Who doesn’t like a pair of stylish and durable lifestyle sneakers? The right pair will be comfortable and versatile enough to be worn for long days of travel or sightseeing. It’s getting harder to pick the right pair of shoes with so many brands competing for our attention. What is our go-to brand? Cariuma. Cariuma. celebrity-loved sneakers These shoes are stylish, comfortable, and durable.
After wearing Cariuma shoes casually since the brand’s inception in the late 2010s, we figured it was time to officially put them to the test — so Travel + Leisure’s Editors, writers, product testers, and a team of editors wore the popular pairs for several weeks. They noted factors such as comfort, support, durability and quality. The six Cariuma shoes we liked the best after all.
The Salvas were tested by two T+L staff members. Neither could praise the Salvas enough. The Salvas were comfortable from the start and remained that way for many hours. They also proved to work in almost any situation. The mud and dirt washed right off in the rain, and they were easy to dress up or down for anything from dinner to work. We wouldn’t wear these to a formal event but they would look great with jeans and a shirt. casual travel dress Enjoy a park day.
Salvas were also impressive in terms of fit and support. Even though one tester has high arches, he never felt uncomfortable wearing them, even over long periods. The laces and traction were both satisfactory. The style was clean and crisp. The only issue we had with these was some minor rubbing on the back of the ankle — something both testers experienced — but it wasn’t constant or severe.
The Details Leather, rubber cork, cotton, and rPET| Leather, rubber, cork, rPET, and cotton
Pavement, grass, dirt trails, rain, and shine — we wore these sturdy canvas sneakers through it all during our testing period. They were comfortable and durable on all surfaces and weather conditions. But they also felt soft after the first wear. In fact, the tester uses cushioned insoles The OCA Lows felt great on their own.
We were amazed at how durable these products are. The sneakers showed very little wear even after multiple uses. They also didn’t slide or slip in rain. These sneakers have a slight arch support which would be best suited to those with low arches. Although our tester did not suffer from blisters, he felt that the toebox was too small for his wide feet.
The Details Women’s sizes 5 to 12, men’s sizes 5 to 13 | Cotton canvas, rubber, and cork (also available in leather or suede)
The lightweight slip-ons we tested were comfortable to wear on city streets and trails. They remained walkable and comfortable wherever we went. Unlike many other slip-on shoes, the IBIs were incredibly breathable — in fact, we frequently wore these without socks during testing, and we never had issues with overheating or sweating. The first time we wore the shoes, we felt a little heel rub. However, this did not continue.
This is a very positive thing. a pair of slip-onsEven after a long walk of several miles, our feet still felt good. We also liked the traction, but we wouldn’t wear them on slippery surfaces such as mud or ice. They are a great match for any outfit and their minimalist design is perfect.
Details: Bamboo, rPET cork, EVA| Bamboo, rPET, cork, and EVA
Travel + Leisure
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On rainy, chilly or snowy weather, we would skip them due to the low-rise structure.
Cariuma is a master at making leather shoes that are just right. The Slip-ons were no exception. These shoes quickly became our go-to footwear and we wore them on walks, drives, hikes and subway rides. They were comfortable throughout, and they are one of the most comfortable slip-ons that we have ever worn. “I have a lot of discomfort on my heels. I can have blisters, bleeding, or even bruising if the shoe doesn’t fit well. With these, however, there have been no problems,” said our tester.
The slip-on, quick-on, construction, and the pain-free insoles made them very useful. What’s our only complaint? These shoes are not suitable for cold, rainy, or snowy weather.
Details: Leather, cotton canvas, rubber, and cork (also available in canvas or mixed/pro materials)| Leather, cotton canvas, rubber, and cork (also available in canvas or mixed/pro materials)
We recommend OCA Therma High shoes if you find yourself in a colder climate. These sneakers are made for warmth, as the name implies. During our testing, the suede outer, shearling interior, and water-repellent coating kept frosty air and moisture away on particularly cold days. Our tester stated that the shearling lining felt like a blanket wrapped around her toes and lower ankle.
