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With all the different sneaker brands out there, it can be difficult to determine what’s actually worth the money. So what if a celebrity was spotted wearing a pair? What we want to know is if these shoes will give us blisters, provide arch support, and last us for years to come. That’s why StyleCaster’s commerce team wanted to share an honest review of Cariuma sneakers. This company gets a lot of hype — and yes, is beloved by everyone from Helen Mirren to Pete Davidson — but are the shoes really that good?
As it turns out, Cariuma sneakers are even better than expected. After putting a few pairs to the test, we’re convinced this brand has nailed the combination of cute and comfortable, while also being well-made and eco-friendly. Ahead, check out everything you need to know about Cariuma, along with which sneaker styles StyleCaster editors highly recommend.
The best sneakers to buy from Cariuma, at a glance:
Why is Cariuma so popular?
Part of the reason why Cariuma sneakers are so popular does have to do with the celebrities who wear them. Pete Davidson, Dame Helen Mirren, John Hamm, and Whitney Port are just a few recognizable names that enjoy slipping into these shoes. However, Cariuma also famously combines comfort with classic styles and prides itself on putting sustainability first. There are a handful of sneakers for men, women, and kids, all of which are made from ethically-sourced, raw materials and come with a reasonable price tag (nothing is over $200).
Are Cariuma shoes comfortable?
Cariuma’s founders, David and Fernando, launched the brand in 2018 with comfortability in mind. The goal for them is to create shoes that are “lightweight, durable and come with that perfect already broken-in fit.”
“We knew the industry-standard ‘cool-classic’ sneakers were really uncomfortable and that the big corporations weren’t socially responsible and didn’t really care about sustainability in an active way,” they shared on Cariuma’s website.
The sneakers are made up of soft, easy-to-wear materials and include supportive mamona oil and bio-based cork inserts along with slip-resistant, natural rubber soles.
Are Cariuma shoes eco-friendly?
Yes, Cariuma uses raw materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, and sugarcane to make its designs, and some pairs even include recycled nylon and recycled plastics. Materials are dyed with non-hazardous, Bluesign-certified chemicals and the brand packs its products in recycled and recylable boxes. For every shoe sold, Cariuma also plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest.
Cariuma Sneakers: White LWG Leather/Black & Green Salvas
Colorways available: 13Sizes available: 5-13Material: Premium leather
“These constantly sold-out sneaks are, in fact, worth the hype (and the wait). Similar to Stan Smiths, these sneakers have that effortless, minimalist feel to them while also providing tons of room for feet — they’re the perfect shoe to throw on when you’re in a hurry and don’t feel like untying and re-tying (looking at you, Old Skool Vans — I love you, but it takes years to put you on!).
Their comfort is definitely their biggest selling point aside from looks. Made from premium leather, they’re soft and flexible without ever feeling flimsy. The sole is 100 percent slip-resistant (they ARE a skater shoe, after all), and the insole is made from removable cork and bio-based foam, so they’re also earth-friendly on top of everything.
I’ve been wearing my Salvas for about two years, and they’re in fantastic shape. I’ve taken them to Disneyland (clocking 25,000 steps), worn them while running errands all day, and paired them with my cutest brunch outfits. They’re great for long walks as well as just a relaxed vibe. They’re the ultimate everyday shoe you can feel good about investing in. And they don’t wear down easily!”
— Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Director
Cariuma Sneakers: Black Canvas Slip-On
Colorways available: 6Sizes available: 5-13Material: Canvas (but also available in: leather, recycled, mixed/pro)
“I grew up wearing Vans Classic Slip-Ons all throughout high-school and college, so it definitely took me a second to accept I was switching over (I’m usually a very loyal customer!). I’m happy I did, though, since these are definitely the more elevated, grown-up version. Meaning, the Cariuma Slip-Ons have way more support, are more durable, and are made more eco-consciously, which is important to me.
The all-vegan design comes with a natural rubber outsole and organic cotton upper that feels lightweight and breathable — so important to me, since I generally wear my slip-ons with no socks and in the summer, if you’re doing this with the wrong shoes, you’re in trouble (i.e. stinky, sweaty feet). The bio-foam memory insole makes my 30-something-year-old feet much happier, and I’ve found myself wearing these kicks on walks with the dogs, out on errands, and to work. The black canvas goes with everything, so I can easily dress them up or dress them down, Southern Cali-style. They’re an easy, no-hands shoe, so if you need to put something on your feet—quickly—these are a good option.
One thing I will advise, is to get a half-size up. I tried my true size (8) and they were tight, so I switched them out for 8.5 and they fit perfectly.”
— Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Director
Cariuma Sneakers: White Polka Dots Canvas Oca Low
Courtesy of Cariuma, Samantha Sutton
Colorways available: 18Sizes available: 5-13Material: Cotton canvas
“Typically, it takes a few wears for me to break in a pair of shoes, so when I realized I’d only packed Cariuma’s Oca Low sneakers for a weekend away, I experienced a brief moment of panic. As I walked up and down the streets of New York City, getting in a week’s worth of steps over the course of two days, I waited for blisters to form on the backs of my ankles. Then I realized they weren’t coming.
The brand really nailed that soft, broken-in feel, and unlike other my canvas sneakers, these were comfortable from the moment I put my foot inside . They even blocked my feet from feeling the wind, which is pretty impressive considering the temperature was in the 40s.
Personally, I’m all about simple designs, and while this pair satisfies my need for a crisp white shoe, I thoroughly enjoy the polka-dot pattern, which adds something extra to my outfits while still being neutral enough to mix with other prints. The thick, natural rubber sole is also one of my favorite features. It’s almost like a platform but easier to walk in, and I felt super supported as I made my way over uneven sidewalks, squeezing through crowds of people.”
— Samantha Sutton, Commerce Writer
Cariuma Sneakers: Black Premium Leather & Suede/Black Salvas
Courtesy of Cariuma, Maya Gandara
Colorways available: 5Sizes available: 5-13Material: Premium leather and suede
“Two words came to mind when I first slipped into the Cariuma Salvas sneakers: instant comfort. While the brand has garnered a ton of buzz for quite some time (celebrities like Pete Davidson and Helen Mirren are even fans), I’d yet to give it a go. But I’m so glad I finally did — sneakers that don’t require a ton of break-in time are hard to find, but these remained pain-free from the beginning.
As someone who lives in New York City, my shoe collection needs to be both supportive and comfortable (and stylish, too, let’s be honest), and these hit all the marks. They didn’t feel stiff on my feet like most pairs do during the initial wear time, and to this day I’m never left feeling sore after being out and about in them all day long.
Plus, designed from LWG-certified premium pebbled leather, the sneakers are crafted to only look better the more you wear them — and that’s an investment well spent. While the Salvas shoe comes in a variety of white-based designs, I went with the sleek, all-black pair. They look good with jeans, leather pants or skirts, and are polished enough to wear out on the town to bars or simply during errand runs.”
— Maya Gandara, Commerce Editor
Cariuma Sneakers: Black Contrast/Ivory Catiba Pro Low
Courtesy of Cariuma
Colorways available: 12Sizes available: 5-13Material: Triple-stitch, premium suede and organic cotton canvas
“Not only do the Catiba Pro sneakers look good, but they also feel extremely comfortable. The kicks feature mamona oil and bio-based cork inserts and completely slip-resistant natural rubber soles. As soon as I stepped into these shoes, I could feel the arch support and knew I’d be able to wear them all day long. Per usual, I was right. The memory foam insole is everything. I lace them up for everything from errands to the office to travel, and my feet have never ached or blistered.
I ordered mine in a 6 and would say they fit pretty true to size. However, if you prefer your toes to have some extra wriggle room, don’t hesitate to go up half a size.
Now that I’ve been rocking these shoes for over a year now, I can confidently say they’ve become my go-to sneakers — plus, they still look like they’re in mint condition. I like them so much that I even gifted a pair to my mom, and trust me, she loves them just as much as I do.”
— Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate Commerce Editor
Cariuma Sneakers: Off-White Knit IBI Low
Courtesy of Cariuma, Samantha Sutton
Colorways available: 15Sizes available: 5-13Material: Perfect-fit Bamboo Knit (bamboo and recycled plastics)
“While I know these shoes are better suited for everyday activities rather than fitness, I was still shocked when I opened up my box of Cariuma IBI sneakers and immediately spotted the cork insole. It didn’t seem like something that would be very comfortable or supportive, but I was wrong.
It turns out that part (which is also removable) includes memory foam and Mamona oil as well, which makes it thick and squishy to the touch rather than thin and flimsy.
I have a few pairs of knit sneakers sitting in my closet, but the IBI might be my favorite. It’s nice that they’re made from self-regenerating bamboo and recycled plastics, but I’m most impressed with how breathable and light they are. Plus, most of my knit sneakers are thin and form-fitting, which is something I’m not really a fan of — they look weird when I style them with oversized pieces, as if I have extra-tiny feet. These are a little larger in appearance without looking bulky and oversized, and can perfectly balance out wide-leg jeans and loose-fitting sweats.”
— Samantha Sutton, Commerce Writer
