Black sneakers are essential to a sneaker lineup, offering maximum versatility (black goes with everything) and opportunities both to stand out or let other statement pieces in your fit shine. Due to their vast styling potential, sportswear and fashion brands alike continue to drop new incarnations of monochrome kicks for men, all year round.
What's more, black sneakers come with far less maintenance than their brighter, white counterparts – so there's less pressure to keep them box-fresh, making them ultra-wearable.
But with so many options out there, man's quest for the perfect pair of black sneakers is no easy task. Fortunately, the experts here at Highsnobiety HQ have been keeping tabs on the footwear essentials – from the classics to new releases – and have curated a selection of the best black sneakers for men right now (we've rounded up the best women's kicks here).
Scroll on for a look at the best black sneakers for men right now.
Nike Air Max 270 React
Air Max 270 React
Nike
Nike never sleeps. Each year seems to bring a host of exciting new silhouettes from the sneaker giant. 2018 was a great year, seeing the release of the 270 which got the React treatment, affording it a futuristic, layered upper.
Nike Air Force One
In the arena of all-time classic sneaker silhouettes, the Nike Air Force One is the final boss. A chunky sole forms the foundation for an unforgettable, paneled upper. In an all-black colorway, this is an understated essential for every footwear rotation.
Nike Special Project ACG Moc 3.0 Sneakers
Nike combines a soft wrap-around upper with a substantial sneaker sole unit to make the ACG Moc 3.0 one of the most versatile black sneakers around. From off-duty homebound fits to public-eye style, don't be shy — rock the Moc.
adidas Originals NMD R1
NMD R1
adidas Originals
Releasing in late 2015, the Adidas NMD has grown to become a beloved corner of the permanent adidas roster in just over 4 years. That’s probably down to a lightweight Ultra Boost sole unit, streamlined silhouette, and insanely comfortable uppers.
New Balance Made in US 990v5
Made In US 990v5
New Balance
The 990v5 has become New Balance's flagship silhouette, and for good reason. The perfect blend of comfort and style, the much-loved sneaker also comes in this slick blacked-out colorway.
adidas Originals x Prada Superstar 450 Leather Sneakers
Superstar 450 Leather Sneakers
adidas Originals x Prada
With Raf Simons now the collaborative head of Prada, an adidas Originals collaboration doesn't seem so unlikely. This time it's the iconic Superstar that gets the update. Transformed with premium leather uppers, but sticking to a minimal, monochromatic palette, this pair will be a central character in our seasonal rotation.
HOKA One One Gore-Tex® Challenger Low Sneakers
Gore-Tex® Challenger Low Sneakers
HOKA One One
Free Express Shipping On Orders Over $300
Free Express Shipping On Orders Over $300
HOKA One One sneakers are made for high-performance running. That's the explanation for the characteristic chunky sole units that have become synonymous with the brand. The Challenger Low Sneaker gets a durable GORE-TEX makeover for fall and winter this year and its all-black aesthetic matches its no-frills purpose.
Reebok x Très Rasché Club C 85
Club C 85
Reebok x Très Rasché
Reebok's Club C 85 is a timeless silhouette thanks to its sleek lifestyle construction that can be styled with pretty much anything you want, from suits to sports shorts. Teaming up with Très Rasché, Reebok gives the classic style a cracked matte-black upper which has strong, grungy vibes.
Acne Studios Leather Sneakers
Leather Sneakers
Acne Studios
Free Delivery On All Orders
Free Delivery On All Orders
We're wondering how Acne Studios has reworked the school shoes we had at the age of 6 and made us actually want them this time around. Premium leather uppers feature a perforated toe box and a subtle gold-foil logo in the way of detailing.
Nike x COMME des GARÇONS Air Jordan 1 Retro High
Air Jordan 1 Retro High
Nike x COMME des GARÇONS
The Air Jordan 1 has always been a popular silhouette but recent months have seen an explosion in popularity for the style thanks to high-profile collaborations. This COMME des GARÇONS collaboration released back in 2019 and its oversized tongue and buckles are sure to garner attention, even amidst the Dior frenzy.
Maison Margiela Replica Paint-Splatter Sneakers
Replica Paint-Splatter Sneakers
Maison Margiela
Free Shipping On All Orders Within The USA Over $250
Free Shipping On All Orders Within The USA Over $250
Maison Margiela's Replica sneaker is a brand-defining design and a design that has been reproduced by countless labels. The fact that the storied silhouette is so heavily associated with Maison Margiela is testament to the fact that Margiela did it best.
adidas Originals Superstar
Superstar
adidas Originals
The adidas Superstar celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Beginning life as a low top basketball sneaker, the Superstar has been adopted by various areas of culture and it continues to get new, modern spins.
Vans Old Skool
Old Skool
Vans
A classic. Vans’ signature shoe has been a part of rotations for more than 40 years, designed for skating but loved and used in a multitude of other worlds now.
Salomon RX MOC ADV Slip-On Sneakers
RX MOC ADV Slip-On Sneakers
Salomon
Salomon is at the top of its game right now having broken the barrier between performance and lifestyle. The RX MOC ADV Slip-On is a super comfortable silhouette cut from a scuba fabric combined with mesh inserts for breathability.
ASICS GT-2000 9 Sneakers
GT-2000 9
ASICS
Free 2 Day Shipping On Orders Over $50
Free 2 Day Shipping On Orders Over $50
Japanese footwear giant ASICS is another name that has confidently blurred the line between performance and lifestyle, in part thanks to a string of successful collaborations. That said, this pair doesn't need any other name on the tongue tab to make its point — just a good, old-fashioned monochrome palette.
A-COLD-WALL* Dirt Mock Slip-On Sneakers
Dirt Mock Slip-On Sneakers
A-COLD-WALL*
Outfitted in rubberized leather, the Dirt Mock Slip-On from Samuel Ross' A-COLD-WALL* can stand up to all conditions and is super easy to style thanks to the murdered-out color scheme.
On Cloudflow
Cloudflow
On
Performance-footwear brand On bridges the gap between exercise gear and everyday lifestyle footwear with the Cloudflow. Mesh uppers afford lightweight breathability while the fully cushioned sole unit provides comfort and support.
ASICS GEL-Kayano 5 360
GEL-Kayano 5 360
ASICS
ASICS has continuously shown that it can bring the past and future together to create hybrid sneakers like no other. The GEL-Kayano 5 360 is a testament to that, featuring an ultra-comfy 360 GEL sole and a retro-inspired upper.
Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Black Cat 2020
Air Jordan 4 Retro “Black Cat 2020”
Nike
The Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Black Cat’ is a highly sought-after shoe, and for good reason. A murdered-out design shifts all the focus onto the model’s iconic silhouette, cementing it as one of the most loved Jordan models ever.
adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN
Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN
adidas
When Kanye’s design know-how made the move from Nike to adidas, something switched. Since then, the Yeezy brand has grown exponentially with seemingly no end to the hysteria. Bag this sleek Yeezy Boost 700 for the love of sneaker history.
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