The No-Break-In Sneakers With a Notorious Waitlist Are Legitimately *So* Comfortable

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With all the different sneakers out there, it can be difficult to determine which ones are 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 (like, a lot of hype: the brand amassed a 77k-person waitlist at one point)—and yes, is beloved by everyone from Helen Mirren to Pete Davidson—but are the shoes really that good?

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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.

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 recyclable boxes. For every shoe sold, Cariuma also plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest.

Catiba Pro 2.0

Catiba Pro 2.0

$98 Buy Now

“I’ve been wearing Cariuma sneaks for the past three years, so I was really excited to try out their new Catiba Pro 2.0 shoes. It’s a skate shoe, so it’s primary function is to keep you balanced and steady with high-performance cushioning and grippy soles. The interior cotton fabric is soft and great for all-day wear—and definitely some movement. I tested these at the office as well as when I got home and walked the dogs. I’m no skater, but I do walk around a lot, and have zero patience for flimsy shoes. I love how comfortable these are and can confirm they required zero break-in. I did size up a full half-size up and found they fit perfectly. I think they might be a bit snug if you order your size.” -Gina Vaynshteyn, Editorial Director

Colorways available: 9
Sizes available: 5-12.5
Material: Suede, organic cotton, rubber

OCA Low

OCA Low Off-White Canvas

$89 Buy Now

“I love my Cariuma OCA Low sneakers! I walk around in them for hours at a time to run errands, and they’re so comfy. They were initially a little snug despite them being my usual size, but after wearing them a few times, they stretched out to mold the exact shape of my feet. (And don’t worry, even though they were tight at first, I didn’t get any blisters.) I also love how I can easily slip these on despite them being lace-ups. My go-to sneaker used to be a pair of Converse, which IYKYK, are a pain to put on because they need to be properly laced every time. Overall, I’d say these are completely worth it if you’re looking for a casual, comfy pair of sneakers for everyday wear.” — Jennifer Adams, Former Lifestyle Writer

Colorways available: 12
Sizes available: 5-13
Material: Organic cotton canvas, and rubber

Salva

White LWG Leather Salvas

$139 Buy Now

“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, Editorial Director

Colorways available: 13
Sizes available: 5-13
Material: Premium leather

OCA Low

Canvas OCA Low

$89 Buy Now

“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 my other 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, Former Commerce Writer

Colorways available: 18
Sizes available: 5-13
Material: Cotton canvas

OCA Low Suede

$89 Buy Now

“When I first got my Cariuma sneakers, I didn’t really understand the hype. The shoes felt sort of thin and, as a NYC commuter, I wasn’t sure if they were going to make it through the inherent infrastructural chaos of the city. Yet, despite my initial skepticism, these BRAT green sneakers have been my go-to shoe every day for the past two weeks. 

I think there’s something about how conveniently comfortable they can be. As a low-effort blob in a high-effort city, I’d give anything to wear the open-toed, paint-covered sandals I bought in high school…. (but it’s like “so illegal” to wear open-toed shoes out here). These sneakers have functioned as a great alternative, able to feel intimately worn without the years of visual wear and tear. Plus, you can really feel how durable and slip-resistant they are. When every floor feels like a banana peel, it’s nice to have an all-rounder shoe that also doesn’t feel like a sacrifice to your safety.” — Stephani Cui, Former Graphic Designer

Colorways available: 1
Sizes available: 5-9
Material: Premium suede, organic cotton canvas, and rubber

Catiba Pro Low (discontinued)

Black Contrast/Ivory Catiba Pro Low

On Sale 49% off

$45 Buy Now

“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, Commerce Editor

Colorways available: 12
Sizes available: 5-13
Material: Triple-stitch, premium suede and organic cotton canvas

UBA Leather (Discontinued)

UBA Leather/Gum & Ice

$159 Buy Now

“If you need someone to tell you it’s time to upgrade from your Air Force 1’s, let it be me. If you want a similar style, I bought Cariuma’s premium leather UBA sneaker and love them. They’re a mix of 90’s skateboarding and basketball style, and I love that the bottoms aren’t super orange-ish gold and distracting like sneakers.” — Kaili JiMei, Social Media Manager

Colorways available: 5
Sizes available: 5-13
Material: Premium leather & suede

Slip-On (discontinued in this style)

Black Canvas Slip-On

On Sale 49% off

$48 Buy Now

“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, Editorial Director

Colorways available: 6
Sizes available: 5-13
Material: Canvas (but also available in: leather, recycled, mixed/pro)