I Put Cole Haan's Loafers to the Test — and They're My New Go-To Shoes

A good pair of penny loafers are a closet staple. You can wear them from winter to summer, and from work to dinner with friends. But finding the right pair of loafers can be a challenge.

Some are too stiff for everyday wear , others are too trendy to be a favorite for years to come . That's where Cole Haan's Lux Pinch Penny Loafers ($158) come in. These shoes feature a classic penny silhouette, one that's been around for centuries, in a soft-grain leather.

I've always been a fan of Cole Haan shoes, so when I came across this style, I was eager to test them out and see if they would become part of my everyday shoe rotation. Read my full review of the Lux Pinch Penny Loafers, ahead. What's the Criteria For a Good Pair of Loafers? Living in New York City means that proper footwear is an essential.

My shoes need to work for my life, enduring eight-plus miles a day, bringing me from the office to the park to a bike ride through the streets. Because I'm constantly on-the-go, the shoes that I reach for are the ones that don't leave me with blisters or aching feet at the end of a long day. Beyond practicality and comfort, I want stylish loafers that I can wear with a range of outfits.

These parameters often leave me with a limited selection of shoes to choose from — beyond my trusty Salomon sneakers and my Proenza Schouler x Birkenstock sandals. But the Lux Pinch Penny Loafers fit the bill. What I Like About the Lux Pinch Penny Loafers Coming in well under $200, the Cole Haan loafe.