Common Projects Original Achilles Low vs Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker: which one should you buy?

Where they differ

The Common Projects Original Achilles Low wins on clean nappa leather low-top with stitched Margom sole and gold serial number. The Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker answers with suede sneaker on a light rubber sole. Material: Nappa leather on the Common Projects Original Achilles Low, Suede on the Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker. Sole: Margom rubber on the Common Projects Original Achilles Low, Rubber on the Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker. Fit: Size down half on the Common Projects Original Achilles Low, True to size on the Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker. Made in: Italy on the Common Projects Original Achilles Low, Italy on the Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker.

Reasons to buy the Common Projects Original Achilles Low

Timeless, Resoleable Margom sole, Quality leather. What to accept: firm sole, runs large. Usual price: $425–$475. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Common Projects Original Achilles Low review.

Reasons to buy the Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker

Very light, Soft suede, Discreet. What to accept: pricey, suede marks. Usual price: $950–$1,100. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Loro Piana Summer Walk Sneaker review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best men’s luxury sneakers has every other piece with its own call. Sole: a stitched cupsole or Margom sole can be resoled and lasts years; glued chunky soles are not repairable.

Also consider the Brunello Cucinelli Calfskin Sneaker ($850–$1,000): soft calf sneaker with suede heel tab. Buy it if you want a refined sneaker for smart-casual.

Also consider the Berluti Playtime Scritto Sneaker ($1,300–$1,500): Venezia leather with Scritto engraving. Buy it if you want a luxurious, distinctive sneaker.

Buyer tip

Wait for the end-of-season sales in January and June for seasonal colors; core white leather sneakers rarely get more than 10–15% off.

Buying in Europe: Italian and French sizes are used on most designer shoes, and they differ from US sizes by brand. Check the house’s own size chart, and remember that many Italian brands run about half a size small.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.