Nike, Reebok, Puma, Adidas, Vans. What’s missing from those brands is a sense of luxury, passion and quality found within Oliver Cabell’s exquisite European sneakers. Made in Italy with Italian leathers and outsoles, each shoe incorporates over 70 years of experience and passion into every stitch and bind.
Sought after by major luxury brands and fashion heads alike, Oliver Cabell produces some of the best high-end and softest feeling leathers you’ll ever touch. And thanks to their quality and ethical controls, you can be safe in knowing each minimalist shoe is made with very little impact on the environment. From high tops to boots and of course sneakers, here is a list of the 10 Best Sneakers from Oliver Cabell as chosen by the team at Man of Many.
1. GAT White
This won’t be the last time you see the legendary GAT on this list. This German Army Trainer or ‘GAT’ as it’s more commonly referred to as a blast from the past, with its retro look and feel. Crafted with Oliver Cabell’s luxury materials and processes, the GAT in white is sure to impress.
Upper: 3oz soft nubuck from Veneto, Italy
Outsole: Italian 70 Shore A rubber sole
Footbed: Italian calf-skin over removable moulded insole
Lining: Vegetable tanned Spanish leather
Counters: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Veneto, Italy
Laces: Italian waxed cotton
Construction: Hand stitched and lasted in Albacete, Spain
2. Low 1 Off White
Another popular entrant on our list is the Low 1 sneaker. Not only is this the best Common Projects alternative we’ve laid our mitts on, but there are also over 636 five star reviews so this minimal sneaker will undoubtedly elevate your business casual outfit to a whole new level. Featuring an iconic low-top silhouette, each sneaker is handcrafted in the Marche region of Italy. Paired with “buttery” calfskin leather and Margom outsoles, the White Low 1 sneakers are a benchmark in footwear.
Construction: Hand stitched and lasted in Marche, Italy
Upper: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Outsole: Margom Italian outsoles — renowned for their durable, lightweight rubber
Footbed: Italian calf-skin over removable moulded insole
Lining: Italian calfskin leather
Counters: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Laces: Italian cotton
3. SB 1 Natural
The SB 1 in natural leather, are the most popular boot style that Oliver Cabell has to offer. These classic service boots feature a full set of laces and an ankle boot pattern for wardrobe versatility. This boot is hand-stitched in Albacete, Spain and sports the same vegetable-tanned leather from Venice, Italy. With an added steel shank from Germany for extra durability, the SB 1 boot is a no brainer.
Construction: Blake stitch (resole-able)
Upper: Water-resistant full-grain vegetable-tanned “pull up” leather sourced from Albacete, Spain
Outsole: Custom water resistant anti-slip studded rubber outsoles from England
Footbed: Vegetable tanned leather over removable moulded insole for comfort (replaceable)
Lining: Vegetable tanned leather from Venice, Italy
Midsole: Natural vegetable tanned leather from Spain (foot forming)
Shank: Custom made steel shank from Germany
Last: 812
Finishing: Hand-stitched lasted in Albacete, Spain
4. Demi Belmont
We’ve found our Common Projects alternatives, but what about Golden Goose Deluxe Brand alternatives? We might’ve found the only one worth your coin here with the Demi sneaker from Oliver Cabell. Featuring the same amazing 3oz calfskin leather and suede from Veneto, Italy, the Demi sports a distressed upper that is just begging to be worn.
Construction: Hand stitched and lasted in Marche, Italy
Upper: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Outsole: Handcrafted foxing tape
Footbed: Italian calf-skin over removable moulded insole
Lining: Italian calfskin leather
Counters: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Laces: Italian cotton
5. Low 1 Navy Nubuck
Coming back to the Low 1, but this time in a bold Navy nubuck blue colour, this classic sneaker design is more minimal than ever with this nubuck finish over buttery Italian calfskin leather. If white isn’t your colour, then the Navy Low 1 sneakers from Oliver Cabell are a great alternative.
