Attractive, unwavering, trustworthy, generous—no, I’m not referring to a man, but if you know of any who meet those requirements, please forward them to me. I am referring to the top-selling Cariuma Salvas sneaker, which retails for $129. Just so you know, two Brazilian friends’ passion for board sports led to the creation of Cariuma. (Consider sports like surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding.) Together, they developed their own collection of timeless sneakers that honor their cherished pastime while being incredibly comfortable and sustainable.
Additionally, Cariuma restores and prolongs the lifespan of its sneakers by planting two trees in the Brazilian jungle for each pair purchased. If necessary, you can return or exchange sneakers that are unused, unwashed, and in their original packaging within a 60-day period. For further details on their return policy, click here.
Let’s be clear: I’m not a sneakerhead, yet I search for my favorite shoe that will last me the entire season every year. I have a big list of (slightly flexible) needs that direct me in my search, much as when I’m screening for the ideal companion. It needs to be cozy. It needs to be encouraging. It needs to be adaptable. Furthermore, it shouldn’t feel oppressive. As you might guess, I had to go through a pretty rigorous screening process before I could try on the Cariuma Salvas.
What Does It Look Like?
I used to be that kid who wore a lot of skateboard-inspired sneakers as a child, including Vans, DC-Shoes, and even my favorite Etnies. I was sprinting about the neighborhood with my skateboard (provided by Active Ride Shop) and chunky sneakers in tow, heavily influenced by my older sister’s fashion sense at the time.
Some things have stayed the same, like my love for a timeless sneaker that can get scuffed and still look fantastic, even though a lot has changed, particularly in terms of my interests and style (for example, I now take a pottery class, read instead of playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and wear heels when I can).
I thought, “Now here’s a shoe with some nostalgia behind it,” when I first saw the sleek Salvas. People, it reminded me of my early years. The days of being a professional skateboarder may be over, but vive la shoe!
The top-selling Salvas style’s exterior appears thicker and is undoubtedly strong enough to endure the friction of an ollie (skateboarding jargon for those who are unfamiliar). They also have a thicker sole (about an inch high), which surely adds some comfort—more on that in a moment. Although it lacks the recognizable Nike swoosh and the coveted V found on Vejas shoes, it does have Cariuma’s emblem, which is shaped like a leaf and completes the circle with their eco-friendly philosophy. Additionally, there is a vintage-inspired wax seal stamp of their emblem in chartreuse on the rear of the shoe.
The softness at the top of the ankle was the one aspect of the shoe that made me apprehensive. Although it made the entire shoe incredibly soft and comfortable—that is, it didn’t dig or grind on my ankle bone—I found that it was a little challenging to get my foot in because the soft top bent under my weight. I know it’s a minor issue, but I’m picking faults.
How Does It Fit?
Known as “the most comfortable leather sneaker” and loved by Ashton Kutcher and Brooke Shields, among others, the bar was set high, and the time for its potential demise was drawing to a close.
My verdict is: I concur.
I rarely switch between shoe manufacturers because I wear a women’s size 9. I was a little let down when I first tried on my white Salvas because my toes were just barely touching the tops of the shoes. I was hesitant to swap it because my toes bent anyway from all that damage, and I used to justify wearing shoes that were too small because I believed it would prevent my feet from expanding. Really, how horrible could it be? However, after giving it some thought and realizing that I wouldn’t reach for these frequently if they were too tight, I decided to swap them out for a size 9.5. A crushing loss with a satisfying conclusion.
I was back in business after getting the proper size shoes. The dense, flexible memory foam cushioning in the insoles, which looks to be composed of recyclable materials, caught me off guard. It has a small curved location for a little arch support, bends easily, and gives somewhat when my weight shifts. This was a blessing since I inherited my dad’s wide, flat foot, which gave me plenty of space to breathe without getting crushed to calluses and gave me a little bounce with every step.
I wore these for the first time on a lengthy stroll around the Marina during my most recent trip to San Diego. I was shocked to find that my feet did not hurt at all after spending hours walking in and out of food tables and art dealers. I’ll say it again: There was no interruption. Although the leather is derived from premium leather that has earned the high ranking of Gold Rated and is LWG-certified, I would like to believe that the sustainable materials used to make these handmade shoes contribute to their comfort. I had anticipated that the leather would need some harsh love on my side.
In layman’s terms, it has the best-of-the-best environmental practices and it remembered my foot like an old lover. I call that a win-win.
Final Thoughts
I was looking for something new with a decent background because I’ve worn everything from Converse to Carina Pumas to the Nike Air Force 1. I’m glad to say that I’m in a serious relationship with my Cariuma Salvas, and I don’t see any end in sight—at least not from my perspective.
It costs $129 at retail, which is about the same as what I would pay for my yearly pair of white sneakers. Additionally, you are undoubtedly getting what you pay for. They are quite comfy, flawlessly made, and really stylish. They also come in a variety of color combinations, so you can choose the one that best suits your outfit, such as black with off-white accents for an edgy look or white and green. Bonus: They use carbon-neutral delivery methods and all of the packaging is recyclable.
For the most comfortable fit, I advise you to go up a half size, as I previously stated. For a daily basic “fit,” I prefer to combine them with jeans and a tank blouse. However, I’ve also worn them with my dressier Reformation Elena Linen Two-Piece Set to a brunch in San Diego, where I got a ton of praise for how well the citrus green logo stamp at the back matched my ensemble. Check for versatility!
What’re you waiting for, then? The moment has come to swipe right on this ideal match.
