Best Shoes Like Zerogrand
1. ECCO Men’s St.1 Hybrid Lite Brogue
It’s no wonder Ecco produces among the most enjoyable dress shoes on the commodity market as they’ve long been one of the most reliable brands in comfortable footwear. Particularly, their St.1 Hybrid Lite Brogue shoe is a fan favorite.
These shoes have a shock-absorbing outsole, an elegant broguing pattern, a sleek and classy toe shape, and are offered in both all-black and the traditional amber color. As a result, a better famous company producing the finest work shoes for retailers and other standing-intensive jobs has produced an incredibly elegant dress shoe.
Let us look up some important details about this classy pair.
Key Features:
Package Dimensions: 14.17 x 7.76 x 5.08 inches; 2.01 Pounds
Item model number: 83720401308
Department: Men’s
Date First Available: May 2, 2019.
Manufacturer: Ecco
Best Sellers Rank: #130,916 in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry, #269 in Men’s Oxfords
These hybrid shoes are comparatively new in the market, being released in May 2019. They also come with ECCO ST.1 Shockthru technology, making these shoes more comfortable.
The ECCO ST.1 Shockthru innovation is a three-part sole unit that features a high volume Polyurethane (PU) Shockthru insert, providing a street-ready hybrid sneaker with more than twice the shock absorption and padding of prior ECCO shock technology.
Moreover, the upper part of these shoes is made with full-grain Nappa leather. They also contain a removable, leather-lined, foam-padded insole for padding, delivering comfort to your feet. For these reasons, the ST. 1 Hybrid Lite is considered the best dress shoe available in the market today.
Pros
- ECCO Shockthru Technology
- Very comfortable
- Proper Dress Shoe aesthetics.
Cons
- Not true to its size.
2. Rockport Men’s Essential Details Waterproof Wingtip Oxford Shoe
Rockport has always been innovative because they think the ideal shoe has not yet been created. They are always driven to enhance their footwear by this constructive dissatisfaction.
They were the first company, founded in 1971, to design walking comfort into the dress and casual shoes and the first to employ cutting-edge athletic innovations in sneakers to achieve lightweight comfort.
Rockport’s Essential Details wingtip, one of their best-selling shoes, is weather-resistant and the ideal fusion of dress shoes and walking shoes. With a traditional brogued leather upper and a cushioned insole built of the same adiPRENE technology as Adidas, it offers a high level of comfort by adapting to your feet.
Let us look up some important information about this elegant pair.
Key Features:
Package Dimensions: 13.9 x 7.8 x 4.9 inches; 1.01 Pounds
Item model number: Essential Details WP Wingtip
Department: Men’s
Date First Available: May 20, 2013.
Manufacturer: Rockport
Best Sellers Rank: #950,656 in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry #1,764 in Men’s Oxfords.
This shoe first came into the market in May 2013 and has become a favorite shoe of many people since then. This shoe is true to its size, which means you can order the shoes without worrying too much about the fit.
The Rockport shoe is made of leather, but some might say the quality is not that excellent.
However, it features HydroShield waterproofing to block out the elements and keep your feet dry, making these shoes suitable for both rough concrete floors and thumping the road on the way to work.
Pros
- Very comfortable.
- True to its size.
- Waterproof technology
- Uses adiPRENE cushioning.
Cons
- Quality can be improved.
3. Clarks Men’s Atticus Vibe Oxford
The Atticus oxford by Clarks is a superb example of a comfortable shoe with good aesthetics. The dual-density foam technology in the thin rubber outsole will keep your feet comfortable all day, and the leather top will make it appear as though you’re simply wearing an ordinary pair of dress shoes.
This casual dress shoe has a stylish, classy upper made of excellent dark tan leather with beautiful stitching. The Atticus Vibe has hardly any bad reviews on different sites. And this proves that these shoes have the quality you are getting without robbing a bank.
Let’s look at the key features of this shoe.
Key Features:
Package Dimensions: 13.03 x 8.62 x 4.72 inches; 2.47 Pounds
Item model number: 261444697
Department: Men’s
Date First Available: February 27, 2021
Manufacturer: Clarks
Best Sellers Rank: #1,276,729 in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry #2,369 in Men’s Oxfords
This shoe is also a very new addition in the market, releasing in February 2021. This means the Atticus Vibe Oxford is trendy for anyone today. This shoe uses premium perforated dark tan leather.
The Atticus Vibe also stands out because of its eco-friendly approach. The footbed is made of recycled foam but doesn’t compromise comfort. The shoe’s outsole also contains recycled material, which is lightweight, providing a good overall experience for you.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly
- Very comfortable
- Lightweight.
Cons
- A bit narrow.
4. Johnston & Murphy Men’s XC4 Tanner Cap Toe Shoe
Johnston & Murphy is a reliable shoe brand operating since 1850. They have some excellent hybrid dress shoes in their collection. And one of the most popular and well-received models in their collection is the XC4 Tanner Cap Toe Shoe.
The J&M XC4 Tanner Cap Toe Shoe offers the elegance of a fine pair of brogues with the renowned comfort of the XC4 series. These shoes are ideal for formal ceremonies like receptions when you may spend a lot of time on your feet.
