Credit:
Kaleb Brown
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Over the past few years, I’ve gravitated away from sneakers and towards skate shoes like Vans and Nike GTS 97s as my casual footwear of choice. I made the switch not because I’ve been hitting the local skate park (I’m more of a roller-skating guy), but because I feel the low, narrow profiles of skate shoes make them the more versatile option for styling an outfit.
When looking for new black shoes to replace my worn down pair of Reeboks, Cariuma, a brand that’s celebrated for its cool skate shoes, landed on my radar. Not only are the brand’s skate shoes stylish and trendy, being spotted on celebrities like Pete Davidson, but they’re also made from sustainable materials.
But I know not all that glitters is gold—I put sole to pavement to see if Cariuma’s new UBA Pros could walk the walk.
What are Cariuma UBA Pros?
Cariuma is a Brazilian footwear brand founded in 2018 that specializes in leather and skate shoes. Cariuma markets itself as being eco-friendly, with materials that are described as ethically-sourced and sustainable. The brand also states that it plants two trees for every pair of shoes bought. Despite its short existence, Cariuma is already one of the trendiest footwear brands out there, with its shoes being spotted on the feet of celebrities like Robert Downey Jr., Nina Agdal, and Helen Mirren.
The UBA Pro is the latest sneaker line from Cariuma, consisting of designs that bridge the gap between short and flat skater shoes like Vans and chunkier sneakers. This is thanks to the cupsole, a rubber outer layer of the shoe that “cups” the upper portion of the shoe, making the shoe more supportive and durable.
The Uba Pro is available in both “leather” which features an upper made of premium, ethically-sourced leather and suede (as well as a “mixed” option which features a pure suede upper). Leather has 7 different colorways and mixed has 6. Both variations are available in men's and women’s sizes 5 through 13. For this review, I tested out the Mixed UBA Pro, in size 12 in the black/ivory colorway.
What I like about the Cariuma UBA Pros
They’re subtly stylish
The most striking thing about the UBA Pros is the fact that they effortlessly and masterfully blend the strengths of skate shoes and gym shoes. The UBA Pros’ low profile and flat soles give them the low-key and casual look of traditional skater shoes like Vans. The insoles, however, give the shoes the structure and bulk to stand toe-to-toe with athletic shoes.
The result is a shoe that is heard without being loud; something that’s lowkey without fading into the background of the rest of your outfit. The shoe is well-suited to a variety of occasions, whether you need to mindlessly throw on some shoes for a quick grocery run, style yourself for a night on the town, or want to look effortlessly cool while grinding rails at the skate park.
They’re comfortable out the box
After my experience with Adidas’ Samba Shoes, I was ready for a painful and awkward break-in period, but surprisingly, there wasn’t one. The Uba Pros are comfortable right out of the box, with no break-in period to speak of.
I was impressed by how comfortable they were to walk in, as skate shoes aren’t typically known for being the best walking shoes. The UBA Pros on the other hand, were an absolute dream on my feet even on the rough and uneven trails of my local park. There were times when I didn’t want to take them off in my house — they’re that comfortable.
The MVP is once again the cupsole, which is what makes the shoe so supportive, cushioning the sides of your feet. The insole also helps, making each step feel like you’re walking on a cloud. Those with wider feet can also rejoice, since it’s one of the roomier fits I’ve tried in terms of width.
What I don’t like about the Cariuma UBA Pros
The insole is thick
I struggled to find something I legitimately disliked about the Uba Pros—what I landed on was incredibly minor.
The insole that comes with the shoe is on the thicker side. While I personally wouldn’t take out the insole due to the cushion it provides, it’s thick to the point where the top of the shoe can feel a bit tight after wearing it for a while. It didn’t bother me too much, but it’s something to note if you have more sensitive feet.
Should you buy Cariuma UBA Pros?
Absolutely!
If you couldn’t tell, I’m absolutely in love with Cariuma’s latest sneaker. They do a terrific job of combining the best of skate and athletic shoes, making for a shoe that’s subtle, stylish, and supportive. If you’re looking for a versatile shoe that can do well on just about any outfit and keep you comfortable in dozens of situations, you can’t go wrong with the UBA Pros.
The popular brand has the perfect combination of skate and athletic shoe.
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