Just so we’re starting off with some transparency, we’ve reviewed Koio shoes before, although we didn’t dive quite as deeply as we will in this review. Our consensus? We’re smitten. Koio is one of our favorite brands for minimalist sneakers, and their Capri model ticks all of our boxes for a great-looking wardrobe workhorse that you can dress up and down.
So why are we revisiting the Koio Capri? We’ve been impressed with how the original iteration has held up in the last few years, and the new version has a few interesting upgrades (more on these below) that made us curious.
Koio’s designers recreated the sneaker sole to be more comfortable, and the Capri now comes in both traditional premium leather and a new form of leather produced from regenerative farming. This regenerative leather goes beyond just limiting the brand’s footprint on the environment. It actually has a positive impact on the environment.
According to Koio, that makes these the world’s first regenerative sneakers. And that’s a pretty compelling reason for us to revisit the Capri sneakers.
Settled in? Hydrated? Good. Let’s dive into our comprehensive review of the Koio Capri Regenerative sneakers.
| Materials | LWG Gold-certified Italian leather or Regenerative leather, LWG silver-certified leather, 100% (50% natural, 40% recycled, 10% conventional) |
| Colors | Large selection of colors for the traditional leather version. Summit, Castagna and Onyx for the Regenerative leather version. |
| Made in | Italy |
| Shipping | International |
Pros:
- Regenerative farming improves the environment
- Sleek, minimalist design
- High-quality, handcrafted construction
- Comfort-forward insoles for all-day wear
Cons:
- Price point higher than comparable styles
- Half sizes not available
Verdict:
The Koio Capri sneaker is a comfortable, great-looking shoe with a style that makes it a true wardrobe workhorse. But that’s not all it is. This sneaker is also a step in the direction of regenerative fashion, with responsibly sourced, high-quality materials that make these shoes a great value despite the slightly elevated price point if you opt for the regenerative version.
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? At Luxe Digital, we covered dozens of sneaker brands and hundreds of shoes. Just check our round-ups of the best designer sneakers for men or women to get an idea of the breadth of our sneakers’ experience. We’ve been testing and wearing Koio’s shoes for the past few years, published a detailed article on the story behind the brand, and even interviewed Koio’s founders, so we’re quite experienced with their shoes.
We strive to give you objective shopping recommendations when reviewing new products, though. So, just like with every other review on Luxe Digital, we’ve applied our framework to the Koio Capri to rank it against other options available on the market.
See how we test products and learn more about our HAPPY philosophy (read: Honorable Craftsmanship, Aesthetic Design, Positive Impact—on People and the Planet, Purpose, and Function, and Yielding Value) for buying luxuries.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Our hands-on experience of the Koio Capri
We loved the original Koio Capri. It was an instant success when it first came out thanks to its clean and minimalist design, high-quality materials throughout, and fair price. Our only issue with the shoe were the sole that we found to be a bit too thin for all-day comfort.
With the new Capri release, Koio fixed our concern and took things further by launching a new version in Regenerative leather. Comfort, style and a construction that improves the environment through regenerative farming — honestly, we’re having trouble faulting these sneakers.
Note: We’ll focus on the Koio Capri Regenerative in this review, but everything that we’ll say about the experience also applies to the other Capri variants available on Koio’s website. Only the regenerative leather is different, obviously.
Wondering why we’re so sweet on these sustainable shoes? Good. Because we’re happy to tell you all about them.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Out of the box: Koio Capri unboxing experience
Upon opening the off-white recyclable box, I was met with some wrapping paper and a cotton canvas dust bag (dustbags are always appreciated). “Designed in NYC,” and “Made in Italy,” are visible on the interior of the box, along with a leaflet with more information about Koio, the founders, the materials and more.
The unboxing experience struck a solid balance between thoughtfulness and simplicity, which goes back to their sophisticated, sustainable brand image.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Materials & craftsmanship
The materials used to craft the Koio Capri Regenerative are arguably their biggest highlight. While the original Capris are crafted from LWG-certified leather, the Regenerative sneakers are created with vegetable-tanned leather from cows on regenerative farms in the Swiss Alps.
This regenerative farming practice restores Alpine ecosystems by sequestering excess carbon into the soil, improving the environment by taking a step beyond traditional sustainability.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
The Koio Capri Regenerative is also built to last. Rather than having glued soles, these sneakers have a stitched construction and are handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy, by expert craftsmen. The soles are 100% rubber (50% natural, 40% recycled, 10% conventional) for plenty of grip as you make your way around town.
