Who doesn’t love a sturdy and classy pair of life-style sneakers? They’re versatile and, in case you select the correct pair, comfortable sufficient to put on for lengthy journey days or hours of sightseeing. However with so many manufacturers now vying for our consideration, it’s turning into increasingly more troublesome to decide on the right pair. Our go-to model? Cariuma. The sustainable, celebrity-loved sneakers have confirmed to be comfortable, good, and constructed to final by years of damage.
After sporting Cariuma footwear casually for the reason that model’s inception within the late 2010s, we figured it was time to formally put them to the check — so Journey + Leisure’s group of editors, writers, and product testers wore the preferred pairs for weeks, being attentive to components like consolation, help, sturdiness, and high quality. Listed below are the six Cariuma sneakers we beloved essentially the most when all was stated and carried out.
Two T+L group members examined out the Salvas, and neither might say sufficient good issues in regards to the model. Not solely have been they immediately comfortable (and remained comfortable for hours of damage), however they rapidly proved to be a flexible selection for practically any scenario. Mud and particles simply washed off once we wore them in wetter circumstances, and we effortlessly dressed them each up and down for every little thing from work to errand runs to dinner. Whereas we wouldn’t put on them to a extra formal occasion, we really feel they’d pair properly with a informal journey costume for a day on the park.
The match and help was additionally spectacular, as considered one of our testers has excessive arches but by no means skilled any discomfort sporting the Salvas, even after lengthy put on intervals. The traction proved to be enough, the laces are sturdy, and the model is clear and crisp. The one situation we had with these was some minor rubbing on the again of the ankle — one thing each testers skilled — however it wasn’t fixed or extreme.
The Particulars: Males’s 5 to 13, girls’s 5 to 12.5 | Leather-based, rubber, cork, rPET, and cotton
Pavement, grass, grime trails, rain, and shine — we wore these sturdy canvas sneakers by all of it throughout our testing interval. Not solely did they maintain up and stay comfortable over each floor and in all kinds of climate, however they felt delicate and damaged in from the very first put on. In actual fact, our tester often makes use of cushioned insoles for all of his footwear, however didn’t really feel the necessity to use them with the OCA Lows as a result of they felt so good on their very own.
As we continued to check these, we additionally observed simply how sturdy they’re. They confirmed nearly no put on after a number of makes use of and didn’t slip or slide in rain. The sneakers provided a touch of arch help, which we really feel would work greatest for these with decrease arches. Whereas our tester didn’t expertise any blistering, he did really feel the toe field was a bit cramped for his wider toes.
The Particulars: Males’s 5 to 13, girls’s 5 to 12.5 | Cotton canvas, rubber, and cork (additionally obtainable in leather-based or suede)
We wore these light-weight slip-ons from town streets to the paths, they usually remained comfortable and walkable in all places we went. In contrast to many different slip-on footwear, the IBIs have been extremely breathable — in truth, we often wore these with out socks throughout testing, and we by no means had points with overheating or sweating. Whereas we observed a little bit of heel rubbing throughout the first put on, we by no means skilled irritation on every other wears after that.
We observed these are very supportive for a pair of slip-ons, even after a multi-mile stroll, our toes felt nice. The traction is spectacular as properly, although we wouldn’t advocate them on slick surfaces like mud or ice. Their minimalist model made them an ideal match for just about any outfit, and after a number of wears, we haven’t observed any put on and tear.
The Particulars: Males’s 5 to 13, girls’s 5 to 12.5 | Bamboo, rPET, cork, and EVA
Journey + Leisure
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As a result of their low-rise building, we’d skip these on wet, snowy, or chilly days.
Cariuma has a knack for getting leather-based footwear excellent, and the Slip-ons aren’t any exception. Whereas testing, these rapidly grew to become our on a regular basis footwear and got here with us on drives, hikes, errand runs, subway journeys, and round city. Unsurprisingly, they have been tremendous snug by all of it, and we’d go so far as to say they’re one of many comfiest pairs of slip-ons we’ve ever worn. “I usually have discomfort on the again of my heels, and even have bleeding or blistering if the footwear don’t match me properly…however with these, I’ve had zero points,” our tester stated.
We additionally discovered them to be fairly purposeful, due to their fast, hands-free slip-on building and their pain-free insoles. Our solely gripe? They sit very low on the heel, so that they’re not best in rain, snow, or extra-chilly climate.
The Particulars: Males’s 5 to 13, girls’s 5 to 12.5 | Leather-based, cotton canvas, rubber, and cork (additionally obtainable in canvas or blended/professional supplies)
In case you do end up in colder circumstances, nonetheless, we advocate the OCA Therma Excessive sneakers. Because the identify suggests, these sneakers are designed for heat. Throughout testing, we appreciated the suede exterior, shearling lining, and water-repellant coating that saved frigid air and moisture at bay on particularly chilly days. “The shearling lining made my toes and ankle space really feel embraced by a delicate blanket,” our tester stated.
