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Who doesn’t love a sturdy and stylish pair of lifestyle sneakers? They’re versatile and, if you choose the right pair, comfy enough to wear for long travel days or hours of sightseeing. But with so many brands now vying for our attention, it’s becoming more and more difficult to choose the perfect pair. Our go-to brand? Cariuma. The sustainable, celebrity-loved sneakers have proven to be comfy, smart, and built to last through years of wear.
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 team of editors, writers, and product testers wore the most popular pairs for weeks, taking note of factors like comfort, support, durability, and quality. Here are the six Cariuma sneakers we loved the most when all was said and done.
Two T+L team members tested out the Salvas, and neither could say enough good things about the style. Not only were they instantly comfy (and remained comfy for hours of wear), but they quickly proved to be a versatile choice for nearly any situation. Mud and debris easily washed off when we wore them in wetter conditions, and we effortlessly dressed them both up and down for everything from work to errand runs to dinner. While we wouldn’t wear them to a more formal event, we feel they’d pair well with a casual travel dress for a day at the park.
The fit and support was also impressive, as one of our testers has high arches yet never experienced any discomfort wearing the Salvas, even after long wear periods. The traction proved to be sufficient, the laces are durable, and the style is 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: Men’s 5 to 13, women’s 5 to 12.5 | 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. Not only did they hold up and remain comfy over every surface and in all types of weather, but they felt soft and broken in from the very first wear. In fact, our tester usually uses cushioned insoles for all of his shoes, but didn’t feel the need to use them with the OCA Lows because they felt so good on their own.
As we continued to test these, we also noticed just how durable they are. They showed almost no wear after several uses and didn’t slip or slide in rain. The sneakers offered a hint of arch support, which we feel would work best for those with lower arches. While our tester didn’t experience any blistering, he did feel the toe box was a bit cramped for his wider feet.
The Details: Men’s 5 to 13, women’s 5 to 12.5 | Cotton canvas, rubber, and cork (also available in leather or suede)
We wore these lightweight slip-ons from the city streets to the trails, and they remained comfy and walkable everywhere 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. While we noticed a bit of heel rubbing during the first wear, we never experienced irritation on any other wears after that.
We noticed these are very supportive for a pair of slip-ons, even after a multi-mile walk, our feet felt great. The traction is impressive as well, though we wouldn’t recommend them on slick surfaces like mud or ice. Their minimalist style made them a perfect match for pretty much any outfit, and after multiple wears, we haven’t noticed any wear and tear.
The Details: Men’s 5 to 13, women’s 5 to 12.5 | Bamboo, rPET, cork, and EVA
Travel + Leisure
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Due to their low-rise construction, we’d skip these on rainy, snowy, or chilly days.
Cariuma has a knack for getting leather shoes just right, and the Slip-ons are no exception. While testing, these quickly became our everyday shoes and came with us on drives, hikes, errand runs, subway trips, and around town. Unsurprisingly, they were super comfortable through it all, and we’d go as far as to say they’re one of the comfiest pairs of slip-ons we’ve ever worn. “I often have discomfort on the back of my heels, and even have bleeding or blistering if the shoes don’t fit me well…but with these, I have had zero issues,” our tester said.
We also found them to be quite functional, thanks to their quick, hands-free slip-on construction and their pain-free insoles. Our only gripe? They sit very low on the heel, so they’re not ideal in rain, snow, or extra-chilly weather.
The Details: Men’s 5 to 13, women’s 5 to 12.5 | Leather, cotton canvas, rubber, and cork (also available in canvas or mixed/pro materials)
If you do find yourself in colder conditions, however, we recommend the OCA Therma High sneakers. As the name suggests, these sneakers are designed for warmth. During testing, we appreciated the suede exterior, shearling lining, and water-repellant coating that kept frigid air and moisture at bay on especially chilly days. “The shearling lining made my toes and ankle area feel embraced by a soft blanket,” our tester said.
