Sustainable shoes???? Introducing Cariuma, the sustainably- made comfort shoe company. For our vegans out there, you will be happy to know that 65% percent of Cariuma shoes are vegan, and that number continues to rise! Now, if you are like me, you are currently wondering, “how is that possible?” Well, it’s not easy, but Cariuma takes extra time and focus to ensure its entire supply chain runs as efficiently as possible.
They start by acquiring premium raw materials while maintaining the lowest possible carbon footprint. For example, they collect their rubber from the hevea brasiliensis tree through a “tapping” method. This means that the tree is not harmed through the collection process, creating a sustainable form of rubber for the shoes to utilize. On top of that, the operations and factories operated by Cariuma are LEED Gold certified—. If you are unsure what that means, it’s the 2nd highest honor your factories can receive from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Now, you might be thinking that Cariuma’s sustainability efforts stop here, but that's actually not the case! Because the company has two Brazilian founders, protecting Brazil's rainforests is one of its main goals as a company. Since 2020, Cariuma has worked with Brazilian nonprofit organizations to plant over 120 native species of trees in an attempt to counteract the rapid deforestation in the region. Every pair of shoes you buy leads to two trees being planted; just another way that Cariuma is helping the environment.
Impressive Packaging
Once I received my shoes, I have to say that I was quite impressed with the packaging. The box opened to reveal a diagram of my shoes, a letter announcing where my trees had been planted, and plenty of other reminders that I had made an eco-conscious purchase.
While Cariuma has an amazing story, we also had to make sure they were comfortable, so we decided to buy a pair. Here are our takeaways: From start to finish, Cariuma was one of the most hands-on companies I’ve ever ordered a product from. They sent emails throughout the process, so I knew every step of the shoes’ journey. While I eagerly awaited the arrival of my sneakers, I was sent tips on how I can be greener in my own home. These tips included ways to reuse common items like toilet paper rolls and bags, and also gave helpful tips on how helpful methods to lower my energy consumption throughout my day-to-day life.
Doing good for the enviroment!
I would say this is a company with an amazing story that is doing good for the environment. If you are a fan of Vans, I think you will love Cariuma shoes, but make sure to order them a half size smaller! If you are not a fan of skate shoes, these might not be for you due to their unique style. However, due to the cheap price point (only $64), I think this is a shoe you should definitely check out!
Fair warning before you purchase these shoes: they run big, so look to order a pair around a half size smaller than what you would typically buy. I ordered my normal size shoes, which fit, but I would have preferred a slightly smaller size to fit more snugly to my foot. The best way I can describe the feel of a Cariuma shoe is by comparing it to Vans sneakers, as these shoes have the same low-fitting, almost skateboard-style feel to them. This style of shoe has never been my first choice, but if that sounds like your type of shoe then you should give Cariuma a look. Personally, I did not love the fit of the shoe on my ankle, however, the bamboo soles within the shoe are incredibly comfortable. When I heard that there would be bamboo in my shoes I was hesitant, doubting it would be enjoyable to walk about, but I was wrong. In fact, they actually made walking around quite comfortable, as they give ample padding and support.
