Hey gents, today we’re going to be talking about driving shoes, more specifically Tod’s Mocs. There are two great videos that you can check out on Tod’s Mocs, one from Gentleman’s Gazette and one from He Spoke Style. 

Both of them did an in-depth review to see if they were worth it and in the end, their answer for this luxury brand was: not quite. Therefore, I’ve gathered some alternatives that we’re going to talk about today.

Before we get started, I want to break down what makes a Tod’s Mocs a Tod’s. First off, what is a driver’s shoe and what is its purpose? It’s a casual shoe, meant to be walked on a lot. It’s meant to be a slipper--you can wear them when you drive. They’re meant to be lightweight, comfortable, and easy to slip on.

What makes a Tod’s Mocs is the iconic design with their iconic logo. Now, this is a quintessential luxury brand, but it’s just not as well-known as Rolex or Louis Vuitton. You’re paying a premium for a product that has a lot of history behind the name and is known for quality. So, the fact that they use Italian materials and the shoes are made in Italy can help drive up the price.

Now, the problem with Tod’s Mocs is that they don’t last very long, especially that much longer than a regular driver shoe. Normal regular driving shoes need to be replaced every few years and that’s not a big deal for somebody who can drop $525 for a shoe. However, if you’re looking to get a little bit more bang for your buck, let’s take a look at some of the options I pulled together today to help you achieve this.

M. Gemi Corso

The first thing you want to look for in a shoe is a shoe that will not retain smell. The easiest way to do this is by getting something that is leather-lined. Leather is naturally moisture-wicking. You put a shoe tree in here and it won’t retain stink which is why these shoes can be worn without socks.

The M. Gemi driver shoes are extremely comfortable, they form well to the foot over time, and because of the leather, they do not retain smell. While we’re here, the M. Gemi Corso shoes are probably the closest alternatives to the Tod’s Mocs that I can find because it hits all the hallmarks that Tod’s Mocs hits. 

This comes in at $198 so you can literally get two and a half of these for one Tod’s Mocs. And with it being made in Italy, using great leather, and having a hand-sewn upper, it has a near representation of the Tod’s Mocs. 

Bobbies

Bobbies is a French brand that is not as well known in the States. But this is the closest toe-shaped end construction of the Tod’s Mocs that you can get. What also helps is that these are made of Italian leather, but in Portugal so they use really nice materials. They also have a stamp on their shoe which is similar to the Tod’s Mocs which also have a stamped logo on their shoe.

Jack Erwin

We go down to $135 and you get the Jack Erwins. I’ve unboxed these before and they’re one of those DTC brands that focus more on the customer. These are also made in Portugal, but they don’t specify the leather and you can feel it in the quality. 

You’re getting made-in-Portugal construction, but the leather is not as nice. Furthermore, it has sort of a clunky silhouette. It’s a subtle difference but you can tell that these shoes are clunkier when you compare them to Bobbies or M. Gemi.

However, they do hit the requirement for the leather lining, so you’re going to feel comfortable whenever you’re wearing them and you won’t have to wear socks either. They’re also breathable and moisture-wicking.

Nordstrom Men’s Shop

Retailing for $115, as you go down in price, you also go down in quality. The leather isn’t quite as nice and supple. It’s made in Brazil and they also have a slightly different design on the bottom.

If you’re looking for some tread, Nordstrom Men’s Shop driving shoes have this design which also can help it last longer. 

1901

The 1901’s are $89 and you can feel that pricepoint when you wear these shoes. Now, if you’re looking for a lightweight, disposable shoe that will last you a year, two years with frequent wear, then you can go for the 1901’s. 

These are the most clunky ones out of the collection. It has the same shape, but I think it’s the leather and the material that differentiates it from the others and gives it its price point. 

Conclusion

The purpose of this collection was to find the tipping point, to find where you’re getting luxury, quality goods but without the luxury markup. That’s where I think that $198 M. Gemi sits. You’re getting Made in Italy, Italian leather, all of the hallmarks of the Tod’s but at half the price.

Bobbies is also very close because they use very nice raw material from Portugal. So if you do not have a driver, I think it’s worth looking into. Definitely look into M. Gemi and the other brands when you have the time.

So, if you’re looking to up your shoe game, then ditch the Vans, the Converse, and grab a sweet-looking pair of driver shoes. It’s going to look sleeker and better. I think loafers are no longer an old person shoe and they’re beginning to make a transition. Personally, I am for it. 

The driver’s a really nice way to bridge that gap between something that’s casual and something that’s comfortable all year round. 

Let me know what you think, guys. Do you like drivers? I want to know in the comment section below. You can also reach me on Instagram or Twitter.

Until next time, gents...

This is the Kavalier.