Hermes Chypre Sandal Men Techno-sandal Calfskin Noir H222000ZH01390

Every wardrobe needs one black pair that works with everything, and this Chypre is the version I would recommend without caveats. Black calfskin upper, black goatskin lining, black calfskin footbed, black rubber sole. The palette is monochrome, but the surfaces are not, and that is what keeps the sandal from looking flat.

Wearing it, what stands out is the support. The anatomical sole curves through the arch and takes weight off the heel rather than letting the foot lie flat, and the single strap across the instep spreads pressure over a wide band instead of a thin lace. Made in Italy, sizes 40 to 46, and the fit has been true for me at my normal size.

I wear them from March to October in the city, at airports, and on evenings where a closed shoe would feel like a decision. Goatskin lining is the unsung part: it is durable, resists odour better than a padded synthetic, and stays cool when the temperature climbs.

The trade-off is the one black leather always brings, which is standoffishness in heat and visible dust. A quick wipe with a soft cloth after a dusty walk, and a clean footbed before you put them away, keeps the black looking deep rather than grey. Both take less than a minute. The goatskin lining deserves its own mention: it has not pilled, has not picked up the faint smell that padded sandals develop in August, and stays cool against the arch on long days. If I could keep only one pair of sandals, this would be the pair, because it asks nothing of an outfit.