G.H. Bass Weejuns Loafer Review: Does the Iconic Shoe Still Hit?

Short of boat shoes, the Larsons are about as preppy as a slip-on gets, but looks equally at home with big chinos, busted jeans, or thigh-baring shorts. In the 90 years since the Weejuns first debuted, the shoe has expanded its stylistic range and can slip into streetwear aesthetics or gorp-core as easily as it can strut through campus in pleated trousers and a sportcoat.

It fits true-to-size, but beware the brutal break-in period

Gerald Ortiz

Gerald Ortiz

When it comes to sizing, I recommend your usual dress shoe size, or half to a full size down from your normal sneaker size. For reference, I usually wear a size 9 in Nikes and Vans, tried an 8.5 in the Weejuns, and was swimming in them. Ultimately, I landed on a size 8, which were a bit snug at first before they stretched. The toe box is the classic rounded shape, but it does run a bit narrow. Thankfully, Bass offers the Larson in wide sizes, which should definitely help if you’ve got broader feet.

About the leather: It’s really stiff. These are the kind of shoes you break in with bandages on both heels and the resolve of someone training for a marathon. My feet were sore after a few days, and still sore after a full week. Socks were also a no-go at first. So I rationed out my wear, slipping them on for a few hours at a time and giving my heels time to recover. Eventually, the leather softened, enough for thin dress socks, and then, finally, my usual everyday crew socks. But make no mistake: these loafers will make you earn it.

Pricier than before, but still the best at its price

Over the years, the price of a fresh pair of Weejuns has crept up. Back in 2019, a fresh pair of Bass beef rolls rang in at around $110. Today, they’ll run you $175, thanks in part to inflation (thanks, whoever is president at the time of you reading this). That puts them in a more competitive bracket, surrounded by plenty of solid loafers vying for attention. And yet, the Weejuns still hold their ground. Even at a higher price, few shoes in the price tier offer the same mix of heritage, versatility, and cultural capital.

Final verdict: Are Bass Larson Weejuns Loafers worth it?

Like a Porsche 911 or a Levi’s 501, Bass Weejuns are about as iconic as it gets. Everything about them is “textbook,” from the hand-stitched moccasin-style uppers to the “whale tail” strap to the silhouette. It’s the template by which other loafers draw from, and straying from any of the Weejuns’ design details feels more like a necessity than a deliberate decision.

That said, it can be a bit hard to swallow the $175 hit to your wallet for a pair of budget loafers. But when you look at the competition, who’s more expensive, less well-made, and even less classic, the numbers still add up well in favor of the Bass Weejuns.

If Weejuns’ iconic status, wide stylistic range, quality, and value still don’t convince you, there is another pair that we recommend over them if you’re willing to save up your shekels and spend a little more. For just over $200, Meermin’s Spanish-made loafers have got Bass beat in terms of quality, construction, and materials. Cultural caché? Not so much. So if the undeniably iconic look of the Weejuns is what you’re after, we won’t blame you. They’re a great pair that’ll probably last you just as long as any other resolable pair of loafers while saving you some dough in the process.

Whichever way you prefer to loaf is up to you, but the Weejuns will forever be a classic and are at this point, almost a rite of passage for any menswear enthusiast. Are there better-made loafers out there? Obviously. Are there better loafers? We’re not so sure.

G.H.Bass & Co.

Larson Weejuns Loafer