Common Projects Achilles shoes dissected
24I had these Common Projects (Original Achilles leather low-top sneakers) for years and wore them thousands of times, but all good things must come to an end. This is a look at how a great pair of shoes -- perhaps the finest I've ever owned -- wore out and how they are made. Despite having one major flaw (the soles are not replaceable) Common Projects are incredibly well made, in Italy, out of the best materials.
These shoes had to go because they had holes in the sole (a project when it was wet outside) and, more importantly, because they grey leather around the toe had started to fall apart, which made them look very dirty all the time.
The shoe practically fell apart, showing you just how destroyed it was, but in the process we get to see how it was constructed. We can see a surprising metal insert to stiffen the sole, nail work around the heel, and great leather work, much of which is glued in place with great craftsmanship.