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GQ Recommends
Bet on black, baby.
By Avidan Grossman, Jake Woolf, and Michella Oré
Here at GQ Recommends, we dig a crisp white sneaker as much as the next guy. (No, seriously. We've got a problem.) But the best black sneakers for men make a convincing argument for the dark side, the footwear equivalent of Emperor Palpatine whispering sweet nothings in a young Padawan's ear. Turns out, black shoes are the perfect low-maintenance alternative for any serial puddle-swervers, and engaging in illegal activity isn't a prerequisite to wearing 'em. (Most of the time.)
The Best Black Sneakers Shopping Guide
- The Cheaper-Than-It-Should-Be Pick: Stepney Workers Club “Dellow” Sneakers, $160
- The Business Casual Pick: Maison Margiela "Replica" Sneakers, $540
- The Trail-Ready Pick: Salomon XT-6 ADV Sneakers, $260
- The Sneaker-Inspired Pick: Nike Air "More Uptempo" Slide Sandal, $85
- The Dad-Approved Pick: New Balance "990" Sneakers, $185
These days, every sneaker brand worth its weight in StockX authentication tags makes blacked-out versions of its best sellers, and if you're sick of breaking out the OxiClean every time you take the subway they're worth investigating. Do a little research and you'll unearth a treasure trove of pitch-black gems, from athletic shoes you can wear exploring the great outdoors to casual shoes you can wear avoiding said outdoors like you're allergic to smogless air.
If these 23 options—the very best black sneakers for men—don't make you renounce the Jedi path (or at least acknowledge the positively Yohji-esque drip of their evil counterparts), nothing we say will.
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1/23
Oakley "Chop Saw" Sneakers
Stop mulling over whether you need yet another pair of mules—you do.
3/23
Onitsuka Tiger "Mexico 66" Sneaker
Like it or not, the Mexico 66 is probably the next It sneaker. Ride the wive now before it really crests.
4/23
JW Anderson "Bumper Hike" Low Top Sneakers
The greater the distance between your feet and the pavement, the closer to style god.
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5/23
Eytys "Fugu" sneakers
If the sound of a car peeling off the tarmac were a shoe, this is what it would look like.
6/23
Nike Air "More Uptempo" Slide Sandal
Good news, Scottie Pippen stans: your favorite sneaker now comes in slide version, too.
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7/23
Our Legacy "Klove" sneakers
Gorp-core meets office-core meets your new go-to-shoe-core.
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9/23
Keen "Uneek SNK" sneaker
Your favorite ur-crunchy sandal: now with an enclosed heel that'll keep stray rocks from ruining your stride.
10/23
Vans "Old Skool" sneaker
After all these years, still too cool for school ("school", to be clear, is now your 9 to 5).
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11/23
Nike Zoom "Vomero 5" Sneakers
Get your hands on—and your feet into—one of summer's hottest retro sneakers while you still can.
12/23
Adidas "Adimatic" sneakers
According to the algorithm, these are the sneakers of summer 2023.
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14/23
Hoka "Anacapa" low Gore-Tex sneakers
A honking pair of trail-ready sneakers that'll look sick with gorped-out cargos, whether you're hiking up a mountain or uptown.
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17/23
Nike Air Jordan 4 "Black Cat" sneakers
We're not saying they could pass as formalwear, but there's something slightly more swanky about a pair of blacked-out 4s.
18/23
Converse Chuck 70 classic canvas sneaker
The same Chucks you've always loved, only '70s-ier.
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19/23
Maison Margiela replica low top sneaker
Maison Margiela's take on the legendary German Army Trainer is sleek, sexy, and way more comfortable than your brogues—exactly the kind of shoe you should be wearing right now.
20/23
Adidas Originals "Samba" classic sneaker
Nearly a year (!) after we first called it, the Samba's moment ain't over yet. If we were betting men, we'd say now's the time to go all in.
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21/23
Salomon XT-6 ADV sneaker
The sleeker version of our very favorite trail running shoes is also one of our very favorite shoes, period.
22/23
Reebok Club C 85 sneaker
In white, these quality kicks helped one GQ writer bow out from the sneaker game for good. In black, they might be even more powerful.
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23/23
Prada America's Cup sneaker
The OG colorway is one of this year's best, but the blacked-out version is a close second.
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