This is because these shoes’ sleek shape and padded sole offer support in all the correct spots.
Let’s check the key features of this popular shoe.
Key Features:
Package Dimensions: 15.12 x 9.02 x 5.51 inches; 2 Pounds
Item model number: 20-4486-260
Department: Men’s
Date First Available: January 5, 2021.
Manufacturer: Johnston & Murphy
Best Sellers Rank: #284,166 in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry #574 in Men’s Oxfords.
These shoes are lightweight as they have a nubuck lining. Also, these shoes are less expensive than Zerogrand, making them a perfect alternative.
These shoes are ideal for wearing to work or on any casual day because they have a simple toe design and a heeled sole. These shoes are also made from waterproof and breathable materials. As well as, they have added XC foam for good cushioning.
The XC4 Tanner also comes with smart degree technology. This technology helps regulate the temperature by lining the interiors with thermoregulated polymers that activate in cold and hot temperatures, ensuring all-day comfort.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Waterproof material
- Good breathability
- Comes with XC Foam
- Smart Degree Technology.
Cons
- Average quality
- Expensive.
5. Hush Puppies Men’s Bennet Wingtip Oxford Sneaker
We’ll be the first to confess that Hush Puppies isn’t the first company that pops to mind when you think of the top men’s dress shoes because they are best known for their comfy walking shoes.
But when it comes to creating a comfortable fit, they’ve always been masters, and their full leather Bennet oxfords give you a right look to elevate your shoe game at an affordable price.
On top of these, the Bennet Wingtip is also one of the market’s most affordable hybrid dress shoes. And after the launch of the Bennet Wingtip in September 2019, it has been a popular pick among professionals.
Key Features:
Package Dimensions: 13.4 x 8.3 x 5 inches; 11 Ounces
Item model number: HM02125-007M7
Department: Men’s
Date First Available: September 30, 2019.
Manufacturer: Hush Puppies
Best Sellers Rank: #348,359 in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry #688 in Men’s Oxfords
This shoe uses the “PerfectFit Stretch System” used by the brand to create the flexible uppers intended to hug your foot tightly, and the five-pod outsole offers ample comfort for all-day usage.
These modern workplace shoes also feature an outsole that offers greater base support, cushioning, stability, and a soft full-grain leather design for less irritating stitches. These dress shoes also have the BounceTM footbed, which returns energy with each stride.
Pros
- Comes with the “PerfectFit Stretch System”
- Has BounceTM footbed
- Affordable
- Comfortable.
Cons
- Average Quality.
What to Consider While Buying Shoes Like Zerogrand
Zerogrand is the result of modern materials and cutting-edge construction techniques, but what you want to know is how it’s gonna feel when it hits my foot, right? And the answer to that is good, real good.
That is why you need to consider quality, sizing, and comfort while buying a pair of shoes like Zerogrand.
- Quality
You shouldn’t cut too many corners regarding shoe quality. You won’t be able to use a pair of shoes for a long period if they are of poor quality. A quality shoe will be made out of good material.
For example, a good-quality dress shoe is usually full-grain leather. This leather is taken from the outer part of an animal’s hide. Full grain leather allows you to observe the leather texture in its original state, with flaws.
- Sizing
Fitting shoes is important since wearing shoes that are not true to your size will cause problems. So, try the shoes on to figure out the size.
Your toes shouldn’t contact the front side of the shoe, and there must be approximately half an inch of the additional room when your heel is pressed up on the rear.
- Comfort
Any money spent on uncomfortable shoes is a waste. Mainly if the shoe is a dress shoe like Zerogrand. Therefore, before choosing a different pair of Zerogrand shoes, make sure they are comfortable.
To get a comfortable shoe, you must find a shoe that uses a flexible sole. Otherwise, a rigid sole will cause you pain.
FAQ’s:
- Why Do My Feet Ache in My Dress Shoes?
Dress shoes that compress, flatten, or strain your feet create minor tears and chronic wounds to the fascia that eventually result in foot ache and plantar fasciitis despite your foot’s arch is highly resilient and flexible.
- Why are dress shoes uncomfortable?
If your shoes don’t fit properly, wearing the incorrect size will make them painful. It will be difficult and painful to walk in a shoe that is too tiny. The longest toe must be at least half an inch away from the front of the shoe for a good fit. There should be no side pressure on the feet at all.
- What can I do to improve the comfort of my dress shoes?
Low-profile insoles will considerably improve your comfort by supporting your arch and dispersing weight across a broader area of your foot.
You will need to search for short insoles if you want to find them. Due to their short length, they can be worn with low-profile shoes without drawing too much attention.
Final Thoughts
Dress shoes are all about style and fashion. Zerogrand is one such dress shoe brand that embellishes you with poise and style. However, the shoes are a bit expensive.
But don’t be sad; if you are still looking for shoes like Zerogrand, several alternatives are available in the market.
However, a shoe to be considered an alternative to the Zerogrand shoe needs to be comfortable and ensure good quality with proper fitting. The five shoes mentioned in the article have their own unique features that make them stand out individually.
But before buying an alternative to Zerogrand shoes, make sure to look for the features that Zerogrand shoes offer, and you will be good to go.
