Amberjack Shoe Review: The Best Dress Shoes You’ll Ever Own. Period.

Amberjack Shoe Review: Everything you need to know.

If you’re looking for the perfect pair of dress shoes, look no further. The Amberjack Original is the Best Dress Shoes You’ll Ever Own. Period.

This isn’t just any shoe though; it’s made with high-quality materials and designed specifically for comfort so you can wear them all day long without having to worry about foot pain or discomfort! These shoes require little to no break-in period, enhancing their immediate comfort.

Whether you’re hanging out with friends on the weekend or trekking across town for work, these lightweight leather shoes are specially designed to keep up with your busy lifestyle while still maintaining their stylish appeal!

Amberjack vs. the others

Of course, the first comparison is going to be Amberjack vs Cole Haan (or Cole Haan vs Amberjack):

The Full Amberjack Shoe Review

Why Amberjack Exists (and Why Your Feet Will Thank You)

Most shoes make you pick a side: look good or feel good. It’s like the footwear version of “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Amberjack basically said, “Why not both?” and then went out and proved it.

The Original was built by designers who’d already done time at Cole Haan and Allen Edmonds—folks who knew how to make a sharp-looking shoe but were tired of the zero-comfort tradeoff. So they created something you could actually wear all day, whether you’re in jeans, chinos, or pretending to be an adult in a blazer.

Then there’s the Amberjack Boot, which feels more like slipping into a pair of well-broken-in favorites than anything stiff or clunky. And if you want the perfect blend of dressy looks and sneaker-level comfort, the Cap-Toe nails that sweet spot. It’s polished enough for the office but comfy enough that you’ll forget you’re wearing “real shoes.”

Materials & Tech: Why Amberjack Feels So Dang Good

Amberjack doesn’t mess around when it comes to materials. They use full-grain leather from one of the best tanneries on the planet—the kind of stuff that looks sharp on day one and only gets better with age. It’s strong, breathable, and feels way more high-end than the “premium leather” a lot of brands like to brag about.

But the real magic trick? Their heat-activated arch support. It literally molds to your foot as you wear it, so the shoe starts feeling custom-made without the whole “suffer through a break-in period” ritual. Everything in these shoes is chosen on purpose: to look refined, feel insanely comfortable, and let you skip the usual blister-y first few days.

The Full Amberjack Lineup: Every Style They Make (Yep, Sneakers Too)

Amberjack doesn’t overwhelm you with 97 styles and seven-year product cycles. They keep the lineup tight, intentional, and focused on the one thing they do better than almost anyone: dressy shoes that feel like sneakers… plus actual sneakers that feel like, well, even better sneakers. Here’s the rundown.

The Original

The crown jewel. A classic dress shoe up top with sneaker-level cushioning hidden underneath. Light, flexible, wildly comfortable—this is the pair you grab when you want one shoe that works for office days, weddings, date nights, and everything in between

The Original (Cap-Toe)

Same comfort tech, slightly dressier vibes. The cap-toe detail adds that extra touch of polish without pushing you into “please escort me to the ballroom” territory. Great for anyone who needs versatility with a more traditional look.

The Chelsea Boot

Stylish, sleek, and actually comfortable from day one. Chelsea boots are notoriously stiff, but Amberjack figured out how to make them feel more like your favorite weekend shoe. These slip on easy, look great with denim or chinos, and instantly level up any outfit.

The Classic Boot

If you want something a little more rugged, this is your pair. Durable without being clunky, handsome without being high-maintenance. Ideal for people who like the idea of boots but hate that typical break-in pain. Amberjack keeps it smooth, supportive, and ready for all-day wear.

The Loafer

No laces, no fuss, no “why are my feet dying?” These loafers hit that clean, modern aesthetic with the same comfort tech baked in. Super versatile—wear them to the office, on a flight, or anywhere you want to look like you tried without actually trying.

The Tux

Their formal shoe. Think classic black-tie look, but with cushioning that won’t make you pray for the end of the reception. Perfect for weddings, galas, or any moment you want to look sharp without volunteering your feet as tributes.

