The 7 Best Cariuma Shoes of 2023

We like the IBI Knit for women and the Catiba Pro High for men.

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Best Cariuma Shoes

Cariuma

If you have your finger on the pulse of the footwear industry or are keen on celebrity fashion, you've probably heard of Cariuma. The casually cool designs have been seen on the likes of Pete Davidson, John Hamm, Whitney Port, Chris Martin, Helen Mirren, and Robert Downey Jr. But that's not the only reason for their recent surge in popularity. Cariuma is everything you'd want in a travel sneaker: exceptionally comfortable, versatile year-round, and eco-friendly. The shoes are crafted from recycled plastic bottles and various earth-sourced materials. Like Converse and Keds, all Cariuma shoes are unisex. Some are even conveniently machine-washable.

The low-top lace-up IBI Knit Sneaker is a fan favorite, especially for women looking for a simple, wear-anywhere style. For guys, we like the Catiba Pro High Sneaker, an endlessly cool and durable shoe with a solid grip underfoot. But to help you sift through your options, we rounded up the best Cariuma shoes currently available.

These are the best Cariuma shoes to shop:

Best Overall for Women

Cariuma IBI Knit Sneaker

Cariuma IBI Knit Sneaker

Cariuma

Why We Love It
  • Available in nearly 20 colors, this simple, classically cool shoe is made of sustainable materials and boasts a machine-washable design.

What to Consider
  • The arch support could be better, but you can remove the insoles and replace them with more supportive inserts.

Our top pick for women is the IBI Knit Sneaker, a sustainable shoe with a pared-down silhouette. As the name suggests, this low-top lace-up features a knit textile upper sourced from bamboo. According to the brand, the renewable resource quickly regenerates after harvesting while leaving the plant and soil intact.

The lining, laces, and stitched threads are all recycled plastic polyester. As for the outsoles, you're looking at a greener version of EVA (elastomeric polymer) sourced from sugarcane. The footbeds are Cariuma's greener take on memory foam, which is made by combining cork and mamona oil. While these tennis shoes aren't the most supportive, you can remove the insoles and replace them with something with better arch support.

Available in nearly 20 hues, these classically cool tennis shoes go with just about any outfit. They're also incredibly lightweight and breathable with a flexible feel. As icing on the cake, the IBI Knit is also machine-washable.

Price at time of publish: $98

The Details: 5-13

Best Overall for Men

Cariuma Catiba Pro High Sneaker

Cariuma Catiba Pro High Sneaker

Cariuma

Why We Love It
  • This laid-back high-top boasts arch-hugging insoles, vulcanized rubber outsoles, and a board feel for steadiness on your feet.

What to Consider
  • These sell out quickly, so you might need to sign up for in-stock notifications or stalk the site for your size.

For men, we're big fans of the Catiba Pro High Sneaker. This laid-back yet handsome shoe has an organic cotton canvas upper with triple-stitched soft suede detailing. The lining is also canvas, the insoles are made of responsive cork and mamona, and the laces are a blend of organic cotton and recycled plastic. And unlike the IBI line, the Catiba provides arch-hugging support.

Made with durability in mind, the natural outsoles are vulcanized (chemically hardened) for extra stability and slip-resistance. This sporty high-top boasts a "board feel," meaning it's designed to make you feel steady on your feet, whether you're skateboarding, sightseeing, or jaunting through an airport.

The versatile Catiba Pro comes in four neutral colorways to go with just about any outfit. But just a heads up, this style sells out quickly, so you might need to stalk the site for your size and preferred color or sign up for in-stock notifications.

Price at time of publish: $119

The Details: 5-13

Best White

Cariuma OCA Low Pantone Snow White Canvas Sneaker

OCA Low Pantone Snow White Canvas Sneaker

Cariuma

Why We Love It
  • These white unisex sneakers are not only super versatile but also sustainably made from natural and recycled materials.

What to Consider
  • They aren't machine-washable like some of the brand's other shoes.

While Cariuma's partnership with Pantone has brought many cool colorways, this simple white sneaker might be the best collab. Reminiscent of the Converse Jack Purcell, the OCA Low has a classic canvas upper loomed from certified-organic cotton, simple flat-woven laces, and metal eyelets.

The removable footbeds are the brand's signature cork-mamona memory foam, and the flexible outsoles are made of natural rubber ethically sourced from Hevea brasiliensis trees. Like a good pair of blue jeans, these white unisex sneakers have a place in anyone's wardrobe. The only thing to note is that they aren't machine-washable like the IBI Knits.

Price at time of publish: $89

The Details: 5-13

Best Slip-on

Cariuma Slip-on Skate Pro Sneaker

Cariuma Slip-On Skate Pro Sneaker

Cariuma

Why We Love It
  • The Slip-on Skate Pro is an easygoing shoe with built-in arch support, shock-absorbing soles, and a timeless silhouette.

What to Consider
  • They aren't machine-washable like the IBI line.

Our favorite laceless design from Cariuma is the Slip-on Skate Pro Sneaker. It's got an organic cotton canvas upper with suede detailing over the vamp and heel. Flaunting a wide, round toe and a timeless silhouette, this easygoing shoe is comfortable, lightweight, and up for any occasion.

Designed to hold up under daily use and active lifestyles, these slip-ons have reinforced, rip-resistant toe boxes, vulcanized rubber outsoles, and a board feel. What's more, built-in arch support and shock-absorbing soles ensure you stay comfy on your feet for hours. Thanks to stretchy gore panels and heel tabs, they're also super easy to slip on and off.

