Black sneakers are quite possibly the best footwear investment a man can make. How so? Black sneakers can be paired with pretty much anything, they lend themselves to the colder seasons of the year (far better than their white sneakers counterpart) and are perfect for pairing with evening wear such as black jeans or chinos when hitting the town.
Black sneakers are the perfect accessory for luxe streetwear outfits too or anything that involves a leather jacket, and because they’re so dark, you could even get away with wearing them to more formal occasions (just don’t come blaming us if you’re caught out and ejected).
So where do you start in the game of black sneakers? Figuring out the occasion. Skate style black sneakers are best paired with casual gear like t-shirts, jeans and shorts. Black sneakers of the leather variety are best suited to more smart-casual looks which employ trousers, chinos and fitted shorts. Black running shoes meanwhile play best in the streetwear space, or naturally, at the gym.
If you know the occasion you’re buying for, then we’re happy to let you loose into the world of black sneaker shopping. But to give you a helping hand, we’ve put together this list of some of the best pairs of men’s black sneakers currently available, covering a variety of materials, styles and budgets.

OCA Low

The IBI sneaker is knitted from self-regenerating bamboo and recycled plastics are used from heel to toe. The result is a super comfortable black sneaker that is incredibly lightweight and completely vegan. They're remarkably good looking and are available in black and white or all black, along with numerous other colours.

Canyon Fresh

The Canyon is an all-terrain sneaker, in every sense of the phrase; it's waterproof and features the same benefits seen on aqua shoes, sports shoes, and hiking boots, all in one black sneaker. Did we mention it's also incredibly stylish? Well, it is. Say hello to ultimate style, function, and comfort.

Tree Runners

That's certainly the claim said of the Tree Runner, a running-focused sneaker that can be worn everyday, and one that has been put through hours upon hours of testing. The knitted upper is one piece and made from a material derived from eucalyptus trees, resulting in one that is breathable, lightweight and totally flexible. You get an unbelievable amount of cushioning too, so your feet will be well-supported with every step and stride, and we actually think the triple black sneaker is rather good looking. It might not have the same big-brand appeal as some others on this list, but for outright function and comfort, you can't do much better.

Avro Knit

The Avro Knit's knit fabric allows them to feel like a sock and for you to slip into them like one. They're breathable too, to prevent a build-up of sweat and moisture and come with a thicker insole than most other pairs as standard. You can upgrade to the FootB3D insoles for an extra fee. Available in all-black or black and white, they're a handsome, comfortable and capable pair of men's black sneakers.

Low 1

The Low 1 in their Jet Black finish are an incredibly good-looking pair of black sneakers, with gold Oliver Cabell branding on the tongue and heel to give them an added sense of luxury and purpose. They're hand-stitched in Italy, the same place that the leather used in their construction is sourced from, while the outer Margom sole is more than up to the task of lasting for several wears.

The Forever Sneaker

The Forever Sneaker rocks a more casual design compared to some other pairs on this list, but one that is downright handsome. Its cotton canvas upper is made with 50% recycled cotton, while the sole is made from a blend of both natural and recycled rubber that is virtually free of virgin plastic. Looking for a simple, fuss-free pair of black sneakers? Look no further.

Lyon

The Lyon sneaker fits into the former camp. Handmade in Portugal, these all-black sneakers for men utilise genuine leather for the upper and rubber for the sole, which is stitched and glued for longevity. The insole, complete with arch support, is removable should you have orthotic insoles of your own, with subtle branding completing the look.

Relay Future


Sneaker 1

The Sneaker 1 is undoubtedly one of Grenson's most stylish designs, helped by the fact it's offered in a variety of materials and colours. We're simply gaga for the black suede version, which takes slight inspiration from tennis shoes of yesteryear and pairs it with a white rubber cup sole that makes them undeniably cool.

Positively Conscious

The Campo black sneakers rock a classic low-top silhouette that lends them to being worn with both casual and formal outfits. Made from ChromeFree full-grain leather, which means it comes from cows that are fed native vegetation, and a lining made from organic cotton, they do good and look good at the same time.

