10 Cheaper Alternatives to Common Projects

Common Projects Review

Prices: $330 - $750

Materials: Nappa leather

 Prathan Poopat and Flavio Girolami founded Common Projects, their New York line of casual footwear, in 2004, matching an American street sensibility with high quality, hand-stitched Italian manufacturing. The original unisex collection has since expanded to a line of sneakers, slip-ons, sandals, and derbys devoted to the flexible and modern lifestyle of the Common Projects woman.The low profile look and the modern simplicity might be the first thing that one notices about Common Projects shoes, but the impeccable quality is certainly discovered immediately thereafter.Though the company is still based in the Big Apple, each pair of shoes is hand-stitched – using velvety soft Italian leather – in the stunning mountainous region of Marche, in eastern Italy.

Common Projects's sneakers are constantly chosen by guys as an alternative to dress shoes, and not in an ironic way. They are that stylish. And they are that consistent. These subtly sporty pairs are available in block colours – typically brilliant white, sleek black and deep burgundy. The only hint of branding appears in the delicately embossed line of golden digits found on the side of every pair. Digits correspond with the shoe’s style numbers, European sizes and hues. For the fashion connoisseur, these figures are not just functional – they're markers of timeless quality.

Where to Buy?

24s.com (2.5-3% cashback)

ssense.com (6-7% cashback)

net-a-porter.com (2.5-3% cashback)

mrporter.com (2.5-3% cashback)

selfridges.com (6-7% cashback)

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Cheaper Alternatives to Common Projects

1. Oliver Cabell Low 1

Prices: $220

Materials: Calfskin

The Oliver Cabell Low 1 could be described as a Common Projects Achilles homage, sold at a more affordable price point. To the untrained eye, the Oliver Cabell Low 1s look nearly identical to the Common Project Achilles Low. Both shoes are stitched together in Italy in a very similar fashion, and both have that sleek silhouette that many minimalists desire.

Stitched and lasted in Marche in central Italy using local full-grain calfskin leather, with rubber Italian Margom outsoles, Low 1 White sneakers are true to the Oliver Cabell philosophy of "everyday wear, forever". The footbed, lining and laves are also from Italy, which puts this sneaker squarely in the luxury category. It’s very similar to the Common Projects Achilles.  It even has gold lettering on an otherwise unmarked upper – a clear hat tip to Common Projects. Considering the Low 1 costs at roughly half the price of Common Projects, it is clearly one of the best Common Projects alternatives I have come across to date.

Where to Buy?

olivercabell.com

scheels.com (4-5% cashback)

2. Koio Capri

Prices: $245

Materials: Cow-leather

The Koio Capri also is one of the best choice if you’re looking for an alternative to Common Projects. A brand that manufactures out of Italy, literally every step of the production process is done in the Marche region in the country’s East — even the box is Italian made. Same to Common Projects Achilles, the Koio Capri is made with the highest quality Italian leather and outfitted with Margom soles. The Capri is lined with the same full-grain calf-skin leather found on the upper. The padding around the ankle and suede in the heel truly conveys a sense of luxury.

This fantastic sneaker is available in a huge range of colorways with different colored soles, trims, and uppers, but if you’re looking for that perfect minimalist white sneaker, opt for the Capri in Triple White. When you compare the quality of Common Projects and Koio’s, you’re getting nearly the same thing. The extra 40% markup is for the CP brand name. If you want the same quality and experience at a more affordable price, then you'll be happy with the Koio Capri.

Where to Buy?

koio.co (3-3.5% cashback)

freepeople.com (1.5-2% cashback)

3. Clae Bradley Essentials

Prices: $170

Materials: White milled Italian Nappa leather

Priced at  $170, The CLAE Bradley Essentials is another cheaper Common Projects Achilles Low alternative. It  has been operating out of Los Angeles since 2001, a whole three years prior to Common Projects. An early proponent of the minimal white sneaker then, and a brand with over two decades experience in producing them, it’s fair to say CLAE knows a thing or two about simple, considered design.

Crafted with Italian Nappa leather,  the CLAE Bradley Essentials exudes luxury. Inside, leather and recycled polyester lining provide a plush feel. Ostensibly based on the traditional court sneaker, the Bradley Essential got a tiny bit more volume than the super sleek Italian brands, which does indeed give it a subtle air of a vintage athletic shoe. Their brown and green options are a departure from the all-white look that dominates other Common Projects alternatives.

Where to Buy?

clae.com (6-7% cashback)

scheels.com (4-5% cashback)

4. Beckett Simonon Reid

Prices: $169

Materials: full-grain calfskin leather
The Reid from Beckett Simonon is also a good alternatives to Common Projects with more reasonable price. The  Beckett Simonon Reid  is made from full-grain calfskin leather sourced from a Gold-Rated tannery based in Arzignano, Italy. Being the highest level of recognition awarded by the Leather Working Group, a Gold rating signifies the leather manufacturer meets the most stringent criteria and demonstrates a strong commitment to mitigating its environmental impact. A wholecut piece of soft Vachetta leather lines the interior of your shoes to smooth over any joints or seams.

