Sneakers may be Koio’s signature, but we’re just as obsessed with the Koio Brera loafer.
Listed amongst our most comfortable flats and best women’s loafers, our love affair with Koio’s loafers is no secret. Walking the walk in style, comfort and sustainability, the beautiful Brera speaks to our eco-conscious, quality-sentient souls soles.
Choosing a shade was no small feat (feet?), but in the end, I opted for the sleek and sophisticated Nero Patent.
Hand stitched by Tuscan shoemakers, these polished Penny’s are everything that I could ask for in a loafer. The soft, buttery leather molds to the foot. The slightly stacked heel is just enough to elevate every outfit. While exposed stitching and hand painted edges speak to Koio’s impeccable attention to detail.
Still only one foot in?
Here is everything you need to know about the Koio Brera loafer.
Pssst…if you’re more interested in the brand itself, you’ll enjoy our in-depth Koio review.
| Style | Penny loafer |
| Material | LWG-certified Italian leather (cow) |
| Made in | Italy |
| Colors | Black, Black Patent, Beige + More |
| Sizes | 5 – 11 |
| Shipping | International |
Pros:
- Hand-stitched in Tuscany to last a lifetime
- Soft, sustainable leather molds to the foot
- Slightly stacked heel is effortlessly flattering
- Tightly stitched for superlative water resistance
Cons:
- The fit may be too wide for narrow feet
- We wish the sole had a little more grip out of the box
Our verdict:
The Koio Brera loafer is the ultimate versatile shoe. Dress them up with your LBD or dress them down with distressed denims. Either way, they elevate any ensemble, with a slightly stacked heel, sustainable Italian leather, and hand-painted edges. That being said, we wish they had a little more grip, as well as narrow options for narrow feet.
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? As quality-obsessed luxury enthusiasts, all our reviews are completely objective and unbiased. The goal? To uncover industry secrets and investment-worthy brands.
For this article, I got my feet into a pair of Koio Brera loafers in Nero Patent. Although our team of editors was obsessed with the design from the moment we unboxed them, we assessed the shoe over months in order to determine how it held up over time. We looked at things like comfort, wearability, style, and sustainability in order to form a well-rounded opinion.
For more on how we test products in general, see our HAPPY philosophy for buying luxuries.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Koio Brera review: A smart-casual contemporary classic
Unboxing: A touch of sentimentality
It’s no secret that we’ve received many Koio boxes on our doorstep over the years, and even though we know what to expect by now, we’re blown away time and time again by the level of care and attention to detail that goes into every Koio order.
The Koio Brera loafers come in an off-white recycled box, emblazoned with the tagline, “where thoughtful design meets sustainable craftsmanship”—and that it does. As you lift the lid, the loafers are delicately wrapped in luxurious tissue paper. A soft cotton canvas dust bag is nestled alongside them, perfect for travel and storage.
The polished package is accompanied by a small card, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship behind Koio loafers. And although it’s pretty evident by the way they feel, we appreciate the reminder anyway.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Aesthetic & design: Polished, professional, and politely preppy
A refined reinterpretation of the iconic penny loafer, the Koio Brera blends timeless tradition with modern finishes. The updated look is more sleek, streamlined, and stylish. While the quintessential penny slot along the vamp pays homage to the original model. The stacked sole is elevated (literally and figuratively) in form and function, with the uncanny ability to walk mile after mile without growing tired.
Like any Koio shoe, these Italian loafers’ attention to detail is paramount. Seams are tightly stitched to enhance water resistance. And hand-painted edges reflect the distinct artisanal talent that goes into every pair.
The structured slip-on style is effortlessly versatile, transitioning from office hours to evening engagements with a refined Italian flair. We love how these capsule wardrobe classics bring an inspired polish to everyday smart casual basics.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Materials & craftsmanship: Celebrating third-generation Tuscan artisans
Proving that longevity really is the pinnacle of sustainability, these timeless loafers are designed to last in our wardrobe.
The Brera loafers are crafted entirely from Italian leather, including the uppers, lining, and sole. And while they may not be as animal-friendly as vegan alternatives, for this shoe, Koio only uses leather certified by The Leather Working Group, meaning that it is responsibly sourced and processed. Besides its eco-conscious principles, the premium leather is also incredibly soft and buttery, molding to our feet as we walk.
The craftsmanship behind the Brera loafers is a narrative of tradition. Each pair is a masterpiece, born from the hands of skilled artisans who embody centuries of Italian shoemaking heritage. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every stitch, every cut, and every painted edge contributes to a final product—a wearable piece of art.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Comfort and fit: Everyday slip-ons
At a glance, they appear stiff and structured—with comfort seemingly taking a backseat to aesthetics.
Once you slip them on, however, you can instantly tell that this isn’t the case. Far from it. In fact, we found the Koio Breras to be some of the most comfortable loafers for women.
The buttery, soft leather hugs the foot with TLC. While the tech-foam insoles cushion every step. And although Koio themselves recommend allowing for a break-in period, I didn’t find this to be necessary. Unlike the other loafers I’ve tried, Koio Breras were comfortable right out of the box.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
The stacked heel is one of the most comfortable and secure ways to add height to your ensemble. And while I did find the shoe to be a little slippery on certain surfaces at first, this went away as soon as they developed scuffs on the soles.
