Nike General Purpose Shoe “Black” Levels Up with Leather for 2026

In a market often crowded with new midsole tech and nostalgia colourways, this release follows the Tom Sachs philosophy of footwear as a tool. While previous versions used knit and synthetic, the 2026 “Black” edition moves into a more rugged space. This is a complete material overhaul for the shoe.

The original knit upper is gone. In its place sits a perforated black leather base, supported by thick tumbled leather overlays. The change means these feels heavier in hand. The leather upper holds its shape better and cleans easier, making it a better fit for the UK winter.

The triple-black palette keeps things understated, broken up by crisp white Swooshes and subtle heel detailing. A Royal Blue pull tab adds a small flash of colour. An orange tongue hit gives the only real colour pop aside from that. Everything else stays focused on utility.

Underfoot, the tooling remains familiar to what you’d expect from this shoe. A dense EVA midsole sits inside a molded cupsole construction. No gimmicks. Just grounded comfort and reliable arch support.

The waffle-style outsole finishes things properly and keeps it archival Nike with a dark gum finish. No official release date yet, but expect a lot of hype when we find out.