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Black sneakers are back in heavy rotation. Even our Editor-in-Chief is lacing them up these days. But don't call it a comeback. They never really left.

As it turns out, black trainers are the low-maintenance MVPs of transitional weather. Rainy days? Muddy sidewalks? No problem. They shrug off puddles and still pull together a fit. Think of them as a stylish skeleton key: whether you're dressing down in monochrome sweats or dressing up with a tailored coat and wide-leg trousers, black sneakers just work.

They'll keep your Spring fits dry and your style intact. Sure, we love a crisp white sneaker or a color-blocked shoe, but if you're looking for low-effort versatility (or black's the only color in your wardrobe), trust us, the dark side is having all the fun right now.

Asics x Issey Miyake Hyper Taping

The world of sneakers is polarized right now. One one side of the spectrum, the desire for super-chunky dad shoes still lives on, but there's an equal opposite reaction, too. Shoes like the ASICS x Issey Miyake Hyper Taping silhouette represent our ever-increasing interest in reducing shoes to their most lightweight versions.

adidas Samba Jane Shoes

The adidas Samba is basically the final word in versatile footwear, but this Mary Jane remix of the silhouette adds a touch of spice to the equation. Luckily, the black uppers keep things toned-down to ensure that styling remains a doozy.

Rick Owens Vintage Leather-Trimmed Suede Sneakers

Rick OwensVintage Full-Grain Leather-Trimmed Suede Sneakers
$1,050
Buy at Mr. Porter

Rick Owens footwear is surely one of the most successful ranges in luxury fashion. Defined by chunky sole units, each silhouette looks most at home in the brand's signature black colorway. Few in the lineup can beat this low-top model when it comes to year-round wearability.

Nike P-6000 Suede

Nike's P-6000 is a shoe made for action. The mean-looking silhouette has complex uppers that combine mesh with structural overlays running from the lacing eyelets down to the midsole. In all-black, the P-6000 looks better than ever.

Maison Margiela Black Sprinters Sneakers

When put up against the iconic Replica, few Margiela Sneakers ever get the space to truly shine, but that's not to say that the brand doesn't have any silhouettes worth discovering. The Sprinters silhouette is the perfect example. Lightweight, retro, and ideal for spring and summer, it's vying to become your next rotation MVP in this black colorway.

Nike Air Max Phenomena Sneaker Loafers Black

Look, sneaker loafers are here to stay whether you like it or not. After New Balance opened the floodgates, everyone has piled in, and the Nike Air Max Phenomena might be the most sophisticated of the bunch.

adidas Italia 70s

Much like the Margielas, when there are Sambas, Gazelles, and other wildly popular options available at adidas, many overlook some of the brand's best silhouettes like the Italia 70s. The adidas Italia 70s Sneakers have been around sincec 1959, believe it or not. This black and burgundy colorway has a sense of understated elegance to it.

On Cloudtilt Remix

On's catalog is full of shoes that boast the kind of technology you'd expect of a race-day runner, but are actually designed for everyday wear. None fit that description more than the On Cloudtilt Remix which looks particularly fit for daily runouts in this all-black palette.

Salomon RX-Moc 3.0

If you are one of the growing numbers looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous Salomon XT range, look no further than the RX-Moc 3.0 which is perfect for summer. Fitted with a chunky metallic buckle, this slip-on silhouette is definitely out-there but still easily to style in black.

Our Legacy Gabe Leather-Trimmed Suede Sneakers

The Our Legacy Gabe Sneaker treads between trail runner and luxury sneaker. Premium suede and leather meet a hard-wearing Vibram sole unit and side-shifted lacing for technical flavor.

Nike Waffle Racer

In a world of complex, technical footwear, sometimes the best thing that you can do is keep things simple. The Nike Waffle Racer has been doing its retro thing since 1977 and the slimlione silhouette still looks as good as day one in black.

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