The Sneakers

Meet the newest addition to the Amberjack universe—and honestly, they nailed it. These sneakers blend premium materials with the same comfort-first engineering the brand is known for. They’re lightweight, breathable, and look clean enough to pair with almost anything. If you’ve ever wished your Amberjacks came in a more casual, everyday form… this is exactly that.

Which Style Fits You Best?

Want one pair that handles 90% of life? The Original.
Need something dressier? Cap-Toe.
Boot fan? Chelsea = sleek, Classic = rugged.Hate laces? Grab the Loafer.
Going fancy? The Tux is your guy.
Need a go-to everyday sneaker that doesn’t look like everyone else’s? Their Sneakers are spot-on.

Amberjack keeps the lineup compact, purposeful, and—most importantly—comfortable enough to actually wear all day.

Amberjack Shoes: They look like a great pair of dress shoes but feel like sneakers

Amberjack Shoe soles are made with new, proprietary materials that deliver surprisingly sweet comfort, all day long. Their A-grade full-grain leather comes from one of the best tanneries in the world, who also happen to be a business partner of Amberjack; that means you get incredible quality at a price you won’t find anywhere else.

Proprietary technology is great. But what does that mean for you?

It means that this is a shoe you can wear all day without discomfort. It means that these shoes will maintain their shape and luster, for years to come. Additionally, the toe box is designed to provide ample space, ensuring a proper fit and enhanced comfort.

If you’re looking for an incredible pair of high-quality dress shoes, look no further – these are it. The Original’s got everything you need to stand out from the crowd while keeping up on comfort levels too. You don’t have to compromise style, quality, or function anymore with Amberjack Shoes! Plus, the removable insole allows for customization and longevity, enhancing comfort over time and making maintenance easy through recycling and replacement.

Want a dress boot that’s even better? See our full Amberjack Chelsea Boot Review.

Amberjack Shoe Review: Vertically Sourced A-Grade Full Grain Leather

Amberjack isn’t just buying leather from some giant catalog—they’ve teamed up directly with one of the best tanneries in the world. That means they’re using legit A-grade hides from American steer, not the “premium-ish” stuff other brands like to market.

And because they’re vertically integrated, they control everything from raw materials to the finished shoe. Translation: better quality for you, fewer markups from middlemen, and prices that make you wonder why everyone else charges so much.

And yes, “vertically integrated” sounds like something you’d hear in a business school PowerPoint, but it basically means Amberjack owns the process from start to finish. They oversee the leather, the construction, the quality checks—every last detail—so nothing leaves the factory unless it’s up to their standard. It also cuts costs big time, which is very refreshing in a world where you’re usually paying more for less.

Their shoes are made in one of Portugal’s top footwear factories, combining that premium leather with their own in-house tech to create something you genuinely won’t find anywhere else. It’s a unique setup that actually shows up in the final product.

Oh, and they even toss in a linen dust bag with every pair—because your shoes deserve a little protection between wears, and it sure beats stuffing them into a closet corner.

Heat-activated Arch Support

Amberjack shoes use a fancy foam that uses heat to mold itself as you wear them. It’s like memory foam but more durable so it’ll stay supportive for much longer.

I felt this first-hand when I wore my Amberjack shoes all over the massive Gaylord Rockies. It was subtle, but I could feel the shoes molding after I wore them around the massive resort. I tend to be a little heavier footed on my left foot and I could even notice a slight difference in the two. Crazy!

How Amberjack Fits (Short Version: They Run True to Size)

Let’s talk sizing—because nothing ruins a great shoe faster than getting the fit wrong. The good news? Amberjack shoes run true to size. If you’re a consistent 10 in most brands, you’ll be a 10 here too. The only exception is if you’ve got wider feet—then going up a half size can make things feel a little roomier and more comfortable.

Amberjack offers a solid range of sizes and widths, so most people will have an easy time finding their match. And if you’re not sure, they’ve got a super detailed sizing guide on their site that walks you through everything. Measure your feet (both of them—they’re almost never identical), wear the socks you’ll actually use with the shoes, and follow the chart. It’s surprisingly simple and way more accurate than guessing.

