I Walked All Over Brooklyn in My Cariuma Sneakers

Confession time: Even though sneakers are an undeniable closet staple, I’ve never really been a fan. As a fashion lover, I know trendy sneakers have become something of a cool-girl status symbol, but I’ve only really turned to them on practical occasions like workouts or long travel days. Instead, I tend to gravitate towards dressier shoes that better match my style—mesh flats, cowboy boots, et cetera.

That being said, when I was recently given the opportunity to test a pair of sneakers from the buzzy brand Cariuma, I was hopeful that I’d finally fall in love with shoes that are as comfortable as they are cute. After all, a girl can only sustain so many ballet flat-induced blisters before she has to explore other footwear options. I opted to try the Cariuma Oca Low Off-White Canvas Sneakers, drawn to their versatility and surfer vibe.      

Oca Low Off-White Canvas Sneakers

One of Cariuma’s most popular styles, the Oca Canvas Sneakers embody the Brazilian brand’s beachy roots. This simple style features a white rubber sole, white laces, and a cap toe detail for a crisp, minimalist effect that I’ve been seeking in a pair of everyday sneakers. However, if you’re into bold colors, they’re also available in 20 (!!) colorways, including bright red and bubblegum pink. Like all of Cariuma’s offerings, the Oca Low Canvas Sneakers are sustainably made and support a great mission—for each pair of sneakers purchased, the brand plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest.

I’d heard a lot of hype about how comfortable Cariuma sneakers are. Long-lasting comfort is one of the brand’s main priorities—the vegan insoles are made from a signature supportive memory foam. One Byrdie editor who walked more than 15,000 steps in her Cariuma Oca High Sneakers wrote that her “feet tend to ache after walking long distances—even while wearing running shoes,” but she “felt completely comfortable all day” while apartment hunting in her Oca Highs. 

With that in mind, I was still surprised to find that immediately upon putting them on, my fresh-from-the-box Cariuma sneakers felt like they were made for my feet. One of the first times I wore them was on a long Saturday spent brewery hopping around Brooklyn with friends, racking up approximately 12,000 steps traveling between our different destinations. As promised, my feet were completely comfortable the entire day, as if I’d owned the sneakers for years—and I even got a few compliments on them.   

Oca Low Red Canvas Sneakers

While comfort is definitely important, style is still my number one priority; I have been known to suffer through the occasional foot ache for the sake of a truly divine pair of shoes. So, it was all the more exciting that I didn’t have any issues styling my Cariuma sneakers with tons of different outfits. Most often, I pair them with slouchy low-rise jeans and a tank or sweater to lean into the effortless, laidback aesthetic of the shoes, but they also look super cute with a sundress or a flowy skirt. Plus, I can’t wait to wear them to the beach this summer with a bikini and denim shorts.   

After testing the canvas Oca Low Sneakers for a little over a month, it’s safe to say that I’m beginning to transform into a sneaker girlie against all odds. But you don’t have to just take my word for it. This particular style of Cariumas has more than 10,000 positive customer ratings. “Can’t stop buying them,” one shopper wrote, “the colors are amazing, they are super comfy, and the styling is right up my street,” while another noted that they own an impressive 10 pairs. The brand also has tons of celebrity fans, including Alexandra Daddario and Brooke Shields. 

Ready to add a pair of Cariuma sneakers to your shoe collection? Be sure to do so ASAP, since these shopper- and celeb-loved sneakers tend to sell out fast.   

More Cariuma Sneakers to Shop

Salvas Sneakers in White Premium Leather/Pink

Naioca Green Gum Suede Sneakers

Uba Sneakers in White Premium Leather/Leopard & Black