I’m an enormous sneaker fan. I’ve all the time been heel-averse (blame my semi-flat ft), so I search for actually any excuse to pair sneakers with an outfit. Certain, I put on them with leggings and denims like anybody, however I additionally recurrently type them with attire and skirts (tremendous cute with ankle socks or tights). I even wore sneakers throughout my wedding ceremony! I’ve a couple of go-to sneaker manufacturers, however I used to be nonetheless looking for a brilliant versatile, informal sneaker that additionally helps the setting (style sustainability is large for me). Then I got here throughout Cariuma.
The Brazilian sneaker model initially designed kicks for skate boarders however has since been adopted by quite a few celebrities (Aubrey Plaza, Helen Mirren, Brooke Shields, the record goes on). Apart from creating tremendous cute sneaks, the model is doing nice issues for the setting. For each pair of sneakers bought, Cariuma crops two timber within the Brazilian rainforest (which has been tormented by deforestation); they’ve planted over 2.5 million timber already.
I had excessive hopes after I rallied 4 different Byrdie editors to check Cariuma’s hottest fall-apropos kinds. After sporting them round for weeks, we liked lots about them, however we additionally had some ache factors (actually).
The Oca Low in Premium Leather-based
Cariuma
Colorways Obtainable: 12 | Sizes Obtainable: 5-13 | Materials: Pebbled leather-based, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles
The basic Oca Low sneakers in gray leather-based (which I assumed would stroll nicely into the winter months) match fairly comfortably proper out of the field. They’ve an extremely supportive insole (my semi-flat ft admire that). They weren’t too tight or too broad, and my large toe was about an inch from the top of the shoe. They’re not as comfortable as I sometimes like sneakers to suit; they really feel greatest with thicker socks (suppose exercise socks). I walked in them for hours throughout this huge artisan market in upstate New York, they usually held up nicely. They slipped a teeny bit as I walked, however I by no means received heel blisters, so it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
The fabric is that this unbelievable, smooth, pebbled leather-based that’s good for fall as a result of it is extra substantial than canvas however nonetheless breathable. I believe you possibly can get away sporting them in all seasons, particularly within the flattering gray colour that goes with all the things (gray is the brand new black, proper?). I skilled some rubbing within the toe space, however I believe that was on account of my ft swelling (it was a hotter day, and my ft typically do this as a result of they’re flatter). The heel can also be a bit extra sunken than I desire, however Cariuma sells further insoles that would simply treatment that. My favourite a part of this type is the low profile, which makes them so versatile—they complemented each outfit I styled them with.
The Vallely in Premium Leather-based
Cariuma
Colorways Obtainable: 11 | Sizes Obtainable: 5-13 | Materials: Premium leather-based, recycled mesh, and rubber soles
White leather-based sneakers are, as affiliate Byrdie editor Alyssa Kaplan put it, “a staple for all seasons,” and these are a selection instance of them. They match true to dimension, besides she recommends sporting ankle socks because the tops can rub barely when breaking them in. She discovered them fairly comfy for strolling round New York Metropolis, they usually held up nicely in opposition to all of the potential scuffs a metropolis stroll would possibly afford.
“I like that the soles of the sneakers are smooth but in addition supportive and hug the foot properly, and I like that the fabric feels actually sturdy,” says Alyssa. She wasn’t an enormous fan of the inexperienced emblem on the again, however thinks the type is a superb chunky, basketball white shoe that is additionally very supportive for lengthy walks.
The Salvas
Cariuma
Colorways Obtainable: 13 | Sizes Obtainable: 5-13 | Materials: Premium leather-based, recycled mesh, and rubber soles
Dominque Hobdy-Olibrice, our senior style editor, additionally has flat ft and liked what Salvas’ “tremendous cozy” insoles did for them. She would’ve appreciated a bit extra room within the toe space (as such, she’d suggest sizing up one dimension), however the width was good for her narrower ft. They held up extremely nicely when strolling round; she by no means seen any nicks or scuffs.
“I carried out a ‘stain take a look at’ utilizing barbeque sauce (which, as a mother, is not a far-fetched accident), and the stain wiped proper off with no residue.” Except for the match situation, she’d suggest them for informal runs across the metropolis, aka your quintessential errand sneaks, good with athleisure put on.
Oca Low Leopard Suede
Cariuma
Colorways Obtainable: 14 | Sizes Obtainable: 5-13 | Materials: suede, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles
Because the Oca Low type is so well-liked, our Information and Offers editor, Jordan Julian, tried it in a distinct higher end that’s equally nice for fall: leopard suede. Jordan was already a Cariuma fan—she even wrote her personal evaluation of her first pair—so she knew this pair would match nice from day one in all put on. “They’re comfortable, so I don’t have to fret about slipping out of them, with out feeling too tight,” she stated.
That stated, she discovered she might solely put on common socks with them. “I would suggest going a half dimension up when you have wider ft or wish to put on thick socks.” Jordan had no hassle strolling a ton across the metropolis in these sneaks, with solely occasional, minor rubbing on the again (she by no means received blisters or calluses). However her favourite half was the end. “The suede end has complete fall vibes and a coziness that can be cute for winter, too. Although I put on leopard print year-round, it’s one in all this fall’s greatest tendencies, and the colour palette can also be autumnal.”
Oca Low Metallic Silver
Cariuma
Colorways Obtainable: 12 | Sizes Obtainable: 5-13 | Materials: Pebbled leather-based, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles
Affiliate editor Caitlyn Martyn additionally tried the Oca Lows, however in a surprising silver metallic leather-based higher that appears tailored for New 12 months’s. Whereas she was all concerning the look, she didn’t love the match. “The shoe’s base across the ankle did not really feel safe…maybe as a result of it was a bit decrease than I am used to. Each time I took a step, I felt like I used to be one motion away from the shoe flying off, lol,” she defined. She thinks her foot could also be too slim for the type, however she might nonetheless stroll round in them nicely sufficient, because of the tremendous cozy insoles.
The metallic end is a little more vulnerable to scuffing, so bear in mind you’ll must be a bit of extra cautious when sporting these. Caitlyn would put on them for informal walks however recommends narrow-footed girlies with discover slippage attempt some thicker socks.