They also have helpful resources for trickier foot shapes—high arches, flat feet, you name it—with notes on which styles tend to work best. And if you still feel stuck, their customer support team is actually responsive and will help you figure it out.

Bottom line: they run true to size, they make it easy to get it right, and they’ve put real effort into making sure your feet end up happy.

Dual-Density Outsole

Amberjack’s proprietary TPU outsole is a high-performance athletic technology in the front for flexibility, and strong hiking boot material in the back for support. This unique combination makes it a true hybrid shoe, offering versatility in styling that allows it to transition seamlessly from casual to more formal settings. You can wear them all day without tiring your feet.

Super-soft Buckskin Lining

Amberjack says that this allows you to not wear socks. I would actually have a hard time NOT wearing socks with these shoes. However, that doesn’t have as much to do with the comfort as I would be worried about the smell.

I do have a bit… ahem… sweatier feet that I would worry would stink of the shoes a bit. So, I would wear them with no-show socks. Check out our Bombas Review for a great pair of no-show socks.

Also, check out our best wool socks review to see the socks we wear with these all winter long.

Cole Haan Zerogrand: The giant elephant in the room

A better alternative to Zerogrand?

I originally got Cole Haan Zerogrand shoes (or, as they say ZER0GRAND – I hate that stupid zero in the name) because they mostly looked like nice dress shoes, but had a little something extra to them.

They had a little athletic twist on them. In fact, we gave you our honest Zerogrand Review several years ago.

Cole Haan just went a little too far with some of their styling.

However, for me, it’s gone a bit too far and now way too many people have Cole Haan Zerogrand Shoes and I almost roll my eyes when I see them. But let’s dive deeper into our Amberjack Shoe Review to see how they compare with Zerogrand.

What shoes are like Zerogrand, but better?

That’s easy: Amberjack.

I was a bit skeptical when I heard about Amberjack shoes. But I must admit: they are super impressive shoes.

The Amberjack Original isn’t your typical pair of dress shoes. Not only are they stylish, but their lightweight design makes them easy to wear and look good with any outfit you might be wearing for work or play.

Amberjack shoes are also perfect for business casual attire, blending formal and relaxed clothing elements seamlessly.

That being said, these aren’t casual sneakers either. They’re perfect for anyone who wants to go from walking around town (or working at an office all day long) to going out to dinner without needing to change into different footwear.

Simply put: they look more like dress shoes and less like dress shoes trying to kinda-sorta be undercover dress shoes. I’m looking at you, Zerogrand.

If you didn’t know they were full of technology, you wouldn’t have any clue. And that’s exactly the way we like things.

Amberjack vs. Zerogrand: A couple of other comparisons

As I mentioned, the Amberjack is almost an all-around better shoe. However, there are a couple of areas where the Amberjack isn’t as good as the Zerogrand.

Amberjack vs. Zerogrand: The Price

Zerogrand has been a race to the bottom. They’ve become the Brooks Brothers of shoes. In other words, if you ever pay full price for anything at Brooks Brothers (buy 1 shirt, get 87 for free) you are an idiot.

For example, these Cole Haan Shoes retail for $300, but are on sale for $99.97

If you ever pay full price for Zerogrand, you are also an idiot. They frequently go on sale and can even be found at Nordstrom Rack on the regular.

Similar styles for Zerogrand run about $100 if you find a good deal on them (which is like finding hay in a haystack), while Amberjack is pretty standard at $179.

I think that’s a fair price for this quality shoe.

Amberjack vs. Zerogrand: The Quality

Zerogrand has good quality, but it only lasts about two years with normal wear and tear (I have worn Zerogrands to death). They’re comfortable enough that people will pay the premium price because they can’t afford anything better, but when your shoes are falling apart at the seams after 18 months of wear – you might want to consider something else.

Amberjack is made with full-grain leathers and sheepskin lining which means the company could get away with charging an even higher price, but I think the $179 price is very fair. The exceptional comfort and design of Amberjack shoes offer great value for money, making them a commendable investment.

I believe but can’t prove that these shoes will last longer than Zerogrand.

Amberjack vs. Zerogrand: The Weight

I got a super fancy (insert sarcasm here) scale from Amazon because I was super curious about the different weights of products we were testing.

