Hey Dude Austin Lift Leather vs HEYDUDE Austin Lift Penny Tassel Mule

Both are Austin Lift styles on the same 34mm platform outsole, so the ride, weight and raised heel edge are effectively identical. The real split is the upper: the Lift Leather is a plain leather shoe that reads dressier and should hold up better to scuffs and rain, while the Penny Tassel is a synthetic suede loafer with tassels and a penny keeper that leans casual and decorative. Owners of Hey Dude's leather uppers tend to report them breaking in quickly and cleaning up easily; synthetic suede is softer out of the box but shows wear and staining sooner. Buy the leather for work and travel, the tassel mule for a loafer look you wear with jeans and skirts.

• Choose the Austin Lift Leather if you want a plain, versatile leather shoe that dresses up for work and handles weather and scuffs better.
• Choose the Austin Lift Penny Tassel if you want a slip-on loafer with tassels and a penny keeper and prefer a softer synthetic suede upper.