Beyond the coziness and warmth the Therma Highs provide, we’re also fans of the arch and ankle support, which allowed us to walk for hours at a time without soreness or blisters. It took two hour-long wears for the shoes to feel fully broken in, but these did feel comfortable right out of the box. While we’d love for the toe box to be slightly larger and the heel to have more bounce, these minor inconveniences won’t stop us from keeping the kicks in regular rotation.
The Details: Men’s 5 to 13, women’s 5 to 12.5 | Suede, vegan shearling, rubber, and rPET (also available in canvas, leather, or recycled materials)
It was hard for us to find anything wrong with these shoes. Over the testing period, they checked pretty much every box. But if we had to pinpoint one feature that truly blew us away, it’s comfort. “I literally squealed with excitement when I took my first steps [in the TOCAs],” T+L senior editor Kayla Kitts said. “The foam insole is pillowy-soft. I wore no-see socks and had absolutely zero 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.
Beyond the shoes’ stellar feel, Kitts also appreciated the shoes’ stylish design, versatility, arch support, and the fact that they never felt stiff, even on the first wear. She noticed some slight creasing on the toe after a few uses, but felt it could be overlooked since the shoes are so impressive in every other way.
The Details: Men’s 5 to 13, women’s 5 to 12.5 | Leather, suede, rubber, cork, rPET, and cotton (also available in mixed materials)
Our Testing Process
To thoroughly test our Cariuma shoes, members of the T+L team evaluated them starting with the very first try-on. We took note of the immediate feel, if they fit correctly, were comfortable, rubbed or pinched at any point, and seemed high quality. Over the next two weeks, we wore them multiple times each for periods ranging from a few minutes to several hours at a time. We carefully considered how easy it was to wear the shoes for a full day, how they fared in different weather conditions and over different terrains, if we were blistered or sore after wearing them, and if they offered sufficient support.
We packed them into suitcases to test how much space they took up and how much weight they added to our luggage, and we wore them with a variety of outfits to gauge their versatility. Only the shoes that performed well in every category made it into this article.
Tips for Buying Cariuma Shoes
Choose a versatile style
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. But that’s a good thing, because when traveling, it’s important to pack a pair of shoes that can do it all. The brand usually carries each shoe in an abundance of colors and patterns, so there should be an option to fit every fashion preference.
Consider the break-in time for leather
Leather shoes can take anywhere from one week to one month to break in. That said, aim to wear your leather Cariuma shoes for at least a week before traveling in them or wearing them for an all-day event. You can quicken the breaking-in process by wearing your shoes with thick socks, or in a pinch, place extra padded insoles inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Should I size up or down?
We found that Cariuma shoes run true to size after testing various styles. Every pair of Cariuma shoes also comes in half and whole sizes, making it easy to find the perfect fit. However, if you’re still unsure of what size to get, we recommend sizing a half size up, considering a few of our testers felt the toe box was slightly crowded.
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Where can I buy Cariuma sneakers?
Cariuma can be purchased directly from the brand’s website and occasionally from retailers like Farfetch and Selfridges. Keep in mind that some retailers have different return policies and stock.
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How do I wash Cariuma sneakers?
Cariuma recommends different care for different materials. For canvas Cariuma shoes, hand-wash with neutral soap and cold water to clean. For suede shoes, use an eraser, brush, or soft cloth to gently rub stains away in a circular motion (you can dampen the cloth for tougher stains). For leather, remove the laces and soak them in warm water with baking soda, while wiping down the shoes’ exterior with a damp or soapy cloth. For plaid Cariuma styles, use a soft brush to remove dust or stains.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
T+L editor Hillary Maglin has been testing travel products since 2019. She has owned multiple pairs of Cariuma shoes over the last six years and participated in T+L’s dedicated Cariuma test. She has additionally tested dozens of pairs of walking shoes at T+L and on her own travels, which she used as a frame of reference when trying out Cariuma styles. When writing this article, she referred to additional insights from other members of the T+L team who also tested Cariuma shoes.
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