It's been said, but CPs are basically a gateway to the baller sneaker game. The quality, construction, etc. are all more than solid - you'll get some creasing, of course, and the leather's not super hot-damn "buttery soft," but there are a number of designer baller sneakers that have either construction issues or use thick hides for aesthetic reasons that are two or three times more expensive than CPs.
And yes, the aesthetic of standard CP models is boring, but that's the point, too. There are a lot of downright beautiful, fascinating sneakers out there you can drop $750 to $1200 for (just check out the baller sneaker thread), but the aesthetic is usually so damn specific with brands like DBBS, RO, Fujiwara, etc., and the shoes become the immediate centerpiece of an outfit: people wearing purple and gray Lanvin highs with McQueen blazers and trousers is the more aggressive equivalent of MC guys wearing bespoke blue stingray Corthays on x-y-z last. It goes from the shoes making the outfit, to the outfit being predominately about the shoes, which can make for an awesome look. But you're still more likely to wear your pair of C&J Weymouth day in and day out.
There are days when you might want something that looks good, but is more low-profile, and that's what the basic CP designs like the Achilles are great for - "understated design" in MC parlance. Plus, they're comfortable as hell. I've never had problems breaking them in (three pairs now), never developed blisters, and I can walk in them all day. Fwiw.
And yes, the aesthetic of standard CP models is boring, but that's the point, too. There are a lot of downright beautiful, fascinating sneakers out there you can drop $750 to $1200 for (just check out the baller sneaker thread), but the aesthetic is usually so damn specific with brands like DBBS, RO, Fujiwara, etc., and the shoes become the immediate centerpiece of an outfit: people wearing purple and gray Lanvin highs with McQueen blazers and trousers is the more aggressive equivalent of MC guys wearing bespoke blue stingray Corthays on x-y-z last. It goes from the shoes making the outfit, to the outfit being predominately about the shoes, which can make for an awesome look. But you're still more likely to wear your pair of C&J Weymouth day in and day out.
There are days when you might want something that looks good, but is more low-profile, and that's what the basic CP designs like the Achilles are great for - "understated design" in MC parlance. Plus, they're comfortable as hell. I've never had problems breaking them in (three pairs now), never developed blisters, and I can walk in them all day. Fwiw.
), which to me are just about everything you could ask for in a pair of hi-top sneakers.