Construction: Hand stitched and lasted in Marche, Italy
Upper: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Outsole: Margom Italian outsoles — renowned for their durable, lightweight rubber
Footbed: Italian calf-skin over removable moulded insole
Lining: Italian calfskin leather
Counters: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Laces: Italian cotton
6. GAT Black Gum
Guess who’s back, back again, GAT is back, back in black. This version of the GAT features the same 3oz calfskin leather and suede from Veneto, Italy as its brethren but with a unique black and gum design not typical of a German Army trainer. Instead of the multiple colour blocking, the black variant sports a two-colour combination of black for the lining atop the gum outsole of the shoe, with black leather as a base. If you’re after a darker version of the GAT, then the black/gum version is a perfect choice.
Upper: 3oz soft nubuck from Veneto, Italy
Outsole: Italian 70 Shore A rubber sole
Footbed: Italian calf-skin over removable moulded insole
Lining: Vegetable tanned Spanish leather
Counters: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Veneto, Italy
Laces: Italian waxed cotton
Construction: Hand stitched and lasted in Albacete, Spain
7. Chelsea Boot Cappucino
A timeless and iconic design, this boot can be found anywhere and everywhere these days. But from Oliver Cabell, you’ll get to experience European excellence for $38 less. On sale now for $200, the Chelsea Boot in Cappuccino is a stunning piece of footwear that mixes its British roots with a modern Italian crepe outsole. Made from 100% pure virgin Heavea milk, this luxury boot even comes in a cotton dust bag for extra protection. Hand-stitched and lasted in Albacete, Spain, the Italian vegetable tanned leather has been crafted for comfort and class in mind. One reviewer went so far as to described them as being more comfortable than their sneakers. Incredible.
Upper: 3oz soft split suede from Venice, Italy
Outsole: Custom Italian crepe sole
Footbed: Vegetable tanned leather over removable moulded insole
Lining: Italian vegetable tanned leather
Construction: Hand stitched and lasted in Albacete, Spain
8. Merton Black
This Oliver Cabell sneaker is one of the newer models on this list. Similar in look and feel to the Low 1, this sneaker is another great Common Projects alternative and bears an even sleeker design.
Construction: Hand stitched and lasted in Marche, Italy
Upper: 3oz full grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Outsole: Italian 70 Shore A rubber sole
Footbed: Italian calf-skin over removable moulded insole
Lining: Italian calfskin leather
Counters: 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy
Laces: Italian cotton
9. Phoenix White
While the Phoenix is the cheapest option on the list, at the price point it’s more so a civilised Yeezy than anything else. The Phoenix rises to the challenge with this lightweight and breathable upper featuring a cloud-like cushioning sole, it’s an incredibly comfortable sneaker is designed for everyday wear. Made from 7 recycled water bottles, each 3D printed sneaker is not only environmentally friendly but is machine-washable too. Meaning that day one bright white colour might just last all year long.
Upper: Machine-washable 3D printed upper made of recycled water bottles
Outsole: Lightweight injection-moulded EVA
Footbed: Cloud-like removable in-sole
Lining: Antibacterial lining to kill odour
Laces: Certified organic cotton
Construction: Hand finished and lasted in China
10. Wilson French Mustard
The Wilson in French Mustard, is a high-top boot hand-stitched in Albacete, Spain. Featuring a midsole that’s remarkably low profile for a boot of this magnitude. Wilson is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for something both functional and stylish.
Construction: Blake stitch (resoleable)
Upper: Waxed full-grain (fully water-proof) from Charles F Stead, Leeds, England
Outsole: Custom water resistant anti-slip studded rubber outsoles from England
Footbed: Vegetable tanned leather over removable moulded insole for comfort (replaceable)
Lining: Vegetable tanned leather from Venice, Italy
Midsole: Natural vegetable tanned leather from Spain (foot forming)
Shank: Custom made steel shank from Germany
Components: Custom Spanish brass nails
Last: 812
Finishing: Hand-stitched lasted in Albacete, Spain
General FAQ
The Low 1 in white is a great Common Projects alternative from luxury sneaker brand Oliver Cabell. They're almost half the price.
The Demi from Oliver Cabell is a great Golden Goose distressed sneaker alternative. Made in Italy, It utilises materials that are equally premium and in some cases even better.
A blake sole or Blakey is the metal stud or plate fixed to the sole or heel of a shoe to prevent excessive wear. You'll find the majority of Oliver Cabell boots utilise a blakey sole.
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