A little color never hurt anybody, let alone a New Balance dad shoe. But let's be honest, the essential colorways, those stylish neutrals that are always rotation-ready, are where it's at.

Take New Balance's all-black 992, for instance. There's already a certain level of beauty to the classic dad shoe outfitted in a tonal black suit. But New Balance has also added some low-key nice textures, making it better than your average black sneaker.

Specifically, the Made in U.S.A. 992s come layered in smooth suede and crisp mesh. It's joined by the famously chunky soles injected with New Balance's engineered cushioning.

The results are clean, low-key, and undeniably stylish. It's honestly the perfect black dad shoe.

Since returning to the market, New Balance's 992 has appeared in more colorful options (matcha-flavored versions included). But the sneaker really shines in its quieter looks. The grey 992s are a Steve Jobs-approved classic for a reason.

New Balance's blacked-out 992s are now available on the brand's website for $200, alongside other essential colorways like grey and black/white.

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