What do you get if you take a thoroughbred sports shoe, add in a healthy splash of luxurious minimalism and dip the results in the shadiest of black dyes? For those of you who answered "The adidas ZX Flux Tech NPS 'Blackout"' - top marks. We would also have accepted "The coolest shoe of the year".
The German sports label has had a stellar 2014 thanks to the success of its newest woven runner - and their momentum doesn't look spent yet. Sitting astride an adiPrene midsole, the 'Blackout' lives up to its name: the lightweight synthetic upper and adjoining sock inner are made from subtly contrasting shades of black, with a third hue featuring on the stripes, laces and heel cage.
![](https://www.shortlist.com/media/images/2019/05/4b5da90bc752091fdd5c1a9b5a45dad3-1556698366-tWIO-column-width-inline.jpg)
There are no reflective panels, glow-in-the-dark flares or extra colour splashes here - it's a premium look from a training shoe that'll stand up to a marathon just as readily as a night on the town.
Available for £95 from Size?, you can get away with wearing this with just about anything. Even if it's black.
![](https://www.shortlist.com/media/images/2019/05/8512737c5cecca73437f9e5a0788e94c-1556698367-BEkJ-column-width-inline.jpg)
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