Review: A-COLD-WALL* x Converse Aeon Active CX “Carbon”

Last year, Dr Samuel Ross officially took the wraps off of his collaboration with Converse by revealing the A-COLD-WALL* x Converse Aeon Active CX. A far cry from the classic Chuck Taylors and Chuck 70s that we’ve all come to know and love, the performance-oriented sneaker was imbued with the British fashion designer’s signature touch. Avant-garde, futuristic, and very, very maximalist, there’s nothing else quite like it out there.

If you’re planning on adding this ACW Con to your collection, then you’re in luck. In this exclusive review, Captain Creps will be taking a deep dive into the all-new “Carbon,” exploring everything from its overall aesthetics, all the way to its fit. So, stop what you’re doing and keep reading to find out everything that you need to know!

Design

One of the first things that you’ll notice about the A-COLD-WALL* x Converse Aeon Active CX is its other-worldly design. Featuring a sleek, laceless look, it’s dipped in an all-black colour palette and boasts a multi-layered upper that’s sure to turn heads wherever you go. The ripstop base is overlaid by panels of canvas and rubber, while some of the edges and hems have been left frayed and pre-weather for a deconstructed aesthetic – something that ACW’s Ross came to master during his time working with Off-White’s Virgil Abloh.

A subtle pop of contrast is introduced via the mossy green collar, while oversized pull tabs across the front and back offer up a gorpcore-inspired vibe. All of this comes packed in a special edition co-branded shoebox.

Comfort

While the dimensions of the A-COLD-WALL* x Converse Aeon Active CX look quite beefy and bulky, the model itself is surprisingly lightweight. The nylon overlays also offer the perfect amount of structure and support, and while you won’t find any laces here, the pull tabs can help you get in and get out with ease.

Of course, you just can’t talk about the Aeon Active without bringing up the truly massive midsole underneath. Crafted from Nike’s critically-acclaimed Crater foam, it’ll take your cushioning levels to new heights, both literally and figuratively speaking. So, is this Converse comfortable? 100%. While we wouldn’t wear them for a run or any other intense activities, rocking them as an everyday lifestyle shoe is perfect.

Sizing

While most Converse silhouettes fit true to size (TTS), surprisingly, you should go half a size up for the A-COLD-WALL* x Converse Aeon Active CX. Because there are no laces here, there’s no way to adjust the actual opening of the shoe. This results in the collar being quite tight to begin with.

Once you’re in, the fit is snug yet supportive. We tried these both with and without socks, and going 0.5 size up was definitely the right option. However, if you have particularly wide feet, we’d recommend going a full size up just so you don’t feel cramped. As always, it’s best to try these on in-store before copping.

Where to Buy

The A-COLD-WALL* x Converse Aeon Active CX is literally becoming more and more popular by the minute with pairs sold out almost entirely via third party retailers online . If you are looking for a pair, we recommend heading direct to Converse on the 9th at 8AM for the best opportunity to cop. Alternatively try your luck at Slam Jam or head to StockX for after market sales.

The Bottom Line

The A-COLD-WALL* x Converse Aeon Active CX is one of the most futuristic sneakers available today. Designed by Dr Samuel Ross, the “Carbon” is one of the best ones out there. With a multi-textured, multi-layered design, we’d recommend going half a size up, or a full size up if you have wider feet. More colourways are set to be announced very soon, so make sure you keep it locked at Captain Creps for your best chance to secure your size!