You can pair them with your favorite flowy dresses or casual jeans for a versatile look that suits any occasion. Beckett Simonon crafts all their shoes to order and shipped directly from Bogotá, Colombia. The unique process takes between 6 to 8 weeks to complete. That may seem like a long wait, but if you love the minimalist look and you’re willing to wait, Beckett Simonon’s Reid offers that classic white-sneaker look at a fair price.

Where to Buy?

beckettsimonon.com

5. New Republic Kurt

Prices: $89.99

Materials: cow leather coated with a layer of polyurethane
Arguably the best Common Projects alternative under $100, the Kurt from digital first menswear brand New Republic seems to deserve all the praise it’s gotten over the past few years. New Republic is another shoe brand based out in Los Angeles and their mission is simple; make affordable shoes that are devoid of any branding whatsoever.

On the quality spectrum, the leather of New Republic Kurt  is nicer than what you’ll find on, say, the Adidas Stan Smith, but it’s not luxury grade. The soles are New Republic’s in-house design, made out of rubber and cemented before being given reinforced stitching — an impressive touch at this pricepoint. If you're on a tight budget, you should consider the New Republic Kurt.

Where to Buy?

shopnewrepublic.com

walmart.com (3.5-4% cashback)

6. GREATS Royale 2.0

Prices: $189

Materials: full-grain, vegetable tanned leather

Born in Brooklyn, GREATS was founded in 2014 with a mission to make go-anywhere sneakers with a timeless look. Inspired by the no BS attitude of retro silhouettes, GREATS shoes showcase that same trend-resistant and clean-lined look—making them easy to wear with everything from work to weekend styles. The rumor swirling around the internet says Greats is made in the same factory as Common Projects. I don't know for sure, but I do know they’re from the same region.

GREATS has you covered with all types of footwear, from sneakers to slippers. But their best seller – and their first release, ever – is the Royale Blanco.The upper and lining are made with full-grain leather, which is some of the best quality you find in a pair of sneakers. The Royale has a slightly taller profile than Common Projects and doesn’t crease as nicely over time. That being said, they’re about a third of the price. If you’re ok buying luxury sneakers but don’t need the brand markup, Greats is a fantastic choice.

Where to Buy?

greats.com (2.5-3% cashback)

shopbop.com (1.6-2% cashback)

7. JAK Royal

Prices: $210

Materials: Full grain calf leather

Founded in Lisbon in 2014, JAK was slightly late to the party. But the brand’s commitment to fair pricing and focus on outstanding materials has enabled it to cut through the noise and garner market share in a relatively short period of time. JAK’s “Royal” line is my favourite which  represents the best interpretation of a luxe, minimalistic sneaker.

Made with some of the highest quality leather, the Jak Royal has an impressive amount of color options. Each style is handcrafted in Portugal and arrives with both a sleek storage bag for traveling and an extra pair of laces to swap in when needed. If you are looking for a very minimalist, simple and quality leather sneakers that just scream “premium” without all the bells and whistles AND more affordable than Common Projects? Portuguese brand JAK could be your answer.

Where to Buy?

jakshoes.com

8. Seavees Legend

Prices: $85

Materials:  cotton poplin

Born in 1964, SeaVees is the original way to go casual. The SeaVees  Legend features soft-washed, cotton canvas lining, original "power-grip" outsole, and a contoured, cushy foam footbed with extra heel-strike cushion. Each pair also has the brand's exclusive cooling system with perforations for extra breathability and cooling airflow, making them a perfect choice as temps rise.

The design of SeaVees  Legend is far from a Common Projects-inspired design but delivers a similar spirit through its cotton canvas design and minimalist vibe. It's also the most affordable answer on my list if you're operating on a tight budget.

Where to Buy?

seavees.com (3.5-4% cashback)

9. Thursday Boot Company Premier Low Top

Prices: $129

Materials: Napa leather

Thursday Boot Company has made a name for itself for being extremely budget-friendly while keeping quality high. It seems like for every piece of premium footwear on the market, Thursday has come up with a way to make a similar alternative that’s far more affordable, including Common Projects.

Featuring Napa leather from Valletri Tannery in Italy, not far from Rome, buttery soft interior lining, custom dual-density natural rubber outsoles and comfortable shock-absorbing insoles, the Premier Low Top sneakers represents everything Thursday Boot love about smart, minimalist style and their low markup philosophy. The soles aren’t Margom, which is to be expected, but I found them equally as comfortable. The nickel eyelets make them a tad less minimalist than Common Projects, and the fit is a little wider.

Where to Buy?

thursdayboots.com

10. Ace Marks Duke

Prices: $224

Materials: full grain calfskin leather

Ace Marks is all about handcrafting the best shoe possible. With premium full grain calfskin leather upper and lining, the Duke low top dress sneakers provide increased comfort and breathability.  Like their dress shoes, fourth generation Italian artisans have created this minimalist sneaker that works well when pairing with something like trousers or a casual suit—without making you look underdressed.

The clean yet crisp design features pillow padded cushioned tongue and collar for a soft and luxurious feel. The sneakers also have durable stitched rubber outsoles with waxed dress shoelaces. If you want a sleek, low profile, all white, leather sneaker that pairs with any outfit, Ace Marks Duke is a more cheaper alternative to Common Projects.

Where to Buy?

acemarks.com (4-5% cashback)