Axel Arigato Area Lo Sneakers Review: Vintage Style Powered By Culture

The resurgence of chunky dad sneakers has been going strong for a few years now, and the trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. Which, personally, I love. If I can run to the coffee shop, hit the office, and still be styling enough for an evening on the town in the same comfortable pair of shoes, count me in. 

Today, I’m reviewing the Axel Arigato Area Lo sneakers. I’ve worn them for a couple of weeks now, so this is a good time to share my experience if you’re interested in this pair.

These chunky sneakers from Swedish lifestyle brand Axel Arigato is a perfect reminder of why this footwear trend kicked off in the first place. With their vintage-inspired look and bold colorways, the Axel Arigato Area Lo come with big “listening to a boombox at the Brooklyn block party” energy.

While the Axel Arigato Area Lo isn’t the most affordable pair of fashion-forward sneakers out there, at Luxe Digital, we love the brand’s sustainable approach to manufacturing and the support they give to the fashion and music communities through events, podcasts, and collabs.

I’ve tried the men’s version in this review, but the Area Lo also exists in women’s sizes.

To give you the lowdown on these high-fashion low tops (whew), we tried them out. Here’s the skinny:

Axel Arigato Area Lo Sneaker Review

With their tagline: “A People-Powered Lifestyle Brand,” Axel Arigato makes some bold claims surrounding fashion, community and what’s next. And with their unconventional weekly drops, their cultural events and their commitment to crafting on-trend sneakers with exceptional craftsmanship, we’re believers. 

We’ve written about Axel Arigato before, and we’re standing firm on their status as a need-to-know brand. But what about their Area Lo trainers, do they stack up to the brand’s previous offerings? Let’s dive into our full review of these kicks.

Unboxing: There’s more than just a pair of sneakers

The Axel Arigato Area Lo sneakers thrive in their simplicity — the unboxing process was much the same. Upon lifting the lid of the minimalist box, we were greeted by a branded dust bag, an extra pair of laces, and just enough paper to keep the shoes protected. No time swimming through endless layers of tissue paper here.

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A no-frills unboxing process may not seem entirely appropriate for a brand so involved with immersive, branded events, but we prefer getting right to the shoes and avoiding the waste that so often accompanies more robust packaging.

Aesthetic & design: Retro basketball vibe

The Axel Arigato Area Lo combines everything we love about vintage style with details and accents that bring them into the modern era. The angled embellishments on the soles, the segmented soles, the contrasting panels — we’re in.

Another design element we love on these sneakers is the off-white sole. White sneakers are still having their moment, don’t get us wrong, but the contrast of the colorways on the off-white sole pump up the vintage style and adds effortless cool to whatever outfit we pair them with.

Materials & craftsmanship: Premium quality and sustainable craftsmanship all the way

While Axel Arigato hangs their hat on being a purveyor of culture and shaking up the fashion industry, they’re no slouches when it comes to producing sustainable, high-quality kicks.

The leather used in these sneakers is certified by the Leather Working Group, with materials traceable to intensely audited tanneries that are held to rigorous environmental standards. This shoe is also crafted from SEAQUAL® YARN, which is a post-consumer recycled polyester that contains Upcycled Marine Plastic. 

By using these eco-friendly materials and basing the majority of the manufacturing with high-quality shops in Portugal, Axel Arigato is able to consistently pump out stylish, well-made shoes while taking strides both in environmental conservation and labor sourcing.

Comfort & fit: Give them a few days to break in

Although Axel Arigato is much more a fashion brand than a producer of the most comfortable shoes out there, we found the Area Lo shoes comfortable enough for daily wear. They won’t likely replace your daily drivers if you’re putting serious mileage on your feet, but we got around town in them with no issue. And because of the high-quality leather these minimalist shoes are crafted from, these kicks are only getting more comfortable over time.

When it comes to sizing, we run into one of the only faults we have with the Area Lo. Half sizes are hard to come by for the men’s shoes, which can be a concern if you’re smack-dab in the middle. If you’re between sizes, we recommend taking the next size up.

Colors: Tons of variants available

The colorways for the Area Lo were a big part of what sold us on these sneakers. Their bolder colorways, including Light Blue, Green, Pink, and Black, have a soft quality to the coloring that allows them to be interesting without making you look like you took a marker to your shoes. And their more neutral Grey and Cremino colorways give you an effortless way to match just about any outfit you can throw at them.

Price

Sitting at just under $400, these shoes are definitely in the higher range for everyday wear. However, between the sustainable materials and labor scrutiny the brand utilizes, we feel it’s a fair value for a stunning pair of vintage-inspired, high-fashion kicks.

Care & maintenance

There’s no magic trick to keeping the Area Lo’s looking their best. Leather conditioner and regular cleanings with leather shoe cleaner will keep these sneakers fresh, sleek, and ready for the streets for years to come.

Who are the Axel Arigato Area Lo sneakers best for?

Choose these kicks for their style and the just plain cool brand they come from, not for a spot on your investment shoe rack next to the limited-release Nikes. 

In conclusion: My thoughts on the Axel Arigato Area Lo sneakers

Verdict:

The Area Lo from Axel Arigato is already a vibe upon first glance. The color accents, the chunky style and the gold lettering on the side all scream retro cool.

But these sneakers really shine upon closer inspection. The structural details and material contrasts on the upper, heel and sole make these kicks real head-turners.

And we love that Axel Arigato uses eco-friendly materials, like upcycled marine plastic and LWG-certified leather.

Axel Arigato Lo alternatives

Nike Dunks

Nike Dunks need no introduction. This pair of shoes offers a chunky aesthetic that’s similar to the Area Lo sneakers. And if you’re really into Nike or bold branding, these could be a great, affordable choice. But if you’re after more subtle branding and a style that’s more interesting, the Axel Arigato’s are going to be more in your wheelhouse.

Reebok BB 4000

The Reebok BB 4000 are dripping in timeless, old-school, chunky style. These kicks may even offer more in the way of comfort than the Area Lo sneakers. But as someone who regularly hits the streets in a pair of Club C 85s, these shoes are everywhere. For a standout sneaker that’s not too loud, I’ve got to turn to the Area Los.

Where to buy Axel Arigato Area Lo Sneaker?

Axel Arigato has 13 physical locations (including department stores and pop-ups), but the most convenient way to pick up a pair of Area Los is to order them on Axel Arigato’s website. With free delivery and free returns, you can snag these sneakers and try them out without extra costs.

Frequently asked questions about Axel Arigato sneakers