If you’re in the market for a new pair of sneakers, Cariuma may be a brand you want to check out. Cariuma is a relatively new company that makes high-quality sneakers at a fraction of the cost of some other brands. But are Cariuma sneakers worth the price? Let’s take a closer look.
About the Cariuma brand:
Cariuma is a Brazilian shoe company that was founded in 2016. Cariuma’s mission is to create the perfect sneaker – one that is stylish, comfortable, and environmentally friendly. Cariuma achieves this by using sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices.
Cariuma offers a variety of different sneaker styles for both men and women. Cariuma’s most popular style is the Cariuma OCA, which is a low-top sneaker made from sustainable materials. Cariuma also offers a variety of other sneaker styles, including high-tops, slip-ons, and sandals.
Despite a new company, Cariuma has already been featured in a variety of publications, including Vogue, Forbes, and GQ. Cariuma has also won several awards, including the “Best Sustainable Sneaker Brand” from Good Housekeeping.
Overview of Cariuma Shoes
The Cariuma shoes straddle the line between minimalist, functional, and tasteful from an aesthetic perspective. If you’re looking for something in a low- or high-cut style, they have a pretty fantastic selection.
CARIUMA’s core beliefs are to make things that are better for people and the environment. They are committed to making good-looking, ultra-comfortable, and consciously made sneakers.
The Cariuma shoes have a unique selling proposition in that they are made of sustainable materials. The upper is almost entirely recycled PET, which comes from recycled water bottles. The insole is made of a natural latex called Amazonian rubber. Cariuma also uses organic cotton for the laces, which makes them biodegradable.
When it comes to the environment, Cariuma goes above and beyond. They have a “One Tree for Every Cariuma Shoe Sold” initiative. For every pair of shoes sold, Cariuma plants a tree in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Cariuma has planted over 200,000 trees so far and plans to plant one million by 2025.
In keeping with the company’s tagline “Born in Rio, Raised worldwide,” they are based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The brand’s name is derived from the Portuguese word “cariuma,” which means pine needles. Moreover, this all relates to the company’s talent for wearing its heart on its sleeve in all aspects of its business; not only its cultural heart, but the basic values of the company as well.
As far as I am concerned, Cariuma’s values are unrelenting, which is something I appreciate. I was impressed with the company’s commitment to producing and delivering its products ethically, from sourcing materials to minimizing carbon footprints to paying its workers a fair wage.
I read that over 20% of the Brazilian rainforest is gone, so two trees are planted for every pair of sneakers sold.
Despite their selection of footwear, I think that any of these Cariuma sneakers would be ideal for your, as well as my, day-to-day existence. I would describe the look of these shoes as crisp skate shoe-like, similar to some of the most popular canvas shoe brands on the market, but with a distinctive look all their own.
As part of the brand’s style signatures, green expressions are found on different aspects of the shoes (tongue, sole, etc), and a cork footbed and rubber toe add a hint of style.
Despite my fondness for looks, I also appreciate the price of these beauties. In general, Cariuma sneakers sell for well under $100, with most pairs going for under $139 on the website. It’s a pretty good deal compared to other skate shoe brands without conscience.
Continuing with this Cariuma shoe review, next I will outline the brand’s benefits and drawbacks:
Pros
- Fashionable sneakers for both women and men
- Manufactured ethically
- Environmentally friendly materials
- Being transparent about the practices that are used
- B Corporation Certified
- Suitable for most day-to-day activities at a low cost
- Design with an elegant and minimal aesthetic
- For every pair purchased, two trees are planted
Cons
- Designs tend to focus on a specific niche of the shoe market, which is not for everyone.
Materials used in Cariuma Sneakers
- Canvas is made with organic cotton that is GOTS-certified
- A tree called Hevea brasiliensis produces raw natural rubber which is harvested ethically by tapping the trunk.
- They use sustainably harvested bamboo in their proprietary bamboo knit, which is cut from the stalk rather than the base of the plant to protect the bamboo’s health and the soil.
- Compared to petroleum-based polymers, sugarcane EVA outsoles are more sustainable.
- Brazilian, Argentinian, and Thai leather is used in the sneakers
- No leather from this brand comes from areas that have been deforested for cattle farming
- A Gold rating has been awarded to Cariuma’s tannery by the Leather Working Group
Most Popular Cariuma Sneakers and Reviews
OCA Lows
OCA Lows have a lot of versatility. As someone who wears them every day, I am aware of their quality. The great thing about these shoes is they are not only comfortable and practical but there are countless styles to choose from as well. I had a hard time choosing just one.
There is also a multitude of colors and designs to choose from, including suede, canvas, leather, prints, and more. Cushion technology makes them super lightweight and easy to wear. They’re so comfortable that I’d even say they’re my favorite shoes. My self-proclaimed adventurer streak has encouraged me to take them on at least one four-hour walk.
As far as quality is concerned, these shoes show a lot of fine craftsmanship and design. Materials sourced from natural sources make a big difference when it comes to quality.
