Black sneakers are essential to every rotation, 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 essential – 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).
And while the timeless Nike Air Force 1 and adidas Campus may have served you well in the past, we’re all about new general releases, as well as sneaker collaborations with the likes of COMME des GARÇONS and ADER Error.
Scroll on for a look at the best black sneakers for men right now.
Nike VaporMax Plus
Air Vapormax Plus
Nike
A hybrid of the Vapormax and Air Max Plus, Nike’s Air VaporMax Plus combines the best of the two silhouettes. Eye-catching and comfortable, the sneaker fuses the VaporMax sole unit with the Air Max Plus upper.
New Balance Tokyo Design Studio R_C4
R_C4
New Balance x Tokyo Design Studio
Part of New Balance‘s Tokyo Design Studio project, the New Balance R_C4 is the third installment from the Reveal series. Tech-heavy with elements such as the Cordura upper and reflective rope laces, the sneaker is finished with New Balance branding and a rugged Vibram sole.
adidas Originals Ozweego
Ozweego
adidas Originals
Inspired by the sneakers of the ’90s and ’00s, the adidas Originals Ozweego is the perfect blend of classic and modern. With an eye-catching mesh and suede upper, the Ozweego boasts elements of running sneakers from the past. This new colorway features a matte black upper and grey outsole.
Junya Watanabe x New Balance 574 Steer
574 Steer Sneakers
Junya Watanabe x New Balance
Junya Watanabe is not one to collaborate with sneaker brands often, but it looks like things are slowly changing. The Japanese designer’s recent collaboration with New Balance takes the 574 silhouette to new heights, here arriving with a smooth matte leather upper in a black colorway, paired with subtle white details.
Salomon Limited Edition XA Alpine 2 ADV
Limited Edition XA-Alpine 2 ADV Sneakers
Salomon
With winter right around the corner, it’s time to invest in a pair of high-top sneakers to see you right all season long. Salomon‘s XA Alpine 2 boot is perfect for Fall/Winter — not only are they easy to keep clean, but the shoe’s rugged Contragrip sole will give you maximum traction against snow, rain, or mud.
Prada Cloudbust Thunder
Cloudbust Thunder Sneakers
Prada
If Prada‘s Cloudbust silhouette isn’t chunky enough for your taste, this updated Thunder version was made just for you. This new Cloudbust comes with a wild outsole, as well as tech details on its upper. The patent leather overlays are an added bonus.
RHUDE Translucent V1 Lo
Translucent V1 Lo Sneakers
RHUDE
Though Los Angeles-based RHUDE may be mostly known for streetwear, the brand’s sneaker offerings shouldn’t be overlooked either. This Vans-inspired sneaker arrives with a sleek black upper and white-colored stitching throughout. Its main attraction, though, is the transparent rubber midsole.
Eytys Halo
Halo Sneakers
Eytys
When it comes to chunky footwear, a brand like Eytys is always front of mind. This season, though, Eytys is taking things a step further with its new Halo, an alien-like shoe that comes with a super-thick and wavy sole. Here available in a triple black colorway.
ADER Error x PUMA Trailfox
Trailfox
Puma x ADER
PUMA‘s Trailfox has now received an update from Korean streetwear label ADER Error. Originally designed as a trail sneaker, ADER Error’s Trailfox comes with futuristic details, from the in-your-face reflective elements to the covered lacing system.
New Balance M990 BK5 “Made in USA”
M990 BK5 Made in USA
New Balance
First introduced in 1982, New Balance’s M990 is a timeless shoe. This version, part of the “Made in USA” series, comes with a minimalistic all-black design, with the exception of the white logo details and white, grey, and silver midsole.