When it comes to finding your perfect fit, the Italian loafers only come in full sizes, in which case we recommend sizing up if need be. Some of our editors found the loafers to be a little wide, but this is only a problem if you have very narrow feet.
Variants: From Biscotto to Tiramisu—deliciously desirable
These loafers for women run the gamut in hues and textures. Some of the more classical renditions include the all-black Nero Patent (our personal favorite), Nero (a less polished black alternative), suede Mahogany (a rich brown), white Dew, and sophisticated Biscotto (a versatile beige).
Some of the more statement iterations include gold glitter, ruby red, sterling silver, and tiramisu (a timeless contrast of brown and white).
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Price: Surprisingly accessible for the quality
Recognized as one of our best affordable luxury brands, Koio prices are a lot more accessible than other affluent labels of similar quality. Case in point: Koio Brera loafers, priced at $265.
As a loyal Koio fan, you can also receive discounts through their rewards program, where you earn points for signing up, spending, and referring. All of these are redeemable as discounts upon your next purchase. Additionally, you get $50 off your next pair when you recycle old Koios, meaning that you only ever have to pay the full price once.
Care & maintenance: Prolonging their lifespan
Although Koio Brera loafers are some of the most low-maintenance shoes we own, you can always prolong the lifespan of your shoes with the proper care.
To remove surface dirt, we recommend using a soft brush or cloth. Apply a high-quality leather conditioner to keep the leather supple, avoiding excess moisture. Store them in the provided dust bag to protect against dust and scratches. For the sole, occasional gentle cleaning will suffice. And avoid direct heat or sunlight when drying.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Who is it best for? Polished professionals and eco-chic it-girls
The Koio Brera loafer ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of different people. It’s an appropriate office choice for fashion-forward professionals. It’s a more comfortable alternative for those who hate heels but love the extra height. It’s a high-quality, versatile choice for minimalist consumers curating a capsule wardrobe. And it’s a more sustainable choice for eco-chic it-girls.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Alternatives to Koio Brera
M.Gemi The Tosca
With a shared commitment to Italian craftsmanship and sustainability, the M.Gemi Tosca is very similar to the Koio Brera. Both Italian loafers flaunt a classical, timeless aesthetic with a stacked sole and exposed stitching.
That being said, we found M.Gemi’s leather to be softer and more flexible than Koio’s and to offer more traction thanks to the rubber insert on the leather sole. While the Koio Brera is slightly more polished, sustainable and affordable.
Oliver Cabell Penny Loafer
If you prefer a flat loafer, the Oliver Cabell Penny Loafer is a more nonchalant take on the elevated Brera—and a little more affordable too.
A great alternative to the Koio Brera, the Oliver Cabell Penny Loafer is almost as sleek and versatile but even more practical. Akin to a slipper in comfort and a loafer in style, these heel-less slip-ons are easy to live in. Crafted in Italy from incredibly soft and supple Italian leather, they mold to the shape of the foot. And we love the contrasted, exposed stitching, texture material, and classic penny slot.
Gucci Horsebit Loafer
While we adore our Koio Brera loafers, they don’t hold quite the same historical significance as the OG Gucci Horsebit. If that means something to you, we recommend going straight to the horse’s mouth with these timeless, time-honored slip-ons.
The pioneer of the horsebit loafer, the Gucci shoe is instantly recognizable by its gold equestrian-inspired hardware. The heel is slightly less stacked than the Brera—a failsafe in between. And the Italian leather is equally soft and sumptuous.
Horsebit hardware aside, the biggest difference between the two labels comes down to price. While the Koio Brera is considered affordable for designer quality, the Gucci Horsebit Loafer is almost four times the price.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Where to buy Koio Brera loafers?
The full collection of Brera loafers is available on Koio’s official website. By cutting out the middleman, they’re able to sell designer quality shoes at a much more affordable price tag—even more so if you sign up to the brand’s loyalty program. Koio deliveries and returns are also quick, seamless, and well-communicated.
Frequently asked questions about Koio
Yes, Koio is a good brand. By marrying contemporary designs with Italian craftsmanship, Koio offers high-quality, durable shoes made from environmentally responsible materials. The brand’s direct-to-consumer model allows them to sell high-quality footwear without the steep price tag of traditional luxury brands. Check our Koio brand page to learn more.
Koio shoes are known for their high-quality materials and craftsmanship, which often result in a comfortable fit from the start. While they may not require an extensive break-in period like some other brands, they can still benefit from a brief period of wear to conform to your foot’s shape for optimal comfort.
Koio fits true to size. For the best fit, we recommend opting for your normal shoe size. That being said, Koio footwear only comes in full sizes. If you fall somewhere in between two sizes, we generally recommend sizing down.
Loafers are generally regarded as good work shoes, depending on your office dress code and the nature of your job. Sleek and polished, they are often considered appropriate in business-casual or smart-casual environments.