At only $79, OCA Low sneakers were an excellent choice for me and I think they will be for you as well. With a price of around $139, even the leather versions are reasonably priced.
OCA Highs
These shoes bring more of that skate style and look great with jeans and shorts alike.
Highs offer just as much variety in style and material as lows, with several models to choose from. Choosing one that suits your tastes would be a challenge. You can add the OCA Highs to your shoe collection starting at $98, a great and affordable price.
My favorite thing about IBIs is everything about them. Knit sneakers made from regenerative bamboo and recycled plastics are a bold statement of the possibilities of naturally-sourced materials. Using recycled plastic bottles even for the shoelaces is a good idea. I could not recommend a more pleasant shoe. For just $98 you get all this.
CATIBA Pro
Having a particular fondness for skate shoes, I appreciated how authentically these sneakers paid homage to this particular subgroup.
To create the ultimate contemporary sneaker, the CATIBA Pro draws inspiration from yesterday’s classic aesthetics – contrast stitching, gum soles, and bold colorways abound.
Whether or not you’re skating in them, it’s evident that a lot of effort went into making them. It comes with a lightweight, ultra-comfortable insole that supports your foot well and has a grippy vulcanized outsole.
It’s evident that a lot of love and care went into producing these, from the wide laces to the design details. In addition, a Rio logo is emblazoned on the side of the sneaker to add a little flare. Unlike your average sneaker, these skate shoes are designed for longevity and durability.
My favorite feature of the sneakers is the firm and well-structured design, as well as the variety of colors available. Almost all models of the sneaker are reasonably priced at around $89 for most models. In case you’re thinking about splurging a bit after reading this Cariuma shoe review, this sneaker is a great choice.
CATIBA Pro High
Similarly, the high-top variant of the CATIBA is fairly comparable to its low-top cousin in terms of performance.
Ankle support is a major difference, along with the price. You can get a pair of the CATIBA Pro Highs for $119.
Pantone
The Pantone Matching System is a proprietary color space developed by Pantone, a US-based company. Limited-edition sneakers inspired by Pantone hues were released by CARIUMA in the past.
In spite of the fact that this collaboration is typical of sneaker collaborations, I found it to be especially intriguing and unique. For those who enjoy novelty items, it’s a pretty cool one. Most shoe brands charge up to $100 for their sneaker collaborations, so Pantone’s sneakers sell for less than $89 and $98.
Cariuma IBI Slip On Review
Your new favorite comfy casual shoe could be the Cariuma IBI Slip-On. IBI Sneaker fans will especially enjoy this design.
A bamboo knit upper, vegan cork insole, and sugarcane outsole make these sneakers similar to the IBI. These lightweight sneakers are easy to slip on and off since they don’t have laces.
It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, the IBI Slip-On is guaranteed to keep you comfortable and stylish no matter what you do!
In addition to white, grey, and rose, there are vibrant yellow, green, and blue colors available. As far as I’m concerned, I can never get enough green. A Cariuma design that is more affordable is the Cariuma IBI Slip-On at $98.
Cariuma Catiba Pro Review
There is no skate sneaker like the Cariuma Catiba Pro! Comfort and durability are the hallmarks of this low-top sneaker. The laces of this style are made from recycled plastic and use vegan leather or suede, like all Cariuma shoes.
Skaters will love the Catiba Pro. In addition, it makes an excellent everyday shoe for strolling the city or grabbing a bite.
Off-white, black, grey, and rose are some of the minimalist colors available in this design. There is also a white and black version with a tan outsole.
This stylish yet affordable Catiba Pro is available in the most popular suede styles for just $89! You can purchase the vegan leather version for $139.
There is a $120 price for suede and a $139 price for vegan leather in the Berrics Catiba Pro design. Catiba Pros are also available in black, off-white, or black and white high-top versions for $119.
How Do Customers Feel About Cariuma Shoes?
I researched customer feedback both on and off the brand’s website to give you a full picture of this Cariuma shoe review.
Among 6,000 reviews of Cariuma shoes, the OCA Low sneaker received a particularly high rating: 4.89/5. Cariuma is featured in US Magazine, where they are suggested to be more comfortable than Allbirds and Rothys. Men’s Journal described the Cariuma sneakers as “our new favorite shoes” in its review of the eco-friendly design.
The Trustpilot rating for Cariuma is 3.7/5 based on 43 reviews. A lot of reviews mention how comfortable the shoes are and how well they fit. The author wrote:
I was very satisfied with the Customer Service Team’s response to my initial emails, despite the long wait. There is a high-quality and well-made feel to the shoes. I am satisfied with the follow-up and the shoes are worth it.”
From everything I read, it appears Cariuma is a very popular brand. People love this company-and for good reason-because it sponsors pro skaters and releases new products. It sounds like Cariuma takes care of customer issues when given the opportunity, even if it’s not always easy.