Amberjack weighs 503 grams.

These Zerogrand Shoes weigh 336 grams.

The Amberjack Original shoe weighs in at 500 grams. While that’s not like strapping two cinderblocks on your feet by any stretch of the imagination, it is heavier than the Cole Haan Zerogrand Wingtips. Those weigh about 330 grams. While not a humongous difference, it is noticeable.

That’s 170 grams difference, for you non-math majors out there.

What weighs about 200 grams (rounding up)? This is why the internet was invented, my friends. According to WeightofStuff.com – yes that is a real website.

200 Grams is about the weight of a roll of nickels and a cup of granulated white sugar.

It’s not huge – and not uncomfortable by any stretch of the imagination, but it the difference is noticeable. Especially if you are used to wearing Cole Haan, these shoes will feel heavier.

Amberjack vs. Zerogrand: The Comfort

However, I think they are just as comfortable as Cole Haan Zerogrand – or at least REALLY close. If Cole Haan Zerogrand set the curve at a 10 in comfort, the Amberjack Original Shoes are a 9.75 – it’s close!

Amberjack Shoes: Tackling Comfort and Sustainability with Aaron Rodgers

While Wolf & Shepherd has Gronk, Amberjack has Aaron Rodgers.

Ever wondered about the blend of sports and style in the shoe world? Amberjack Shoes, a brand celebrated for their modern dress shoes, has joined forces with Super Bowl Champion Aaron Rodgers.

Back in 2020—yep, before Amberjack even officially hit the scene—Rodgers jumped on board, and not just as some pretty face for ads. He’s an investor and shareholder, actually rolling up his sleeves to help drive Amberjack’s whole mission of making shoes that are both innovative and planet-friendly. He’s all about backing brands that do more than just look good; they have to walk the talk on ethics and sustainability. Basically, he wants his kicks to crush it on style and comfort without leaving the Earth looking like it just survived a frat party.

Amberjack’s collaboration with Aaron Rodgers has been pivotal for the brand. This Brooklyn-based company has resonated with Rodgers over their mutual commitment to sustainability, leading to the planned launch of an eco-conscious shoe line.

This initiative marks a significant shift towards eco-friendly and comfortable dress shoes​​​​.

How to style Amberjack Shoes

One of the great parts about Amberjack Shoes is that you are the only person that will know that you are wearing incredibly comfortable shoes. They will look like high-quality, comfortable dress shoes to everyone else.

No one else will know that you are rocking a dual-density outsole or something that has as much style and comfort as you do. They won’t know you have one of the world’s best shoes on, with a super soft buckskin lining. They won’t know you’ve found a comfortable dress shoe.

These look like a great pair of dress shoes and pair great with a pair of Chinos – something like the Everlane Performance Chinos, Myles Tour Pants or Lululemon ABC Pants.

They also pair great with a pair of jeans. In the video of me exploring the Gaylord Rockies, in fact, I’m wearing them with a pair of the Perfect Jean (read our perfect Jean Review).

To complete the look, I wore them with a white Mizzen + Main Dress Shirt and the Allbirds Wool Sweater.

You can dress these shoes up or down.

You could also even wear them with a pair of Chino shorts and a button-up dress shirt for a hot summer day (just be sure to not wear socks or good no-show socks).

Other Amberjack Styles we love

We also love the loafers the most. They are simply awesome. I also like the Suede Loaders (read our Amberjack Loafers Review) the most. They are my go-to fall shoe, surprisingly.

Amberjack cap toe shoes are also available on the brand’s official website.

Amberjack Shoes Review: The Final Verdict – Are Amberjack Shoes Good?

Amberjack shoes are the better alternative to Cole Haan Zerogrand shoes in almost every way. They are about the same price, made from higher-quality materials, and last much longer than their competitor’s product. The only question now is why you’re waiting? Buy these shoes today, before they sell out of your size, or buy them as a gift for someone else!

We love these shoes so much, in fact, we just updated them to our guide of the Men’s Very Best Stuff list. Also, check out our Wolf & Shepherd Loafer Review and Amberjack Loafer Review.