Hands-On Oliver Cabell Low 1 Sneaker Review: Affordable Luxury?

This post is all about the Oliver Cabell Low 1. Is this popular sneaker worth the hype? Read on to find out!

I love the minimal leather sneaker. It’s the one shoe style in my closet I wear more often than any other. And I’ve had more than a few pairs.

While most members of the sneaker community consider the benchmark to be the Common Projects Achilles, I’ve been checking out more affordable alternatives for a while. I’ve tried Beckett Simonon, Greats, Koio, Ace Marks, and several other brands. 

But, I wanted to offer a complete, well-rounded review on just one pair: the Oliver Cabell Low 1. 

The Oliver Cabell is a hand-made leather sneaker that you can find at an affordable price. I’ll tell you what I like about it, what I’d change if I could, and my overall opinion so you’ll have a better idea if this could be the shoe for you.

For the record: While these shoes were a gift, Oliver Cabell is not sponsoring this post. It’s a full, fair, independent review.

About Oliver Cabell

Before we dive into the shoe, I wanted to take a few moments to discuss the brand. 

Oliver Cabell got its start in 2016 after the company founder, Scott Gabrielson, quit his job at a non-profit. He didn’t have any formal retail, start-up, or fashion experience. He just had a passion for balanced design and quality products.

Today, Oliver Cabell relies on relationships with manufacturers in the Marche region of Italy. This is the same region — and the same factories — where top fashion brands produce their goods.

It’s an area known for its craftsmanship, and craftspeople hand-make each pair of Oliver Cabells with top quality materials. 

While Oliver Cabell could certainly produce shoes cheaper in other countries, its focus is on making top quality products and selling directly to the consumer.

Oliver Cabell Low 1: The Design

Like most other minimal white sneakers, the Oliver Cabell Low 1 has a streamlined, straightforward design. It has a slightly straight, roomier profile than some other sneakers, but that doesn’t detract from its classic look.

The Low 1 features incredibly high-end materials. Oliver Cabell uses full-grain, chrome-tanned calf leather for the upper, sourced from the region surrounding Marche. This leather has a fine, smooth grain, and it’s entirely free of blemishes. 

Like some much more expensive options, the Low 1 features Margom soles. Margom soles are some of the best you can use for a sneaker, and Oliver Cabell further increases the quality by gluing and stitching them to the upper.

The Low 1 features a slightly padded tongue without a lace loop. It has a standard eight-eyelet open lacing system, and it comes with a set of soft cotton laces. The eyelets are a little further apart than some other sneakers, though it doesn’t detract from the styling.

There are more features, as well. The Low 1 has a leather heel counter to prevent slipping. It also has some noticeable padding around the collar that does add a little bit to the design.

As far as branding goes, the Low 1 tips its hat a bit to the more expensive Common Projects. It has gold lettering on the tongue and the heel. It’s not in your face, but it’s not as monochromatic as some other minimal leather sneakers.  

The Low 1 is available in 14 colors. You can choose from colors like triple white, all black, off-white, and one suede option.

Low 1 Comfort and Fit

A minimal leather sneaker is all about casual cool, but there’s nothing casual or cool about a sneaker that hurts or isn’t comfortable, so fit and comfort are key.

Breaking in any leather footwear usually takes a while, and there can be some awkward hurdles to jump over on the way — blisters and squeaking are common. Let’s look at how the Low 1 did.

While the Low 1 does have a straighter silhouette than some of its competitors, the fit is actually a bit narrower. The toe box feels a little tall as well. These aren’t issues, and they don’t really affect the look of the shoe; they’re just a few points to note.

Out of the box, the Low 1’s leather uppers are a little stiff. While that’s normal, I’ve put plenty of miles in them, and they still feel like they have some breaking in to do.

You can look at this two ways: they’re tough to break in, or the leather is extra durable. That said, I did notice a little bit of friction in the shoe. There’s a stitched seam inside the collar that I believe to be the culprit. 

Achieving a great fit isn’t an issue. Oliver Cabell offers the Low 1 in sizes 5 to 14, so you’ll definitely be able to find a pair to fit your feet.

They tend to run a bit large, and they don’t offer half sizes, so you might have to size down. I did, and though they were a little snug, I had a local cobbler stretch them, and now they fit much better. Again, not a flaw, just a point worth noting.

How Much Does the Low 1 Cost?

