What is a leather shoe that is simple, affordable, and high-end all at the same time? If you said “Oliver Cabell,” you must know a lot about sneakers.
Oliver Cabell was started by Scott Gabrielson in 2016 and has become very famous since then, mainly because it is committed to quality and honesty.
Oliver Cabell’s “Low 1” leather line is its primary focus, but it also has several other styles made from full-grain cowhide leather, all made in Marche, Italy.
In this Oliver Cabell review, we look at the Low 1 white sneaker in detail and talk about how we feel about the style, how comfortable they are, how much they cost, and how long they last.
WHAT OLIVER CABELL SAYS
As we already said, Oliver Cabell was founded in 2016 to make a clear, low-markup luxury shoe brand. Oliver Cabell has not only moved quickly but also kept true to its vision, even going so far as to share information that most brands would never dream of showing, like
Where did each piece of information come from
The price of making something, which includes shipping, packing, and other costs
How much each item costs
How much a markup cost
Many shoe lovers love this brand because it is honest, uses high-quality materials, and employs skilled workers. It has also helped change what we expect from high-end clothing brands.
OLIVER CABELL LOW 1 SNEAKER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The upper is made of 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy. The outsole is made of Margom Italian outsoles, which are strong and lightweight rubber. The footbed is made of Italian calfskin over a removable molded insole. The lining is made of Italian calfskin leather. The counters are made of 3oz full-grain calfskin leather from Marche, Italy. The laces are made of Italian cotton.
Oliver Cabell’s most famous shoe, the Low 1, is a tribute to pure, simple design. It is an excellent mix of quality and ease and competes with popular options like the similarly styled Common Projects.
Let’s discuss what makes Oliver Cabell shoes unique and why you should consider buying them from this new high-end brand.
OPENING THE BOX
The first thing you’ll notice about your new Oliver Cabell Low 1s is how well they are made and how good the leather is. The packaging is pretty simple, but it comes with a cloth carrying bag with the Oliver Cabell name, which is excellent for extra protection while traveling or storing them.
THE DRAWING
Oliver Cabell’s Low 1 design is beautiful for more than just its sleek shape; the meticulous attention to detail is stunning in and of itself. With outsoles made of Italian calfskin leather and hand-stitched, you can feel the quality in every seam and crack.
These shoes are very flexible. Whether you choose the basic all-white style or something with a little more style, you can wear them with many different outfits and for many other events.
Regarding versatility, Oliver Cabell adds more color choices for the Low 1. Mix and match up to 11 styles to create your unique look.
You can choose from different colors, and there is also a line of shoes called Low 1s with leather that looks more worn and “scuffed.”
FIT AND SIZE
The Low 1 is a low-profile, slim-fitting sneaker with enough size choices to please most buyers. It’s similar to shoes from Common Projects, Koio, and other brands. However, these shoes come in only a portion of the sizes. If you need to determine what size will fit, Oliver Cabell’s website has a helpful measurement tool.
We should also say that the Low 1’s are pretty narrow, but the word “narrow” needs some background. Generally, shoes in this style are very sleek and highly fitted, which means they are very narrow. The Low 1’s are in this style but are a bit more “loose” fitting than shoes like the famously narrow Common Projects.
FEELING GOOD
Like most good leather shoes, they may need time to break in. A few years (maybe three or four if you do a lot of walking) should get you in the right direction. Unsurprisingly, these shoes get more comfortable over time because the leather is initially stiff.
These shoes’ insoles (footbeds) are made from recycled rubber and foam and are only said to lose about 5% of their shape over time. This means that the bottom of your feet should feel the same amount of comfort throughout the shoe’s life.
Remember that the size and shape of your foot significantly affect how comfortable your shoes are. What works for us might not work for you. Overall, though, these shoes are very comfortable.
WHAT IT COST
We talked about prices earlier in the article. What makes Oliver Cabell special is that you will know not only how much the shoes cost but also how much it costs to make them.
