Common Projects Vs Axel Arigato: Which Luxury Sneakers Should You Go For?

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Common Projects and Axel Arigato both offer gorgeous and irresistible sneakers, but which brand is right for you? This Common Projects vs Axel Arigato article will help you answer that question!

If you are looking for a luxury pair of sneakers, Common Projects, and Axel Arigato are among the top brands you should go for alongside Golden Goose and fashion houses like Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton. Both brands offer high-quality, super stylish sneakers, but there are also some significant differences between Common Projects and Axel Arigato that will help us decide which brand is best for you!

This Common Projects vs Axel Arigato will consider the history of each brand, and the differences between them and take a closer look at some of the best-selling sneakers from both brands before coming to a conclusion on Common Projects vs Axel Arigato.

There are so many gorgeous luxury sneakers from both brands, that you are bound to find a pair you love and need in your own wardrobe!

Common Projects vs Axel Arigato

The History of Common Projects

The American brand, Common Projects was founded in 2004 by creative consultant Flavio Girolami and art director Prathan Poopat. The pair often found themselves working on common projects together and decided to start their own brand with this name!

The brand is based in New York City, where all the designs are created, but the craftsmanship occurs in Italy, at a factory best known for creating premium leather dress shoes. Poopat and Girolami asked the factory to make a pair of sneakers, the first sneakers they had ever made, and from this, the Common Projects Achilles sneakers were born, with their simple and chic look.


The brand expanded its collection, creating loafers and boots then in 2009, a womenswear collection was added to the brand. Now Common Projects is a major luxury sneaker brand, available all over the world.

The History of Axel Arigato

The Swedish brand Axel Arigato is much more recent, only founded in 2014 by Albin Johansson and Max Svärdh. The brand looked to subvert the norms with its striking designs and unusual system of releasing weekly collections.

This method of dropping a new style each week allows the brand to receive customer feedback and adapt the development of new styles accordingly – just perfect! The brand began as a direct-to-consumer eCommerce site but in 2016 opened its first store in London.


Now, Axel Arigato has grown significantly and there are 18 physical retail locations all across Europe, as well as 242 global stockists, making it easy to pick up a pair of Axel Arigato sneakers wherever you are in the world.

We love that the Axel Arigato retail stores and any pop-up stores often host events throughout the year, including album signings, music events, and magazine launches, making them more than just a shoe store.

Differences between Common Projects and Axel Arigato

There are several key differences between these two brands that we will explore to help you find out which brand is best for you!

1. Price range

Let’s begin with the price range so you can find a sneaker brand that best fits your budget. Common Project sneakers range between $439 and $799, while Axel Arigato sneakers are available for between $285 and $495.

As you can see, there is a big difference between these price ranges, with the most expensive Axel Arigato sneakers only a little more expensive than the cheapest Common Projects sneakers. If you have a smaller budget, Axel Arigato is the best brand for you since its sneakers have a more affordable price point.

2. Materials

This price difference is also reflected in the materials each brand uses to make their sneakers. The craftsmanship of Common Projects and Axel Arigato are high-quality, with the sneakers made in Italy and Portugal respectively, but there is a difference when it comes to the materials.

Common Projects uses a limited range of materials, namely leather, suede, technical fabrics, and rubber, for a luxurious look and feel. Axel Arigato, on the other hand, makes use of leather, polyester, suede, recycled polyester, and recycled rubber – there are more synthetic materials used, like polyester, but there are also more recycled materials for a sustainable finish.

If you are going for a super luxe look, Common Projects is the perfect brand for you, but if you are looking for high-quality sneakers with a sustainable edge, then go for Axel Arigato.

3. Brand Aesthetic

These brands have very different aesthetics and you may find that one brand better fits your own personal style. As you will see from the sneakers below, Common Projects has a simple, paired-back look, with neutral colors and very little decoration.

The minimalist sneakers have a clean and classic style, with a timeless silhouette, making them a great addition to any wardrobe since these sneakers will never go out of style, while the neutral colors suit a wide range of outfits.

Axel Arigato offers both chic, minimalist sneakers as well as more trendy, stylish options with bright colors and statement sneaker silhouettes. The Clean range has a similar look to the Common Projects sneakers, with a tonal look and almost no decoration, while the Dice, Marathon, and Area Lo sneakers have a bolder, more stylish look with panels of vibrant colors and thick platform soles.

If you are looking for a trendier sneaker, the Axel Arigato is the best brand for you.