Now, let’s talk about the brass tacks. As an alternative to the Common Projects Achilles, it’s vital that the Low 1 is affordable. 

At the time of writing this piece, you can buy the all-white Low 1 directly from Oliver Cabell for $189.

Now, I recognize that $189 is still a bit more than some guys would like to spend on a sneaker. But, if you consider the top-quality materials and craftsmanship, it’s actually impressive that Oliver Cabell prices them this low. It’s less than half the price of the top-tier Common Projects.

Oliver Cabell Low 1: Pros and Cons

Let’s talk about what I like and what I’d change about the Low 1.

Pros:

I already touched on it, but for the craftsmanship and materials involved, I think the price is definitely a pro.

I also like the design. While it’s a bit straighter than the Common Projects or Koio Capris, it still has a classic, good-looking style. And, to be honest, I kind of prefer the rear of the Low 1 over some of its competitors.

Cons:

There are only two things that I would change, and they’re really a matter of my personal preference. I would like to see the Low 1 in half-sizes, and I’d prefer the small stitch inside the collar not be there. Otherwise, I think it’s a great sneaker.

Another Perspective (Issac’s Low 1 Review)

Brock: I’ll admit, I’m not your average menswear consumer. I try more brands and spend more money on clothing and shoes than most guys, and this is reflected in my reviews.

So, in an effort to make this review as helpful as possible, I had a sneaker “noob” test drive a pair of Low 1s for a few months to formulate a more realistic review.

Here’s an Oliver Cabell Low 1 review from the perspective of a normal guy (i.e., someone who wouldn’t normally spend $100+ on a pari of sneakers).

Isaac’s First Pair of Minimal Leather Sneakers

Issac: The Oliver Cabell Low 1s are my first Oliver Cabell shoe and the first all leather everyday sneaker in my wardrobe. Until recently I have not put much thought into the shoe I wear.

Generally speaking, I buy a cheap pair, wear them constantly until they’re dirty and worn, then buy a new pair. After wearing the Low 1s for around three months and seeing their quality my perspective has done a 180. I am ready to see shoes as a long-term investment rather than just something to put on my feet.

When I first opened the box I was immediately struck by the clean and simple design. Their website promotes their old school handmade techniques and high quality materials and you can definitely see and feel the craftsmanship throughout the shoe.

I like that the Oliver Cabell logo is inconspicuous but still visible on the tongue and back of the shoe. The Slate color stood out to me when scrolling through their selection on Low 1s, which is pretty extensive. This color goes much better as an everyday shoe with my current wardrobe than some of the flashier styles like the Red or Tartufo.

I usually wear these Low 1s with the laces tucked beneath the tongue and not tied on top and have not had any issues with the shoes feeling too loose while untied. I ordered my actual shoe size and think the Oliver Cabell Low 1s fit pretty close to size.

What I Like

Isaac: I have received more compliments while wearing these shoes than any other pair I have owned, so that just about sums what I like about them.

I have been wearing these sneakers for about 3 months and have not had any issues with creasing and maintenance has been simple. They have been comfortable since day one with no real break-in period.

The simple and clean design of the Low 1s is really appealing to me and the Slate color works well with my existing wardrobe.

The all-day comfort of the Low 1s combined with their compatibility within my wardrobe makes these shoes so versatile for me. I can wear them with joggers, jeans or chinos to any function.

What I Don’t Like

Issac: This may just be related to my shape of my foot but the Low 1s are a little tight across the top of the foot. This has in no way prevented me from wearing the shoes throughout a whole day and I have yet to try relacing the shoes to adjust the tightness on top.

At $189 these shoes are pricier then what I would normally spend on a pair of every day sneakers ($80.00-$100.00). That being said, the quality and design of the shoe is worth the cost and I think it could finally give me a reason to start taking better care of a pair of shoes.

At about half the price of the Common Project leather low top sneakers, the price is not crazy considering some similar styles available on the market.

Final Thoughts

I think the Low 1 is the best option for a minimal leather sneaker under $200. It has a stylish look, and it’s made with high-quality materials by true craftspeople. While it might take a bit longer to break the Low 1 in than some other sneakers, I think that’s a sign of durability rather than a downside.

So, overall, the Oliver Cabell Low 1 is an excellent minimal leather sneaker. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to the Achilles, the Low 1 will help you stay stylish.

If you’re interested, you can see our review of the Oliver Cabell Distressed Low 1 here.