The Koio Capri in Triple White is a clean, all-white low-top leather sneaker handmade in Tuscany. It is the shoe people reach for when they want the Common Projects look, the same minimalist silhouette and discreet branding, without the Common Projects price. Full-grain Italian calf leather, a cushioned removable insole, around $265. It matters because it is the rare "buy once" white sneaker: versatile enough for jeans or tailored trousers, and built to age rather than fall apart.
Overview
- What it is: an all-white, full-grain Italian leather low-top sneaker with a streamlined cup sole and minimal branding.
- Why it stands out: luxury-grade leather and Italian construction at a direct-to-consumer price. It won Gear Patrol's 2023 award for Best Overall Leather Sneaker.
- Price: about $265 (regular and wide fit). For context, the Common Projects Achilles it is most often compared to sits north of $400.
- Value: roughly the same quality as the obvious luxury reference, for $150 to $200 less.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Upper | Full-grain Italian calf leather |
| Lining | Italian calf leather |
| Insole | Removable OrthoLite Hybrid (recycled foam and rubber) |
| Outsole | Rubber, partly FSC-certified natural and recycled |
| Laces | Waxed cotton |
| Construction | Double-stitched seams, hand-painted edges, LWG-certified leather |
| Made in | Tuscany, Italy (family-owned factory) |
| Sizes | US 7 to 14 / EU 40 to 47, no half sizes |
| Fits | Regular (D-width) and Wide Fit (E-width) |
| Colour | Triple White (white leather, white sole) |
| Warranty | 6 months |
Background
Koio is a New York direct-to-consumer brand founded in 2015 by Chris Wichert and Johannes Quodt, with every pair made in Italy. The Capri is its flagship: the plain-toe, minimal low-top that defines the clean-white-sneaker category. Koio's pitch is that the same Italian workshops and leather supply that feed the big fashion houses also make the Capri, so you pay for the shoe and not the logo.
The honest comparison is Common Projects (sold through retailers like SSENSE since it has no direct store). The Capri matches the leather and silhouette, skips the gold serial-number stamp on the heel, and costs a lot less. Reviewers consistently land on the same verdict: if you want the look and the quality but not the markup, the Capri is the smarter buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Leather quality: full-grain Italian calf, described by reviewers as buttery but sturdy. It creases softly rather than cracking.
- Comfort: the OrthoLite insole is cushioned from the first wear, with little to no break-in.
- Discreet design: no loud logos, goes with almost anything.
- Removable insole: room for your own orthotics if you wear them.
- Sustainability: LWG-certified tannery, recycled insole, partly recycled and FSC-certified sole.
Cons
- It is white: scuffs, creases and grey marks show. White leather and a white sole need regular cleaning to stay sharp.
- No half sizes: combined with a fit that runs slightly large, getting the size right takes care (see below).
- Still a premium: $265 is a lot for a casual sneaker if you are not keeping it for years.
- Sole ageing: the white rubber picks up scuffs and can yellow over time.
Sizing
This is the one thing to get right. Koio's own guidance is true to size, with half-size feet sizing down. Independent reviewers push further: several found the Capri runs large and recommend sizing down a full size, reporting heel slip and too much toe room at their normal size. With no half sizes and international returns that cost money, the safe move is to size down, and if you are between sizes or unsure, order two and send one back, or buy from somewhere with easy returns.
Who it is for
A clean white sneaker is the most versatile shoe you can own. The Capri works with jeans, chinos, and dressed-down tailoring, which makes it a strong fit for smart-casual settings (exactly the European office-to-dinner range). The neutral palette also means it sits well under any watch, tool or dress. If you want one white sneaker that covers most of your wardrobe and you are willing to maintain it, this is the one.
Buying in Germany and Europe
Koio ships to Germany and the rest of the EU directly from koio.co. Prices show in USD, with duties and VAT calculated at checkout, so the landed cost is higher than the sticker and returns from the EU are slower and pricier than in the US. Order the right size the first time. If you have a wider foot, the E-width Wide Fit is worth a look.
Care
White leather rewards a little discipline. Hit them with a leather protectant spray before the first wear, wipe the uppers with a leather-safe white-sneaker cleaner when they grey, and clean the rubber sole with a melamine sponge. Store with shoe trees or stuffed to hold the shape. Done consistently, the leather ages well for years.
My take
This is a Common Projects at a sensible price. For a single white leather sneaker that goes with everything and holds up, the Capri is hard to beat for the money. The two conditions: get the sizing right (size down), and commit to the upkeep, because all-white only looks good when it is kept clean. On both counts it is a buy.
Further reading
- Capri Triple White product page (the original link)
- Koio brand and full range
- Stridewise and The Modest Man both have long-term Capri wear reviews worth reading before buying