Past the coziness and heat the Therma Highs present, we’re additionally followers of the arch and ankle help, which allowed us to stroll for hours at a time with out soreness or blisters. It took two hour-long wears for the footwear to really feel absolutely damaged in, however these did really feel snug proper out of the field. Whereas we’d love for the toe field to be barely bigger and the heel to have extra bounce, these minor inconveniences gained’t cease us from preserving the kicks in common rotation.
The Particulars: Males’s 5 to 13, girls’s 5 to 12.5 | Suede, vegan shearling, rubber, and rPET (additionally obtainable in canvas, leather-based, or recycled supplies)
It was exhausting for us to search out something unsuitable with these footwear. Over the testing interval, they checked just about each field. But when we needed to pinpoint one characteristic that really blew us away, it’s consolation. “I actually squealed with pleasure after I took my first steps [in the TOCAs],” T+L senior editor Kayla Kitts stated. “The froth insole is pillowy-soft. I wore no-see socks and had completely zero rubbing, chafing, or pinching.” Kitts wore the sneakers on miles-long walks, on a street journey, to eating places, and to her son’s swim classes — they usually by no means failed to supply whole consolation.
Past the footwear’ stellar really feel, Kitts additionally appreciated the footwear’ trendy design, versatility, arch help, and the truth that they by no means felt stiff, even on the primary put on. She observed some slight creasing on the toe after just a few makes use of, however felt it may very well be ignored for the reason that footwear are so spectacular in each different manner.
The Particulars: Males’s 5 to 13, girls’s 5 to 12.5 | Leather-based, suede, rubber, cork, rPET, and cotton (additionally obtainable in blended supplies)
Our Testing Course of
To totally check our Cariuma footwear, members of the T+L group evaluated them beginning with the very first try-on. We took word of the speedy really feel, in the event that they match accurately, have been snug, rubbed or pinched at any level, and appeared prime quality. Over the following two weeks, we wore them a number of instances every for intervals starting from a couple of minutes to a number of hours at a time. We fastidiously thought-about how simple it was to put on the footwear for a full day, how they fared in several climate circumstances and over completely different terrains, if we have been blistered or sore after sporting them, and in the event that they provided enough help.
We packed them into suitcases to check how a lot area they took up and the way a lot weight they added to our baggage, and we wore them with a wide range of outfits to gauge their versatility. Solely the footwear that carried out properly in each class made it into this text.
Suggestions for Shopping for Cariuma Sneakers
Select a flexible model
Among the best issues about Cariuma footwear is that they’re designed to be versatile — you gained’t discover sneakers particularly for understanding of their lineup. However that’s factor, as a result of when touring, it’s necessary to pack a pair of footwear that may do all of it. The model often carries every shoe in an abundance of colours and patterns, so there must be an possibility to suit each vogue choice.
Take into account the break-in time for leather-based
Leather-based footwear can take wherever from one week to at least one month to interrupt in. That stated, goal to put on your leather-based Cariuma footwear for at the least per week earlier than touring in them or sporting them for an all-day occasion. You may quicken the breaking-in course of by sporting your footwear with thick socks, or in a pinch, place further padded insoles inside.
Often Requested Questions
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Ought to I measurement up or down?
We discovered that Cariuma footwear run true to measurement after testing numerous types. Each pair of Cariuma footwear additionally is available in half and complete sizes, making it simple to search out the right match. Nevertheless, in case you’re nonetheless not sure of what measurement to get, we advocate sizing a half measurement up, contemplating just a few of our testers felt the toe field was barely crowded.
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The place can I purchase Cariuma sneakers?
Cariuma might be bought immediately from the model’s web site and infrequently from retailers like Farfetch and Selfridges. Understand that some retailers have completely different return insurance policies and inventory.
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How do I wash Cariuma sneakers?
Cariuma recommends completely different care for various supplies. For canvas Cariuma footwear, hand-wash with impartial cleaning soap and chilly water to scrub. For suede footwear, use an eraser, brush, or delicate material to softly rub stains away in a round movement (you possibly can dampen the material for more durable stains). For leather-based, take away the laces and soak them in heat water with baking soda, whereas wiping down the footwear’ exterior with a humid or soapy material. For plaid Cariuma types, use a delicate brush to take away mud or stains.
Why Belief Journey + Leisure
T+L editor Hillary Maglin has been testing journey merchandise since 2019. She has owned a number of pairs of Cariuma footwear during the last six years and took part in T+L’s devoted Cariuma check. She has moreover examined dozens of pairs of strolling footwear at T+L and on her personal travels, which she used as a body of reference when making an attempt out Cariuma types. When writing this text, she referred to further insights from different members of the T+L group who additionally examined Cariuma footwear.
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