Black Sneakers Will Always Be a Wardrobe Staple

They're the backbone of any shoe closet.

black sneakers
(Image credit: Getty Images)

While I'm not exactly a sneakerhead, I boast an extensive sneaker collection. And while I love shopping for the trendiest sneakers of 2024, I also have a penchant for shopping for the best, wear-everywhere sneakers that don't fall under any single trend—which is why I always keep a pair of black sneakers in my wardrobe. They're the little black dresses of my sneaker collection. 

Let's be clear: I'm shopping for black sneakers this year because I've already found all my favorite white sneakers, which I wear on a near-constant basis. I've also discussed at length the best slip-on sneakers and the best chunky sneakers that the fashion crowd can't get enough of right now. But, despite my best efforts to expand beyond my monochromatic footwear comfort zone in 2024, I keep returning to black sneakers as a failsafe option when I'm running out the door. 

And I'm not alone: Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid have been spotted in matching pairs of black Adidas Samba sneakers throughout 2023. The sleek silhouette, available in black and white, has been near-constantly sold out ever since, proving that even fashion's most elite insiders are opting for something different for the new year. I've rounded up the best black sneakers for you to shop right now from classic brands like Nike, Vans, and New Balance, plus a few designer options from Maison Margiela, VINCE, and Cariuma.  

The Best Black Sneakers

Julia Marzovilla
Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.