I’m an enormous sneaker fan. I’ve all the time been heel-averse (blame my semi-flat ft), so I search for actually any excuse to pair sneakers with an outfit. Positive, I put on them with leggings and denims like anybody, however I additionally often type them with clothes and skirts (tremendous cute with ankle socks or tights). I even wore sneakers throughout my wedding ceremony! I’ve a number of go-to sneaker manufacturers, however I used to be nonetheless trying to find a brilliant versatile, informal sneaker that additionally helps the surroundings (vogue sustainability is huge for me). Then I got here throughout Cariuma.
The Brazilian sneaker model initially designed kicks for skate boarders however has since been adopted by quite a few celebrities (Aubrey Plaza, Helen Mirren, Brooke Shields, the record goes on). Apart from creating tremendous cute sneaks, the model is doing nice issues for the surroundings. For each pair of sneakers bought, Cariuma crops two timber within the Brazilian rainforest (which has been tormented by deforestation); they’ve planted over 2.5 million timber already.
I had excessive hopes once I rallied 4 different Byrdie editors to check Cariuma’s hottest fall-apropos types. After carrying them round for weeks, we liked rather a lot about them, however we additionally had some ache factors (actually).
The Oca Low in Premium Leather-based
Colorways Accessible: 12 | Sizes Accessible: 5-13 | Materials: Pebbled leather-based, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles
The basic Oca Low sneakers in gray leather-based (which I assumed would stroll effectively into the winter months) match fairly comfortably proper out of the field. They’ve an extremely supportive insole (my semi-flat ft respect that). They weren’t too tight or too broad, and my huge toe was about an inch from the tip of the shoe. They’re not as comfortable as I usually like sneakers to suit; they really feel finest with thicker socks (assume exercise socks). I walked in them for hours throughout this huge artisan market in upstate New York, they usually held up effectively. They slipped a teeny bit as I walked, however I by no means bought heel blisters, so it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
The fabric is that this incredible, mushy, pebbled leather-based that’s good for fall as a result of it is extra substantial than canvas however nonetheless breathable. I believe you would get away carrying them in all seasons, particularly within the flattering gray coloration that goes with the whole lot (gray is the brand new black, proper?). I skilled some rubbing within the toe space, however I believe that was as a result of my ft swelling (it was a hotter day, and my ft typically do this as a result of they’re flatter). The heel can also be a bit extra sunken than I favor, however Cariuma sells additional insoles that would simply treatment that. My favourite a part of this type is the low profile, which makes them so versatile—they complemented each outfit I styled them with.
The Vallely in Premium Leather-based
Colorways Accessible: 11 | Sizes Accessible: 5-13 | Materials: Premium leather-based, recycled mesh, and rubber soles
White leather-based sneakers are, as affiliate Byrdie editor Alyssa Kaplan put it, “a staple for all seasons,” and these are a alternative instance of them. They match true to dimension, besides she recommends carrying ankle socks because the tops can rub barely when breaking them in. She discovered them fairly comfy for strolling round New York Metropolis, they usually held up effectively in opposition to all of the potential scuffs a metropolis stroll would possibly afford.
“I like that the soles of the sneakers are mushy but in addition supportive and hug the foot properly, and I like that the fabric feels actually sturdy,” says Alyssa. She wasn’t an enormous fan of the inexperienced brand on the again, however thinks the type is a good chunky, basketball white shoe that is additionally very supportive for lengthy walks.
The Salvas
Colorways Accessible: 13 | Sizes Accessible: 5-13 | Materials: Premium leather-based, recycled mesh, and rubber soles
Dominque Hobdy-Olibrice, our senior vogue editor, additionally has flat ft and liked what Salvas’ “tremendous cozy” insoles did for them. She would’ve appreciated a bit extra room within the toe space (as such, she’d suggest sizing up one dimension), however the width was good for her narrower ft. They held up extremely effectively when strolling round; she by no means observed any nicks or scuffs.
“I carried out a ‘stain check’ utilizing barbeque sauce (which, as a mother, is not a far-fetched accident), and the stain wiped proper off with no residue.” Apart from the match subject, she’d suggest them for informal runs across the metropolis, aka your quintessential errand sneaks, good with athleisure put on.
Oca Low Leopard Suede
Colorways Accessible: 14 | Sizes Accessible: 5-13 | Materials: suede, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles
Because the Oca Low type is so well-liked, our Information and Offers editor, Jordan Julian, tried it in a distinct higher end that’s equally nice for fall: leopard suede. Jordan was already a Cariuma fan—she even wrote her personal overview of her first pair—so she knew this pair would match nice from day one in all put on. “They’re comfortable, so I don’t have to fret about slipping out of them, with out feeling too tight,” she stated.
That stated, she discovered she may solely put on common socks with them. “I might suggest going a half dimension up when you’ve got wider ft or wish to put on thick socks.” Jordan had no bother strolling a ton across the metropolis in these sneaks, with solely occasional, minor rubbing on the again (she by no means bought blisters or calluses). However her favourite half was the end. “The suede end has whole fall vibes and a coziness that will probably be cute for winter, too. Although I put on leopard print year-round, it’s one in all this fall’s greatest tendencies, and the colour palette can also be autumnal.”
Oca Low Metallic Silver
Colorways Accessible: 12 | Sizes Accessible: 5-13 | Materials: Pebbled leather-based, cotton canvas lining, and rubber soles
Affiliate editor Caitlyn Martyn additionally tried the Oca Lows, however in a shocking silver metallic leather-based higher that appears tailored for New 12 months’s. Whereas she was all concerning the look, she didn’t love the match. “The shoe’s base across the ankle did not really feel safe…maybe as a result of it was a bit decrease than I am used to. Each time I took a step, I felt like I used to be one motion away from the shoe flying off, lol,” she defined. She thinks her foot could also be too slim for the type, however she may nonetheless stroll round in them effectively sufficient, due to the tremendous cozy insoles.
The metallic end is a little more vulnerable to scuffing, so bear in mind you’ll have to be just a little extra cautious when carrying these. Caitlyn would put on them for informal walks however recommends narrow-footed girlies with discover slippage attempt some thicker socks.