Price at time of publish: $85

The Details: 5-13

Best High-top

Cariuma IBI High Knit Sneaker

Cariuma IBI High Knit Sneaker

Cariuma

Why We Love It
  • A more refined version of high-top Chuck Taylors, these featherweight, water-resistant sneakers have monochrome uppers and contrasting outsoles.

What to Consider
  • They don't come in as many colors as other Cariuma styles, and while they're not machine-washable like the low-top IBIs, they have a water-repellent coating.

Reminiscent of Converse Chuck Taylor High-tops but with a slightly more refined aesthetic, the IBI High Knit is a great travel-friendly shoe for men and women. The ankle-supporting upper and lining are woven from bamboo, and the monochrome laces are made of recycled plastic. Not only that, but the sugarcane-derived EVA outsole boasts a negative carbon footprint.

Despite the extra material around the ankles, these sneakers are notably lightweight, making them perfect for packing or wearing en route to your destination. They aren't machine-washable like the low-top IBIs. However, the uppers have a water-repellent coating to keep excess moisture out and stains at bay.

Price at time of publish: $129

The Details: 5-13

Best Machine-washable

Cariuma IBI Slip On

4.9
Cariuma IBI Slip-on

Cariuma

Why We Love It
  • You can toss these ultra-lightweight bamboo knit slip-ons in your washer and air-dry them as needed.

What to Consider
  • You might want to order a half-size up if you plan to wear these with thick socks.

If easy care is a priority, Cariuma's IBI Slip-ons might be your best bet. Like the IBI low-top lace-ups, they have knitted bamboo uppers and breathable lining sourced from recycled plastic. The durable yet flexible outsoles are made of sugarcane EVA, and the removable insoles are the brand's eco-friendly cork-mamona memory foam.

More to the point, you can toss them in your washing machine and air-dry them as needed. These ultra-lightweight laceless shoes are also easy to pull on using the handy heel tabs. The only thing to consider is that since they're somewhat close-fitting, you might want to order a half-size up if you plan to wear them with thick socks.

Price at time of publish: $98

The Details: 5-13

Best Leather

Cariuma Salvas Leather Sneaker

Salvas Leather Sneaker

Cariuma

Why We Love It
  • The ethically sourced, smooth leather uppers are easy to wipe clean, while the slip-resistant rubber outsoles ensure steadiness on your feet.

What to Consider
  • They aren't as lightweight as other styles from Cariuma.

Prefer leather? Check out the Salvas Sneaker. Ethically sourced from gold-rated tanneries certified by the LWG (Leather Working Group), the smooth leather uppers are easy to wipe clean and have some natural water resistance. This extremely comfortable shoe has a breathable mesh lining, a softly padded footbed, a cushioned heel collar, and a sturdy, slip-resistant rubber outsole.

The Salvas gives a subtle nod to the chunky sneaker trend, and yet it's still understated enough that it won't go out of style anytime soon. While it's not quite as lightweight as other Cariuma styles, the unisex design is a go-to for travel.

Price at time of publish: $98

The Details: 5-13

Tips for Buying Cariuma Shoes

Choose a pair that works for your intended activities

Though Cariuma shoes are inherently sporty, most styles are designed for streetwear. This means they're comfortable enough for walking, standing, traveling, and everyday activities but aren't intended for exercise or sports. However, the brand does make some skate shoes, which are generally slightly heavier with shock-absorbing vulcanized rubber outsoles and a board feel.

Consider slip-on vs. laceless styles

Cariuma carries a range of lace-up and slip-on designs. The choice is mostly a matter of personal preference, but laceless styles tend to be a great choice for travel, as they're exceptionally versatile and easy to get on and off. Having said that, lace-up sneakers offer an adjustable fit, so they might be a better choice for those with narrow or wide feet.

Think about care requirements

Most Cariuma shoes are easy to clean, but the care instructions vary among styles. For instance, the low-tops from the IBI line are machine-washable, whereas most of the brand's canvas sneakers will have to be spot-cleaned. Shoes with smooth leather uppers (as opposed to suede) can be wiped clean as needed. And some pairs feature a water-repellent coating, which helps keep stains at bay.

Order your normal size

Generally speaking, Cariumas run true to size, so you can order your typical shoe size. Most styles are available in men's and women's whole and half-sizes to ensure a perfect fit. If you're in between a whole and half-size, the brand recommends sizing up.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Where can you buy Cariuma shoes?

    Cariuma is currently a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand. This means you can only buy its products directly from the company website, with the exception of resale sites like eBay. With this in mind, you'll have to keep an eye out for sales and may want to sign up for in-stock alerts for more popular styles that sell out often.

  • How do you clean Cariuma shoes?

    As noted, the proper way to clean Cariuma shoes depends on the style. Some IBI Knit pairs are machine-washable, while most others can be wiped off, spot-cleaned, or hand-washed as needed. Additionally, the brand recommends cleaning your sneakers regularly with a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and stuck-on debris. You can also machine-wash the insoles every so often and let them air-dry.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure contributors have their fingers on the pulse of fashion and lifestyle trends. For this story, freelance commerce writer Theresa Holland took a deep dive into Cariuma's history and sustainability initiatives, then researched today's most popular, celeb-approved, travel-friendly styles for men and women.

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