You can see the general cost breakdown on the Oliver Cabell website in the “price breakdown” drop-down. It looks a lot like this:
It costs $26.04 for leather, $8.12 for lining, $6.60 for outsoles, $3.80 for insoles, $34.88 for cutting, making, and quality control, $3.96 for packaging, $12.43 for transit, $5.36 for duties, and $11.50 for shipping.
Oliver Cabell employees’ openness about their business is impressive and extraordinary. When it comes to gaining customers’ trust, we give Oliver Cabell a thumbs up.
When this was written, Low 1s usually cost around $249, much less than some competitors. It’s also lovely to see the markup on the things you buy, and Oliver Cabell shoes make that easy there. It’s also worth mentioning that the website has sales all year long, with discounts ranging from 25% to 50% off.
WELL-BEING AND CARE
Oliver Cabell’s Low 1s are durable sneakers. However, caring for and maintaining leather shoes can also help them last longer.
Here are some general rules for maintaining your Low 1s, but they will still look brand new after reading them.
SHOE TREES CAN HELP KEEP THE SHAPE AND FORM
You might not usually consider shoe trees when buying these casual shoes, but it’s beneficial to do so because of how they’re made and the materials they’re made of.
A good shoe tree will not only make your Low 1s last longer (especially one made of wood, which absorbs moisture), but it can also help keep the leather from getting wrinkled and creased and make your sneakers look brand new for longer.
YOUR OLIVER CABELL SNEAKERS SHOULD BE SPOT-AND DEEP-CLEANED EVERY SO OFTEN
Undoubtedly, your Low 1s will get dirty and scratched up over time. To keep these flaws from worsening, it is recommended that they be cleaned regularly and a deep clean every once in a while.
Oliver Cabell’s website has a part called “Shoe Care” that makes it easy to find the right cleaners for your Low 1s.
This emergency kit from Oliver Cabell has excellent items that you should check out if you don’t already have one. They can help you with things like maintenance and spot cleaning.
SWITCH SHOES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE
You shouldn’t wear the same shoes daily for an extended time, even if you love your new Oliver Cabell Low 1s. If you let your shoes air out and dry, you won’t have as many problems with too much wetness, which can damage the materials over time.
| Things We Like | There are some flaws |
| Great value for money, especially when compared to similar products. You can choose from different color schemes and leather finishes. The design, stitching, and sturdiness are all solid, so you’re getting your money’s worth. It’s versatile and can be worn with many clothes and for many events. | But not enough to stop you from buyingThere are no half sizes. It’s a bit on the big side.There have been some (very) small problems with the stitching over time. It may squeak a little when brand new (this seems to happen more with older batches). |
THE END: ARE OLIVER CABELL SHOES WORTH IT?
Overall, Oliver Cabell is an excellent brand, making a difference in the luxury shoe business by being open and honest. The trust factor is very high because it tells you everything it costs, from ingredients to shipping, and favors markups based on price.
Oliver Cabell offers high-quality shoes in many styles and patterns at a fair price.
Are the shoes from Oliver Cabell worth the money? It depends on what you’re looking for. A good leather shoe like the Low 1s can cost twice as much as other brands. Still, the most expensive shoe is only sometimes the best choice. Some brands unfairly raise their shoe prices by using crazy markup rates.
You might not be able to brag about having the most expensive shoes on the market, but the comfort, openness about the maker, and careful work will make up for it.
Finally, we suggest you look into Oliver Cabell and its collection of shoes in terms of style and general value.
OTHER POSSIBLE ACTIONS
If you’ve read this far, you should know that we love and praise Oliver Cabell Low 1s and how the company does business. But, like you, we believe something else could always catch our attention. We’ve got you covered if you want to review some other choices. Check out our list of the three best options below.
1. Axel Arigato
Want something that looks a little more traditional? Don’t look any further.
2. Projects In Common
It’s a great option if you want a shoe that looks like the Low one but has a different color pop. You could wear these shoes with jeans or a more dressy outfit, so they’re a great staple for any closet.
3. Clae
Both are the same and very different. This hemp sneaker is an excellent mix of a tennis shoe and a rigid sneaker. It’s the perfect choice for a more laid-back look.