4. Availability

It is worth noting that the availability of these sneaker brands differs and you may find it easier to pick up Axel Arigato sneakers compared to Common Projects.

The main difference is that you cannot order any sneakers from the Common Projects website – their sneakers are only available through selected retailers that are listed on their website. There are many of the Common Project sneakers and shoes available through the Nordstrom site, but you may find that some sizes are often out of stock.

Axel Arigato sneakers are much easier to get hold of, with many styles available from Nordstrom, but the full range of sneakers, as well as clothing and accessories, are available to order through the Axel Arigato website – with the full range of full and half sizes available.

Best Selling sneakers from Common Projects and Axel Arigato

There are plenty of stunning sneakers available from Common Projects and Axel Arigato, so we have brought together some of the best-selling sneakers that we think you will love and would make a great addition to any shoe collection!

1. Low Top Sneakers
White Common Projects Original Achilles Sneaker
Get these on Nordstrom
White Axel Arigato Clean 90 Lace-Up Sneaker
Get these on Nordstrom

The Common Projects Achilles sneakers are the most popular style from this luxury brand and a must-have in your wardrobe since they can be paired with so many different outfits, all year round.

These classic white sneakers are crafted from supple napa leather, with a white rubber sole and white laces for a clean, tonal look. The Italian-made shoes are finished with a gold foil stamped ID number – the only decoration on these sneakers for a minimalist, quiet luxury look.

Axel Arigato offers a similarly minimalist white sneaker, the Axel Arigato Clean 90 Lace-Up Low Sneaker. These sneakers also have a simple and sleek silhouette, crafted from leather and fitted with a white rubber sole for a timeless, tonal finish.

We love that these sneakers are fitted with a cushioned footbed with arch support and a removable insole to ensure these sneakers are super comfortable all day long – making them ideal for everyday wear. The side of the sneakers has been stamped in gold with the Arigato brand name for a glittering finish.

2. High Top Sneakers
White Common Projects Tournament High Super Sneaker
Get these on Nordstrom
Black and white Axel Arigato Dice Water Repellent High Top Sneaker
Get these on Nordstrom

High-top sneakers have a cool and trendy aesthetic, and there are some chic high tops available from Common Projects and Axel Arigato. We love the clean lines and simple design of these Common Projects Tournament High Super Sneakers, crafted from sleek white leather and fitted with a zipper at the heel making it easy to slip your foot in and out of the shoes.

Just like the Original Achilles sneakers, these high tops have an all-white look, with a white rubber sole and a white leather badge at the ankle.

These Axel Arigato Dice Water Repellent High Top Sneakers have a striking look, with contrasting panels of black and white leather to achieve this eye-catching finish. These high-top sneakers have a chunkier look, with a thick 1.25-inch platform sole, and padded leather around the ankle for a comfy finish.

These sneakers are also fitted with an arch-support cushioned footbed and are available in half sizes as well as full sizes so you can find the perfect fit for you.

3. Dad Sneakers
Pink and white Common Projects Track 80 Sneaker
Get these on Nordstrom
Pink and white Axel Arigato Marathon R-Trail Sneaker
Get these on Nordstrom

Dad sneakers have become a super stylish pair of shoes that you really need in your wardrobe – and there are some stunning options available from Common Projects and Axel Arigato.

These Common Projects Track 80 Sneakers have a simpler, clean dad sneaker look, with the pale pink textile upper and chunky white rubber sole that elevates your look. The mixed media pink panels give the shoe a luxurious, textural finish white the thick sole ensures a comfortable feel.

For more of a statement, trendy look, go for these Axel Arigato Marathon R-Trail Sneakers! These dad sneakers have that sporty, practical aesthetic with a high-fashion touch, crafted from light pink and white leather and textile panels.

The thick, lug sole gives these shoes a striking and super fashionable look while adding a little height to your look. The attention to detail on these sneakers, including the rubber Axel Arigato logo on the tongue makes them a must-have in your wardrobe.

Conclusion

We just adore the sneakers from both Common Projects and Axel Arigato, but it really comes down to your budget and personal style as to which brand you should go for.

If you have more money to spend and are looking for a sleek, minimalist sneaker that will suit a wide range of looks, then Common Projects is the right brand for you. They have an incredible range of beautiful sneakers and some of the best white sneakers out there!

If you are on a tighter budget and want a more trendy, colorful sneaker, then you should go for Axel Arigato. Their sneakers are just stunning and so fashionable, with a wide range of styles, silhouettes, and colors available to perfectly suit you!

We hope you loved this article analysing Common Projects vs Axel Arigato! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.

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