The Therma Highs are not only warm and cozy, but also provide arch and ankle support. This allowed us to walk comfortably for long periods of time, without feeling sore or getting blisters. The shoes took about two hours to break in but they were comfortable straight out of the package. Although we would like the toebox to be a little larger and the heels to bounce more, these minor inconveniences will not stop us from wearing the kicks regularly.
Details: Suede, vegan Shearling, rubber and rPET.| Suede, vegan shearling, rubber, and rPET (also available in canvas, leather, or recycled materials)
We couldn’t find any fault with these shoes. They checked almost all the boxes during our testing. If we had to pick one feature that really blew us out, it would be comfort. “I literally squealed in excitement when I first took my steps [in the TOCAs]” T+L Senior Editor Kayla Kitts said. The foam insole feels pillowy soft. I wore no see socks and there was absolutely no rubbing, chafing or pinching. Kitts wore the sneakers on miles-long walks, on a road trip, to restaurants, and to her son’s swim lessons — and they never failed to provide total comfort.
Kitts appreciated not only the shoe’s outstanding comfort, but also its stylish design, its versatility, their arch support, and that they did not feel stiff on first wear. Kitts noticed some minor creasing at the toe of the shoe after several uses but thought it was easily overlooked because the shoes were so good in all other ways.
The Details Women’s sizes 5 to 12, men’s sizes 5 to 13 | Leather, suede, rubber, cork, rPET, and cotton (also available in mixed materials)
Test Process
Members of the T+L Team evaluated our Cariuma Shoes from the first time they tried them on. We noted the first impression, whether they were comfortable, fit well, or rubbed at any point. In the following two weeks we wore each shoe multiple times for periods of time ranging from several minutes to a couple of hours. We considered whether the shoes were comfortable to wear for an entire day, whether they performed well in various weather conditions, on different terrains and if there was any discomfort or blistering after wearing them.
They were packed into suitcases in order to see how much room they took and how much weight and space they added. We also wore them to determine their versatility. The article includes only the shoes which performed well across all categories.
Cariuma Shoes: Tips on Buying Them
Pick a style that is versatile
One of the best things about Cariuma shoes is that they’re designed to be versatile — you won’t find sneakers specifically for working out in their lineup. It’s good to have shoes that are versatile, especially when you’re traveling. Every shoe comes in an array of colors and designs, so you should find something to match your style.
Break-in leather
It can take leather shoes anywhere from a week to a month to break them in. Wear your leather Cariumas for at least one week before you travel or wear them to an event. The breaking-in of your leather Cariuma shoes can be accelerated by wearing them with thick socksYou can also use extra-padded insoles if you are in a hurry.
FAQs
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Do I need to size up or down my clothing?
Cariuma shoes are true to size, after trying out different styles. Cariuma also offers half and full sizes to make it easier for you to find your perfect fit. If you are still unsure about what size to order, we suggest going a half-size up. Some of our testers found the toe box to be a little crowded.
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Where can I purchase Cariuma shoes?
Cariuma is sold directly by the brand’s website You can also buy from retailers such as Farfetch You can also find out more about the following: Selfridges. Be aware that certain retailers have different policies on returns and stocks.
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How do I clean Cariuma shoes?
Cariuma recommends different care for different materials. Hand-wash canvas Cariuma footwear with cold water and neutral soap. To remove stains on suede shoes, gently rub them away with an eraser, brush or soft cloth in a circular movement (you can dampen your cloth for more stubborn stains). Remove the laces from leather shoes and soak them with warm water and baking soda. Wipe down the exterior of the shoe with a wet or soapy cloth. Use a soft bristle brush to remove any dust or stains from plaid Cariuma styles.
Why Travel + Leisure?
T+L editor Hillary Maglin Since 2019, she has been testing travel product. Over the past six years, she has owned several pairs of Cariuma footwear and taken part in T+L’s Cariuma-specific test. She has also tried dozens of pairs walking shoes both at T+L, and during her own travels. These she used to compare Cariuma’s styles. In writing this piece, she also referred back to the additional insights of other members of T+L’s team who have tested Cariuma footwear.
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