Byrdie Editors Tested 5 Styles of Cariuma Sneakers for Fall

I’m a huge sneaker fan. I’ve always been heel-averse (blame my semi-flat feet), so I look for literally any excuse to pair sneakers with an outfit. Sure, I wear them with leggings and jeans like anyone, but I also regularly style them with dresses and skirts (super cute with ankle socks or tights). I even wore sneakers during my wedding! I have a few go-to sneaker brands, but I was still searching for a super versatile, casual sneaker that also supports the environment (fashion sustainability is big for me). Then I came across Cariuma.

The Brazilian sneaker brand initially designed kicks for skateboarders but has since been adopted by numerous celebrities (Aubrey Plaza, Helen Mirren, Brooke Shields, the list goes on). Besides creating super cute sneaks, the brand is doing great things for the environment. For every pair of sneakers purchased, Cariuma plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest (which has been plagued by deforestation); they’ve planted over 2.5 million trees already.

I had high hopes when I rallied four other Byrdie editors to test Cariuma’s most popular fall-apropos styles. After wearing them around for weeks, we loved a lot about them, but we also had some pain points (literally).

The Oca Low in Premium Leather

Colorways Available: 12 | Sizes Available: 5-13 | Material: Pebbled leather, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles

The classic Oca Low sneakers in grey leather (which I thought would walk well into the winter months) fit pretty comfortably right out of the box. They have an incredibly supportive insole (my semi-flat feet appreciate that). They weren’t too tight or too broad, and my big toe was about an inch from the end of the shoe. They’re not as snug as I typically like sneakers to fit; they feel best with thicker socks (think workout socks). I walked in them for hours all over this massive artisan market in upstate New York, and they held up well. They slipped a teeny bit as I walked, but I never got heel blisters, so it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.

The material is this fantastic, soft, pebbled leather that’s perfect for fall because it’s more substantial than canvas but still breathable. I think you could get away wearing them in all seasons, especially in the flattering grey color that goes with everything (grey is the new black, right?). I experienced some rubbing in the toe area, but I think that was due to my feet swelling (it was a warmer day, and my feet sometimes do that because they’re flatter). The heel is also a bit more sunken than I prefer, but Cariuma sells extra insoles that could easily remedy that. My favorite part of this style is the low profile, which makes them so versatile—they complemented every outfit I styled them with.

The Vallely in Premium Leather

Colorways Available: 11 | Sizes Available: 5-13 | Material: Premium leather, recycled mesh, and rubber soles

White leather sneakers are, as associate Byrdie editor Alyssa Kaplan put it, “a staple for all seasons,” and these are a choice example of them. They fit true to size, except she recommends wearing ankle socks as the tops can rub slightly when breaking them in. She found them quite comfortable for walking around New York City, and they held up well against all the potential scuffs a city walk might afford.

“I like that the soles of the shoes are soft but also supportive and hug the foot nicely, and I like that the material feels really durable,” says Alyssa. She wasn’t a huge fan of the green logo on the back, but thinks the style is a great chunky, basketball white shoe that’s also very supportive for long walks.

The Salvas

Colorways Available: 13 | Sizes Available: 5-13 | Material: Premium leather, recycled mesh, and rubber soles

Dominque Hobdy-Olibrice, our senior fashion editor, also has flat feet and loved what Salvas’ “super comfy” insoles did for them. She would’ve appreciated a bit more room in the toe area (as such, she’d recommend sizing up one size), but the width was perfect for her narrower feet. They held up incredibly well when walking around; she never noticed any nicks or scuffs.

“I performed a ‘stain test’ using barbeque sauce (which, as a mom, isn’t a far-fetched accident), and the stain wiped right off with no residue.” Aside from the fit issue, she’d recommend them for casual runs around the city, aka your quintessential errand sneaks, perfect with athleisure wear.

Oca Low Leopard Suede

Colorways Available: 14 | Sizes Available: 5-13 | Material: suede, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles

Since the Oca Low style is so popular, our News and Deals editor, Jordan Julian, tried it in a different upper finish that’s equally great for fall: leopard suede. Jordan was already a Cariuma fan—she even wrote her own review of her first pair—so she knew this pair would fit great from day one of wear. “They’re snug, so I don’t have to worry about slipping out of them, without feeling too tight,” she said.

That said, she found she could only wear regular socks with them. “I’d recommend going a half size up if you have wider feet or want to wear thick socks.” Jordan had no trouble walking a ton around the city in these sneaks, with only occasional, minor rubbing at the back (she never got blisters or calluses). But her favorite part was the finish. “The suede finish has total fall vibes and a coziness that will be cute for winter, too. Though I wear leopard print year-round, it is one of this fall’s biggest trends, and the color palette is also autumnal.”

Oca Low Metallic Silver

Colorways Available: 12 | Sizes Available: 5-13 | Material: Pebbled leather, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles

Associate editor Caitlyn Martyn also tried the Oca Lows, but in a stunning silver metallic leather upper that looks tailor-made for New Year’s. While she was all about the look, she didn’t love the fit. “The shoe’s base around the ankle didn’t feel secure…perhaps because it was a bit lower than I’m used to. Every time I took a step, I felt like I was one movement away from the shoe flying off, lol,” she explained. She thinks her foot may be too narrow for the style, but she could still walk around in them well enough, thanks to the super comfy insoles.

The metallic finish is a bit more prone to scuffing, so be aware you’ll need to be a little more careful when wearing these. Caitlyn would wear them for casual walks but recommends narrow-footed girlies with notice slippage try some thicker socks.