Un Costa

The Un Costa Tie are a surprisingly handsome pair of low top black leather sneakers that adopt an incredibly similar silhouette to many other pairs on this list, but don't come with the same sort of price tag. They're beyond affordable, yet are made genuine leather and offer supreme comfort thanks to an unstructured fit, meaning you can simply slide them on.

Chuck Taylor All Star

Converse's most famous model is without doubt the All Star, in both high and low form. We've chosen the high-tops , not only for their absolute iconic silhouette, but because they provide a greater surface area for the black colour-way. Popular with people from all walks of life and with all manner of interests and hobbies, the All Star High maintain their "ain't broke, don't fix" attitude to design. Capable of being styled down with a casual outfit or, owing to their all-black nature, you can even get away with wearing them for more formal events.
An essential pair of black sneakers for men to invest in.

Old Skool

It's with that in mind that we had to select the all-black Old Skool as the pair to get. Retaining their iconic design ever since their introduced in 1977, the Old Skool is both durable and lightweight, with an extra-grippy rubber sole for ultimate traction. Finished in canvas but with suede on both the heel and toe, the Old Skool is a black sneaker that will never go out of fashion.

Capri

Such as this pair of Capri sneakers, finished in charcoal. You can have them in a deeper, all-black finish, but we feel this charcoal pair offers a more indie look and one that can accentuate any casual outfit. They're made from Italian nubuck leather and fitted with a Margom sole.

Star Dribble Classic

Those soles can be found on the Star Dribble sneaker. With a design not too dissimilar to Converse, the Star Dribble certainly take inspiration from classic basketball footwear. With a canvas upper and that all-important recycled rubber sole finished in all black for a premium, yet minimal look.

No-1

The No-1 sneaker is such a product, being made from a waterproof canvas for the upper and making use of a rubber Margom sole to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground when conditions worsen. The insole is made from a memory foam for soft cushioning and to mould to your feet, and is treated with antibacterial technology to keep them smelling fresher for longer.

Stefan Janoski

Take the Air Max Stefan Janoski 2. They're the perfect hybrid of Nike brands, taking the super-soft cushioning of Nike's iconic Air technology, and marrying it with an ultralight upper with skateboard culture-inspired looks, to give an effortlessly cool and comfortable black sneaker.

NZ Royal

The NZ Royal sneakers are about as minimal as you can get with an exceptionally clean silhouette with a slight hint of branding on the right heel. They're made from calf leather both inside and out for the ultimate in comfort and feature a shockproof inner sole to keep them feeling comfortable for longer. For a pair of minimal black sneakers that are comfortably affordable, you can't pass on Jak.

Ultra Boost

Case in point, the Ultra Boost 21. Benefitting from the company's forward-thinking boost technology, which helps cushion each stride and propel you forward, the Ultra Boost also get a Primeknit upper to hug your feet like socks. Finished in mostly all black with red accents, they're super stealthy and can easily be paired with any style of gym kit you can imagine.

Clean 90

The Clean 90 has remained a staple in its sneaker lineup ever since its founding and it's easy to see why. Sporting the classic low top silhouette that is a cinch to pair with practically any outfit, the Clean 90 show off some of the best leather Italy has to offer, and the finest Portuguese craftsmanship. Its contrasting rubber cupsole lends it to being more streetwear focused, while subtle design choices such as a contrasting heel piece give them a premium look that belies their price. They're one of our absolute favourite pairs of black sneakers for men by far.

Original Achilles Low

The Original Achilles Low is easily the most iconic pair in Common Projects' repertoire, thanks to its completely clean silhouette, save from the numbers on the heel which relate to the style, colour and size. A high price they may demand, but for outright quality, we think they're worth every dollar.

Court Classic

For paired-back classic style, Saint Laurent's Court Classic SL/10 sneakers are ideal. They take a classic low silhouette and give it a typically French makeover, using perforated black calfskin leather with a touch of suede on the toe for that extra sense of premium luxury, while gold Saint Laurent branding on the side lets others know you're better than them.

Neven Low Eco-suede

The Neven Low Eco suede comes in a classic black, and is made with a vegan suede that’s much more breathable than normal leather and prevents sweaty feet. Extremely comfortable, you’ll be the King of cool rocking these eco-friendly sneakers.