11 pairs of cool black sneakers you can wear everywhere

Black basics are the indispensable workhorses of most people’s activewear wardrobes—be it your go-to opaque leggings or a seriously flattering swimsuit. Given the mileage these pieces can put in, it begs the question: Is there a sneaker equivalent—i.e. a LBD of footwear?

Turns out, there are several, according to Gia Seo, buyer for hip Miami boutique The Webster. (She has a few equally cool side hustles, too: stylist, model, and—most-importantly for current purposes—sneakerhead.) When it comes to inky kicks, “you can’t go wrong,” she says.

Her go-tos? Black Air Force 1 high-tops. “[They’re] a classic, and will always have a warm place in my heart,” Seo admits. “It was one of the first sneakers I ever owned, and it introduced me to a rich culture I didn’t have experience with growing up in Alaska.”

While the OG Nike style is her number one, Seo says there are plenty of other dark-hued trainers she’d gladly make room for in her closet.

So which black sneakers are on her short list? Scroll down to see 11 pairs that definitely make the cut.

12 coolest black sneakers of summer 2017

Nike Classic Cortez $70

APL Techloom Phantom Sneaker $165

Gucci Ace Embroidered Sneaker $595

Keds x Kate Spade New York Champion Leather Sneaker $90

Tory Sport Neoprene Sneaker $225

Forever 21 Faux Patent Leather Sneaker $25

New Balance 247 Classic Lace Up Sneaker $80

Adidas by Stella McCartney Limited Edition Ultra Boost Sneaker $250

Alexander Wang Rian Espadrille Lace Up Sneaker $495

Rick Owens Black Leather Low Sneaker $920

Feit Hand Sewn Low Sneaker $540