If you’re a shoe lover and want minimalist comfortable styles of sneakers to go with everything, then you should check out Veja and Common Projects.
Finding the best and most practical pair of shoes from these manufacturers might be confusing due to so many styles.
Also, their footwear is pricey and no one wants to shell out big bucks for shoes they only wear a few times and they did not last for a single year so you have to get proper knowledge about things like quality, pricing, and design.
In this article, I will give my opinion on which brand is better, but first, let’s examine each in detail.
Comparison Table Between Common Projects And Veja
| Common Projects | Veja |
|---|---|
| Founded in 2004 | Founded in 2005 |
| Made in Italy | Made in Brazil |
| Three golden numbers on the side of every shoe | Prominent iconic V logo |
| Highly Expensive | Comparatively Affordable |
| The website did not have the proper info | User-friendly Interface of the website |
| Minimalist and Sleek | Colorful and Iconic |
| Best Known for fashion enthusiast | Famous for being waterproof and durable |
| Not good at being eco-friendly | Fully Sustainable |
| Not made for impact-based activities | Running and athletic shoe options |
Overview of Common Projects:
The American art director “Prathan Poopat” and the Italian creative director “Flavio Girolami” proposed the concept for this luxury shoe brand, Common Projects in 2004.
The company’s reputation has been on the upswing ever since and due to their increasing demand, it has expanded to include superior-quality loafers, boots, wallets, and bags as well.
The brand name “Common Projects” was derived from the idea that the two creators, based in New York and Italy respectively, were working on their own projects while teaming up across continents.
However, the company’s headquarters are located in New York City but each pair is handcrafted using traditional artisan methods at a footwear factory located in the region of Italy, Marche.
Common Projects shoes are recognized for their simple look, iconic lines, and Italian attention to detail.
Their best-selling shoe, the Common Projects Original Achilles, this model, apparently just a low-top sneaker style in three colorways but is carefully crafted with nice, smooth, leather and it went on to become one of their most highly regarded styles.
The brand was able to distinguish itself from standard high fashion and sportswear by utilizing high-end materials in reasonably simple and wearable styles.
Overview of Veja:
Veja is established on the concept that “high-quality shoes can be manufactured in an eco-friendly manner, utilizing raw materials, minimizing the use of chemicals and harmful manufacturing techniques”.
The brand was founded in 2005 by the Frenchmen Sebastien Knopp and Fracois-Ghislain Morillon, who had a passion for sports shoes.
The founders have always placed more importance on ethical sourcing and working responsibly with their employees, customers, and the community. Over the years, the creators of Veja have become famous shoe designers and set up various shoe models.
Additionally, Veja sneakers are crafted from materials such as “Amazonian-sourced rubber, recyclable plastic, organic cotton, and vegetable-tanned leather”.
The brand’s products are made in Brazil, and the company claims it follows fair-trade standards that are well-known all over the world.
With so many popular options, The Veja Campo Chromefree is a top seller because of its classic look, signature logo, and versatility that complements every outfit.
Moreover, The Company is also making a lot of efforts to minimize its environmental impact and started “the Darwin project” in June 2020 to reduce waste and promote the circular economy by cleaning and repairing previously worn sneakers.
In addition to its eco-friendly processes, Veja’s transparency positions it as exceptional in the shoe market.
Major Differences between the brands:
Now I will highlight some of the important aspects to see which brand performs better than the other, it will have a great influence on your final purchasing decision:
1) Comfort:
Common Projects claims that its shoes are the most comfortable since they are crafted from the highest quality materials, including Italian Nappa, suede, patent leather, and calfskin.
The overall structure of the shoes is superior quality with the Margom sole being incomparable.
However, Common project shoes, like other designer-focused brands, have rather flat insoles with only less amount of cushioning, so you must remember that these shoes could feel uncomfortable at first, but after you wear them a few times, they will give you cloud-like comfort.
Also, if you want something that fits and feels good straight away, you can try their suede options, which are softer and comfy.
Alternately, Veja shoes have a good amount of cushioning and support which is provided by the sole, so your feet will not ache even after walking in them all day.
The brand claims to use all renewable and sustainable materials in their shoes like “B-mesh made of recycled polyester” and plastic bottles which makes them durable and soft to the touch.
In addition, Bovine leather, used in the construction of their shoes is supple, and it also helps keep feet dry and clean by wicking away perspiration and preventing the foot from getting too hot.
Furthermore, they also need some time to break in as the chemical-free leather stretch over time, will give a more comfortable feel.
2) Popularity:
Common Projects is one of the most well-known shoe companies in the world. Many prominent athletes and fashion icons from the entertainment industry have been spotted wearing these sneakers.
Some of the brand’s celebrity fans include “Nick Jonas, Drake, Alexander Frank Ocean, Ellen DeGeneres, Serena Williams, John Legend, Aziz Ansari, and Martha Hunt”. In addition, GQ magazine has awarded Common Projects “Sneaker of the Week” twice.
On the other hand, Veja was a fully sustainable sneaker brand, they also have B Corporation certification which represents how they consider the environmental impact of their manufacturing processes.
Also, The Guardian Sustainable Business Award and Observer Ethical Award were presented to Veja in the United Kingdom.
This company has never invested any money into advertising or paid endorsements from famous people, but their shoes are still widely worn by A-listers.
There have been so many photos of celebs wearing Veja and flaunting the distinctive ‘V’ logo on their sneakers.
3) Target Market:
Common projects offer a variety of high-performance athletic shoes, intended for young adults and people who are passionate about fashion.
In contrast, VEJA’s consumer base is made up of Men, women, and kids between the ages of 15 to 30 who are fashionable, environmentally conscious, and live in urban areas.
4) Price:
It is important to figure out which brand is ideal for you based on your budget.
The price range for Veja is less than Common Projects, roughly from $70 to around $200. Whereas you may expect to spend almost $350 to more than $500 on a pair of Common Projects.
If you want to save some money and want casual and athletic shoe options Veja is the obvious choice.
5) Design:
Veja shoes have been a fashion statement among the fashion elite, due to their clean, classic, and contemporary design. The shoes are constructed from a variety of high-quality materials and include unique styles to accommodate many requirements.
Their footwear is built to withstand the normal, daily wear and tear of being used on a variety of surfaces, also their running shoes are exceptionally sturdy and reliable.
Alternately, the design philosophy behind Common Projects is to make their products as simple as possible while using the finest materials and manufacturing approaches. So, the minimalist, chic designs from the brand are the reflection of functional and Italian-quality craftsmanship.
These shoes come in a range of neutral colors and are a must-have for modern people.
Also, a point to be highlighted in the shoe designs of both brands is, Veja shoes include their bold V emblem on the side, while Common Projects kicks are delicately branded only by the use of three sets of numbers imprinted on the outside heel, which represents the size, article number, and color.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
Before purchasing, you must know what you are looking for in the shoes. According to the different needs of consumers, both brands offer superior features so your decision between Common projects and Veja should be based on your needs and budget.
On a scale of sustainable fashion, Common Projects is not very substantial, but Veja is a truly sustainable brand.
In a nutshell, if you are looking for athletic or comfy casual shoe options, at a reasonable price, I would recommend that the Veja is one of the finest shoes available. The company’s value on transparency, reliability, and quality, goes beyond expectations.
Common Projects has a timeless aesthetic that will never go out of fashion. If you are ready to spend some more money on these shoes, the superior construction will ensure that they last for years.