The result is a new form of leather that is soft to the touch and very durable. I found the sneakers to be instantly comfortable when putting them on. There’s no break-in period.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Aesthetic & design: Keeping things simple
While I’m all for a maximalist statement piece every now and then, it’s the elegant basics that pull most of the weight in my wardrobe. And because of this affinity for elevated minimalism, I’m a big fan of the Koio Capri. And although I still love the original Koio, this updated version has slimmer laces that create a sleeker, more upmarket look. I’m also a big fan of the barely-there branding — if you’re going to go minimalist, you can’t just go halfway.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Colors & variants: A different option for every day of the week
The Capri Regenerative currently comes in Castagna (a tanned brown), Onyx (Black), and Summit (Off-white). There are a lot more color options in the original version, though. You can go with light grey, dark grey, different shades of brown, and many more.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Comfort, fit, and sizing: There’s a little extra here
As mentioned above, comfort was my biggest concern with the original Capri sneaker that came out a few years ago. The shoe looked great, but I found the sole to be a bit too thin for standing up all-day in my sneakers.
Koio has fixed that by designing a thicker and more supple sole for this second version of the Capri.
The Capri Regenerative takes things further by offering a removable OrthoLite® Hybrid™ insole. While the comfort on the original Capris isn’t anything to shake a stick at, the Regenerative Capris take it up a notch and make all-day wear a breeze.
In terms of sizing, there are no half sizes available in the Capri, but wide widths are available. If you’re between sizes, we recommend going one size down.
Care & maintenance: As usual
While care may seem intimidating for shoes made with leather gained through regenerative farming, you can care for the Koio Capri Regenerative sneakers like any other pair of leather shoes — with regular cleaning and conditioning with a good leather conditioner.
Price: Not cheap but fairly priced
For the quality of the shoes and the production that’s based in the same artisan factories as brands like Chanel and Hermes, we feel like these shoes are a good value between $245 (for the traditional leather) and $345 (for the regenerative leather).
The brand also sometimes offers sales and discounts, so some versions are under $200 on its official website.
Who is it best for?
The Koio Capri Regenerative is best for fashion-forward folks who aren’t into the price tags of haute couture but don’t mind spending a bit more to support sustainability and quality craftsmanship.
Final thoughts about the Koio Capri Regenerative sneakers
With their claim of crafting the world’s first regenerative sneakers, Koio is doing some interesting things with sustainability and ecosystem restoration. And on top of that, they look darn good.
If you’re interested in supporting environmentally friendly brands, but you’re also looking for a comfortable, solid pair of premium sneakers to punch up your wardrobe, the Koio Capri Regenerative sneaker is one of the best options out there.
Where to buy Koio sneakers?
Looking to get your hands on a pair of the Koio Capris, or one of their other offerings? Koio shoes are available on their website and at their stores in New York and Los Angeles.
Alternatives to the Koio Capri
Axel Arigato Clean 90
On paper, the Axel Arigato Clean 90 offers a lot of the same things as the Koio Capri. A stitched rubber sole, removable insole, leather upper — the two pairs certainly have their similarities. Both are a great pick for minimalist kicks, but the Koio Capri Regenerative sneakers offer more in the way of environmental impact and color options.
You can check our in-depth Axel Arigato Clean 90 review to see how they compare.
Oliver Cabell Low 1
The Oliver Cabell Low 1, Koio’s Italian-crafted, minimalist leather compatriot, also offers a similar style and construction to the Capris. If you’re looking for a more affordable option and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of sustainability, the OCs are a solid option.
Head over to our hands-on Oliver Cabell Low 1 review to see if they’re a better option for you.
Common Projects Achilles Low
Honestly, we’re loath to compare the Common Projects Achilles Lows to the Koio Capri, as we’re a sucker for both. While offering a similar minimalist look, the Common Projects come in at a slightly higher price point and don’t come with the regenerative materials featured on the newest iteration of the Capri.
Frequently asked questions about the Koio Capri sneakers
Koio makes some of the best-quality shoes out there. They use top-notch leather, which is handcrafted in Italy with stitched soles for durability.
Koio Capris are true to size, though they don’t offer half sizes. If you’re between two sizes, the brand recommends choosing the next smallest size. Check our hands-on Koio Capri review to learn more.
While every leather show will have a break-in period, the leather on the Capris is soft enough for comfortable wear right out of the box.
Most Koio orders are shipped from their warehouse in Langhorne, PA, with occasional orders shipping from their NY and LA stores.
